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