Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTOFSPAIN1040
2006-09-07 16:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:  

MANNING CRITICIZES USG FOR IGNORING CARIBBEAN

Tags:  PREL PGOV KCRM SNAR TD 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 001040 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM SNAR TD
SUBJECT: MANNING CRITICIZES USG FOR IGNORING CARIBBEAN


Classified By: Classified By: DCM Eugene P. Sweeney for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 001040

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM SNAR TD
SUBJECT: MANNING CRITICIZES USG FOR IGNORING CARIBBEAN


Classified By: Classified By: DCM Eugene P. Sweeney for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) GOTT Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday
criticized the USG for ignoring the Caribbean region in
general and its security, counter narcotics and trade needs
in particular. Speaking at a September 5 luncheon before an
audience largely comprising energy industry executives and
members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador
Austin, Manning said: &Washington has been studiously
ignoring the Caribbean and ignoring the requirements of
Trinidad and Tobago8. He referred specifically to the Third
Border Initiative which, he said, &has been so eloquently
articulated in Washington8 but &has not gotten off the mark
in any significant way.8


2. (U) Manning did not end there. He charged that, ever
since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the US Government has
focused almost exclusively on counter-terrorism security.
While conceding that the emphasis on the war against terror
is understandable, Manning said this preoccupation has
resulted in the neglect on the war against drug trafficking
which has &gone to the back burner.8 Referring to the
continued use of the Caribbean region as a trans-shipment
point for drugs leaving the South American mainland on their
way north, Manning said T&T has offered to patrol the eastern
Caribbean but cannot afford to finance the operation. He
emphasized that what is at stake is not only Caribbean
security but &is as much the security of the US...the offer
remains on the table.8


3. (U) Finally, Manning raised the issue of US/T&T trade.
Perhaps because he was addressing representatives of T&T
energy industry, Manning implied that T&T,s reliance on the
US as the almost exclusive destination for its LNG exports
has been misplaced, particularly since he alleged that the
price the US has been paying, apart from shipments to the
Boston area, for T&T,s LNG has not been as high as is
otherwise available on the market. He said: &we are going
to have to decide whether we wish to place all our eggs in
one basket in the way we have placed before8, and suggested

that Mexico and Brazil might offer T&T alternative LNG export
markets. With the &expiration8 in 2007 of the Caribbean
Basin Initiative, Manning wondered what was going to replace
it. Perhaps referring to the moribund FTAA process, which
T&T strongly supported, he noted that &we still do not
have8, he said, &a proper trading arrangement with the
US.8 One specific proposal Manning mentioned would have the
US allowing duty-free entry of products perhaps manufactured
in other Caricom countries but packaged in T&T. (Note: This
issue, which he has raised with us before, is due to be
discussed at a Trade and Investment Council meeting between
the US and CARICOM to be held in October.)


4. (U) Immediately following Manning,s speech, Ambassador
Austin denied any US neglect of the Caribbean and told the
media that T&T continues to be &a very important partner8
of the US. The Ambassador emphasized, however, that since
there are many pressing problems around the world demanding
the Administration,s attention, the US Government must
necessarily set priorities. He added that the Prime Minister
has voiced similar criticisms to him and made requests for
additional security assistance in the past. The Ambassador
said he has always conveyed such criticisms and requests to
Washington and will do so again, this time.


5. (U) Post received no advance warning of topic or tenor of
the PM,s speech. We have requested a copy of the speech as
it was delivered, which we will immediately forward to the
Department when received.


6. (C) COMMENT: With the next election scheduled to take
place before the end of 2007, the Prime Minister,s
criticisms could reflect a decision to adopt a more political
posture to help divert growing public frustration with the
persistently high level of violent crime and its underlying
causes. We feel that press coverage of the event
overemphasized the aggressiveness of the PM,s criticism.
They also completely neglected the PM,s comments on
Petrocaribe, which are very much in line with those of the
USG.


7. (C) COMMENT continued: Still, post strongly believes that
Manning,s allegation of US neglect of T&T is not sustained
by the facts. Embassy Port of Spain, with active POL/INL,
RSO, DEA, and LEGATT offices, has been implementing a
comprehensive anti-crime and counter narcotics strategy that
aims to assist the T&T law enforcement agencies with
narcotics detection and interdiction, to assist the judiciary
with the equipment necessary to successfully prosecute crimes
in an increasingly complex environment, to train the
financial sector in detecting and preventing money laundering
and other financial crimes, and to provide youth with
marketable skills and channel them into healthy pursuits
rather than crime. We plan to pursue these themes over the
next few days with the media and personally with the Prime
Minister. One possible sign that the PM does not intend to
signal a chill in relations is that we received just
yesterday afternoon a positive response on his behalf to the
Embassy,s invitation to attend our 9/11 fifth anniversary
ceremony. This is the first time ever that the PM has agreed
to participate in this annual event on the Embassy,s
calendar. END COMMENT.


AUSTIN