POLICE COMMISSIONER OUT, INTERIM REPLACEMENT TIED

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