Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GEORGETOWN299
2006-03-30 19:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:
PROPOSED AGENDA FOR APRIL 12 CARICOM-USTR
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000299
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL EAGR ECIN XL GY
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AGENDA FOR APRIL 12 CARICOM-USTR
TRADE MEETING
ACTION REQUEST FOR USTR
1.. CARICOM Secretariat sent post a copy of a March 29
letter from CARICOM Secretary General Carrington to USTR
Portman regarding a meeting with CARICOM Trade Ministers
on April 12 and requested Ambassador's assistance in
facilitating a response from USTR.
2. BEGIN TEXT: The U.S. Secretary of State, Dr.
Condoleezza Rice, and the Foreign Ministers of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a very productive
meeting in the Bahamas on 21-22 March, 2006, as part of
our efforts to strengthen cooperation, with a view to
enhancing CARICOM-US relations. During that meeting, the
Ministers and the Secretary of State reviewed initiatives
to promote regional economic reform and integration, and
underscored the importance of trade as an engine of
economic growth and development for the countries of the
Caribbean Community. They also took note of the
significant progress being made in restructuring the
economies of CARICOM Member States through the creation
of a Single Market and Economy - a vital component of
which is the establishment of a Regional Development
Fund.
To advance these critical trade and development issues,
the meeting confirmed the importance of a dialogue
between CARICOM Trade Ministers and yourself as the
United States Trade Representative.
The CARICOM Ministers of Trade are appreciative of your
readiness to meet with them in Washington on Wednesday,
12 April, 2006. Among the issues Minister would like to
discuss are:
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000299
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL EAGR ECIN XL GY
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AGENDA FOR APRIL 12 CARICOM-USTR
TRADE MEETING
ACTION REQUEST FOR USTR
1.. CARICOM Secretariat sent post a copy of a March 29
letter from CARICOM Secretary General Carrington to USTR
Portman regarding a meeting with CARICOM Trade Ministers
on April 12 and requested Ambassador's assistance in
facilitating a response from USTR.
2. BEGIN TEXT: The U.S. Secretary of State, Dr.
Condoleezza Rice, and the Foreign Ministers of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a very productive
meeting in the Bahamas on 21-22 March, 2006, as part of
our efforts to strengthen cooperation, with a view to
enhancing CARICOM-US relations. During that meeting, the
Ministers and the Secretary of State reviewed initiatives
to promote regional economic reform and integration, and
underscored the importance of trade as an engine of
economic growth and development for the countries of the
Caribbean Community. They also took note of the
significant progress being made in restructuring the
economies of CARICOM Member States through the creation
of a Single Market and Economy - a vital component of
which is the establishment of a Regional Development
Fund.
To advance these critical trade and development issues,
the meeting confirmed the importance of a dialogue
between CARICOM Trade Ministers and yourself as the
United States Trade Representative.
The CARICOM Ministers of Trade are appreciative of your
readiness to meet with them in Washington on Wednesday,
12 April, 2006. Among the issues Minister would like to
discuss are:
1. an extension of the waiver for CBI (which expired in
December 2005)
2. possibility of negotiating an appropriate US-CARICOM
Trade Agreement
3. a re-configured Trade and Investment Council and the
modalities attendant hereto (as suggested by the US
Secretary of State on the occasion of the recently
SIPDIS
concluded meeting)
4. a proposed Conference on the Caribbean in 200 along
the lines of the Conference held on Africa (using the
occasion of June 2006 proposed for the commemoration of a
Caribbean-American Heritage Month as the launch pad),and
5. outlook for the Doha Development Agenda
I would appreciate receiving your reaction to the items
proposed for discussion as well as any suggestions you
may wish to make to ensure a productive and successful
outcome. I would also appreciate receiving from your
office details of the venue and other arrangement for the
meeting in order to advise Caribbean ministers.
Yours sincerely,
Edwin W. Carrington
Secretary-General
SIPDIS
END TEXT.
3. Post point of contact is Ed Luchessi,
Economic/Commercial Officer, phone (592)226-4309, fax
(592) 227-0240, e-mail: LuchessiEP@state.gov, IVG 747-
0220.
BULLEN
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL EAGR ECIN XL GY
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AGENDA FOR APRIL 12 CARICOM-USTR
TRADE MEETING
ACTION REQUEST FOR USTR
1.. CARICOM Secretariat sent post a copy of a March 29
letter from CARICOM Secretary General Carrington to USTR
Portman regarding a meeting with CARICOM Trade Ministers
on April 12 and requested Ambassador's assistance in
facilitating a response from USTR.
2. BEGIN TEXT: The U.S. Secretary of State, Dr.
Condoleezza Rice, and the Foreign Ministers of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a very productive
meeting in the Bahamas on 21-22 March, 2006, as part of
our efforts to strengthen cooperation, with a view to
enhancing CARICOM-US relations. During that meeting, the
Ministers and the Secretary of State reviewed initiatives
to promote regional economic reform and integration, and
underscored the importance of trade as an engine of
economic growth and development for the countries of the
Caribbean Community. They also took note of the
significant progress being made in restructuring the
economies of CARICOM Member States through the creation
of a Single Market and Economy - a vital component of
which is the establishment of a Regional Development
Fund.
To advance these critical trade and development issues,
the meeting confirmed the importance of a dialogue
between CARICOM Trade Ministers and yourself as the
United States Trade Representative.
The CARICOM Ministers of Trade are appreciative of your
readiness to meet with them in Washington on Wednesday,
12 April, 2006. Among the issues Minister would like to
discuss are:
1. an extension of the waiver for CBI (which expired in
December 2005)
2. possibility of negotiating an appropriate US-CARICOM
Trade Agreement
3. a re-configured Trade and Investment Council and the
modalities attendant hereto (as suggested by the US
Secretary of State on the occasion of the recently
SIPDIS
concluded meeting)
4. a proposed Conference on the Caribbean in 200 along
the lines of the Conference held on Africa (using the
occasion of June 2006 proposed for the commemoration of a
Caribbean-American Heritage Month as the launch pad),and
5. outlook for the Doha Development Agenda
I would appreciate receiving your reaction to the items
proposed for discussion as well as any suggestions you
may wish to make to ensure a productive and successful
outcome. I would also appreciate receiving from your
office details of the venue and other arrangement for the
meeting in order to advise Caribbean ministers.
Yours sincerely,
Edwin W. Carrington
Secretary-General
SIPDIS
END TEXT.
3. Post point of contact is Ed Luchessi,
Economic/Commercial Officer, phone (592)226-4309, fax
(592) 227-0240, e-mail: LuchessiEP@state.gov, IVG 747-
0220.
BULLEN