Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU1313
2006-08-28 23:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

FOREIGN MINISTER MITCHELL RAISES CONCERNS ON

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM UN BF 
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R 282318Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3137
INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1287
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5445
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3554
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8392
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3412
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4572
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2687
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0274
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)

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