CARICOM SUMMIT RESPONSES

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000449 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR WHA/CAR-WILLIAMS AND HENNEBERRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KSUM XL SUBJECT: CARICOM SUMMIT RESPONSES REF: STATE 43123 ¶1. Per reftel instructions, Embassy Bridgetown delivered the demarche on the 19-21 June US-CARICOM Ministerial/Summit on April 5. Follow-up calls were placed on April 13. ¶2. Eastern Caribbean Responses: Antigua and Barbuda confirmed receipt of the demarche; GOAB is still looking into it and will get back to Embassy shortly. Barbados' MFA PermSec confirmed PM Arthur will attend. He may be accompanied by Mrs. Arthur (if her health permits) and Foreign Minister Miller. PM Skerrit of Dominica has been off-island since April 4; the Government of Dominica will respond to Embassy once the PM returns. PM Compton of St. Lucia is still reviewing the invitation. The PM's office has promised to inform Embassy when a decision has been made. Embassy re-faxed the demarche to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has been forwarded to the PM's office. Post notes that PM Gonsalves sustained injuries in an April 9 car accident. He and the driver traveled to Cuba April 13 for medical care and are not expected to return for at least two weeks (septel). ¶3. Post will continue to seek substantive responses to summit demarche. OURISMAN