CARIBBEAN ISSUES CONFERENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 002257 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) AND INR/RES (EGAN) E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/22/2015 TAGS: OTRA PINR JM SUBJECT: CARIBBEAN ISSUES CONFERENCE REF: A. STATE 161496 ¶B. POWELL/COLLINS 9/22 E-MAIL ¶C. BEN-YEHUDA/POWELL 9/23 E-MAIL Classified By: CDA Thomas C. Tighe. Reasons 1.4(b),(d). ¶1. (C) With regard to proposed panelists from Jamaica contained Ref A, neither Pol/Econ nor OPA was familiar with Freckleton, Figueroa, Osei, or Niaah. Alternatively, per Ref B, we suggested that consideration be given to inviting Dr. Anthony Harriot (a prominent criminologist and head of the University of the West Indies' Center for Studies in Public Safety and Justice),and Dr. Bernard Headley (the UWI criminologist who prepared an Embassy-funded study of Jamaican deportees) for the Crime Panel. Post understands per Ref C that this would not be possible, however. Post has no objections to the Department's proposed Jamaican panelists. ¶2. (SBU) Unfortunately, the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery Director General, Amb. Richard Bernal, who is extremely knowledgeable about CARICOM trade issues, told us September 26 that he has a prior engagement in London and would be unavailable for the conference. ¶3. (U) Charge will represent Embassy Kingston at the conference. TIGHE