Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINGSTON1605
2006-08-17 15:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
UNSC VOTE: MIXED SIGNALS FROM JAMAICA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKG #1605 2291518 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171518Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3389 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHAT/CAR (BUDDEN)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL JM VE
SUBJECT: UNSC VOTE: MIXED SIGNALS FROM JAMAICA
REF: A. KINGSTON 1370
B. STATE 125664
C. KINGSTON 1592
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHAT/CAR (BUDDEN)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL JM VE
SUBJECT: UNSC VOTE: MIXED SIGNALS FROM JAMAICA
REF: A. KINGSTON 1370
B. STATE 125664
C. KINGSTON 1592
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1.(C) At the German Ambassador's August 16 reception for
the International Seabed Authority delegates, Chilean
Ambassador Alfonso Silva approached Ambassador Johnson and
recounted a conversation he had earlier that day with
Jamaican Foreign Minister Hylton concerning the upcoming UNSC
vote. Silva had asked Hylton whether Jamaica intended to
vote for Venezuela. Hylton replied, according to Silva, that
the GOJ remained undecided. (Note: Hylton had previously
written to Secretary Rice (ref A) indicating that Jamaica, in
solidarity with Caricom, likely would support Venezuela. The
Secretary replied (ref B) urging that the GOJ reconsider).
SIPDIS
2. (C) Ambassador Johnson asked Silva whether this likely
was genuine, in light of the just-concluded visit by
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, during which significant
agreements increasing Venezuelan assistance to Jamaica were
signed (ref C). According to Silva, Hylton was genuinely
unsure how Jamaica would vote. However, he expressed the
wish that another candidate besides Guatemala could be found
to oppose Venezuela for the UNSC seat.
3. (C) Comment: It is not at all unlikely that Hylton's
message was intended for our ears all along, an attempt to
assuage our annoyance over the Chavez visit and GOJ
acceptance of significant new GOV assistance to and economic
involvement in Jamaica. Senior GOJ officials have shown no
signs of wanting to talk to us directly about the Chavez
visit over the last few days, and this indirect approach
might be an effort to soften our inevitable expression of
displeasure when we do meet. Domestically, the government's
hand has been strengthened concerning relations with
Venezuela after opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) leader
Bruce Golding reversed his initial position Tuesday and came
out in support of GOJ acceptance of Venezuelan loans and
assistance. Nevertheless, the GOJ may be groping for a way
out of its dilemma with us, which is largely of their own
making. End Comment.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHAT/CAR (BUDDEN)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL JM VE
SUBJECT: UNSC VOTE: MIXED SIGNALS FROM JAMAICA
REF: A. KINGSTON 1370
B. STATE 125664
C. KINGSTON 1592
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1.(C) At the German Ambassador's August 16 reception for
the International Seabed Authority delegates, Chilean
Ambassador Alfonso Silva approached Ambassador Johnson and
recounted a conversation he had earlier that day with
Jamaican Foreign Minister Hylton concerning the upcoming UNSC
vote. Silva had asked Hylton whether Jamaica intended to
vote for Venezuela. Hylton replied, according to Silva, that
the GOJ remained undecided. (Note: Hylton had previously
written to Secretary Rice (ref A) indicating that Jamaica, in
solidarity with Caricom, likely would support Venezuela. The
Secretary replied (ref B) urging that the GOJ reconsider).
SIPDIS
2. (C) Ambassador Johnson asked Silva whether this likely
was genuine, in light of the just-concluded visit by
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, during which significant
agreements increasing Venezuelan assistance to Jamaica were
signed (ref C). According to Silva, Hylton was genuinely
unsure how Jamaica would vote. However, he expressed the
wish that another candidate besides Guatemala could be found
to oppose Venezuela for the UNSC seat.
3. (C) Comment: It is not at all unlikely that Hylton's
message was intended for our ears all along, an attempt to
assuage our annoyance over the Chavez visit and GOJ
acceptance of significant new GOV assistance to and economic
involvement in Jamaica. Senior GOJ officials have shown no
signs of wanting to talk to us directly about the Chavez
visit over the last few days, and this indirect approach
might be an effort to soften our inevitable expression of
displeasure when we do meet. Domestically, the government's
hand has been strengthened concerning relations with
Venezuela after opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) leader
Bruce Golding reversed his initial position Tuesday and came
out in support of GOJ acceptance of Venezuelan loans and
assistance. Nevertheless, the GOJ may be groping for a way
out of its dilemma with us, which is largely of their own
making. End Comment.
JOHNSON