PRIME MINISTER INGRAHAM SEEKS CLOSE TIES WITH U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000753

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN, WHA/PPC MPUCCETTI, G/TIP, L/OES
AROACH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2017
TAGS: PREL EAIR PTER MCAP PHUM CU VE BF
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER INGRAHAM SEEKS CLOSE TIES WITH U.S.


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

Summary
--------------


1. (C) On June 13, the Charge called on Prime Minister
Ingraham to congratulate him on his recent election and to
review U.S. and Bahamian priorities in advance of the June
18-21 Conference on the Caribbean. In a productive 45-minute
meeting, Ingraham promised to consider a Proliferation
Security Initiative agreement, new legislation on trafficking
in persons, and measures to restrict access of Haitian sloops
to Bahamian waters -- three top Post priorities. Ingraham
agreed to actively support human rights initiatives in the
UN, and was receptive to U.S. concerns on Venezuela and Cuba.
Ingraham came across as open to U.S. views, eliciting our
reaction to Bahamian plans to privatize airport security and
move a vendors market nearby the downtown port facility.
Ingraham requested U.S. support in expanding Defense Force
facilities for counter-drug and migrant operations on Great
Inagua island and in meeting costs of the most costly
extradition cases. Ingraham said he intended to raise
concerns in Washington about the looming gap in OPBAT
capabilities after the withdrawal of Army helicopters this
fall. He also expressed appreciation for continued INL
support of the Bahamian drug enforcement unit. The friendly,
open meeting was an encouraging start to relations with the
new government, and left no doubt that Ingraham intends to
make close relations with the U.S. a priority. END SUMMARY.

U.S. Welcomes Early Action on Key Issues
--------------


2. (C) The Charge paid his initial Courtesy call on Prime
Minister Hubert Ingraham June 13 to review the upcoming
Conference on the Caribbean and highlight top U.S. priorities
for the coming year. Ingraham apologized for the delay in
the meeting date, noting that his protocol department,
inherited from the previous government, had only recently
advised him of the Embassy's request. The Charge observed
that the U.S. enjoys a special relationship with the Bahamas,
reflected in our close law enforcement partnerships such as
OPBAT and a history of close economic and personal ties. He
said the U.S. looked forward to deepening our partnership in
the coming years. He thanked Ingraham for the quick action
his government had already taken on a number of outstanding
issues. He welcomed the government's focus on improving
airport security, its decision to increase Defense Force
funding to acquire additional maritime assets, and its
decision to hire outside legal counsel to try the
high-profile Kozeny fraud extradition. He also conveyed
appreciation for the rapid approval of a new monitor
installation at the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Undersea Testing and
Evaluation Center in The Bahamas, which had languished for
nine months under the previous government.

Ingraham Concerned About OPBAT Gap
--------------


3. (C) Ingraham affirmed his commitment to building a close
and mutually beneficial relationship with the U.S. during his
tenure in office. He said he was looking forward to
traveling to Washington and meeting with the President. He
said he hoped to be able to register his concern about the
importance of continuing U.S. support for OPBAT during the
Conference. With the Army planning on withdrawing its
helicopters in October 2007 and replacement aircraft not
expected until late 2008, he feared that a diminished
operational capacity could reopen The Bahamas to drug
trafficking just as flows are on the rise from Haiti and the
Dominican Republic. Ingraham also said he planned to note
his appreciation for State Department INL funding of training
and other programs for the Bahamas Drug Enforcement Unit, and
urge continuing support for the programs.

Ingraham Solicits U.S. Views on Air and Seaport Changes
-------------- --------------

4. (C) Turning to his top domestic issues, Ingraham
reaffirmed his commitment to resolving security problems at
the airport. He noted that he was actively considering
privatizing security at the airport to the Vancouver-based
YVRAS company that had recently been awarded the overall
contract to manage the airport. Ingraham commented that the
Bahamian civil service was not well suited to staffing
security-sensitive positions at the airport because of
limited ability to enforce accountability. He solicited the
Charge's thoughts on such a shift, which post had informally
suggested to the previous government precisely to address
weaknesses in accountability. The Charge said he would
review the issue with the Transportation Security
Administration and CBP, but welcomed the Prime Minister's
willingness to explore new ways to address the central issue
of accountability at the airport.


5. (C) Ingraham also said he was considering privatization
of seaport management in Nassau, again removing civil service
employees from sensitive security positions. As part of
planned renovation of the Nassau port, Ingraham asked for
U.S. input on the potential relocation of the Straw Market --
the local Bahamian market for cruise tourists -- into the
port area. Charge thanked Ingraham for seeking U.S. input,
and noted that activities at the port fell under the
International Port Security code. As long as the proposed
development was consistent with the code's requirements,
security issues should be adequately addressed. The Charge
noted that the U.S. Coast Guard would certainly be willing to
work with Bahamian port authorities to address any potential
security issues arising from the relocation.

PM Open to PSI
--------------


6. (U) The Charge highlighted the strong U.S. interest in
concluding a Proliferation Security Initiative agreement with
the Bahamas, given The Bahamas position as the third largest
ship registry country in the world. Their participation, he
emphasized, was vital to the overall success of this
important anti-terrorism framework. He briefly reviewed the
status of discussions with the previous government and
outlined the two options for moving forward -- a new
agreement and the easier route of an amendment to our
existing Comprehensive Maritime Agreement. Ingraham admitted
that he had been unaware of PSI, but expressed a willingness
to review the issue and get back to us on the way forward.
Charge provided the Prime Minister with an outline of the
agreement and its goals as background.

Government Committed to Extradition but Seeks Help
-------------- --------------


7. (SBU) Responding to the Charge's comment on support for
the ongoing extradition case involving Victor Kozeny, the
Pirate of Prague, Ingraham said his government would meet its
extradition treaty obligations. At the same time, he
expressed concern that the costs of some cases could rise to
levels that the Bahamas could not sustain. (Comment: Kozeny
has a well-funded defense team that has overwhelmed the
Bahamian Attorney General's office, resulting in a
frustrating lack of action on the case under the previous
administration. End Comment.) Ingraham said he had just
budgeted $500,000 to hire counsel from Britain to handle the
complex fraud case, and while he was prepared to do this to
meet treaty obligations, he said he would like to explore
with us ways we might share expenses in high-value, high-cost
cases. He posited a cap on Bahamian outlays in excess of an
agreed cost. Charge agreed to raise the matter with the
Department of Justice and other U.S. authorities and get back
to the Prime Minster.

Stemming the Drug Flow from Haiti
--------------


8. (C) The Charge said that he had co-chaired a healthy
exchange of views the week before at the U.S.-Bahamas
Counterdrug and Migrant Joint Task Force meeting that had
focused on the increasing flow of drugs from Haiti. Noting
that the projected new assets for the Bahamian defense force
would improve Bahamian capability to interdict this flow, he
said The Bahamas could further assist law enforcement efforts
by restricting access or improving tracking of unregistered
Haitian sloops in Bahamian waters. The Charge suggested the
government consider a complete ban on wooden-hulled
commercial vessels along the lines of a similar U.S. measure.
At a minimum, the government should mandate minimum safety
measures and formal requirements for registration and marking
of vessels to assist in tracking the flow of these vessels.


9. (C) Ingraham agreed to consider alternatives for better
tracking of Haitian vessels, but registered concern about the
impact of a sloop ban on trade, noting that the sloops
typically carry discarded Bahamian goods back to Haiti, which
benefit many poor Haitians. As part of improved interdiction
efforts, he also discussed his plans to expand the Bahamian
Defense Force presence on Great Inagua Island, the Bahamian
island closest to Haiti. In light of the potential benefits
of an expanded base and improved harbor to U.S. operations in
the Windward Passage, Ingraham solicited U.S. support in
developing the base. The Charge promised to review the
request with SOUTHCOM, whose Commanding Officer was planning
on visiting the Bahamas in July.

Bahamas Open to Trafficking in Persons Legislation
-------------- --------------


10. (U) The morning of the courtesy call, local papers
carried detailed reports the 2007 TIP report. Ingraham asked
about the report and its background. Charge and PolOff
outlined how the report was prepared and why the Bahamas had
been identified as a special case. Ingraham said he would be
willing to support the report's main recommendation -- to
pass legislation specifically addressing human trafficking,
saying: "we will have no difficulty getting legislation to
address trafficking." In an encouraging sign, Ingraham asked
why the Embassy had not directly approached Bahamian law
enforcement if it received complaints of potential
trafficking: "If you guys tell us specifically where it is
happening, we will take action and go after the traffickers."
Charge thanked Ingraham for his openness to our
recommendations, and noted the importance of protection for
victims so they would be willing to have their cases
discussed with law enforcement without fear of deportation.

Improved UN Cooperation Likely
--------------


11. (U) The Charge briefed Ingraham on the Embassy's
discussions with the previous government regarding human
rights issues in the UN, and said he hoped we could count on
his government to speak out on human rights issues in
international fora. Given our shared values and belief in
democracy, he added, our countries should be able to work
closely together to address human rights violations wherever
they occur. Ingraham responded with a very direct, "but of
course," and affirmed his strong support for human rights
issues.

Iran-Venezuela Ties, Transition in Cuba
--------------


12. (C) The Charge took the opportunity to register U.S.
concern over growing Venezuela-Iran ties, noting that new
direct flights from Iran and the weak Venezuelan travel
regime could undermine hemispheric efforts to block the
transit of transnational terrorists. The Charge said
Venezuela's flirtations with Iran also threatened to
undermine USCS resolutions 1737 and 1747, and asked for
continued Bahamian support to ensure safe travel in the
region. Ingraham was unaware of the issue and thanked the
Charge for bringing the matter to his attention. Noting
Ingraham's strong support for human rights, the Charge
requested support for a democratic transition in Cuba. The
Charge said that it was vital that the people of Cuba are
given the same chance to choose their government that
Bahamians and Americans enjoy.
Comment
--------------


13. (C) The Prime Minister was relaxed but sharply focused
on the issues, befitting his reputation as a hard-driving
leader determined to act and get things done. While the U.S.
enjoyed a solid partnership with the previous government,
Ingraham is likely to be a more effective and more strongly
U.S.-oriented partner. He will be more willing than former
PM Christie to take risks and put himself on the line if he
believes backing us on specific issues is in his country's
long-term interest. His openness to U.S. input on changes at
the air and seaports is a welcome sign that he will be open
to U.S. views and will not be hamstrung by anxieties about
being too close to the U.S. Ingraham has also shown that he
is willing to put resources into our relationship by funding
the Kozeny extradition prosecution and in his commitment to
enhancing the Bahamian Defense Force's capacity to support
U.S. drug and migrant operations. We also expect the new
government will more closely track U.S. interests within the
UN and on counter-terrorism matters including PSI. The
Conference on the Caribbean offers a good opportunity to
cement what has been a promising start to relations with the
Ingraham government.
HARDT