Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN1440
2007-11-20 15:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR OURISMAN TO ST. LUCIA: ARTICLE 98,

Tags:  PGOV PREL EAID EINV EIND ASEC CASC KTIA ST XL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #1440/01 3241511
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201511Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5782
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1827
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL
RUEHCV/USDAO CARACAS VE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 001440 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR USAID/LAC/CAR-BONCY
DEPT FOR DS/ATA, DS/IP/WHA
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID EINV EIND ASEC CASC KTIA ST XL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR OURISMAN TO ST. LUCIA: ARTICLE 98,
INVESTMENTS, BIODIVERISTY, AND ATA BOMB EQUIPMENT

REF: BRIDGETOWN 01339

Classified By: A/DCM Clyde Howard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 001440

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR USAID/LAC/CAR-BONCY
DEPT FOR DS/ATA, DS/IP/WHA
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID EINV EIND ASEC CASC KTIA ST XL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR OURISMAN TO ST. LUCIA: ARTICLE 98,
INVESTMENTS, BIODIVERISTY, AND ATA BOMB EQUIPMENT

REF: BRIDGETOWN 01339

Classified By: A/DCM Clyde Howard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador's October 17-19 trip to St.
Lucia was highlighted by a positive meeting with PM King
that helped move our Article 98 agenda forward. In
addition, the Ambassador's presentation of USD 2 million to
the OECS for a biodiversity grant and USD 39,000 worth of
DSATA bomb technician equipment to the Royal St. Lucin
Police Force were well received by local media capturing
the spirit of the June Conference on he Caribbean. The
visit confirmed St Lucia's cotinued productive partnership
with the USG in th Caribbean. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Ambassador isited St. Lucia from October 17-19
in conjunctin with a grant-signing between USAID an the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS),as well as
the donation of USD 39,000 worth of DS/ATA bomb technician
equipment to the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
While in St. Lucia, the Ambassador met with PM Stephenson
King and Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet. In addition to
the Ambassador's meetings, the DCM met with Minister for
Commerce and Trade Guy Mayers and opposition leader Dr. Kenny
Anthony.

ARTICLE 98
--------------


3. (C) In her first meeting with PM King since his
appointment on September 9, the Ambassador said the signing
of an Article 98 agreement would be an important signal of
the new government's commitment to our bilateral
relationship. King appeared to be unaware of previous
requests for the signing of Article 98, but expressed
interest in moving forward. Post later confirmed that King

is still actively pursuing Article 98 with his Cabinet.
According to Post contacts in the PM's office, the Foreign
Ministry was to present article 98 to Cabinet in its
November 15 meeting, but that meeting was cancelled.
Despite this, Article 98 remains on the agenda for upcoming
meetings.

JUNE DELIVERABLES
--------------


4. (SBU) The Ambassador discussed with King three
deliverables from the June Conference on the Caribbean: the
USD 2 million biodiversity grant from USAID to the OECS, the
Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between
CARICOM and the United States, and the Science and
Technology Agreement. In a follow-on meeting with Commerce
Minister Mayers, DCM Fisher also discussed the potential
TIFA and Science and Technology Agreement. Mayers was
particularly interested in pushing the TIFA through CARICOM
and asked for a copy of the draft TIFA.


5. (C) King also raised the importance of the criminal
deportee issue to St. Lucia and CARICOM, particularly in the
areas of notification, reintegration, and monitoring. The
Ambassador stated that the President has heard this message
loud and clear, hence the pilot programs in the Bahamas,
Jamaica, and Guyana. She also noted that domestic
reintegration programs, such as the new program in Barbados
(ref),would provide important partnership opportunities for
any potential future programs.

GRANTS RECEIVE POSITIVE PRESS
--------------


6. (U) On October 18, the Ambassador signed a grant
agreement through which USAID will contribute USD 2 million
to the OECS in support of biodiversity projects throughout
the region. Government and OECS officials expressed sincere
gratitude to the United States for the grant, which received
ample positive attention in local media. The Ambassador and
other officials also agreed on the need for long-term
partners in implementing projects emerging from this grant,
alongside local partners such as the University of the West
Indies.


7. (U) The Ambassador also presented USD 39,000 worth of
DS/ATA bomb technician equipment to the RSLPF. Deputy
Commissioner Hermengild Francis accepted the equipment,

thanking the United States for its continued friendship and
for the 2006 construction of barracks in Vieux Fort for the
Special Services Unit. Assistant Superintendent Brian
Jawahir not only thanked the USG for this equipment, but
also personally thanked the President for his friendship to
St. Lucia and for providing previous training opportunities,
vehicles, and uniforms - a refreshing outpouring of
gratitude from one of our host countries.

COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) This trip was a strong building block in U.S.-St.
Lucia relations. The Ambassador made strong steps toward an
Article 98 agreement, discussed the development of a TIFA
and Science and Technology agreement, and focused on U.S.
investments with a variety of government ministers.
Finally, thanks and praises for the United States filled the
presentation of the biodiversity grant and bomb technician
equipment donation, without any of the usual requests for
more assistance or allusions that the United States is not
doing enough to support the Caribbean. Following Sir John
Compton's death, these early signs from the new PM indicate
he is looking to continue Compton's legacy of being one of
the USG's closest friends in the region.
OURISMAN