Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BERN1981
2006-10-24 16:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bern
Cable title:
SWISS ASSISTANCE WITH USINT OPERATING DIFFICULTIES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSW #1981 2971656 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241656Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY BERN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3317 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA IMMEDIATE 0014
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 001981
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA, EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: PREL AMGT SZ CU
SUBJECT: SWISS ASSISTANCE WITH USINT OPERATING DIFFICULTIES
REF: SECSTATE 177394
Classified By: Poloff Eric K. Lundberg, Reasons 1.4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 001981
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA, EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: PREL AMGT SZ CU
SUBJECT: SWISS ASSISTANCE WITH USINT OPERATING DIFFICULTIES
REF: SECSTATE 177394
Classified By: Poloff Eric K. Lundberg, Reasons 1.4 b/d
1.(C) Embassy Bern conveyed reftel message to the Swiss
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and met personally with
DFA Deputy Americas chief Urs Hammer and North America desk
officer Werner Thut to review the points prior to the October
24 meeting between DFA Americas Director Yvonne Baumann and
resident Cuban Ambassador Ana Maria Rovira Ingidua. Our
Swiss counterparts affirmed their interest in helping USINT
resolve its issues with the GOC. Ambassador Coneway also
plans to convey the message with visiting Swiss Ambassador
Ziswiler on October 25.
--------------
"Not sure they know what they are doing"
--------------
2.(C) Following the Baumann-Rovira meeting, DFA Caribbean
desk officer Stefano Vescovi told Poloff that Cuban officials
appeared to be acting more peculiarly than he had seen them
behave during his previous four years handling USINT issues.
Ambassador Rovira Ingidua appeared uncomfortable and out of
touch with the situation in Havana. Clearly under
instructions, Rovira Ingidua questioned whether Switzerland's
status as protecting power even gave it a mandate to convey
the USG message to the Government of Cuba. Swiss officials,
for their part, pointed out several inconsistencies in the
Cuban message.
3.(C) Vescovi professed surprise at this turn in Cuban
behavior. Until now, he observed, he had always felt able to
exchange views in a frank manner, including with Ambassador
Rovira Ingidua. Vescovi wondered whether recent personnel
changes in the Cuban Foreign Ministry (the replacement of a
vice minister) might be a reason for the change. His overall
impression: "I'm not sure they know what they are doing."
4.(C) Following discussions within the DFA and with Swiss
Ambassador Bertrand Louis in Havana, Vescovi hoped the Swiss
would have a clearer idea how to assist USINT with its
difficulties.
CONEWAY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA, EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: PREL AMGT SZ CU
SUBJECT: SWISS ASSISTANCE WITH USINT OPERATING DIFFICULTIES
REF: SECSTATE 177394
Classified By: Poloff Eric K. Lundberg, Reasons 1.4 b/d
1.(C) Embassy Bern conveyed reftel message to the Swiss
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and met personally with
DFA Deputy Americas chief Urs Hammer and North America desk
officer Werner Thut to review the points prior to the October
24 meeting between DFA Americas Director Yvonne Baumann and
resident Cuban Ambassador Ana Maria Rovira Ingidua. Our
Swiss counterparts affirmed their interest in helping USINT
resolve its issues with the GOC. Ambassador Coneway also
plans to convey the message with visiting Swiss Ambassador
Ziswiler on October 25.
--------------
"Not sure they know what they are doing"
--------------
2.(C) Following the Baumann-Rovira meeting, DFA Caribbean
desk officer Stefano Vescovi told Poloff that Cuban officials
appeared to be acting more peculiarly than he had seen them
behave during his previous four years handling USINT issues.
Ambassador Rovira Ingidua appeared uncomfortable and out of
touch with the situation in Havana. Clearly under
instructions, Rovira Ingidua questioned whether Switzerland's
status as protecting power even gave it a mandate to convey
the USG message to the Government of Cuba. Swiss officials,
for their part, pointed out several inconsistencies in the
Cuban message.
3.(C) Vescovi professed surprise at this turn in Cuban
behavior. Until now, he observed, he had always felt able to
exchange views in a frank manner, including with Ambassador
Rovira Ingidua. Vescovi wondered whether recent personnel
changes in the Cuban Foreign Ministry (the replacement of a
vice minister) might be a reason for the change. His overall
impression: "I'm not sure they know what they are doing."
4.(C) Following discussions within the DFA and with Swiss
Ambassador Bertrand Louis in Havana, Vescovi hoped the Swiss
would have a clearer idea how to assist USINT with its
difficulties.
CONEWAY