Request for DVC Speaker on post-OAS General

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001273 SIPDIS FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE; INFO WHA/PDA MJOHNSON; APRUITT; RBANKS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO JM SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker on post-OAS General Assembly issues ¶1. SUMMARY: Post seeks a DVC speaker to discuss issues of importance to the Caribbean arising from the Organization of American States General Assembly (OASGA) in Fort Lauderdale, June 5-7, 2005, with a special focus on corruption. END SUMMARY ¶2. Proposed Program Date: Preferred dates June 13 to 17, ¶2005. ¶3. MPP Themes: Strategic Goal "Democracy and Human Rights"/"Economic Prosperity and Security" ¶4. Purpose of the Program: Post seeks a speaker to talk to local audiences about issues arising from the OASGA to be hosted by the United States from June 5-7, 2005. The main focus should be on fighting corruption. During a visit to Jamaica in December, U.S. Ambassador to the OAS John Maisto, focused on the "specific, measurable achievements" that represent the goals of the Summit of the Americas process. The OASGA in Fort Lauderdale would be "an opportunity to build on commitments, and in particular to focus on how we can strengthen democratic institutions to make them more effective, more transparent, and more accountable." The proposed designation of 2006 as the Inter American Year Against Corruption should provide the focus for the DVC. The speaker should be able to discuss issues and obligations related to the 1996 Inter American Convention against Corruption, ratified by Jamaica four years ago, analyze the way forward and concrete steps that can be taken towards achieving Summit of the Americas goals - particularly in the area of transparency in governance - after the OAS meeting and leading up to the Summit in November. Post plans to have a "pre-DVC" scene-setter discussion with the in-house audience, to include short remarks by two or three local speakers representing government and civil society. The audience will then be sensitized to some concerns that can be discussed with the DVC speaker. ¶5. Audience: Representatives of GOJ ministries and agencies; private sector representatives; civil society representatives, including human rights NGOs and others; academics; and members of the media, including those who met with Ambassador Maisto last December. A key participant would be a WHA-sponsored Jamaican broadcast journalist who will be attending the OASGA. ¶6. Proposed topics and nature of events: A digital video conference with the audience in the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Auditorium (expected audience 30/35). Suggested length of program: 90 minutes. ¶7. Type of specialist required: A representative of the U.S. Mission to the OAS; or a USG official with a particular focus on civil society and democracy issues in the hemisphere. ¶8. Language: English. ¶9. Funding specifics: I Bucks. ¶10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO; tel: (876) 935- 6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email:guimondg@state.gov. Back- up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935-6009; fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov. Tighe