NEW CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF FOR T&T

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000974 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MARR PINR TD SUBJECT: NEW CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF FOR T&T ¶1. According to press reports, T&T President George Maxwell Richards will promote Colonel Edmund Dillon to the rank of Brigadier General, on August 15, thereby officially making him Chief of Defense Staff. Dillon, who has been acting Chief of Defense staff, will succeed Brigadier General Ancil Antoine who left his post over a month ago to head the Inter-American Defense Board in Washington. On August 14, the Trinidad Guardian reported Minister of National Security Martin Joseph as confirming that the official change of command will take place at a military parade scheduled for August ¶19. According to the Guardian, Dillon's appointment was finalized later last week when Prime Minister Patrick Manning wrote to President Richards, advising him to appoint Dillon as Chief of Defense Staff upon the Minister Joseph's recommendation. ¶2. Dillon was enlisted in the T&T Defense Force (Coast Guard) in September 1974. He served in this unit until August 1978, before transferring to the T&T Regiment. In 1979, he was granted a commission and completed his officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK. During his career, Dillon has held the postings of Battalion Adjutant, Company Commander, Staff Officer Finance and Battalion Second in Command. In 1994, he was appointed Battalion Second in Command of the CARICOM Battalion during the US-led multi-national force, Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti. He has also served as the Commanding Officer of the First and Second Battalions, T&T Regiment and the Service and Support Battalion. Dillon is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Staff School and College and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He is the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and government and a master's in military arts and Science. He is married to Ava Dillon. The couple has three children. ¶3. COMMENT: Edmund Dillon is a close contact of the Embassy and has participated in a number of training programs in the United States, under post's sponsorship. END COMMENT. SWEENEY