PANAMA: RUSSIAN WARSHIP TO CROSS CANAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000819 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: RUSSIAN WARSHIP TO CROSS CANAL ¶1. (C) 1st VP and FM Samuel Lewis Navarro told the Ambassador October 9 that the Russian nuclear-powered russian crusier Petr Velikiy (Peter the Great) will cross the Canal in December, and make a two-day port call at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa navel base (former Rodman Naval Station) on December 13 or 14. He said that during the port call the ship would re-supply and the crew would have liberty. Lewis downplayed the importance of the crossing, underscoring that the Canal was open to all. He further asserted that the crossing would provide the GOP an opportunity to caution the Russians on the way they engage in the hemisphere. ¶2. (C) Vice Minister of Government and Justice Rodrigo Cigarruista (Note: Now Acting Minister of Government and Justice (see septel). End Note) told DATT and PolOff October 8 that Russian Embassy was coordinating the event with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the GOP, and that they were requesting a five-day port call. He said the GOP had agreed to the transit, but that it would not grant the special coordination granted to U.S. High Value Transits (HVTs),to prevent the Russians from learning details about how such crossings are protected. He said the GOP was considering denying the request for a port visit, so as not to be seen supporting the Russian's exercises with the Venezuelans. He said the likely excuse would be that the only pier capable of receiving the ship was under repair, and that they might dock a repair ship at the dock to reinforce the story. STEPHENSON