Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS728
2008-05-27 13:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
LIBERTAD ACT: GREECE AND CUBA
how-toVZCZCXRO3876 OO RUEHBW DE RUEHTH #0728 1481319 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271319Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1871 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0327
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000728
SIPDIS
WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PGOV GR CU
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT: GREECE AND CUBA
REF: SECSTATE 52541
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFFREY HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000728
SIPDIS
WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PGOV GR CU
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT: GREECE AND CUBA
REF: SECSTATE 52541
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFFREY HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) In response to reftel, post offers the following
observations on the general state of Greece-Cuba relations as
they pertain to the Libertad Act.
2. (C) Greece generally follows the common EU position on
relations with Cuba. Like other EU countries, Greece
maintains diplomatic relations with Cuba, and Greece and Cuba
exchange ambassadors and have reciprocal embassies. We are
unaware of any recent high-level visits by government
officials of either country. The Greek government has made
no formal statements on the transition from Fidel to Raul
Castro and has generally made no comments on Cuba. The Greek
Communist Party (KKE) maintains close ties to the Cuban
regime. In May 2008, KKE GenSec Papariga visited Havana to
meet Raul Castro and other top members of the Castro regime.
3. (Qdrnment of the PASOK paent (1996),Economic
and Technical Cooperation Agreement (1997),a Cultural
Cooperation Agreement (1983),and an Air Transportation
Agreement (1998),permitting direct flights between the two
countries. We are unaware of any new agreements between
Greece and the Castro regime since 2001.
4. (C) Greek shipowners control the world's largest merchant
marine fleet, and we believe Greek-owned ships carry a
significant percentage of Cuba's cargo. Apart from shipping,
commercial relations between Greece and Cuba are thin. Greek
imports from Cuba in 2007 totaled 6.8 million USD (of which
cigars 5 million, rum one million, and charcoal 0.7 million).
Greek exports to Cuba in 2007 totaled 226,293 USD (of which
petroleum products 96,711 USD, water heaters 61,065 USD, and
zinc products 53,974 USD). There are virtually no Cuban
tourists visiting Greece and only a limited number of Greek
tourists visiting Cuba (approximately 9,000 in 2004, the last
year for which statistics were available).
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL PGOV GR CU
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT: GREECE AND CUBA
REF: SECSTATE 52541
Classified By: A/POLCOUNS JEFFREY HOVENIER. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) In response to reftel, post offers the following
observations on the general state of Greece-Cuba relations as
they pertain to the Libertad Act.
2. (C) Greece generally follows the common EU position on
relations with Cuba. Like other EU countries, Greece
maintains diplomatic relations with Cuba, and Greece and Cuba
exchange ambassadors and have reciprocal embassies. We are
unaware of any recent high-level visits by government
officials of either country. The Greek government has made
no formal statements on the transition from Fidel to Raul
Castro and has generally made no comments on Cuba. The Greek
Communist Party (KKE) maintains close ties to the Cuban
regime. In May 2008, KKE GenSec Papariga visited Havana to
meet Raul Castro and other top members of the Castro regime.
3. (Qdrnment of the PASOK paent (1996),Economic
and Technical Cooperation Agreement (1997),a Cultural
Cooperation Agreement (1983),and an Air Transportation
Agreement (1998),permitting direct flights between the two
countries. We are unaware of any new agreements between
Greece and the Castro regime since 2001.
4. (C) Greek shipowners control the world's largest merchant
marine fleet, and we believe Greek-owned ships carry a
significant percentage of Cuba's cargo. Apart from shipping,
commercial relations between Greece and Cuba are thin. Greek
imports from Cuba in 2007 totaled 6.8 million USD (of which
cigars 5 million, rum one million, and charcoal 0.7 million).
Greek exports to Cuba in 2007 totaled 226,293 USD (of which
petroleum products 96,711 USD, water heaters 61,065 USD, and
zinc products 53,974 USD). There are virtually no Cuban
tourists visiting Greece and only a limited number of Greek
tourists visiting Cuba (approximately 9,000 in 2004, the last
year for which statistics were available).
SPECKHARD