Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU325
2006-02-24 16:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

GOVERNOR BUSH'S VISIT STRENGTHENS TIES BETWEEN

Tags:  PREL EPET PHUM SMIG CU BF 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS NASSAU 000325 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT AND WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EPET PHUM SMIG CU BF
SUBJECT: GOVERNOR BUSH'S VISIT STRENGTHENS TIES BETWEEN
FLORIDA AND BAHAMAS

REF: NASSAU 308

UNCLAS NASSAU 000325

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT AND WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EPET PHUM SMIG CU BF
SUBJECT: GOVERNOR BUSH'S VISIT STRENGTHENS TIES BETWEEN
FLORIDA AND BAHAMAS

REF: NASSAU 308


1. SUMMARY: During a productive February 20 visit to The
Bahamas, Florida Governor Jeb Bush met with Prime Minister
Christie and members of his Cabinet, launched a cooperative
educational program between Florida and The Bahamas, visited
a primary school and addressed the Chamber of Commerce and
Rotary Clubs on trade, investment and economic
diversification. Meeting with the PM, Bush raised concerns
regarding detained Cuban migrants and supported a pending
proposal by a U.S. company to build a liquefied natural gas
("LNG") conversion facility in The Bahamas to supply Florida.
The Bahamian government was receptive to the Governor's
concerns, with the PM indicating that his government would
soon make decisions on both matters. Christie warmly
welcomed the education partnerships and described the visit
as a "defining moment" in the relationship between the U.S.
and The Bahamas. END SUMMARY.


2. Florida Governor Jeb Bush visited the Bahamas February
20, accompanied by Florida Secretary of State Sue Cobb,
Florida Commissioner of Education John Winn, Florida
Department of Education Chief of Staff Jeanine Blomberg,
Enterprise Florida Director Gary Schumann and other staff.
While the visit was designed primarily to promote
Florida-Bahamas educational partnerships and trade, Cuban
migration and LNG issues came to the forefront of key
meetings and press coverage.

Hope for Resolution of LNG and Migration Issues
-------------- --


3. Governor Bush, Ambassador Rood, Secretary Cobb, and
Commissioner Winn met with Prime Minister Christie, Deputy
Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt, Acting Foreign Minister Vincent
Peet, Minister of Education Alfred Sears, Minister of Tourism
Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie
Miller, and Minister of Works and Utilities Bradley Roberts
(reftel). The frank meeting included discussion of
educational partnerships, the continued detention of two
Cuban dentists at the Carmichael Road Detention Center, and
the prospects for moving ahead with a LNG conversion facility
in The Bahamas. Following the meeting, the PM told the press
that "the Bahamian government would aggressively address the

Governor's concern about the continued detention of the two
Cuban dentists," adding that, "they have assurances from us
that as we speak, we are in the process of trying to bring
the matter to a hopeful conclusion in the best interest of
all concerned." Governor Bush expressed his appreciation
that Christie "listened attentively" and "was willing to
resolve it."


4. The discussions also advanced a long-standing proposal by
an American investor, AES, to build a LNG regassification
facility at Ocean Cay in The Bahamas. Governor Bush outlined
Florida's growing need for energy and his states
determination to diversify sources, including greater use of
natural gas. He noted that if the Ocean Cay proposal was not
approved, Florida had other options on the table that could
meet its needs. PM Christie shared his concern over The
Bahamas ability to regulate the plant, and solicited the
Governor's support by working with Bahamian regulators.
Governor Bush agreed to set up a meeting between Floridian
and Bahamian energy and environment regulators. The PM said
that "clearly a decision is necessary . . . it is a valuable
resource Florida needs, hopefully from The Bahamas to the
great benefit of The Bahamas" and expressed hope that the
regulatory partnership would resolve Bahamian concerns. Post
is coordinating with Governor Bush's staff to arrange the
meeting of regulators.

"Classroom Connections" Launches Education Partnership
-------------- --------------


5. In a separate meeting with Education Minister Sears,
Governor Bush launched the first of a series of educational
partnerships -- "Global Classroom Connections," a program to
bring together Florida and Bahamian students through
cultural, reading and technology exchanges. Through the
program, Bahamian schools will be linked with sister schools

in Florida in a "21st Century" interactive pen-pal program,
exchanging e-mail, books and cultural activities. The
program also extends to teachers and administrators,
including the exchange of training and teaching methods.
During the visit, Governor Bush and Sears announced three
pairs of pilot schools for the program, which is scheduled to
expand significantly over the next year.


6. Governor Bush visited one of the pilot schools, Woodcock
Primary School, where he met with students, encouraged early
reading and enjoyed a program of singing and dancing put on
by the students. Governor Bush and Education Commissioner
Winn presented the school with a children's book, a series of
books created by the Florida partner school, and a video from
the Florida principal welcoming the students to "Classroom
Connections." They also received a Bahamian children's book
for delivery to the Florida sister school.


7. While "Classroom Connections" was the focus of
educational cooperation, Governor Bush laid the groundwork
for future cooperation on teacher training, special needs
education and partnerships between Florida universities and
the College of the Bahamas. The Florida Department of
Education, Post and the Bahamian Ministry of Education plan
further collaboration to develop and coordinate these
programs.

Promoting Trade and Blasting Cuba
--------------


8. During a lunch meeting with several hundred local
business leaders, Governor Bush and Bahamian Minister of
Finance and Investment Allyson Maynard-Gibson each spoke
about Bahamian-Florida partnerships. Maynard-Gibson's
remarks highlighted the volume of Florida-Bahamas trade,
pointing out that The Bahamas imports $1 billion of goods
from Florida. She requested Florida's assistance in
correcting the trade imbalance, and encouraged local business
leaders to seek opportunities in Florida's markets. Governor
Bush emphasized the need for diversification of a
tourist-driven economy and Florida's use of tourism revenues
to develop "21st Century" businesses and innovations. The
message of diversification, investment in new industries and
the risks of tourism-dependence in a hurricane zone resonated
strongly with the crowd.


9. In response to an audience member's question about
Bahamian ties to Cuba, Governor Bush bluntly responded that
The Bahamas had nothing to gain from a relationship with
Cuba, and everything to gain from a relationship with Florida
and the U.S. "You are a democracy," he said, "and you are
not going to find democracy in Cuba. You respect the rule of
law; not much respect for the rule of law in Cuba. You have
a prosperous open economy; not much Cuba can offer you on the
economic front. Cuba offers you nothing but threats to
illegally send you its enslaved people." As with his message
on investment and diversification, these remarks were
well-received by the business community.

Visit Underscores U.S.-Bahamian Partnership
--------------


10. COMMENT: As encapsulated by Governor Bush's comments
regarding Cuba, the visit placed Florida's role in the
Bahamian economy, and the Bahamian interest in continued
cooperation with Florida on issues of common concern into
sharp focus. While final decisions have not been made
regarding the Cuban detainees or the LNG plant, the
Governor's promotion of ongoing educational and trade
partnerships has focused Bahamians on the benefits of closer
ties with the U.S. Media coverage was extensive and
positive, generating understanding for the potential of
current and future partnerships with Florida and building
support for resolution of the Cuban detainee and LNG issues.
The visit was a resounding success. END COMMENT.
ROOD