CANADA PM STEPHEN HARPER ADDRESSES BARBADOS

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000952

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND WHA/CAN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
ADDIS ABABA FOR ANTHONY FISHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BB ETRD ETTC PGOV PINR PREL XL
SUBJECT: CANADA PM STEPHEN HARPER ADDRESSES BARBADOS

REF: GEORGETOWN 654

Summary
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1. (SBU) On July 19, Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper,
addressed a standing room only audience of approximately 200
senior officials, diplomats and top business representatives
in Barbados. Harper unveiled Canada's plan to play a bigger
role in the hemisphere and create "a new partnership between
Canada and the Caribbean." Details of the plan were not
specified, but Harper's address focused on trade, democracy
building, economic development, and security. Canada may be
well-placed to join Venezuela, Cuba, China and Taiwan as the
region's most significant benefactors. However, the extent
to which Canada will be able to compete for political and
economic influence--among the other leading donors--will most
likely be determined by the size and quantity of its
contributions, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean where
size almost always trumps substance. End Summary.

Canada's New Assistance Package
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2. (U) Harper's address indicated that Canadian reengagement
will reflect Canadian identity and values and will have three
key components: 1) promotion of democratic values, which
includes support for human rights; 2) strengthening economic
development and opportunity; and 3) facing security
challenges in the areas of crime, terrorism and natural
disasters. Harper also specifically touched on the
importance of integrated trade in the region, claiming it as
the "indispensable foundation" for fair and sustainable
growth. Harper promised that Canada would assist in the
implementation of the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME)
and hinted of negotiations on a new trade agreement with
Barbados and the wider English-speaking Caribbean, in
addition to the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN).


3. (SBU) Harper's other promises included a graduate and
undergraduate scholarship program, increased support for the
Organization of American States (OAS) and Pan-American Health
Organization (PAHO),and continued full engagement in Haiti.
Harper also invited Heads of Government to attend a meeting
in 2008 in Canada. (Note: Although unclear from Harper's
remarks, the meeting may coincide with the Caribbean
Development Bank meeting in Halifax in 2008 and attempt to
replicate the June Conference on the Caribbean in Washington.
End Note.)


4. (U) More details of Canadian assistance were shared at a
CARICOM donors meeting in Guyana in July (ref A). According
to reftel, the most dramatic influx of funds will be from the
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),which will
double its regional program to almost USD 60 million in 2007
and USD 600 million in development funding over the next 10
years. CIDA will focus on the areas of fiscal policy reform,
democratic governance, economic renewal and social and human
capital formation.

Comment
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5. (SBU) According to Harper, the Government of Canada will
achieve a sustained and high level presence in the Caribbean.
Canada's reengagement may provide an opportunity for a
rational voice to be heard in the region, which could counter
the antagonistic rhetoric of some donors toward U.S. efforts
to strengthen democracy and human rights in the Caribbean.
However, the type and quantity of assistance may determine
the true extent of Canada's influence in a region that
prefers its gifts to be large, immediate, and politically
expedient for the region's leaders. End Comment.
OURISMAN