Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTOFSPAIN974
2006-08-17 13:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:  

NEW CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF FOR T&T

Tags:  PGOV MARR PINR TD 
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VZCZCXRO3176
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0974 2291315
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171315Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7235
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
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


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