Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN1226
2007-09-20 14:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

COMPTON FUNERAL HIGHLIGHTS U.S. TIES

Tags:  OVIP PGOV PREL ST XL 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #1226 2631447
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201447Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5516
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001226 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PGOV PREL ST XL
SUBJECT: COMPTON FUNERAL HIGHLIGHTS U.S. TIES

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001226

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PGOV PREL ST XL
SUBJECT: COMPTON FUNERAL HIGHLIGHTS U.S. TIES


1. (U) SUMMARY: Sir John Compton's funeral was extremely
well-attended, with 1000 guests at the cathedral and hundreds more
outside. Attendees included diplomatic dignitaries from around the
world. Compton's friendship with the United States was
well-documented in the provided program. The funeral was
well-covered on local media. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) On September 18, St. Lucia commemorated the passing of its
founding father and sitting Prime Minister, Sir John George Melville
Compton, 82. Roughly 1000 people gathered in the Minor Basilica of
the Immaculate Conception, including dignitaries from throughout the
Caribbean and all continents, including a 12-person delegation from
Taiwan. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson and the Ambassador
represented the USG.


3. (U) In addition to the 1000 invited guests, hundreds of citizens
gathered in the neighboring Derek Wolcott Park, viewing the funeral
on a provided jumbotron. Hundreds more waited outside police
barriers controlling access to the site. Following the funeral, the
crowds of pedestrians followed the final procession from the
cathedral to the Castries waterfront. The numbers in attendance,
the masses in the procession, and the cheers inside and outside the
cathedral as speakers recounted Compton's many accomplishments left
no doubt of the level at which St. Lucia reveres Compton.


4. (U) Published programs illustrating Compton's public and private
life included President Bush's letter of condolence and photograph
on a prominent page. Likewise, photographs of Compton with
Presidents Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton were included in the
program. Local media in St. Lucia and Barbados gave the event broad
coverage, both electronically and in print. The funeral itself was
carried live on local television.


5. (U) COMMENT: The government declared two weeks of mourning for
Compton, a period that doubled as a grace period for the new
government to settle in. With the funeral and related ceremonies
completed, the opposition will begin its attacks on the new
administration. Also, the people will begin to critically view the
actions of the new government. Given the turmoil surrounding
Compton's illness and possible successor, the United Workers Party
government is on a short leash, with many citizens exclaiming they
voted for Compton to lead St. Lucia, not the rest of the party. To
be successful, King will have to minimize internal party conflicts
and exude confidence as prime minister. We will follow up with the
new government quickly to encourage them to maintain Compton's
strong pro-U.S. policies, something we expect King, as Compton's
hand-picked successor, is likely to do.

OURISMAN