Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PORTOFSPAIN931
2007-09-13 20:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
DESIGNATION OF US FORCES UNDER TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S
VZCZCXYZ0039 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSP #0931 2562016 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 132016Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8605 INFO RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000931
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR and PM/SNA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS MOPS TD
SUBJECT: DESIGNATION OF US FORCES UNDER TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S
VISITING FORCES ACT OF 2007
REF: (a) STATE 89510 (b) POS 681
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000931
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR and PM/SNA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS MOPS TD
SUBJECT: DESIGNATION OF US FORCES UNDER TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S
VISITING FORCES ACT OF 2007
REF: (a) STATE 89510 (b) POS 681
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Embassy spoke September 13 with Jennifer Boucaud-Blake,
Permanent Secretary (Vice Minister) of the Ministry of National
Security, to check on the status of the GOTT's response to our July
3 diplomatic note seeking designation for any U.S. troops entering
Trinidad and Tobago as a visiting force and civilian employees of
the United States Department of Defense as the civilian component of
the U.S. visiting force, under part I, paragraph 4 of the Visiting
Forces Act (VFA) of 2007.
2. (SBU) Boucaud-Blake explained her Ministry has asked GOTT
stakeholders to comment on our request and, once those comments are
received, a "cabinet note" will be drafted for review/approval by
the Cabinet. Presuming the Cabinet approves the concept of
designating our forces under the VFA, the Chief of Parliamentary
Council will be given the task of drafting legislation to amend the
VFA to include us. The bill would then go to Parliament for
approval.
3. (SBU) Comment: Given that the Parliamentary session ends no
later than October 16 and elections are expected soon thereafter,
delays in consideration are possible. The Embassy has raised this
issue numerous times with numerous GOTT interlocutors in the past
and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead as opportunities
(including potentially during the USNS Comfort visit) present
themselves.
AUSTIN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR and PM/SNA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS MOPS TD
SUBJECT: DESIGNATION OF US FORCES UNDER TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S
VISITING FORCES ACT OF 2007
REF: (a) STATE 89510 (b) POS 681
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Embassy spoke September 13 with Jennifer Boucaud-Blake,
Permanent Secretary (Vice Minister) of the Ministry of National
Security, to check on the status of the GOTT's response to our July
3 diplomatic note seeking designation for any U.S. troops entering
Trinidad and Tobago as a visiting force and civilian employees of
the United States Department of Defense as the civilian component of
the U.S. visiting force, under part I, paragraph 4 of the Visiting
Forces Act (VFA) of 2007.
2. (SBU) Boucaud-Blake explained her Ministry has asked GOTT
stakeholders to comment on our request and, once those comments are
received, a "cabinet note" will be drafted for review/approval by
the Cabinet. Presuming the Cabinet approves the concept of
designating our forces under the VFA, the Chief of Parliamentary
Council will be given the task of drafting legislation to amend the
VFA to include us. The bill would then go to Parliament for
approval.
3. (SBU) Comment: Given that the Parliamentary session ends no
later than October 16 and elections are expected soon thereafter,
delays in consideration are possible. The Embassy has raised this
issue numerous times with numerous GOTT interlocutors in the past
and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead as opportunities
(including potentially during the USNS Comfort visit) present
themselves.
AUSTIN