DAO CARACAS VISITS GRENADA OCTOBER 29

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GRENADA 000165

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SUBJECT: DAO CARACAS VISITS GRENADA OCTOBER 29



1. (SBU) Defense Attache Officers Colonel Lee Bauer and
Commander Stephen Leslie visited Grenada on October 29, 2007.
They discussed ongoing U.S. - Grenada counter narcotics
cooperation and the Grenadian desire to acquire new boats for
its coast guard with the junior Minister for National Security,
the Commissioner of Police, and National Security Adviser. They
also briefly met the head of the Grenada National Disaster
Management Agency, but had to leave early because of concerns
about the weather.


2. (U) Bauer, Leslie, and Charge d'Affaires Karen Jo McIsaac met
with Minister in the Prime Minister's Ministry with
responsibility for National Security, Implementation, and
Information Einstein Louison; Commissioner of Police Wynston
James; and National Security Advisor Fitzroy Bedeau, in the
Minister's office.


3. (SBU) Louison welcomed Bauer and Leslie and lauded the
cooperative efforts of Grenada and the United States in many
security areas. He mentioned that Grenada now has Phillip
Ferron, wanted in the U.S., in custody and would remove him to
the U.S. this week.


4. (SBU) The Minister described the increasing problems
Grenada's Coast Guard is having patrolling the country's
territorial waters. He said that while the marijuana coming to
Grenada traditionally came from St. Vincent, the shipments they
are seeing are more and more mixed with cocaine from, and
transiting, Venezuela. Recently, three people were shot and
killed and a Grenadian national disappeared in the waters
between the two countries. Without a viable coast guard, the
GOG's efforts are ineffectual. Louison added that the GOG would
welcome any assistance to upgrade the force.


5. (SBU) Col Bauer noted the problem of violence in Venezuela
and asked whether it was causing problems for Grenada.
Commissioner of Police (COP) James responded that there is a
serious problem of drugs coming out of Venezuela, mostly
cocaine. However, the GOG does not have a close relationship
with the Venezuelans. For example, two weeks ago, James said,
the government received information about a boat arriving from
Venezuela, but because of the weather, the coast guard missed
them; they had already unloaded and departed by the time the
Grenadians caught up with them. Louison said Grenada's
relationship with Venezuela is primarily economic.


6. (SBU) National Security Advisor Bedeau interjected when he
was commissioner of police (he was relieved of command after
Hurricane Ivan in 2004 for incompetence),he had tried to
arrange something with Grenada's Ambassador to get Venezuelan
cooperation with no success. He said the Regional Security
Service (RSS) provided some air surveillance but was not
consistent.


7. (SBU) Bauer explained that Venezuela has a number of
different agencies involved in drug control. While U.S.
officials cannot, because of their own current difficulties with
the Venezuelan government, make introductions, Bauer offered to
look into who might be receptive and communicate with the
Grenadian representative in Caracas. Bauer said he will meet
with Ambassador McPhale in Caracas and determine what help his
office can provide.


8. (SBU) Louison repeated his request for assistance, especially
boats, for Grenada's coast guard. Charge reminded the Grendians
that in previous discussions, the U.S. raised concerns about the
lack of manpower in the coast guard to support additional
hardware. The Minister indicated that the GOG has decided to
increase the numbers in the coast guard to 53. However,
according to the COP, the polygraphing of new recruits is
slowing down the speed of expansion. The Minister indicated
that the GOG has decided to increase the numbers in the coast
guard to 53. However, according to the COP, the polygraphing of
new recruits is slowing down the speed of expansion. The Royal
Grenadian Police Force (RGPF) has fired a number of new
recruits, as well as more seasoned veterans, as a result of the
polygraph results.


9. (SBU) Leslie asked whether the vetting was for all recruits
or just those involved in the 920 process. Wynston James
responded that unlike some other Eastern Caribbean countries,
Grenada decided to expand its screening to include all new
recruits to be sure that they could trust their subordinates.
It means that they have to recruit more to fill the positions as
everyone does not pass. The RGPF also wants to increase its
cross training of officers, although that can be a challenge for
those not adept at sea. James promised they will forge ahead.


10. (SBU) Minister Louison reiterated that Grenada is stepping
up to the plate and increasing the coast guard force. He said
they need new assets as their one boat is not very seaworthy
anymore. Charge reminded him that the U.S. has provided

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extensive training and will continue to do so, but vessels were
not in the picture at this time.


11. (SBU) The U.S. Coast Guard transported lumber to Grenada on
one of its ships in 2004 after Hurricane Ivan devastated the
country. Leslie asked whether Grenada has sought agreements
with other countries to bring in supplies in the event of
another disaster. James said that not with other countries, but
the Regional Security Service (RSS) will do it. Louison added
that Grenada intends to enter into arrangements with other
countries, e.g., Trinidad & Tobago and others. In addition,
while all of the cooperation agreements set up for Cricket World
Cup had sunset clauses and expired over the summer, the GOG is
looking at making them permanent.
MCISAAC