RSS CHAIRMAN AGREES TO PARTNERING WITH U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000313

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, DEPT PASS USAID, SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV PINR SNAR ASEC AC XL
SUBJECT: RSS CHAIRMAN AGREES TO PARTNERING WITH U.S.
NATIONAL GUARD

REF: BRIDGETOWN 2411

Classified By: Ambassador Mary Kramer, for reasons 1.4 (a) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Kramer and the National Guard
Bureau (NGB) Chief, Lt. General Blum, met February 3 with
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Spencer, acting in his
capacity as Council Chairman of the Regional Security System
(RSS),to pitch RSS participation in USSOUTHCOM's State
Partnership Program (SPP). Spencer welcomed the USG
proposal, a long awaited first step in formalizing
cooperation in security and disaster management, especially
in the run-up to the March 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC). In
a subsequent one-on-one with Ambassador Kramer, Spencer
requested USG assistance in resolving ongoing issues with the
RSS C26 program and an outstanding Export Import (EXIM) Bank
loan issue. He also sought U.S. sponsorship for 25
scholarships to celebrate the country's 25th year of
Independence on November 1, 2006. End Summary.


2. (C) Lt. General H. Steven Blum and Ambassador Kramer,
accompanied by National Guard Bureau POLAD Dr. John Finney,
USSOUTHCOM NGB Liaison Col. Wilfredo Colon, Bridgetown
Military Liaison Officer CDR Peter Kilfoyle, and PolOff
(notetaker),met with Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister
Baldwin Spencer, accompanied by PermSec Cora Richards and
Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Col. Croft in
Antigua on February 3 to seek official support for the
Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System (RSS) to
participate in USSOUTHCOM's State Partnership Program. The
SPP provides training and exchange opportunities that could
transition from military-to-military to military-to-civilian,
and eventually to civilian-to-civilian programs.


3. (C) The Ambassador first presented PM Spencer with the
Transportation Security Administration's confidential
assessment of Antigua's international airport and the good
news that 150 M-16 A4 assault rifles had recently been
delivered to the ABDF through the Foreign Military Finance
(FMF) program. (Note: PM Spencer had broached the rifle
issue with the Ambassador in November (reftel). End note.).
General Blum then described a brief history of the SPP and
the related goals of the National Guard. He also provided
regionally relevant examples of successful partnerships with
the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Trinidad, and answered Spencer's
queries.


4. (C) Not surprisingly, the Antiguan PM was keen to
determine the extent of opportunities for bilateral training
programs under the SPP. The General explained that entering
the program under the umbrella of the RSS allowed for maximum
flexibility, including a bilateral training component, while
avoiding country-specific restrictions such as those attached
to states that have not yet signed Article 98 Agreements.
The General acknowledged that RSS partner countries have
differing interests, capabilities, and goals. He stressed
that programs which address issues of regional importance
such as disaster preparedness and the looming CWC would take
precedence. PM Spencer approved participation in the SPP on
behalf of the RSS, and MLO and the ABDF representative agreed
to coordinate correspondence to make the transaction official.

Three Issues: One-On-One
--------------


5. (C) Once General Blum's presentation had concluded, PM
Spencer requested a one-on-one meeting with Ambassador Kramer
(PolOff remained as notetaker) to discuss three areas of
concern: continued funding for the C-26 aircraft,
sponsorship of 25 anniversary scholarships, and a legacy loan
from the EXIM Bank.

RSS Air Support
--------------


6. (C) PM Spencer informed the Ambassador that the RSS was
finalizing its strategic plan on how to move forward to
acquire additional funding for the C-26 airborne maritime
surveillance program. The Eastern Caribbean leaders are
seeking financial support from the French, British and Dutch
governments that also have an interest in maintaining the RSS
C-26. The current RSS Chairman requested U.S. assistance in
emphasizing to its European partners the importance of
maintaining the regional surveillance program. He believes
that if the U.S. were to make a case in support of the RSS
through diplomatic channels, other donors would come on

board. Ambassador Kramer stated that those who favor a
continuation of the C-26 program had new allies in Rear
Admiral Jeffrey J. Hathaway of the Joint Inter-Agency Task
Force (JIATF) South and in the unified position of the U.S.
Ambassadors accredited to the region. The Ambassador advised
that she could not yet promise anything but was continuing to
press the issue (reftel).

Silver Anniversary Scholarships
--------------


7. (SBU) The Prime Minister then asked the Ambassador to help
find sponsors for 25 scholarships to U.S. institutions to be
doled out as part of the country's 25th Anniversary of
Independence to be celebrated November 1, 2006. The
scholarships should be in areas critical to the development
of Antigua and Barbuda, such as agriculture and issues
related to the CARICOM,s Single Market Economy (CSME). He
agreed to send a letter outlining specific curricula GOAB
wished to pursue. Again, the Ambassador made no promises
other than to research some possibilities.

EXIM Loan - Bird Legacy
--------------


8. (C) Finally, Spencer entreated the Ambassador to aid him
in clearing up an old debt to the Export Import (EXIM) Bank
left by the V.C. Bird administration (1981-1994). That
administration had taken out a loan in the early 1980's to
build the Deep Water Harbor in St. John's and then never
repaid the loan. It was Bird's opinion (according to
Spencer) that the USG had gotten a good deal on the air force
military installation in Antigua, so the GOAB didn't need to
repay. The current government now wants to upgrade the harbor
to expand cruise ship capacity and improve cargo facilities,
but needs to clear this loan before local financial
institutions will consider a financial partnership. He was
visibly uncomfortable at having to admit to the immensity of
the GOAB's national debt, and candid about the many other
challenges he faces trying to clean house, move forward and
still meet the critical needs of his people. He asked if the
Ambassador could request that EXIM review the loan and
consider some form of debt forgiveness. She agreed to look
into the matter.

COMMENT
--------------


9. (C) The overall tone of the meeting was collaborative and
upbeat, with MLO taking the next steps to formalize and
finalize the agreement for RSS to participate in the SPP.
Post is encouraged by Spencer's enthusiasm for the project of
partnering the Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System
with a state National Guard.
KRAMER