VP/FM LEWIS TRAVEL TO CUBA FOR TRADE AGREEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000216 FOR WHA, WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2019 TAGS: PGOV PM SUBJECT: VP/FM LEWIS TRAVEL TO CUBA FOR TRADE AGREEMENT SIGNING Classified By: DCM David Gilmour for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador met with Vice President/Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis on March 13 and inquired about Lewis' upcoming trip to Havana on March 16. Lewis said that he and Vice Minister of Trade Severo Sousa will sign a trade agreement entitled "acuerdo de alcance parcial." Lewis said that Panama negotiated the agreement several months ago and that the Cubans "insisted" that he come and sign it now. Lewis told Ambassador that he believed that, considering Panama,s role as regional as bridge builder, it will be useful for him to go and gauge the Cubans' attitudes in light of the upcoming Summit of the Americas. Lewis will be in Havana for one day. STEPHENSON