BAHAMAS, CARICOM LIKELY TO BACK VENEZUELA FOR UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 001044

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR BCOLLINS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016
TAGS: PREL BF
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS, CARICOM LIKELY TO BACK VENEZUELA FOR UNSC


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Brent D. Hardt for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has
confirmed that The Bahamas will follow CARICOM's lead on the
vote for the regional representative to the UNSC. Reports
from those present at CARICOM'S Heads of Government meetings
in St. Kitts indicate that CARICOM will vote as a block for
Venezuela. It appears that Venezuela's personal lobbying
efforts successfully convinced CARICOM, and The Bahamas, to
support its bid during a closed-session meeting. The basis
for the decision is reportedly a combination of Guatemala's
human rights record, Guatemala's claims on Belize and
Venezuela's pledge to support CARICOM's international trade
agenda. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On June 29, Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Fred
Mitchell in advance of the CARICOM Heads of Government
Meeting to discuss regional candidates for the United Nations
Security Council. During the meeting, Minister Mitchell said
that The Bahamas was undecided, but would follow CARICOM's
lead. However, Mitchell admitted that Belize's strong
opposition to Guatemala appeared to be a critical factor for
The Bahamas and CARICOM. He said, "we can still be
convinced, but we need to resolve Belize's concerns if we are
to get anywhere." Mitchell, who was clearly leaning towards
support of Venezuela, did not respond to the Ambassador's
point that Venezuela also had territorial claims on a CARICOM
member nation, but promised to provide an update upon his
return from the CARICOM meetings.


3. (C) On July 7, while discussing a planned trip to The
Bahamas, the Ambassador spoke with non-resident Spanish
Ambassador to The Bahamas Jesus Silva. Silva reported that
CARICOM had decided to vote as a block in favor of Venezuela.
Silva attended the Heads of Government Meeting, where he
confirmed the decision with Venezuelan representative Roy
Chaderton-Matos and Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary Douglas Saunders. Silva said that
Chaderton-Matos lobbied for Venezuela in a closed-session
meeting with the heads of government. He reported four
reasons for the decision in favor of Venezuela: Guatemala's
human rights record; Guatemala's border dispute with Belize;
Venezuela's agreement to support CARICOM trade interests at
the Council, and; Guatemala's disagreement with CARICOM on
WTO trade issues. NOTE: Silva's statements are consistent
with media reports. In those reports, Dominica Prime
Minister Skerritt said CARICOM would vote as a bloc for
Venezuela, praised Venezuelan trade policies and expressed
appreciation for Venezuela's willingness to directly lobby
CARICOM. END NOTE.


4. (C) Following Silva's statement, Poloff contacted
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Marilyn Zonicle.
Zoncile said The Bahamas would follow CARICOM'S lead but
would not confirm an agreement to vote as a block in favor of
Venezuela. Instead, she referred Poloff to CARICOM's Final
Communique, which provides: "In deliberating on the Latin
America and Caribbean Region's candidacy for the United
Nations Security Council, Heads of Government indicated that
any country wishing to be the voice of the Community in this
critical organ would need to speak to the fundamental values,
principles, concerns and best interests of the Community. In
particular, the Community would wish to be assured that the
elected member would fully respect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of its constituent Member States in the
discharge of its duties."


5. (C) COMMENT: The CARICOM statement may leave some room
for individual countries to support Guatemala, but the
comments of individual CARICOM countries -- those less
cautious about US relations than The Bahamas - indicate a
stronger CARICOM position that does not augur well for
Guatemala. The Bahamas appears likely to follow CARICOM's
lead and support Venezuela for the UNSC. END COMMENT.
ROOD