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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