PANAMA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001708 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR IO/UNP (J. MARIZ) E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017 TAGS: UNGA ETRD PHUM UN CU PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION DELIVERED REF: STATE 148506 Classified By: Classified by POLCOUNS Brian R. Naranjo. Reason: 1.4 ( d) (C) Panama did not want to "jeopardize" its role as an interlocutor with Cuba and bridge between Cuba and its hemispheric neighbors, Panamanian First VP and FM Samuel Lewis explained on October 26 during breakfast with Ambassador when reftel demarche was presented. Lewis demurred on whether Panama would vote against or at a minimum abstain on Cuba's annual UNGA resolution condemning the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba. Post has also delivered reftel demarche to MFA DG for International Political Affairs Javier Bonagas, but received no substantive response. Lewis, who planned to travel to Havana November 3-4 to participate in a trade show, was very proud of President Torrijos' achievements in establishing amicable relations with all its hemispheric neighbors, including Cuba. Lewis said that Panama would continue to play a useful role brokering relations across the political spectrum of the Western Hemisphere. Comment: It is highly unlikely that the U.S. will be able to garner Panama's support to oppose this resolution, but rather Panama will continue to vote for this resolution. EATON