Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTOFSPAIN690
2006-06-05 17:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
CWC ASSISTANCE DEMARCHE: DETAILS WOULD BE
how-toVZCZCXRO8318 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHSP #0690 1561732 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051732Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6939 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000690
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER OAS XL TD
SUBJECT: CWC ASSISTANCE DEMARCHE: DETAILS WOULD BE
APPRECIATED
REF: STATE 080802
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000690
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER OAS XL TD
SUBJECT: CWC ASSISTANCE DEMARCHE: DETAILS WOULD BE
APPRECIATED
REF: STATE 080802
1. (U) Political Officer delivered the demarche
contained reftel to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Americas Desk, Multilateral Affairs Desk and Protocol
Office (as each office has a hand due to how this
assistance is proposed to be delivered),and passed a
copy to the Office of the Prime Minister and the
Ministry of National Security (no representatives were
present, but post did have a telephone conference with
the Office of the Prime Minister). Conversations were
quite positive, with the Government of Trinidad and
Tobago (GOTT) generally expressing its support for the
proposed assistance. The "smart card" system did not
come up in discussions.
2. (SBU) GOTT representatives were eager to know
specifics of the training that is being proposed. They
wanted to know when the trainings would be held in T&T
and how many would be trained for security screening.
These questions are likely motivated by ongoing
staffing shortfalls in customs and excise and
immigration screeners. Additionally, the Office of the
Prime Minister asked about the linkage between Third
Border Initiative funds and Article 98 restrictions, as
T&T has not signed an Article 98 agreement.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Overall, T&T is supportive of these
initiatives to assist with Cricket World Cup, and ready
to move forward quickly. Largely, post and the GOTT
see this as an opportunity to further our security
relationship and to review and strengthen T&T's overall
border security. We will seek comment from CARICOM's
regional security agency once the director returns to
the office. END COMMENT.
AUSTIN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER OAS XL TD
SUBJECT: CWC ASSISTANCE DEMARCHE: DETAILS WOULD BE
APPRECIATED
REF: STATE 080802
1. (U) Political Officer delivered the demarche
contained reftel to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Americas Desk, Multilateral Affairs Desk and Protocol
Office (as each office has a hand due to how this
assistance is proposed to be delivered),and passed a
copy to the Office of the Prime Minister and the
Ministry of National Security (no representatives were
present, but post did have a telephone conference with
the Office of the Prime Minister). Conversations were
quite positive, with the Government of Trinidad and
Tobago (GOTT) generally expressing its support for the
proposed assistance. The "smart card" system did not
come up in discussions.
2. (SBU) GOTT representatives were eager to know
specifics of the training that is being proposed. They
wanted to know when the trainings would be held in T&T
and how many would be trained for security screening.
These questions are likely motivated by ongoing
staffing shortfalls in customs and excise and
immigration screeners. Additionally, the Office of the
Prime Minister asked about the linkage between Third
Border Initiative funds and Article 98 restrictions, as
T&T has not signed an Article 98 agreement.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Overall, T&T is supportive of these
initiatives to assist with Cricket World Cup, and ready
to move forward quickly. Largely, post and the GOTT
see this as an opportunity to further our security
relationship and to review and strengthen T&T's overall
border security. We will seek comment from CARICOM's
regional security agency once the director returns to
the office. END COMMENT.
AUSTIN