PROGRESS WITH THE GOC ON USINT OPERATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000615 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2019 TAGS: PREL AMGT CU SUBJECT: PROGRESS WITH THE GOC ON USINT OPERATIONS Classified By: COM Jonathan Farrar for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Since the Migration Talks in July, there have been significant improvements in operations for the U.S. Interests Section (USINT) in Havana, due in large part to more cooperation from the Government of Cuba (GOC). Post has received permission for two major facility-improvement projects; has cleared out all remaining items from storage that were initially rejected by the GOC; has filled 14 vacant positions in CY 2009; and has met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) for the first time since 2006. In addition, USINT is seeing greatly decreased processing times for importation and accreditation requests, and the Marine Security Guards will finally receive full accreditation from the GOC, including carnets and multiple-entry visas, for the first time in over two years. USINT will look to take advantage of this improved atmosphere to advance other long-delayed projects and TDY visits. End Summary. -------------- Maintenance Projects -------------- ¶2. (C) Due to restriction by the GOC with respect to TDY visitor visas, there were two significant projects left in an indefinite holding pattern - a security upgrade to our facilities and the installation of a new chiller unit. Both projects ground to a halt in 2006 when USINT began using the electronic billboard. All the materials had been shipped to post, beginning in 2003, but the technical teams were not issued visas. The current Forced-Entry, Blast Resistant (FE/BR) doors and windows in the building are in such a state of disrepair that they require daily attention from the Security Office. The Edwards chiller unit currently in operation is so obsolete that post can barely keep the unit operational during the high summer temperatures in Cuba. It could fail at anytime, leaving post with no communications system. A new chiller unit was shipped to post in 2006. In 2008, the GOC finally moved the chiller unit onto the roof, where it sat inoperative for 18 months. ¶3. (C) Post requested permission from the GOC for visas and additional materials to complete both projects. Both requests have been approved and post worked with OBO to arrange site visits and assemble the teams to finish the work. OBO conducted a site visit for the FE/BR door project in September. The chiller installation is scheduled for November - the materials are on their way to post and the team's visa requests are in process with the GOC. The completion of both projects would significantly increase the security of our facilities. Other pending projects that post would like to complete include security upgrades for the Consular Section and the installation of FASTNET. -------------- Importation -------------- ¶4. (C) There have been significant improvements in the importation process for USINT. The GOC has reduced the response time for import requests from as long as eight (8) weeks to as short as two weeks. In addition, they have increased the number of approvals. Since July, only two requests have been refused, both for electronic items. The GOC approved a huge request for materials and equipment in September, most of which had been sitting in the Miami Despatch warehouse since 2006/7 when the GOC literally stopped most USINT imports. The removal of these last items means that since August 2008, USINT has cleared several million dollars worth of supplies and equipment from the warehouse - the majority of which has made its way to USINT already. This accomplishment is due to the efforts of both the Financial Management and General Services Offices to fund storage and transport as well as track and prioritize what was brought in. -------------- Vacant Positions -------------- ¶5. (C) In CY 2009 post has successfully recruited 17 new employees to fill the 23 vacancies that were unfilled at the beginning of January. This is a significant improvement over the 50 vacancies that post struggled to fill in 2007. There are currently 14 vacancies, 8 of which are for the Local Guard Force. Consistent interaction with the GOC to recruit acceptable candidates has been the key to post's success in this area. In June, the GOC held the first-ever open call for English-speaking candidates for USINT. In addition, the GOC agreed to allow USINT to propose English-speaking candidates. These candidates must be approved by the GOC before they can be hired, but several of our proposed candidates have been cleared to fill USINT vacancies. These two developments have worked in tandem to reduce USINT's perennial vacancy problem. Post continues to pursue and build a productive relationship with the GOC on this issue, including quarterly meetings. -------------- Accreditation -------------- ¶6. (C) The waiting time for diplomatic carnets and multiple-entry visas has dropped significantly - from eight (8) weeks in May/June to three (3) weeks in September. Visa renewals that used to take six (6) weeks now take two weeks. These are significant changes in customer service for a critical issue within USINT. When Hurricane Gustav hit Cuba in 2008, for example, USINT had more than 25 passports stuck at MINREX awaiting visas or carnets, limiting options for potential departures. Accreditation is required by the GOC before an officer can receive shipment of personal effects and diplomatic carnets are required for certain services. Delays in receipt of carnets and visas have been a huge blow to post morale. Because all shipments must pass through a third country before entering Cuba, per a reciprocal agreement with the GOC, it can take months for personal effects to arrive at post and be cleared for receipt. The shorter processing times have meant that employees are receiving their belongings in a more timely manner and can organize their lives more quickly. In a major step forward, the GOC agreed to finally respect reciprocity and issue diplomatic carnets and multiple entry visas to the Marine Security Guards (MSGs). Since 2006, the MSGs have been stationed from 6 to 12 months or more in Havana with no outside travel. This development has been a huge victory for USINT and will bring a major change in the lives of the MSGs. -------------- Contact with MINREX -------------- ¶7. (C) There had not been a meeting between MINREX and an American officer from the Management Section since 2006, despite numerous requests, to discuss general logistical issues. On September 29, the Management Officer met with Ambassador Ester Armendares, Sub-Director of Protocol, at MINREX's request. While the discussion centered on management of diplomatic vehicles, it was also an opportunity to gauge whether further cooperation will be forthcoming. It does appear so, as once the vehicle discussion was completed, the Management Officer was asked to comment on the service USINT had been receiving and invited to request future meetings as needed. Since the majority of USINT's contact with MINREX has been via diplomatic note, this appears to be a trend toward the kind of relations that are enjoyed at other posts. -------------- Conclusion -------------- ¶8. (C) Overall, it appears that the goodwill generated by the Migration Talks as well as the visit of WHA DAS Bisa Williams has translated into improved operations for USINT. While post still continues to encounter roadblocks in getting things done, they are less frequent and appear to be less deliberate on the part of the GOC. Post continues to press our advantage by asking for additional TDY visitors to receive visas for overdue training, systems upgrades and additional facilities projects. Post also plans to continue discussions with MINREX on operational issues, starting with the limitations on our diplomatic pouch. FARRAR