CWC 2007: TRADEWINDS BECALMED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRIDGETOWN 001375 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS RELEASABLE TO CANADA, UNITED KINGDOM DHS PASS TO USCG GCI DHS FOR BRAD KIDWELL CBP FOR CHARLES BARTOLDUS SOUTHCOM PASS POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2016 TAGS: ASEC MOPS PREL XL SUBJECT: CWC 2007: TRADEWINDS BECALMED REF: BRIDGETOWN 1315 Classified By: DCM MARY ELLEN T. GILROY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) This is an action message: see para. 6. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: SOUTHCOM's annual Tradewinds exercise may be a victim of Caribbean indifference. To date, there has been tepid response to MLO requests for information on participation by Cricket World Cup (CWC) countries. Post respectfully suggests that during the visit of DHS Secretary Chertoff to Trinidad, the Secretary raise this lack of responsiveness with GOTT officials as an example of poor partnership. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) For the past two years, SOUTHCOM's annual Tradewinds exercise in the Caribbean was geared toward training and preparation for CWC 2007. Tradewinds 2007 was to include exercises in and assessments of the host nation venues. Barbados was selected as the host nation for Tradewinds 2007. In spite of post's best efforts, both by MLO and the Front Office, Barbados failed to reply to repeated requests for information in a timely fashion and is now one week past the deadline for reply. Post understands that SOUTHCOM will probably postpone the exercise until June or July 2007. Post supports whatever decision SOUTHCOM will make regarding Tradewinds 2007. ¶4. (C) During the first meeting of the CWC International Support and Advisory Group (ISAG) (reftel),CWC nations requested precisely the type of training that has been and would be provided for by Tradewinds. CWC nations also requested that Tradewinds take place during the competition. (COMMENT: Post has repeatedly explained to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States that Tradewinds is a training exercise and cannot function as a security force. If they wish additional U.S. forces to augment regional capacity, they must request that in writing. To date, post has not received a formal or informal request for U.S. forces to assist during CWC. END COMMENT) ¶5. (SBU) When pressed by post, the commander of the Royal Barbados Defense Force (RBDF) first claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to transmit the diplomatic note informing the RBDF that it was invited to host and participate in Tradewinds 2007. In subsequent conversations with the Ministry of Defense and Security, Ministry officials stated they could not respond without knowing in advance the total cost to the GOB. ¶6. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post recommends that the Department consider requesting DHS Secretary Chertoff raise this with GOTT Prime Minister Manning, who is also the CARICOM Head of Government responsible for security, during the Secretary's visit to Port of Spain later this week. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: The GOB has, in effect, passed on the opportunity provided by hosting Tradewinds 2007. During the July 26-27 ISAG meeting, the U.S. delegation, and all other international members of the ISAG, strongly emphasized the idea of partnership and legacy projects. The GOB is particularly sensitive about being treated as an equal in international fora, frequently chastizing Mission management for failing to show sufficient respect for its status and positions. The failure of the GOB to provide a reply, one way or the other, in a timely manner, reveals a government more concerned with form than substance. Its inaction may also signal Barbados' discomfort with the prospect of outsiders evaluating the Caribbean host countries' security preparations at the specific match venues. The July 26-27 ISAG sessions made publicly clear how much work will be required to meet even a minimum standard of security for the upcoming event. The CWC host nations' overall unresponsiveness since the ISAG meeting does not bode well for the USG and other members of the ISAG, as we try to manage (unrealistic) expectations as to what security support the U.S. and the international community will provide during BRIDGETOWN 00001375 002 OF 002 a major sporting event for which the region is woefully unprepared. KRAMER