Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTOFSPAIN1333
2006-11-20 18:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
T&T WILL NOT "SOFTEN" RESOLUTION ON ABOLITION OF
how-toVZCZCXRO4234 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHSP #1333 3241800 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 201800Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7595 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0067
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA XL TD
SUBJECT: T&T WILL NOT "SOFTEN" RESOLUTION ON ABOLITION OF
TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
REF: STATE 188239
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA XL TD
SUBJECT: T&T WILL NOT "SOFTEN" RESOLUTION ON ABOLITION OF
TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
REF: STATE 188239
1. In a planned double-pronged approach to the MFA, Polchief shared
the U.S. preferred language for preambular paragraph 8, on November
17, with MFA Multilateral Division Director Susan Gordon. The
Ambassador then raised the issue with Minister of Foreign Affairs
Arnold Piggott, the order of contact having been determined by the
Minister's delayed response to efforts to reach him.
2. Gordon was aware of discussions which had taken place on this
resolution in New York, and told Polchief that the issue of
compensatory measures for slavery, or reparations, is important to
Caricom. She noted that compensation in one form or another is paid
for past wrongs, in a wide variety of situations today, and said
that compensatory measures for slavery are widely supported in the
U.S. itself. She added that T&T had also rejected UK efforts to
tone down or eliminate another paragraph in the resolution which
apparently speaks of the benefits historically derived from the
slave trade by "empires".
3. In the Ambassador's conversation with the Foreign Minister, the
minister excused himself from any discussion claiming that Ms.
Gordon had already received the relevant information. He also
claimed to be busy reorganizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
which he had only recently taken over; and, furthermore, he had
given time to the members of the diplomatic corps during his earlier
weeks.
4. COMMENT: There is the suggestion that we may not have the
access to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that we enjoyed under his
predecessor, Minister Knowlson Gift. END COMMENT.
AUSTIN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA XL TD
SUBJECT: T&T WILL NOT "SOFTEN" RESOLUTION ON ABOLITION OF
TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
REF: STATE 188239
1. In a planned double-pronged approach to the MFA, Polchief shared
the U.S. preferred language for preambular paragraph 8, on November
17, with MFA Multilateral Division Director Susan Gordon. The
Ambassador then raised the issue with Minister of Foreign Affairs
Arnold Piggott, the order of contact having been determined by the
Minister's delayed response to efforts to reach him.
2. Gordon was aware of discussions which had taken place on this
resolution in New York, and told Polchief that the issue of
compensatory measures for slavery, or reparations, is important to
Caricom. She noted that compensation in one form or another is paid
for past wrongs, in a wide variety of situations today, and said
that compensatory measures for slavery are widely supported in the
U.S. itself. She added that T&T had also rejected UK efforts to
tone down or eliminate another paragraph in the resolution which
apparently speaks of the benefits historically derived from the
slave trade by "empires".
3. In the Ambassador's conversation with the Foreign Minister, the
minister excused himself from any discussion claiming that Ms.
Gordon had already received the relevant information. He also
claimed to be busy reorganizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
which he had only recently taken over; and, furthermore, he had
given time to the members of the diplomatic corps during his earlier
weeks.
4. COMMENT: There is the suggestion that we may not have the
access to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that we enjoyed under his
predecessor, Minister Knowlson Gift. END COMMENT.
AUSTIN