CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS CONFERENCE A SUCCESS

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000593

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL MASS PGOV GY
SUBJECT: CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
DESPITE GOG'S SNUB


1. (U) Interest in security policy by non-government actors
has increased in the seven weeks following the August 14
conclusion of the second Embassy-sponsored Civil-Military
Relations (CMR) conference. Despite the GoG's decision not
to participate, opposition MPs, retired military, the private
sector, academics, and leading media voices debated civil
society's relationship to security mechanisms, strategic
resource prioritization and management, public diplomacy, and
other leadership concepts. The Institute for Strategic and
International Studies, a Guyanese think tank formed after the
first CMR conference in December 2007, took an active role in
leading discussions and drafting a plan of action for
security and submitting it to the GoG.


2. (U) In addition, Guyanese graduates of the Center for
Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS) have taken steps to form a
non-partisan alumni association to encourage civil society's
constructive engagement in security strategy, and the Embassy
has received requests from at least two other organizations
to discuss civil-military matters further.


3. (SBU) Comment. The lack of an official presence in the
conference was a setback in Post's efforts to convince the
GoG to better identify its national security priorities and
more efficiently allocate USG military assistance. The GoG's
absence was hardly a surprise, however, considering the
degree to which the government usually feels threatened by
external input into its most sensitive decisions, especially
on issues related to national security policy. Encouraging
Guyanese civilian voices in the security arena is likely the
most effective way to encourage increased cooperation on USG
priorities such as drug trafficking, though it remains to be
seen if this approach will bear results. End Comment

Jones