Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU673
2006-04-19 21:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH U.S. ERODE CARICOM SUPPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #0673 1092153 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192153Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2470 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1248 RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5387 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3514 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8326 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3357 RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4519 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2635 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS NASSAU 000673
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC VE BF
SUBJECT: IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH U.S. ERODE CARICOM SUPPORT
FOR VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
REF: A. STATE 57503
B. STATE 60604
UNCLAS NASSAU 000673
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC VE BF
SUBJECT: IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH U.S. ERODE CARICOM SUPPORT
FOR VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
REF: A. STATE 57503
B. STATE 60604
1. DCM discussed Venezuela's candidacy for the UN Security
Council with Marilyn Zonicle, MFA Acting Permanent Secretary,
on April 19, conveying reftel points on Venezuela's
unsuitability for a UNSC seat. Zonicle reported that the
Caribbean Community's foreign minister group, COFCOR, had not
made a decision on the UNSC candidacies but would be
discussing the issue at a foreign minister meeting in
Bridgetown next week. She believed that the member states
would follow a CARICOM line once a consensus was reached.
2. DCM asked what impact Venezuela's PetroCaribe program
would have on the voting, given the importance of the program
to Jamaica and some Eastern Caribbean states. DCM noted that
Japan had previously been successful in using economic
leverage to gain friendly positions from CARICOM countries on
whaling issues. Zonicle acknowledged that energy was an
important economic issue for many CARICOM members, but argued
that the scope of the foreign ministers' decision-making
would be broader than energy or economic interests. She
stated that CARICOM foreign ministers were "more
sophisticated now" and would not want to jeopardize the
progress made during the Secretary's visit to Nassau in
March. CARICOM was impressed by the Secretary's commitment
to relations with the region and grateful that she was able
to facilitate a meeting with USTR Portman so soon after the
Nassau Ministerial. Zonicle said COFCOR sees the Secretary
as an engaged and credible partner for the region whose
opinion on Venezuela and other matters they will be hesitant
to disregard.
ROOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC VE BF
SUBJECT: IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH U.S. ERODE CARICOM SUPPORT
FOR VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
REF: A. STATE 57503
B. STATE 60604
1. DCM discussed Venezuela's candidacy for the UN Security
Council with Marilyn Zonicle, MFA Acting Permanent Secretary,
on April 19, conveying reftel points on Venezuela's
unsuitability for a UNSC seat. Zonicle reported that the
Caribbean Community's foreign minister group, COFCOR, had not
made a decision on the UNSC candidacies but would be
discussing the issue at a foreign minister meeting in
Bridgetown next week. She believed that the member states
would follow a CARICOM line once a consensus was reached.
2. DCM asked what impact Venezuela's PetroCaribe program
would have on the voting, given the importance of the program
to Jamaica and some Eastern Caribbean states. DCM noted that
Japan had previously been successful in using economic
leverage to gain friendly positions from CARICOM countries on
whaling issues. Zonicle acknowledged that energy was an
important economic issue for many CARICOM members, but argued
that the scope of the foreign ministers' decision-making
would be broader than energy or economic interests. She
stated that CARICOM foreign ministers were "more
sophisticated now" and would not want to jeopardize the
progress made during the Secretary's visit to Nassau in
March. CARICOM was impressed by the Secretary's commitment
to relations with the region and grateful that she was able
to facilitate a meeting with USTR Portman so soon after the
Nassau Ministerial. Zonicle said COFCOR sees the Secretary
as an engaged and credible partner for the region whose
opinion on Venezuela and other matters they will be hesitant
to disregard.
ROOD