PANAMA: CUBAN FM COMES TO TOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000383 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2017 TAGS: PREL PM CU SUBJECT: PANAMA: CUBAN FM COMES TO TOWN Classified By: Ambassador William A. Eaton. Reason: 1.4 (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Noting that Cuba "has demonstrated its solidarity and support" for Panama since "the epoch of General Omar Torrijos," Panamanian First VP and FM Samuel Lewis launched the first meeting of the Panama-Cuba binational commission on March 2. Lewis added that the meeting was "of high importance" and would result in "productive discussions for both countries." In his February 27 breakfast with Ambassador, Lewis downplayed Cuban FM Felipe Perez Roque's visit, neglecting to note that it would be the inaugural session of a new binational commission process. "Today, the full normalization of relations and the respectful exchange of dialogue was sealed," Perez Roque said. Perez Roque and Lewis inaugurated an ophthamological surgery clinic and signed four bilateral agreements. End summary. -------------- Binational Commission Launched -------------- ¶2. (U) Lewis and Perez Roque launched the First Panama-Cuba Meeting of Mechanisms of Political Consultation and Mixed Meetings on Cooperation on March 2. Perez Roque explained that this commission would meet yearly, alternating between Panama and Cuba, and "would facilitate an institutional dialogue that was broader and more orderly between Foreign Ministries." Perez Roque characterized the launch of this binational process as the culmination of process that resulted in the "full normalization" of relations with Panama. -------------- Operation Miracle Goes Local -------------- ¶3. (U) The two FMs inaugurated an ophthamological surgery center at the Chicho Fabrega hospital in Panama's Santiago province to conduct eye surgeries. This clinic's opening enables Cuba's Operation Miracle to put down roots in Panama and means that prospective needy patients will no longer need to travel to Cuba. Perez Roque asserted that this clinic would have the latest equipment and enable Cuban and Panamanian doctors to collaborate. -------------- Four Agreements Signed -------------- ¶4. (U) The two FMs signed four agreements: (a) a convention on mutual legal assistance, (b) a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons, (c) an agreement to cooperation on the exchange of information and technical assistance related to the preservation of historical diplomatic documents and files, and (d) a bilateral instrument for the mutual recognition of courses of study, titles, and diplomas of higher education. Lewis noted, "We have been able to identify other collaboration agreements where in the future we are going to be able to deepen our relationship, for example, in the commercial area. A Cuban-Panamanian Chamber of Commerce may be established and perhaps at the next Havana Fair there will be a well-established pavilion for Panama. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) The launch of this Panama-Cuba binational commission is but another example of President Torrijos' policy of striving to maintain cordial relations with all its hemispheric neighbors, including Cuba. The opening of an eye surgery clinic in Panama will help mute criticism that Operation Miracle needlessly and inefficiently required patients to travel to Cuba. Aside from the clinic, the substance of this meeting was thin. Symbolically though, the launch of this binational commission enables Cuba to tout the "full normalization" of relations with Panama as an example that Cuba continues to conduct business as usual. EATON