GABON: INFORMATION ON RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN GABON

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000428 SIPDIS AF/C FOR LISA KORTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2019 TAGS: PINR BECON EINV GB RS SUBJECT: GABON: INFORMATION ON RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN GABON (C-CI9-01825) REF: STATE 088241 Classified By: Ambassador Eunice Reddick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Per reftel, post provides the following information on the Russian presence in Gabon. ¶2. (U) IS THERE A RUSSIAN TRADE REPRESENTATION IN YOUR COUNTRY? The Russian Embassy in Gabon consists of three diplomats: the Ambassador, Vladimir E. Tarabrin, and a married couple, who both work in the consular section. The husband, Igor Boukrine, also serves as the Economic and Commercial Officer and the Trade Representative. ¶3. (U) WHAT MAJOR RUSSIAN COMPANIES OPERATE IN YOUR COUNTRY AND IN WHAT BUSINESS SECTORS? The Russians are mainly interested in the mining and oil sectors in Gabon. The Russian mining and oil company Renova was here in 2005 and 2006 to explore permits for prospection but to date there are no accords with the Gabonese. The Russian fishing company Rustana has introduced a request to the government of Gabon for fishing rights but to date they have not been granted. This request from Rustana is pending since 2006. ¶4. (U) HOW MUCH REVENUE ARE RUSSIAN COMPANIES BRINGING IN? There is no information available. ¶5. (U) HOW MUCH RUSSIAN INVESTMENT IS OCCURING; IN WHAT SECTORS; IS IT GROWING? Russian investors are primarily interested in extractive industries, such as mining and oil. Several Gabonese delgations have gone to Russia and many Russian delegations have visited Gabon, but nothing concrete has resulted from these visits. The only important bilateral relationship at this time is in the education sector. Thirty Gabonese students are participating in educational exchanges with Russian universities, primarily in scientific areas at the doctoral level. ¶6. (U) IS YOUR COUNTRY ACTIVELY SEEKING RUSSIAN INVESTMENT AND/OR RUSSIAN TOURISM? In 2007, the Russian TV channel TVC was in Gabon to film a documentary to present the country as a tourist destination for Russians. There is no further information available regarding its impact. Our contacts say that Russians believe Gabon is too expensive to be a viable tourist destination. ¶7. (U) ROUGHLY HOW MANY RUSSIAN CITIZENS RESIDE IN YOUR COUNTRY? There are no concrete figures available, but many Gabonese who participate in educational exchanges marry Russians. The number of Russian expatriates appears minimal. REDDICK