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