DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ADVANCING THE U.S. POSITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 000588 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KE CU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ADVANCING THE U.S. POSITION FOR CHANGE IN CUBA REF: SECSTATE 18317 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission (Acting) John Hoover, reasons 1. 4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) On February 26, the Ambassador intervened directly with Minister of Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula regarding reftel demarche and emphasized the importance of helping Cuba work toward a peaceful process of meaningful change that will lead to a democratic end. ¶2. (U) Kenya generally has good relations with Cuba -- Cuba opened an embassy in Nairobi in 2002 and the two countries concluded an economic, scientific and technical cooperation agreement the same year. In 2004, the countries began a two-year partnership to strengthen Kenya's sugar industry. The two countries continue educational and cultural exchanges. RANNEBERGER