

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08HAVANA316, COLOMBIAN AMBASSADOR ON CUBAN ROLE IN
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08HAVANA316.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08HAVANA316 | 2008-04-16 14:40 | 2011-05-02 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | US Interests Section Havana |
Appears in these articles: http://m.elcomercio.com/wikileaks/cable.php?c=6512bd4 http://www4.elcomercio.com/Noticia-Principal/cuba_no_apoyo___a_quito_en_el___conflicto_con_bogota.aspx |
VZCZCXYZ0020
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHUB #0316/01 1071440
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 161440Z APR 08
FM USINT HAVANA
TO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3126
INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN IMMEDIATE 0188
C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000316
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
///////////////////////////////////////////// ///////
DO NOT, REPEAT DO NOT PROCESS MESSAGE IS WAITING FOR
EAO GUDIANCE.
///////////////////////////////////////////// //////
DEPT FOR WHA, WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV CU CO EC VN
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN AMBASSADOR ON CUBAN ROLE IN
COLOMBIA/ECUADOR DISPUTE
REF: HAVANA 0229 (EXDIS)
Classified By: COM MICHAEL E. PARMLY FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
SUMMARY
--------
¶1. (C) COLOMBIAN AMBASSADOR LONDONO TOLD US 15 APRIL THAT
CUBA CONTINUES TO PLAY AN UNUSUALLY DISCREET ROLE IN
COLOMBIA'S DISPUTE WITH ECUADOR. THE CUBANS HAVE STUCK TO
THEIR ALMOST COMPLETE SILENCE ON THE ISSUE. FM PEREZ ROQUE,
IN LONDONO'S VIEW ON DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS FROM RAUL CASTRO,
TOLD GRULAC AMBASSADORS TO HAVANA LAST WEEK THAT THE GOC
VALUES AS MUCH ITS TIES TO THE ONE AS TO THE OTHER. LONDONO
REJECTED ANY NOTION THAT HAVANA SOUGHT TO KEEP DISPUTE
RESOLUTION OUT OF VENUES WHERE THERE IS A U.S. PRESENCE. HE
POSITED THAT IN RECENT WEEKS, HE HAD SEEN SMALL BUT IMPORTANT
SIGNS THAT THE GOC WANTS TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE WITH
WASHINGTON. END SUMMARY.
CUBA ON COLOMBIA-ECUADOR: STRICT IMPARTIALITY
--------------------------------------------- -
¶2. (C) COLOMBIAN AMBASSADOR TO HAVANA JULIO LONDONO, DEAN OF
THE DIP CORPS HERE WITH TEN YEARS ON THE GROUND, BRIEFED COM
ON THE CUBAN ROLE IN THE COLOMBIA-ECUADOR BORDER DISPUTE.
"STRICT HANDS-OFF" AND "TOTAL IMPARTIALITY" WERE TWO TERMS
LONDONO USED IN DESCRIBING THE GOC ATTITUDE. BUILDING ON
EARLIER COMMENTS TO US ON THE CUBAN ROLE, LONDONO SAID CUBAN
OFFICIALS, STARTING WITH PRESIDENT RAUL CASTRO, WENT OUT OF
THEIR WAY NOT/NOT TO COMMENT, EITHER PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY,
ABOUT WHO WAS RIGHT AND WHO WAS WRONG IN THE DISPUTE.
HOWEVER, LONDONO SAID HE WAS CONVINCED -- THOUGH HE DECLINED
TO SAY ON WHAT BASIS -- THAT HAVANA, EITHER THROUGH DISCREET
EMISSARIES OR EVEN IN DIRECT PHONE CALLS, HAD TOLD VENEZUELAN
LEADER CHAVEZ TO BACK OFF ON HIS INFLAMED RHETORIC. LONDONO
HIMSELF HAD CONFINED HIS CONTACTS TO PCC INTERNATIONAL
SECRETARY FERNANDO REMIREZ DE ESTENOZ. IN SEVERAL MEETINGS,
SIPDIS
REMIREZ HAD SOUGHT INFORMATION FROM LONDONO ON WHERE THINGS
STOOD. LONDONO HAD OFFERED THE COLOMBIAN PERSPECTIVE, WHICH
REMIREZ HAD LARGELY TAKEN ON BOARD WITHOUT COMMENT. AT NO
POINT HAD REMIREZ OFFERED A PREFERRED OUTCOME FROM CUBA'S
PERSPECTIVE, LONDONO OBSERVED.
¶3. (C) LONDONO SAID THE CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTRY'S
EXCEPTIONALLY LOW PROFILE WAS ONLY ALTERED SOMEWHAT THE WEEK
OF 7 APRIL. THE GRULAC AMBASSADORS TO HAVANA HAD HOSTED FM
FELIPE PEREZ ROQUE TO DINNER AT THE HOTEL NACIONAL. IN HIS
REMARKS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HEMISPHERE, THE ONLY SPECIFIC
PROBLEM PEREZ ROQUE REFERRED TO WAS THE COLOMBIA-ECUADOR
DISPUTE. THE FM LAUDED THE STATE OF CUBA'S RELATIONS WITH
ECUADOR, BUT POINTEDLY ADDED THAT HAVANA VALUES ITS CLOSE
TIES TO BOGOTA EQUALLY. PEREZ ROQUE CONCLUDED WITH A BLAND
EXPRESSION OF CUBA'S DESIRE TO SEE THE TWO SOUTH AMERICAN
NEIGHBORS SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCE AMICABLY.
FAILED ECUADORIAN PRESSURE TO GET CUBA TO SPEAK OUT
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶4. (C) THE COLOMBIAN AMBASSADOR TOLD US THE ECUADORIANS HAD
BEEN QUITE EXERCISED AT HAVANA'S CAREFUL ATTITUDE IN THE
CRISIS. HIS ECUADORIAN COUNTERPART, UNIVERSEI ZAMBRANO, TOLD
LONDONO HE HAD RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS TO CALL THE CUBANS ON
THE POINT AND TO SEEK AN EXPLANATION. LONDONO SAID HE KNOWS
THAT ZAMBRANO WAS RECEIVED AT A HIGH LEVEL OF MINREX TO
DELIVER QUITO'S MESSAGE OF IMPATIENCE, BUT THE ECUADORIANS
HAVE NOT TOLD HIM WHAT MINREX'S RESPONSE WAS.
CUBANS NOT SEEKING TO FREEZE OUT THE U.S., IN LONDONO'S VIEW
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
¶5. (C) LONDONO ADVISED US NOT TO PLACE TOO MUCH STOCK IN THE
VENUE -- SANTO DOMINGO -- WHERE A NUMBER OF THE REGIONAL
ACTORS, INCLUDING COLOMBIA AND ECUADOR, VENEZUELA AND
NICARAGUA, BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES WERE PRESENT. IN ANY
CASE, LONDONO SAID THAT AT NO POINT DID CUBAN OFFICIALS TELL
HIM THEY WANTED TO EXCLUDE THE USG FROM DISCUSSION OF AN
OUTCOME. LONDONO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT FIDEL, IN HIS REGULAR
"REFLECTIONS" IN THE CUBAN PRESS, HAD CROWED THAT THE SANTO
DOMINGO OUTCOME HAD BEEN POSSIBLE PRECISELY BECAUSE THE USG
HAD BEEN ABSENT, BUT HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT POINT OF VIEW
REPRESENTED RAUL'S VIEWS.
RAUL TRYING TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE
------------------------------------
¶6. (C) LONDONO'S INTERPRETATION IS THAT RAUL ACCEPTS HIS
BROTHER'S RANTS NOT BECAUSE HE AGREES WITH THEM, BUT RATHER
BECAUSE 1) IT IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT TO TRY TO STOP THE
IRREPRESSIBLE FIDEL; AND 2) LETTING FIDEL RATTLE ON GIVES
RAUL COVER WITH THE HARD LINERS IN THE REGIME. THE COLOMBIAN
AMBASSADOR, CURRENT DEAN OF THE DIP CORPS HERE AND A TEN-YEAR
VETERAN IN HAVANA WHO HAS MET MANY TIMES WITH BOTH FIDEL AND
RAUL, SAID RAUL IS NOW FIRMLY IN CHARGE OF EVENTS ON THE
ISLAND, AT LEAST INSOFAR AS THE REGIME IS CONCERNED. HE
POINTED TO THE REMOVAL OF HATEFUL ANTI-U.S. BILLBOARDS AROUND
TOWN AS ANOTHER SIGN OF THE MORE PRAGMATIC, LESS IDEOLOGICAL
CHARACTER NOW AT THE HEAD OF THE REGIME. WHEN COM PRESSED,
LONDONO SAID HE HAD NO INSIGHTS AS TO WHEN THE REGIME WOULD
RELEASE POLITICAL PRISONERS, AND HE AGREED THAT SUCH AN ACT
WOULD BE THE MOST CONCRETE SIGN OF THE REGIME WANTING TO GO
IN A TRULY NEW DIRECTION. LONDONO EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT
THE REGIME HAD NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE VISITS OF VATICAN
STATE SECRETARY BERTONE OR EU COMMISSIONER MICHEL TO RELEASE
POL PRISONERS, BUT HE AGREED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
SHOULD KEEP PRESSING THE POINT. "QUIETLY," HE ADDED.
COMMENT
-------
¶7. (C) LONDONO TOLD US PRESIDENT URIBE HAS ASKED HIM TO TAKE
THE LEAD FOR COLOMBIA IN REACHING A FINAL SETTLEMENT WITH
ECUADOR IN THE DISPUTE. FOR NOW HE INTENDS TO DO THAT JOB
WHILE RETAINING HIS HAVANA POSTING. LONDONO HAS GOOD
PROFESSIONAL TIES WITH SENIOR REGIME OFFICIALS HERE, BUT IS
NOT AS SYCOPHANTIC AS MANY OF HIS COUNTERPARTS. FROM THAT
PERSPECTIVE, HIS ANALYSIS OF RAUL'S EFFORTS TO LOWER THE
IDEOLOGICAL CONTENT OF CUBAN BEHAVIOR IS WORTH CONSIDERATION.
PARMLY