Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NASSAU673
2007-05-31 18:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE: INGRAHAM ROLLS OUT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM ECON EINV KCOR BF 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4309
INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN 0092
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5610
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3670
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8540
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3549
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4710
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2829
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0460
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000673 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ECON EINV KCOR BF
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE: INGRAHAM ROLLS OUT
AGENDA

REF: NASSAU 646

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. D. Brent Hardt for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000673

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ECON EINV KCOR BF
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE: INGRAHAM ROLLS OUT
AGENDA

REF: NASSAU 646

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. D. Brent Hardt for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Ingraham rolled out his
government's plans for The Bahamas at the ceremonial opening
of parliament May 23. Picking up on his campaign theme of
restoring trust, Ingraham pledged to focus on good
governance, accountability, transparency and respect for
human rights. The agenda closely parallels U.S. hemispheric
goals for strengthening democracy, including promises of a
Freedom of Information Act, public disclosure of contracts,
ethical standards for Ministers and improvements to the
judiciary. It also pledges several other items in line with
U.S. priorities, including reduction of time to trial,
improvements in the immigrant detention center, increased
capacity for the Defense Force and improved airport
security. The speech signaled a change in economic
development strategy, shifting focus from development through
foreign investment to development through stronger local
businesses. The speech made only a fleeting reference to
foreign policy issues in its pledge to stand up for human
rights, reinforcing the perception that the government will
follow a pragmatic approach to its international engagement,
working closely with the U.S. and avoiding the previous
government's non-aligned activism. END SUMMARY.

Responsible and Transparent Government a Priority
-------------- --------------


2. (U) The new Bahamian government presented its agenda to
the Bahamian people May 23 in the Speech from the Throne
delivered by the Governor General at the ceremonial opening
of parliament. The speech laid out Prime Minister Ingraham's
agenda with the theme of "restoration of responsible,
responsive and transparent government in the sunshine." To
achieve these goals, the speech rolled out an ambitious
agenda that included accession to the United Nations

Convention Against Corruption, the development of a Code of
Ethics for Government Ministers, and the creation of an
Office of the Ombudsman to address public concerns regarding
Government behavior. It also promised a Freedom of
Information Act, public provision of details regarding
government contracts, and passage of a National Investment
Act to create "transparency and clarity" in government
investment priorities and "a level playing field for both
Bahamians and international persons."

Strengthened Judiciary and Improved Human Rights Promised
-------------- --------------


3. (U) The government's agenda responded directly to growing
concerns over the inefficiency of the Bahamian judicial
system, promising to strengthen the judiciary with more
judges, quicker trials, and full compliance with
Constitutional requirements for judicial independence. To
address related human rights concerns over prison
overcrowding and persons being held for unreasonable time in
prison while awaiting trial, the government promised improved
bail laws, electronic monitoring of persons on bail, and
revised sentencing guidelines to eliminate jail time for
first time non-violent offenders. Tackling another human
rights issue flagged annually in our human rights report, the
Government promised to refurbish and upgrade the detention
center used to house illegal migrants.

Improved Airport Security
--------------


4. (U) Following reports of breaches in airport security and
persistent failure to meet security standards, the government
has given priority to efforts to improve security standards
at Nassau's international airport and other Bahamian
airports. It also promised a complete redevelopment of the
airport to meet the growing demands of the tourism industry.
The previous government had pledged such a redevelopment to
major hotel developers to keep pace with the industry's
growth, but took five years to negotiate a management
contract. Aviation Minister Neko Grant has made clear that
aviation security and safety and friendlier air travel are

his top goals.

Defense Force Upgrades
--------------


5. (U) To address the sensitive problem of illegal
immigration, the government promised to upgrade the Royal
Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) presence in Great Inagua, the
southern Bahamian island closest to Haiti. Such a presence
in the southern Bahamas will allow the RBDF to intercept
Haitian sloops carrying migrants and illegal drugs and to
keep out Dominican fisherman poaching in Bahamian waters.
The restoration of funding and resources to the Defense Force
follows a change in the Force's leadership last year that has
thus far helped boost morale and effectiveness and promises
to make the RBDF a better partner for the U.S. (reftel.)

Economic Policy Focused on Local Business
--------------


6. (U) The government's agenda is decidedly pro-business,
promising to streamline the small business startup process,
increase government loans for small- and medium-sized
businesses in tourism, food-processing and light
manufacturing, and promising to reduce taxes on commercial
properties. But there is also has a nationalistic tinge to
the FNM's economic policy that could put at risk some foreign
investments already on the books or in final stages of
negotiation. While the government affirmed its openness to
foreign investment, specifically recognizing the importance
of international investment in hotel and resort sector, it
also promised to encourage Bahamian boutique hotels, lodges
and inns to compete with foreign investment, review
(increase) taxes on foreign-owned property, and develop
policies to limit foreign investment concessions and land
purchase rights. Following their election criticism of the
Christie government for failing to reveal terms of highly
touted investment deals, Ingraham in government is now
promising to disclose in the House of Assembly all agreements
with international investors.

Comment: Government in the Sunshine: Welcome Changes Long
Sought
-------------- --------------


7. (C) The Ingraham government's opening salvo in the Throne
Speech offers much that is commendable and in line with U.S.
goals in the hemisphere to strengthen democracy and support
good governance. A Freedom of Information Act, public
disclosure of contracts, ethical standards for ministers,
improvements to the migrant detention center and reduction of
time to trial are all issues raised in our annual U.S.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. We have also
advocated for attention to these issues in OpEd's, digital
videoconferencing, speaker programs and regular diplomatic
engagement. If the government follows through on this list,
it will significantly strengthen the country's governance.
The strong commitment to airport security and planned
improvements to upgrading the Defense Force are also in line
with longstanding U.S. priorities. Only the nationalistic
tinge to the government's economic approach -- a product of
campaign rhetoric that accused the PLP of selling off
Bahamian lands to foreigners -- could negatively affect some
U.S. investors seen as too close to the former government.
Overall, Ingraham's first salvo suggests he has a clear
vision for how to achieve his "responsible, responsive, and
transparent government in the sunshine."


HARDT