Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU1616
2006-10-24 21:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD PARTNERSHIP FORGES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #1616/01 2972129 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 242129Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3426 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1309 RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5476 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3576 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8421 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3433 RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4591 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2707 RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0314
UNCLAS NASSAU 001616
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS PHUM BF
SUBJECT: RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD PARTNERSHIP FORGES
EDUCATION, DISASTER AND SECURITY LINKS
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS NASSAU 001616
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS PHUM BF
SUBJECT: RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD PARTNERSHIP FORGES
EDUCATION, DISASTER AND SECURITY LINKS
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Since its inception in December 2005, the Bahamas-Rhode
Island National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) has
helped forge new avenues of cooperation between the United
States and the Bahamas. These SPP initiatives have
supplemented Embassy efforts to build local capacity and have
helped advance vital mission and USG security and stability
goals. Events conducted thus far include: a consortium on
disaster mitigation and hurricane preparedness held jointly
with the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency; crime
scene investigation training for the Royal Bahamas Police
Force; riot control and cell extraction training for Bahamian
prison guards, and firefighter training conducted in Rhode
Island. The SPP has also developed civilian contacts between
Rhode Island and Bahamian economic development agencies and
academic contacts between university administrators and
professors. The latter contacts have taken off and will soon
be formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding between the
University of Rhode Island and the College of the Bahamas
(COB) that will lead to student exchanges, in-state tuition
for Bahamian students, and faculty exchanges. The SPP has
engaged senior levels of the Bahamian government, police, and
security forces and has emerged as a true public diplomacy
success story for the United States. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Building New Partnerships
--------------
2. The National Guard State Partnership Program, funded by
DOD through the National Guard Bureau and SOUTHCOM, brings
together U.S. State National Guard programs with partner
nations through a range of civil and military activities
using the National Guard as a conduit and force provider. In
December 2005 and January 2006, The Bahamas and Rhode Island
delegations finalized Bahamian participation in the program.
Thanks to the leadership of the Rhode Island National Guard
and with strong support from the Embassy, the program has
started up quickly, with a series of successful events in The
Bahamas and Rhode Island and a growing range of civil and
military contacts between Rhode Island and The Bahamas.
--------------
Disaster Preparedness
--------------
3. The first event held under the SPP was a national
disaster and hurricane preparedness conference February
26-31. The conference facilitated exchange of ideas between
the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and its Bahamian
counterpart regarding mental health counseling of disaster
victims, command and control structures used in disasters,
and coordination of civilian and military responses. The
conference received extensive national media coverage that
positively highlighted U.S. support for improved disaster
management and mitigation. Combined with ongoing USAID
support in this area, the event strengthened Bahamian
perceptions of common US-Bahamian interests in disaster
preparedness and of general US support for the Bahamas.
--------------
Crime Scene Investigation
--------------
4. In May, the SPP with support from the Rhode Island State
Police and the Providence Police Department conducted a
forensics/crime scene investigation training event to help
build Bahamian capacity in crime scene management,
fingerprinting, blood splatter investigation, ballistics
trajectory analysis and other aspects of crime scene
investigation. Bahamian detectives also shared case
management techniques responsible for the nearly 100 percent
case closure rates on Bahamian homicides. Beyond the topics
covered, the event also helped strengthen the law enforcement
cooperation between The Bahamas and the United States --
already among the closest in the region.
--------------
Economic Development
--------------
5. In June, a ten-person Bahamian delegation traveled to
Rhode Island for a planning meeting. The group included
Bahamian representation from the Police, Defense Force,
Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Association, and College of The
Bahamas. Contacts were developed between the RI Economic
Development Corporation (RIEDC) and Bahamian economic leaders
to discuss hotel and port development, economic
redevelopment, and tourism promotion. This meeting also
launched educational discussions that would generate
subsequent formal cooperation. The delegation also attended
the annual RI Air Show, a major aviation showcase.
--------------
Support for Embassy July 4th
--------------
6. At the request of the Ambassador, the National Guard
literally and figuratively showed the flag in supporting our
July 4th reception when the 88th Army Band performed for our
annual representational event with a wide assortment of
patriotic music and classic American jazz. .
--------------
Prison Training
--------------
7. From August 7-11, the SPP sponsored a security training
event at Her Majesty's Prison at Fox Hill in Nassau conducted
by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. The event
provided training in riot and crowd control, use of
non-lethal force, and cell-extraction techniques. The
training addressed specific needs reflected in the State
Department's annual Human Rights Report and supported ongoing
local efforts to improve human rights conditions at the
centuries-old prison. The Prison Superintendent and his
guards welcomed the training, which many guards noted had
been minimal prior to this program. The extensive press
coverage of the event allowed us to achieve greater public
focus on our human rights objectives within The Bahamas.
--------------
Fire Training
--------------
8. From September 18-22, the SPP sponsored a fire services
training and exchange involving the Fire Service branch of
the Royal Bahamas Police Force and several Rhode Island town
fire services. The training, held in various towns in Rhode
Island, focused on confined space rescue, safety techniques,
and live fire fighting. It identified deficiencies in
Bahamian fire services and was extremely well-received by the
Bahamians. Press coverage of the visit in Rhode Island and
the Bahamas added to the strong positive response the program
has received among both partners since inception.
--------------
Educational Partnerships
--------------
9. Contacts developed at the first SPP event in March when
two professors from URI's world-renowned Graduate School of
Oceanography explored potential educational cooperation with
administrators and faculty at the College of the Bahamas have
quickly taken root in what is emerging as one of the most
important areas of the partnership. During a visit in
September, a senior COB administrator reached agreement with
the University of Rhode Island for student and faculty
exchanges. The program will begin in the upcoming spring
semester, with two Bahamian students already identified to go
to URI. URI has also agreed to allow selected Bahamian
students to attend for in-state tuition rates -- a persistent
request from Caribbean countries in recent meetings with
Secretary Rice. According to URI Vice Provost Pasquerella,
SIPDIS
"(t)he value of the agreement is just exceptional, the
different culture and different perspective on how to carry
out research, how to apply scientific problems, how to work
collectively." COB Vice President Davis expressed hope that
the program would allow development of joint US-Bahamian
research capabilities, including marine research. The COB's
President recently phoned the Charge to convey how vital this
program is for the College, which is seeking to move to
university status. She noted that she has briefed Prime
Minister Christie on the developments, which he welcomed and
pledged to personally support. Continued SPP engagement will
be instrumental in connecting these two institutions and
other RI educational institutions.
--------------
Comment: Vital Support for U.S. Objectives
--------------
10. Post and the Bahamian government appreciate the
innovative efforts of the Rhode Island National Guard under
the leadership of Adjutant General Bray in developing an SPP
tailored to Bahamian interests and drawing on shared
interests as small, ocean-oriented states with major tourism
industries. The extraordinary range of partnerships
developed during the first year of the program attest to the
potential of this program to contribute to our broader
bilateral relationship and policy goals by enhancing
security, developing local knowledge, and creating the strong
personal and institutional linkages. The program has also
provided outstanding opportunities for public diplomacy by
affording opportunities to highlight a wide range of
cooperative initiatives of interest to a cross section of the
Bahamian people. We particularly welcome the development of
the educational partnerships through the program, which
responds to a long-standing request for greater U.S. support
for Caribbean higher education from the highest levels of the
Bahamian government, (and which has also been a persistent
request from Caribbean foreign ministers during discussions
with the Secretary. END COMMENT.
HARDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS PHUM BF
SUBJECT: RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD PARTNERSHIP FORGES
EDUCATION, DISASTER AND SECURITY LINKS
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Since its inception in December 2005, the Bahamas-Rhode
Island National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) has
helped forge new avenues of cooperation between the United
States and the Bahamas. These SPP initiatives have
supplemented Embassy efforts to build local capacity and have
helped advance vital mission and USG security and stability
goals. Events conducted thus far include: a consortium on
disaster mitigation and hurricane preparedness held jointly
with the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency; crime
scene investigation training for the Royal Bahamas Police
Force; riot control and cell extraction training for Bahamian
prison guards, and firefighter training conducted in Rhode
Island. The SPP has also developed civilian contacts between
Rhode Island and Bahamian economic development agencies and
academic contacts between university administrators and
professors. The latter contacts have taken off and will soon
be formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding between the
University of Rhode Island and the College of the Bahamas
(COB) that will lead to student exchanges, in-state tuition
for Bahamian students, and faculty exchanges. The SPP has
engaged senior levels of the Bahamian government, police, and
security forces and has emerged as a true public diplomacy
success story for the United States. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Building New Partnerships
--------------
2. The National Guard State Partnership Program, funded by
DOD through the National Guard Bureau and SOUTHCOM, brings
together U.S. State National Guard programs with partner
nations through a range of civil and military activities
using the National Guard as a conduit and force provider. In
December 2005 and January 2006, The Bahamas and Rhode Island
delegations finalized Bahamian participation in the program.
Thanks to the leadership of the Rhode Island National Guard
and with strong support from the Embassy, the program has
started up quickly, with a series of successful events in The
Bahamas and Rhode Island and a growing range of civil and
military contacts between Rhode Island and The Bahamas.
--------------
Disaster Preparedness
--------------
3. The first event held under the SPP was a national
disaster and hurricane preparedness conference February
26-31. The conference facilitated exchange of ideas between
the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and its Bahamian
counterpart regarding mental health counseling of disaster
victims, command and control structures used in disasters,
and coordination of civilian and military responses. The
conference received extensive national media coverage that
positively highlighted U.S. support for improved disaster
management and mitigation. Combined with ongoing USAID
support in this area, the event strengthened Bahamian
perceptions of common US-Bahamian interests in disaster
preparedness and of general US support for the Bahamas.
--------------
Crime Scene Investigation
--------------
4. In May, the SPP with support from the Rhode Island State
Police and the Providence Police Department conducted a
forensics/crime scene investigation training event to help
build Bahamian capacity in crime scene management,
fingerprinting, blood splatter investigation, ballistics
trajectory analysis and other aspects of crime scene
investigation. Bahamian detectives also shared case
management techniques responsible for the nearly 100 percent
case closure rates on Bahamian homicides. Beyond the topics
covered, the event also helped strengthen the law enforcement
cooperation between The Bahamas and the United States --
already among the closest in the region.
--------------
Economic Development
--------------
5. In June, a ten-person Bahamian delegation traveled to
Rhode Island for a planning meeting. The group included
Bahamian representation from the Police, Defense Force,
Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Association, and College of The
Bahamas. Contacts were developed between the RI Economic
Development Corporation (RIEDC) and Bahamian economic leaders
to discuss hotel and port development, economic
redevelopment, and tourism promotion. This meeting also
launched educational discussions that would generate
subsequent formal cooperation. The delegation also attended
the annual RI Air Show, a major aviation showcase.
--------------
Support for Embassy July 4th
--------------
6. At the request of the Ambassador, the National Guard
literally and figuratively showed the flag in supporting our
July 4th reception when the 88th Army Band performed for our
annual representational event with a wide assortment of
patriotic music and classic American jazz. .
--------------
Prison Training
--------------
7. From August 7-11, the SPP sponsored a security training
event at Her Majesty's Prison at Fox Hill in Nassau conducted
by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. The event
provided training in riot and crowd control, use of
non-lethal force, and cell-extraction techniques. The
training addressed specific needs reflected in the State
Department's annual Human Rights Report and supported ongoing
local efforts to improve human rights conditions at the
centuries-old prison. The Prison Superintendent and his
guards welcomed the training, which many guards noted had
been minimal prior to this program. The extensive press
coverage of the event allowed us to achieve greater public
focus on our human rights objectives within The Bahamas.
--------------
Fire Training
--------------
8. From September 18-22, the SPP sponsored a fire services
training and exchange involving the Fire Service branch of
the Royal Bahamas Police Force and several Rhode Island town
fire services. The training, held in various towns in Rhode
Island, focused on confined space rescue, safety techniques,
and live fire fighting. It identified deficiencies in
Bahamian fire services and was extremely well-received by the
Bahamians. Press coverage of the visit in Rhode Island and
the Bahamas added to the strong positive response the program
has received among both partners since inception.
--------------
Educational Partnerships
--------------
9. Contacts developed at the first SPP event in March when
two professors from URI's world-renowned Graduate School of
Oceanography explored potential educational cooperation with
administrators and faculty at the College of the Bahamas have
quickly taken root in what is emerging as one of the most
important areas of the partnership. During a visit in
September, a senior COB administrator reached agreement with
the University of Rhode Island for student and faculty
exchanges. The program will begin in the upcoming spring
semester, with two Bahamian students already identified to go
to URI. URI has also agreed to allow selected Bahamian
students to attend for in-state tuition rates -- a persistent
request from Caribbean countries in recent meetings with
Secretary Rice. According to URI Vice Provost Pasquerella,
SIPDIS
"(t)he value of the agreement is just exceptional, the
different culture and different perspective on how to carry
out research, how to apply scientific problems, how to work
collectively." COB Vice President Davis expressed hope that
the program would allow development of joint US-Bahamian
research capabilities, including marine research. The COB's
President recently phoned the Charge to convey how vital this
program is for the College, which is seeking to move to
university status. She noted that she has briefed Prime
Minister Christie on the developments, which he welcomed and
pledged to personally support. Continued SPP engagement will
be instrumental in connecting these two institutions and
other RI educational institutions.
--------------
Comment: Vital Support for U.S. Objectives
--------------
10. Post and the Bahamian government appreciate the
innovative efforts of the Rhode Island National Guard under
the leadership of Adjutant General Bray in developing an SPP
tailored to Bahamian interests and drawing on shared
interests as small, ocean-oriented states with major tourism
industries. The extraordinary range of partnerships
developed during the first year of the program attest to the
potential of this program to contribute to our broader
bilateral relationship and policy goals by enhancing
security, developing local knowledge, and creating the strong
personal and institutional linkages. The program has also
provided outstanding opportunities for public diplomacy by
affording opportunities to highlight a wide range of
cooperative initiatives of interest to a cross section of the
Bahamian people. We particularly welcome the development of
the educational partnerships through the program, which
responds to a long-standing request for greater U.S. support
for Caribbean higher education from the highest levels of the
Bahamian government, (and which has also been a persistent
request from Caribbean foreign ministers during discussions
with the Secretary. END COMMENT.
HARDT