BELARUS: LIBETDACT

UNCLAS MINSK 001255 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL BO CU SUBJECT: BELARUS: LIBETDACT REF: STATE 191752 ¶1. Summary: The GO is building economic ties with Cuba, strongly spports the Cuban government, and has no interest n promoting democracy, the protection of human rigts or free market reform. End summary. Belarsian-Cuban Investment, Trade and Exchanges -------------- -- ¶2. Question 1: Belarus and Cuba actively seek spheresof economic cooperation. On November 22, Belaruian Foreign Minister Viktor Gaisyonok stated at he Belarusian-Cuban Commission on Trade and Econmic Cooperation, "today we are, above all, intersted in the stabilization of trade between Belaru and Cuba, the development of relations in the baning and finance spheres, cooperation in biomedicne and an increase in supplies of medicines and quipment to Cuba." ¶3. As of November 1, the OB reported that Belarusian-Cuban trade and investment totaled USD 17.7 million, up 25.7 percent from this time last year. Belarusian exports to Cuba totaled USD 6.2 million in goods, including trucks (USD 2.4 million),engines (USD 1 million), tractors (USD .5 million),spare parts for machinery (USD .2 million) and radio equipment (USD .3 million),tires (USD .2 million),busses, vehicles, footwear, petrochemicals, and electronics. Cuban exports to Belarus totaled USD 11.5 million and included raw sugar cane, medicine, tobacco products, hard liquor, and citrus products. ¶4. Belarusian traders and investors in Cuba include the National Bank of Belarus, Belvneshekonombank, Priorbank, Belagroprombank, Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Minsk Tractor Works, MAZ (bus and truck factory),Minsk Engine Plant, BelAZ (dump truck factory),Belarusian State Television and Radio Company (BSTRC). OAO Amkodor plans to open a construction equipment factory in Cuba. Cuban companies investing in Belarus include Cuba's Central Bank and Cuban Institute of Radio and Television. ¶5. Question 2: On September 3, 2000, Belarus and Cuba signed two separate trade agreements, the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of Cuba on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Agreement Between the Republic of Belarus and Republic of Cuba on Friendly Relations and Cooperation, which sought to promote and protect mutual investment, develop mutual trade, assist businesses in the respective countries in conducting joint investment projects, and create financial and industrial groups and joint ventures. On February 26, 2003, Belarus and Cuba signed the Agreement Between the Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Certification with the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and the National Bureau on Standardization of the Republic of Cuba, which allowed for freer movement of goods between the nations. ¶6. In addition, press reports indicate that the GOB has ratified other bilateral agreements within the past two months, which promote greater cooperation and exchange in transportation, air service, politics, legal matters, information exchange and municipal services. New agreements are currently in the works to enhance cooperation between the central banks and increase trade of potash fertilizers, fabrics, clothes, and dried milk. ¶7. Question 3: On November 23, Belarus and Cuba signed an accord to reinitiate educational exchange programs, which have been frozen since the fall of the Soviet Union. On the same day, the Belarusian State Television and Radio Company signed an agreement with the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television allowing the two institutions to exchange radio and TV news, culture, music and entertainment programs. Belarus and Cuba: Friends Forever -------------- ¶8. Question 4: Belarus considers Cuba to be one of its few close friends and allies on the world stage and has no interest in promoting democracy or human rights in Havana. Belarus actively supports Cuban initiatives in international fora. On November 9, Cuban Ambassador to Belarus Omar Medina Quintero expressed his country's gratitude to Belarus for its support and assistance in the international arena and in opposing one of the great powers (i.e. the United States). ¶9. This support in the international arena is mutual. On October 30, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergey Sidorskiy expressed Belarus' mutual gratitude to a visiting Cuban delegation led by parliamentary president Dr. Ricardo Alarcon for Cuba's support of Belarus policies and initiatives, stating "we feel the personal support of Ricardo Alarcon, which he renders to Belarus in international organizations as a professional in politics." ¶10. Question 5: In September, President Aleksandr Lukashenko traveled to Havana for the Non-Aligned Movement Summit. Following his visit, representatives from Cuba's Central Bank came to Minsk on October 8-12 to discuss a possible bank cooperation agreement. On October 30, the Cuban National Assembly President Dr. Alarcon called on the Belarusian Parliament in Minsk to discuss measures to promote closer economic cooperation between the two countries. In conjunction with the Belarusian-Cuban Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation on November 21-23, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister for foreign investment and economic cooperation Ricardo Guerrero Blanca visited Minsk. Stewart