Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MOSCOW560
2008-02-29 05:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:  

RUSSIA DOES NOT EXPECT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN

Tags:  PREL CU RS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ2054
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #0560 0600555
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 290555Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6868
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000560 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PREL CU RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA DOES NOT EXPECT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN
RELATIONS WITH CUBA


Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000560

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PREL CU RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA DOES NOT EXPECT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN
RELATIONS WITH CUBA


Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) In a February 28 meeting, MFA Counselor for Cuba and
the Caribbean Victor Koronelli told us that Russia does not
expect a significant change in bilateral relations with Cuba
after the change in government. Koronelli said that the
media had "overplayed the impact" of Casto's retirement and
the succession of Raul Castro. The GOR believed the events
were only a "formalization" of arrangements that have been in
place since Castro's illness and, for the time being, a
continuation of Cuban policy. Noting that Fidel is still the
ideological and Community Party leader, and that Raul has
said publicly that he would continue to consult with Castro,
Koronelli told us the GOR believes Castro would remain the
power behind the throne and the "banner of the ideal" in
Cuba. Korenelli added that the GOR believed that the
transfer of power from Fidel to Raul Castro was "timely" and
meant to head off possible infighting after Castro's death.


2. (C) Russia "knows Raul well," and regards him as a
legitimate successor, Koronelli noted, and expects any
changes in bilateral political relations to be for the
better. He said there were regular, high-level consultations
between the two countries, pointing to the Cuban First Deputy
Foreign Minister's visit to Moscow in December. He said that
the March 5 meeting of the State Council in Cuba, where new
portfolios would be distributed, could indicate areas of
potential change, but that it was too early to predict the
outcome.


3. (C) Korenelli said that relations between Russia and
Cuba could not be compared to the relationship between Cuba
and the USSR, noting that trade was only $300 million last
year, although it was set to increase in 2008. Russia gave
Cuba $355 million at the end of 2006 in energy credits, and
Cuba was increasingly seen as a potential market by Russian
businesses. He said the GOR -- and Russian companies -- were
expecting modest steps from Raul Castro to open the Cuban
economy, especially in regard to tourism and agriculture, but
did not foresee a major shift towards a market economy.
BURNS