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.

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Maintenance Projects
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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.

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Importation
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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.

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Vacant Positions
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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.

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Accreditation
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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.

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Contact with MINREX
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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.

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Conclusion
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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