COLOMBIA-CUBA: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004334


WHA/CCA FOR DMCFARLAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2018
TAGS: ETRD ECON ETTC PGOV PREL CU CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA-CUBA: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III
OF LIBERTAD ACT

REF: STATE 126578

Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR LAWRENCE J. GUMBINER FOR REASONS 1.4
(B) AND (D)


1. (C) Colombia has a minimal trade and investment
relationship with Cuba. According to the Colombian Ministry
of Trade, in 2007 Colombia exported USD 50.5 million worth of
goods to Cuba and imported USD 8.4 million of goods from
Cuba. The rate of bilateral trade flows in the first half of
2008 increased moderately, with Colombian exports to Cuba
totaling USD 27.5 million and imports from Cuba of USD 6.5
million. Major Colombian exports to Cuba include sugar,
domestic appliances, transformers, ceramics and building
materials, while top imports include beverages, steel alloys,
sugar, fertilizers, medicines, and copper products. Post is
not aware of any Colombian businesses participating in the
November 3 Havana Trade Fair. Since 2000, Colombia and Cuba
have offered limited reciprocal trade preferences through
Cuba's participation in the Latin American Integration
Association (ALADI).


2. (C) According to the Colombian Ministry of Trade and
Central Bank, Colombia has made no direct investment in Cuba
since 1994. Cuba has made investments valued at USD 70
million in Colombia since 2001. In January 2008, the
Colombian Institute for International Technical Education and
Scholarships (ICETEX) announced the offering of ten
scholarships for Colombian students to study medicine in
Cuba. The scholarships are funded by the Cuban government.

3. (SBU) Separately, a Cuban agricultural mission, led by
Council of State member and National Association of Small
Farmers President Orlando Lugo Fonte, visited Colombia in
March 2008 and met with President Uribe to discuss scientific
cooperation in the cattle and biofuels industries. Following
the visit, the Colombian government agreed to provide
technical assistance to Cuba in constructing a small
experimental ethanol plant.


4. (C) Post is not aware of any high-level diplomatic visits
between Cuba and Colombia in the past six months.


5. (SBU) In response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Colombia
sent ten tons of construction materials to Cuba in September
via a Colombian Air Force transport. The humanitarian
assistance was provided by Colombia's Office for Disaster
Response and Prevention and was intended to help reconstruct
housing for hurricane victims.


6. (C) In general, Colombia maintains a cautious policy
toward Cuba due to Cuba's willingness to host peace talks
with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and Fidel Castro's
influence with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Colombia
has made only limited public statements in international fora
condemning human rights violations or pressing for a
democratic transition in Colombia. At the GOC's request,
Cuba hosted talks between the Colombian Government and the
ELN. However, the Cuban Government did not play a
significant substantive role in the talks, which dragged on
for more than a year in Havana. Colombian Peace Commissioner
Luis Carlos Restrepo traveled to Cuba periodically during the
process.


NICHOLS