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