FOREIGN MINISTER MITCHELL RAISES CONCERNS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 001313 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UN BF SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER MITCHELL RAISES CONCERNS ON CRITICISM OF UN VOTES Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Brent Hardt for reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Mitchell meet with the Ambassador August 28 to express his concern about an Op-Ed that called for closer cooperation between the U.S. and Bahamas in the UN that had appeared in the Nassau Guardian earlier this month. Mitchell told the Ambassador he felt that the article had fostered perceptions of differences between the U.S. and The Bahamas on international issues that could be used by the opposition party for electoral advantage. Pressed to defend the Bahamian voting record cited in the op-ed and the broader Bahamian reticence to speak out on human rights issues, Mitchell maintained that it was the policy of the GCOB to "stay away from controversy and maintain a low profile." The Ambassador emphasized that the op-ed was overwhelmingly positive, citing a relationship "second to none." He encouraged Mitchell to accentuate the positive comments he had made about the relationship rather than dwelling on media distortions. The Ambassador said he was sensitive to electoral concerns, but would continue to raise issues of human rights publicly because the President and Secretary believed firmly that we had to do all we can to prevent genocide in Sudan and abuses in Iran. On the UN Security Council vote, Mitchell revealed that the Prime Minister would decide this issue and was leaning to support Guatemala's candidacy. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) In mid-August, the Ambassador released an op-ed that reflected on his second anniversary as Ambassador and the many and varied partnerships we had been able to build. While calling the US-Bahamian bilateral relationship "second-to-none" and lauding numerous anti-terror and law enforcement partnerships, the Ambassador also noted the need for better cooperation on international issues. Pointing to the 11 percent voting concurrence rate at the United Nations in 2005 and disagreements on important human rights votes, the Ambassador expressed his desire to develop a more productive dialogue on these issues. In the wake of the publication, Bahamian media and opposition figures have criticized Foreign Minister Mitchell's handling of the country's foreign policy. ¶3. (C) In response to this criticism, Mitchell requested a meeting with the Ambassador to discuss his concerns about the op-ed and the perceptions it has generated. Mitchell, who is sensitive to media criticism, is facing a difficult fight in his coming reelection bid. He said that he felt that the op-ed contradicted recent public statements by the Ambassador about the closeness of the bilateral relationship. He said the press had sought to spin the op-ed as a sign of U.S. support for the opposition Free National Movement. The Ambassador made clear the U.S. had no intention to pick sides in the election. Both parties were friends. He challenged Mitchell's perception of the op-ed, suggesting he was reacting to the media's spin rather than the substance of the piece itself. The op-ed had detailed a broad range of partnerships between our countries, had maintained a positive, constructive tone, and concluded that the relationship was "second-to-none." ¶4. (C) At the same time, he explained to Mitchell that promoting human rights was a vital element of U.S. policy and one he took seriously. He pointed out that the United States and The Bahamas share the same values, but the UN voting record does not reflect that compatibility. He has raised these issues privately to Mitchell and publicly because he feels strongly that the Bahamian public would support effort to halt genocide in Sudan or restrictions against women in Iran. Recalling Mitchell's days as a human rights activist, the Ambassador cited Mitchell's and The Bahamas' strong stance against South African apartheid in years past and the impact that had had in ending those abuses. The Ambassador further told Mitchell that the President and Secretary have encouraged U.S. embassies around the world to talk about these issues publicly and privately. ¶5. (C) Mitchell insisted that it was the policy of The Bahamas to "stay out" and "abstain on matters on controversy." His goal was to maintain a "low profile" in such matters. The Permanent Secretary noted that that The Bahamas often "abstains with a reason." When pressed to defend specific votes, Mitchell acknowledged that he generally did not know the specific wording of the resolutions in question. He somewhat disingenuously insisted that his role in shaping the government's response on these matters was limited -- that he merely "took advice" from his ministry and conveyed the decision of the cabinet. He claimed that he had inherited a policy to abstain on voting on country specific resolutions. In a glimmer of hope for reconsideration of this approach, Mitchell did indicate that the Prime Minister had asked the Ministry to undertake a study examining The Bahamas' votes on human rights issues in the United Nations since 1995 (see septel on meeting with the PM). ¶6. (C) On other issues, Mitchell said he believed the Prime Minister is leaning toward supporting Guatemala's candidacy for the UN Security Council seat. He looked forward to an opportunity to meet with Secretary Rice on the margins of the UNGA. Mitchell also reiterated the importance of maintaining the Freeport Pre-clearance facility, and promised to work with the U.S. to address security shortcomings there. The Ambassador urged The Bahamas to enhance security at airports throughout The Bahamas and to improve their management. He recommended that Mitchell and the Prime Minister meet with USG agencies in Freeport following a tour of the CSI facilities in September. The Ambassador also raised the Bahamas Flight Information Region (BFIR) issue, and expressed surprise that the Transportation Minister Hanna-Martin had been unavailable for a meeting with the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration earlier this year. Mitchell said the foreign ministry should be contacted on future problems and that he could help cut through the red tape. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: Mitchell has been taking a beating in the local media the past few months for his handling of the U.S. relationship and perceived closeness to Cuba, highlighted by the mid-July opening of a new Embassy in Havana. Although no election date has been set and they could be held as far off as may 2007, the parties are on election footing and will seek to use any perception of difference for political advantage. Mitchell would clearly prefer that foreign policy not be an election issue, particularly as a solid majority of Bahamians supports the U.S. The Ambassador reassured Mitchell that he is sensitive to election politics, but made clear that while the relationship is "second-to-none," the Embassy will continue to speak up on issues of concern. Mitchell's statement that The Bahamas abstains from country specific resolutions in the United Nations flies in the face of their voting record. Even when he said the Prime Minister seems inclined to Guatemala's candidacy for the UN Security Council, Mitchell pointedly did not say he recommended this. END COMMENT. ROOD