CARICOM URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO SPEED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000698

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR (FORTIN AND LUFTIG)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PTER SNAR TD
SUBJECT: CARICOM URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO SPEED
DECISION ON CWC IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

REF: BRIDGETOWN 00935


1. Acting Foreign Minister Danny Montano summoned the
Ambassador to a meeting on June 6 to deliver a letter
from Prime Minister Patrick Manning to President Bush
(text of letter below). Political Officer accompanied
the Ambassador. The letter echoes the sentiments of
the letter sent by Barbados PM Arthur (reftel).
CARICOM asked Manning to draft the letter in his
capacity as current Chairman of CARICOM and also
because he holds the security portfolio. Montano noted
that while there have been a number of discussions
about USG assistance for Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC),
CARICOM has yet to receive word on the proposed border
control initiative (or "Smartcard" entry/exit system)
proposed by Homeland Security. Montano pointed out
that CARICOM needs to know if the project will move
forward, or if they will need to look at alternatives
to ensure an adequate system is in place in time.


2. The Ambassador turned to DHS Secretary Chertoff's
planned visit to T&T at the end of the month and noted
that the letter might be overkill since Secretary
Chertoff will likely discuss this and other regional
security issues with CARICOM. A representative from
the Prime Minister's office with CWC coordination
responsibility noted that this letter was an outgrowth
of the conclusions from a recent ad-hoc meeting in
Jamaica, to which DHS sent a representative to discuss
the Smartcard immigration system. She further noted
that T&T had anticipated a more bilateral-focused
meeting with Secretary Chertoff, but that she would
clarify this issue with the Prime Minister and liaise
with Political Officer in developing an agenda.


3. COMMENT: This letter underscores that the clock
continues to tick loudly on the Cricket World Cup
Smartcard system. T&T has taken a pragmatic view of
the situation, hoping that the USG comes through with
its promised assistance, but ready to make contingency
plans should it fall through. Post requests guidance
as soon as Homeland Security makes a final decision on
the system. When Secretary Chertoff travels to T&T he
is likely to face CARICOM questions on the Smartcard
system. END COMMENT.


4. BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER (original has been pouched,
and a copy faxed to WHA/CAR):

June 05, 2006

Dear Mr. President:

I have the honour to address you in my capacity as
Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister
with lead responsibility for Security within the
Community.

In that capacity I have been kept fully aware of the on-
going discussions between officials of CARICOM and the
Department of Homeland Security on the deepening of
cooperation between the United States of America and
the Caribbean Community on border security issues, with
specific emphasis on the prevention of terrorism, trans-
national crime and non-traditional migration.

I have received very encouraging reports on progress
made during those discussions in the conceptualization
and development of a system of border control for
implementation in the Caribbean Community as a
prototype for a possible Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative.

CARICOM Governments are agreed that early
implementation of the proposed Border Control
Initiative for the Caribbean Community will be a vital
component of the Region's preparations for the hosting
of Cricket World Cup 2007. We are equally convinced
that this Initiative will make a significant
contribution to the continuing and shared efforts of
the Government of the United States of America and the
Caribbean Community to protect our citizens and to
safeguard our Region and Hemisphere.

I understand that the Initiative has been viewed most
positively by officials of your Government, including
the Secretary of State, with whom it was raised during
her meeting with CARICOM Foreign Ministers in March

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this year, and that it now awaits final consideration
and approval by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Caribbean Community is confident that it can count
on the support of the United States in ensuring the
viability and successful implementation of this
project, which is of the highest priority to CARICOM,
and which we believe is an important tool in the
building of the secure, stable and prosperous
neighbourhood to which we are both so strongly
committed.

It is in this spirit that I write to request your
personal support in this matter as we seek to secure
the formal approval of the United States Government,
through the Department of Homeland Security, for the
realisation of this important initiative.

I look forward to your early and most favorable
consideration of this matter.

Please accept, Mr President, the assurances of my
highest consideration.

[SIGNED]

Patrick Manning
END TEXT




AUSTIN