Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GEORGETOWN704
2006-07-17 17:35:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

POLICE COMMISSIONER OUT, INTERIM REPLACEMENT TIED

Tags:  SNAR PGOV CVIS KCRM KCOR GY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGE #0704/01 1981735
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 171735Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3806
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 1168
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0349
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0130
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2158
RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 4291
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 3900
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
S E C R E T GEORGETOWN 000704 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

WHA/CAR
INL/LP
DS/IP/WHA
CARACAS ALSO FOR LEGATT AND DATT
PORT OF SPAIN ALSO FOR DEA AND A/LEGATT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2016
TAGS: SNAR PGOV CVIS KCRM KCOR GY
SUBJECT: POLICE COMMISSIONER OUT, INTERIM REPLACEMENT TIED
TO NARCO-TRAFFICKERS

REF: A. GEORGETOWN 406


B. GEORGETOWN 278

C. GEORGETOWN 205

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael D. Thomas
For reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

S E C R E T GEORGETOWN 000704

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

WHA/CAR
INL/LP
DS/IP/WHA
CARACAS ALSO FOR LEGATT AND DATT
PORT OF SPAIN ALSO FOR DEA AND A/LEGATT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2016
TAGS: SNAR PGOV CVIS KCRM KCOR GY
SUBJECT: POLICE COMMISSIONER OUT, INTERIM REPLACEMENT TIED
TO NARCO-TRAFFICKERS

REF: A. GEORGETOWN 406


B. GEORGETOWN 278

C. GEORGETOWN 205

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael D. Thomas
For reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) SUMMARY. President Jagdeo and his deputy, Head of the
Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, separately
highlighted to US, UK, Canada and EU chiefs of mission that
Police Commissioner Winston Felix is out as of July 24.
Jagdeo wants to name a replacement by October -- after
elections -- and Deputy Police Commission Henry Greene will
fill the position in the interim. Ambassador and UK High
Commissioner separately expressed to Jagdeo and Luncheon
their grave concern at Greene's elevation, even if only
temporary. Ambassador made clear that information available
to USG agencies suggests Greene's links with criminal
activities and that Post will seek authorization to release
such information to the GoG. We will try again to head off
Greene's appointment before his swearing-in within the next
few days. END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
Luncheon Seeks U.S. Reaction to Greene as Acting Commish
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger
Luncheon called in Ambassador on short notice July 12 and
said that Police Commissioner Winston Felix will begin
pre-retirement leave July 24. Luncheon told Ambassador that
Jagdeo had chosen Deputy Commissioner Greene to assume the
role of Acting Commissioner, a decision apparently made
Tuesday evening after the Ambassador's farewell call on
Jagdeo. Luncheon -- alluding to the recent cancellation of
Greene's A visa, but not his B1/B2 visa -- sought
Ambassador's reaction to this decision.


3. (S) Ambassador said that he had made it clear in previous
conversations with GoG officials that the USG would have
difficulty working with Greene and repeated those concerns.
He added that Greene's name appears repeatedly in reporting

by various USG agencies in connection with criminal
activities (ref B). Ambassador added that, although not at
liberty to provide details, it would be very embarrassing for
the GoG if a sitting Police Commissioner were indicted in a
foreign court. Ambassador also told Luncheon that he would
seek permission from the relevant USG agencies to release
further information to the GoG.


4. (S) Throughout the meeting Luncheon took pot shots at
Jagdeo, including for dragging his feet on important
decisions. He said Jagdeo is mistaken in believing he can
shift Greene out easily in October -- precedent shows how
difficult it is to dislodge an "acting" commissioner. Once
Greene is sworn in as Acting Commisioner, his eventual
confirmation as permanent Commissioner is virutally cast in
stone. Jagdeo told Ambassador July 11 there would be big
changes in the post-electoral cabinet, that he had informed
several Cabinet members, and that many were not happy.
Luncheon began his meeting with the Ambassador by announcing
that he would retire after the election, for health reasons.
His displeasure with Jagdeo was clear throughout the meeting,
and highly atypical. Luncheon and Greene were schoolmates
and remain close. Post has doubts as to whether Luncheon
accurately conveyed the substance of Ambassador's warnings to
Jagdeo.

--------------
UK Reaction to Greene
--------------


5. (S/NF) Jagdeo also called in UK High Commissioner Fraser
Wheeler the afternoon of July 12 to preview the decision on
Felix and Greene. Wheeler told Jagdeo "we have problems"
with Greene and asked if Felix could stay on through
elections. However, Wheeler stopped short of saying the UK
would not work with Greene.


-------------- --------------
Jagdeo Discusses Commissioner Issue Further with Envoys
-------------- --------------


6. (C) The Police Commissioner topic came up again at July 13
US, UK, Canada and EU demarche on Jagdeo regarding governance
reforms (septel). At that meeting, Jagdeo said Greene will
be Acting Commissioner until October, by which time he hopes
to have a replacement named. Jagdeo added that he intends to
consider a broad group of candidates, including
non-policemen, for the position. He wants to reform the
police force and its culture, and he may hire a security firm
to lead this effort. Jagdeo has received a proposal from a
firm associated with Bernard Kerik, the former New York
police commissioner and failed nominee for DHS Secretary.
US, UK, Canada and EU chiefs of missions again expressed
their collective concern at the proposed elevation of Greene,
unaware that Dr. Luncheon was at that moment announcing the
decision to the press.

--------------
Next Step
--------------


7. (S) Subsequent to these meetings, the DEA informed
Ambassador they have developed specific, reliable information
that documented continuing payoffs by narco-traffickers to
Greene. The Consular Section is drafting a Request for
Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) to Consular Affairs seeking
concurrence to revoke Greene's visa. DEA has also provided
language for Charge to use in informing President Jagdeo:
"U.S. law enforcement has reliable reports from multiple
sources that Henry Greene has benefited from, and continues
to benefit from, the proceeds of drug trafficking."


8. (C) Jagdeo is in the U.S. and Canada on a fundraising
trip, returning July 18. Upon his return, Charge intends to
inform him that we have received authorization to release
additional information and provide the DEA cleared language.
At the same time, Post will outline for Jagdeo the negative
consequences for USG cooperation with the Guyanese police of
having an Acting Commissioner who is known to be in the
pocket of narco-traffickers. For example, it would be
impossible for DEA to set up the long-awaited vetted
anti-narcotics unit -- an initiative that Jagdeo has
repeatedly said he supports.

--------------
Comment
--------------


9. (C) When EmbOffs last spoke privately with Felix, he
seemed resigned to early retirement, even relieved at the
prospect. The fallout from Guyana's spate of unsolved,
brazen crimes and the release of secret tapes of his
conversations (reftels) -- constant calls in the media for
his removal, snipes from the government, death threats --
clearly diminished Felix's appetite to stay on until reaching
mandatory retirement age in October. With the notable
exception of Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, the GoG's
inner circle lost trust in Felix. Greene is widely perceived
among Guyanese police and society as corrupt and violent.
How the GoG can have any greater faith in Greene is very
puzzling.


10. (S) Comment continued: Post's interactions Greene have
been, without fail, extremely negative. In addition to being
crooked, he is grossly incompetent in his current job as
Crime Chief. For example, he is unwilling or unable to
protect sensitive information or to fulfill straightforward
extradition requests. Greene as Commissioner would be bad
for Guyana's security and would compromise all international
cooperation with the Guyana Police Force. Even if acting for
only three months, he can do serious harm to USG interests as
well as to Guyana's security. It will be embarrassing and
difficult for the GoG to back-track on its public
announcement of the plan to elevate Greene, but not as

embarrassing as it would be if international donors' views on
Greene become public after he is sworn in as Acting
Commissioner. We will continue interventions to make the GoG
reconsider. END COMMENT.

THOMAS