SECURITY, ECONOMY, HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000751

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2018
TAGS: PREL EINV MASS PHUM XL
SUBJECT: SECURITY, ECONOMY, HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN
FOCUS AS THE AMBASSADOR BIDS FAREWELL TO ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

Classified By: Ambassador Mary M. Ourisman Reason 1.4 (b/d)

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Summary
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1. (C) In her farewell call on St. Kitts and Nevis Prime
Minister Denzil Douglas, the Ambassador highlighted
successes in building cooperation between our countries
during her tenure and expressed her hope for continued close
cooperation in the future. The Ambassador cited ongoing
cooperation on security, crime, and HIV/AIDS. PM Douglas
welcomed U.S efforts to work with the region to strengthen
security, combat HIV/AIDS and other health problems, and
support the expansion of trade and investment. With UN
General Assembly votes on human rights issues looming, the
Ambassador urged Douglas to move to a more proactive approach
reflective of St. Kitts own strong human rights traditions.
Douglas agreed to take a closer look, and St. Kitts in fact
shifted its votes to oppose Iran,s No-Action motion.
Douglas, whose country has battled a persistent secessionist
push from Nevis, was less forthcoming on Kosovo,s
independence, noting it was being reviewed in CARICOM. The
unresolved Angelus expropriation dispute capped off the
conversation, with the PM recognizing the importance of
bringing this to resolution to avoid any damage to St.
Kitts, reputation as a location for foreign investment. End
summary.

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Security, Crime and the Tourism Economy
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2. (C) In a cordial and upbeat farewell call December 15,
Ambassador Ourisman emphasized the importance of our close
security cooperation to address the growing threats of crime
and violence throughout the Caribbean. Responding to PM
Douglas, concerns about gun crime, the Ambassador urged him
to sign on to the e-TRACE program, which would allow St.
Kitts law enforcement authorities to work with U.S.
authorities to track the origin of illegal weapons. The
ambassador reiterated the firm U.S. commitment to efforts to
strengthen security and combat crime in the region. To this
end, she invited the GOSKN to participate in security
training programs onboard the USS Swift in Barbados in
January and March 2009. Douglas expressed gratitude to the
Ambassador for her consistent support on security issues and
assured her the GOSKN will take advantage of the training

opportunities. Douglas told the Ambassador that crime and
the global economy were his two biggest worries. With
several large tourism development projects due to be
completed in the next few years, the Government of St. Kitts
and Nevis has staked its future in tourism. However, with 22
murders so far this year, St. Kitts and Nevis were facing
alarming new levels of violent crime that could threaten its
emergence as a prime tourist destination. Douglas said he
was determined to take a proactive approach to meet the crime
challenge.

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HIV/AIDS and Diabetes
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3. (C) The Ambassador reaffirmed U.S. support for combating
HIV/AIDS and informed Douglas that the Caribbean would
benefit from the President's new regional Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. She noted that this marked the
first time the PEPFAR program would tackle HIV/AIDS on a
regional basis, and indicated that the Embassy would be
working closely with him in his role as the led CARICOM Prime
Minister for Health issues to develop the new program and
coordinate its launch within the region. The Ambassador told
Douglas that she had actively sought to heighten awareness in
Washington of the region,s concerns for non-communicable
diseases such as diabetes. The Prime Minister said he and
his fellow leaders would welcome U.S. engagement on what is
an even larger health threat to these countries than
HIV/AIDS.

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Summit of the Americas
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4. (SBU) Noting that the first ever Summit of the Americas
to be held in the Caribbean would likely be one of the new
President,s first foreign visits, the Ambassador urged PM
Douglas to consider how the region might wish to take
advantage of the upcoming Summit to profile a few key issues
of priority interest to the Caribbean. Douglas said he was

looking forward to the Summit and would consider how the
Caribbean leaders, could leverage the event to focus
attention to some of their key concerns.

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Human Rights and Kosovo Independence
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5. (C) The Ambassador told Douglas that one area she had
hoped to see closer cooperation on during her tenure was in
dealing with human rights issues in the United Nations -
especially given the region,s strong tradition of respect
for human rights. She noted that it seemed paradoxical that
St. Kitts would abstain from key human rights votes in the UN
when the country was such a strong supporter of human rights
at home. Noting that the UNGA plenary votes were coming up
later in the week, she asked Douglas to oppose no-action
motions on the upcoming UN human rights votes in plenary,
specifically on the Iran resolution. Douglas assured the
Ambassador that human rights are always important to St.
Kitts and Nevis, and agreed to re-examine the issue (Note:
Subsequently, St. Kitts voted against the Iran no-action
motion in the UN plenary vote, a positive move. End note.)
Turning to recognition of Kosovo, the Ambassador noted that
53 countries had recognized Kosovo, and urged the GOSKN to
recognize the country,s independence, especially in light of
efforts Kosovo had undertaken to protect minority rights and
the positive UN mission reports. Douglas assured the
Ambassador the issue was under discussion within CARICOM, but
made no commitments. (Comment: As a country that has faced
a persistent secessionist movement from the island of Nevis,
St. Kitts will likely be more wary that some of its CARICOM
counterparts toward a recognition issue. End Comment.)

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Angelus Dispute
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6. (C) Observing that she could not leave without addressing
the longstanding Angelus investment dispute, the Ambassador
asked the PM for the outcome of the latest meeting on the
case. The PM informed her that the litigants in the Angelus
property dispute had withdrawn their case and agreed to an
arbitration process. A board will now determine the value of
the property and recommend compensation. Pointing out that
two U.S. Senators and a Representative have contacted her on
this issue, the Ambassador stressed the importance of
resolving this matter fairly, given its implications for St.
Kitts and Nevis,s reputation as a destination for U.S.
investment. She also noted to the PM that the Embassy was
putting together a trade and investment seminar and a Country
Commercial Guide for St. Kitts and Nevis, and said the
Embassy wanted to portray St. Kitts and Nevis in the best
possible light to potential investors. Douglas recognized
that the country has "a bit of a black eye" when it comes to
the Angelus case, and said the GOSKN will abide by the
decision of the arbitrator.

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Comment
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7. (C) The farewell meeting with Douglas, like most of the
Ambassador,s engagement with him, was warm and productive.
Douglas, who has had a firm grip on office since 1995,
appears to understand the challenges his country is facing
and how he can address them working with the U.S. He has
made a major commitment to tourism when he closed down St.
Kitts sugar industry last year, but he recognizes how
critical security and safety is to make a success of this,
and will therefore continue working closely with us to
address security threats. He also understands the importance
of preserving St. Kitts, reputation as a good place for
foreign investment, and while we welcome the apparent
progress on the Angelus property dispute, it remains unclear
how long the arbitration process will take to sort out. That
Douglas followed up on the Ambassador,s request on the Iran
No Action motion, reflects his desire to demonstrate his
goodwill toward the U.S. and his desire to continue working
closely with us. We are fortunate that Douglas, a Medical
Doctor, will be the lead Prime Minister on health and
HIV/AIDS issues, as he can be counted on to play a
constructive role in coordinating our new regional engagement
on HIV/AIDS.
OURISMAN