Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN1483
2007-12-04 20:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:
BARBADOS NATIONAL DAY: AN ELECTION PULPIT
how-toVZCZCXRO3521 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHWN #1483 3382048 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 042048Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5849 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001483
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
WHA/CAR FOR DEPIRRO
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BB XL
SUBJECT: BARBADOS NATIONAL DAY: AN ELECTION PULPIT
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001483
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
WHA/CAR FOR DEPIRRO
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BB XL
SUBJECT: BARBADOS NATIONAL DAY: AN ELECTION PULPIT
Summary
--------------
1. (U) Barbados celebrated its 41st year of independence from
Great Britain on November 30. Both the current ruling
Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the opposition Democratic
Labour Party (DLP) took advantage of the occasion to posture
themselves favorably for the upcoming national election,
predicted by many to take place in early 2008. End Summary.
Ruling BLP: "A Nation of Achievements"
--------------
2. (U) Wedged between paid advertisments congratulating the
government of Barbados on its Independence Day, Prime
Minister Owen Arthur conveyed in his national message that
nation building since 1966 has brought out the very best of
Barbadians, particularly in 2007. PM Arther articulated
three main themes of his party's tenure: Barbados cares,
Barbados works, and Barbados matters. Arthur's message was
substantive and lengthy, consisting of specific achievements
as a result of his leadership. Among them, economic growth
and development, lower taxes, progress on the Caribbean
Single Market Economy (CSME),and an outward eye toward
globalization.
3. (U) Arthur also claimed that Barbados "will be especially
remembered for the manner in which our nation responded to
the challenge of having to take the spotlight on the global
stage," referring to Barbados "having to shoulder" the
Cricket World Cup and the World Cup of Golf. Arthur also
credited Foreign Minister Billie Miller for "conceptualizing
the June Conference on the Caribbean in Washington." Arthur
praised the Miller's leadership in the conference and his
government's success in "redefining its relationship with the
United States."
Opposition DLP: "A Nation Yearning for Change"
-------------- -
4. (U) In his national independence day message, opposition
leader David Thompson praised all Barbadians for the
successes achieved in the country over the years, in
particular the 30th place ranking in the UNDP Human
Development Index, but was careful not to assign credit to
the BLP; instead declaring that "no one institution or person
can claim credit for this achievement." In an attempt to
discredit the BLP further, Thompson alleged that there is a
major disconnect from the people, complacency and
unresponsiveness, corrupted leadership, and danger to the
constitution (likely related to Arthur's attempt to secure
tenured civil service jobs for political appointees,
(septel)).
5. (U) Thompson reiterated his principal campaign message
that all the signs of fatigue and desire for change in
leadership are present, and pointed to three issues that are
undermining democratic development: cost of land and housing,
cost of raising children, and the general cost of living.
The light at the end of the tunnel, according to Thompson, is
that the DLP will come to the rescue, as it has before, with
a new team, new energy and new ideas.
Comment
--------------
6. (U) PM Arthur's Independence Day address took the higher
road of political posturing, addressing opposition party
campaign issues without addressing the opposition party. The
message was lengthy, substantive and positive, while at the
same time addressing current challenges. Thompson, on the
other hand, chose instead to point out the shortcomings of
his opponent, a strategy he has employed with increased rigor
over the last month. As a result, his message was short on
substance and gave the reader no indication of his party's
achievements. Common sense dictates that Arthur's
achievements would be very well supported and justify another
win. But as a good contact in the Barbados government told
EconOff, Barbadians have a tradition of voting someone out of
office, rather than into office. If this is the case, and
people do in fact have Arthur fatigue, Thompson may see
himself riding the wave of the larger Caribbean opposition
party upsets, i.e. St. Lucia, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. End
Comment.
HOWARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
WHA/CAR FOR DEPIRRO
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BB XL
SUBJECT: BARBADOS NATIONAL DAY: AN ELECTION PULPIT
Summary
--------------
1. (U) Barbados celebrated its 41st year of independence from
Great Britain on November 30. Both the current ruling
Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the opposition Democratic
Labour Party (DLP) took advantage of the occasion to posture
themselves favorably for the upcoming national election,
predicted by many to take place in early 2008. End Summary.
Ruling BLP: "A Nation of Achievements"
--------------
2. (U) Wedged between paid advertisments congratulating the
government of Barbados on its Independence Day, Prime
Minister Owen Arthur conveyed in his national message that
nation building since 1966 has brought out the very best of
Barbadians, particularly in 2007. PM Arther articulated
three main themes of his party's tenure: Barbados cares,
Barbados works, and Barbados matters. Arthur's message was
substantive and lengthy, consisting of specific achievements
as a result of his leadership. Among them, economic growth
and development, lower taxes, progress on the Caribbean
Single Market Economy (CSME),and an outward eye toward
globalization.
3. (U) Arthur also claimed that Barbados "will be especially
remembered for the manner in which our nation responded to
the challenge of having to take the spotlight on the global
stage," referring to Barbados "having to shoulder" the
Cricket World Cup and the World Cup of Golf. Arthur also
credited Foreign Minister Billie Miller for "conceptualizing
the June Conference on the Caribbean in Washington." Arthur
praised the Miller's leadership in the conference and his
government's success in "redefining its relationship with the
United States."
Opposition DLP: "A Nation Yearning for Change"
-------------- -
4. (U) In his national independence day message, opposition
leader David Thompson praised all Barbadians for the
successes achieved in the country over the years, in
particular the 30th place ranking in the UNDP Human
Development Index, but was careful not to assign credit to
the BLP; instead declaring that "no one institution or person
can claim credit for this achievement." In an attempt to
discredit the BLP further, Thompson alleged that there is a
major disconnect from the people, complacency and
unresponsiveness, corrupted leadership, and danger to the
constitution (likely related to Arthur's attempt to secure
tenured civil service jobs for political appointees,
(septel)).
5. (U) Thompson reiterated his principal campaign message
that all the signs of fatigue and desire for change in
leadership are present, and pointed to three issues that are
undermining democratic development: cost of land and housing,
cost of raising children, and the general cost of living.
The light at the end of the tunnel, according to Thompson, is
that the DLP will come to the rescue, as it has before, with
a new team, new energy and new ideas.
Comment
--------------
6. (U) PM Arthur's Independence Day address took the higher
road of political posturing, addressing opposition party
campaign issues without addressing the opposition party. The
message was lengthy, substantive and positive, while at the
same time addressing current challenges. Thompson, on the
other hand, chose instead to point out the shortcomings of
his opponent, a strategy he has employed with increased rigor
over the last month. As a result, his message was short on
substance and gave the reader no indication of his party's
achievements. Common sense dictates that Arthur's
achievements would be very well supported and justify another
win. But as a good contact in the Barbados government told
EconOff, Barbadians have a tradition of voting someone out of
office, rather than into office. If this is the case, and
people do in fact have Arthur fatigue, Thompson may see
himself riding the wave of the larger Caribbean opposition
party upsets, i.e. St. Lucia, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. End
Comment.
HOWARD