AMBASSADOR JOHNSON ENCOURAGES JAMAICA TO TAKE A

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000759 SIPDIS INL/LP BROWN WHA/CAR CADIEUX FORTIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2018 TAGS: SNAR PREL JM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR JOHNSON ENCOURAGES JAMAICA TO TAKE A MORE PROACTIVE ROLE IN SETTING REGIONAL SECURITY PRIORITIES REF: KINGSTON 593 PORT OF SPAIN 388 Classified By: Ambassador Brenda L. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: As a follow on to the Charge's June 27 conversation with the Jamaican Foreign Minister, (Ref A) Ambassador Johnson again raised USG aspirations for Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados to come together and take a more proactive role in setting regional security priorities. Ambassador Johnson cited our concerns about a possible spill over of cocaine traffic as the "Merida" funding begins to flow into Mexico, Central America and Hispanola. Given the recent announcement by Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and its Eastern Caribbean neighbors to form a new economic and political union, it is even more critical for Jamaica to act promptly with the Caribbean's other leaders, T&T and Barbados, to ensure its security needs are reflected in any emerging regional strategy. End Summary Jamaica unsure of how to respond to T&T's actions to unite Eastern Caribbean ¶2. (C) The timing for Ambassador Johnson's discussion with the Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, on the need for Jamaica to step up and take a larger role on priority setting for regional security could not have been more propitious. On August 14, T&T, and a number of Eastern Caribbean countries released a Joint Declaration on Collaboration towards the achievement of the Single Economy and Political Integration. When queried about this Declaration by the Ambassador Baugh was very circumspect. He stated that Jamaica was not interested in a Political Union with its Caribbean neighbors but that Jamaica was interested in stronger economic ties. Baugh stated that he was concerned about the Declaration's implications for the CSME, and stated that T&T's PM Manning would visit Jamaica. Comment: T&T's actions to release this declaration have taken the GOJ by surprise. T&T's actions will hopefully awaken Jamaica for the need to use its muscle as one of the region's larger islands more effectively. Note: In a press report issued on August 27, Prime Minister Golding has reportedly told T&T unequivocally "no;" Jamaica will not support a political union for CARICOM members, and has asked for a CARICOM meeting to discuss T&T's initiative. Regional Security ¶3. (C) Ambassador Johnson segued from the discussion of the Eastern Caribbean Declaration to a discussion of USG aspirations for the region. She outlined for Baugh the USG's concerns of a spill-over of cocaine, weapons, and money laundering into the Caribbean as the Merida Initiative funding begins to squeeze Mexican, Central American and Northern Caribbean (Hispanola) routes. Ambassador Johnson and the DCM then stressed that it was our hope that Jamaica could help lead its Caribbean partners in the development of a holistic security strategy that would include a realistic assessment of what local resources the region could bring to the table. We briefly discussed for example: -- the need for Jamaica to upgrade its passport issuance integrity; in the context of roll-out of a CARICOM travel card; -- the need to upgrade the Jamaican Immigration Service's entry/exit system, ENTRIX, and link it to other systems in the region; ¶4. (C) Baugh stated that after his earlier conversation with the Charge (Ref A) that he had raised this matter with Jamaica's National Security Council. Baugh seemed to "get it" and promised to speak to the Minister of National Security and Prime Minister and urge them to engage with T&T and Barbados. ¶5. (C) Comment: During the meeting, Ambassador Johnson raised as gently as she could the need for Jamaica's current Ambassador to work more closely with WHA/CAR staff. She and the DCM also stressed the importance of the April 2009 Summit of the America's as an opportunity for the Caribbean to "make a good first impression" on the next administration. The GOJ, from the PM on down the line, to include Jamaica's Ambassador in the U.S., do not seem to understand that Jamaica is not "special," that it has to compete for USG resources with many other nations that simply have a greater visibility. Hopefully, we will see more proactive action from the GOJ on this critical regional need. End Comment JOHNSON