CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CRIME AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000989

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON ASEC SNAR SOCI KCOR JM XL
SUBJECT: CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CRIME AND
CORRUPTION WITH GOJ OFFICIALS IN KINGSTON

Classified By: CDA James Heg for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: WHA Director for Caribbean Affairs Velia
De Pirro visited Kingston October 29-31. Crime and
corruption colored every discussion between Jamaican
interlocutors and De Pirro. In meetings with Jamaican
officials and Canadian and British diplomats, she affirmed
the U.S. commitment to work cooperatively with Jamaica and
partners in the region to strengthen security. Her
interlocutors welcomed the U.S. intention, announced by
Secretary Rice in September, to engage in a regional dialogue
on security issues. In meetings with Foreign Ministry
officials, De Pirro encouraged Jamaica to review its votes on
human rights resolutions in the UN Third Committee, urging
that Jamaica oppose &no action8 motions and support
resolutions on Iran, Burma and North Korea. Jamaican
officials, particularly the Ministers of National Security
and Justice, highlighted the threat posed to Jamaica,s
progress and stability by rampant crime and corruption. They
reviewed steps being taken by the government of Prime
Minister Bruce Golding to deal with this phenomenon.
Canadian High Commissioner Dennis Kingsley briefed on
Canada,s C$17 million judicial reform program and its work
with the police and Ministry of National Security.
Representatives from human rights organizations reported good
cooperation with government officials, but cited continued
problems with violence directed toward vulnerable
populations. De Pirro also participated in a roundtable with
Jamaican media. End summary.

Crime and Corruption
--------------


2. (C) During an October 29-31 trip to Kingston, Office
Director of Caribbean Affairs Velia De Pirro met with the
Ministers of National Security and Justice, representatives
of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
(MFAFT) and Investment, Industry and Commerce, and with the
Commissioner of Police. The threat posed to Jamaica,s
economic and political stability by rampant crime and
corruption colored almost every discussion during De Pirro,s
visit. Most interlocutors blamed increased drug and arms
trafficking for the rise in violence. They generally viewed
PM Golding as sincere in his effort to tackle the problem,
but questioned whether Jamaica,s politicians were ready to
leave partisanship aside to agree on tough solutions. Police
Commissioner Hardley Lewin, who provided the most dour
assessment of the situation, complained that the government
lacked statesmen, that gangs previously controlled by
political parties were now in control, and that the police
was politicized. Lewin speculated that perhaps the Jamaicans
had not suffered enough to fight for change and demand
improvements. He advocated a multi-dimensional approach to
fighting crime, one that links good policing to social
intervention and economic growth programs.


3. (C) Minister of National Security Trevor Macmillan told
De Pirro that the government had prioritized the
recommendations of the Police Strategic Review, which
outlined the challenges. The government will first focus on
upgrading police training at the academy, then modify the
hiring and discipline practices within the Jamaican
Constabulary Force. To address the latter, the GOJ already
has hired a consultant. Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne
told De Pirro the GOJ will proceed with legislation, for
which she believes there is enough support, to establish an
Anti-Corruption Special Prosecutor. Lightbourne sought
assistance on the design of the office, staff hiring
guidelines, and information on how to set up and run
prosecutions. She hoped U.S. counterparts could provide
insight since the USG has experience with Special
Prosecutors.


4. (SBU) In a private meeting with De Pirro, Canadian High
Commissioner Denis Kingsley and Deputy British High
Commissioner Graham Glover expressed concern about the levels
of crime and corruption in Jamaica. Kingsley said that
Canada plans to provide some C$17 million for judicial reform
to Jamaica. The funding is to be administered by the
Canadian Justice Ministry rather than CIDA. The wide-ranging
program will include a review of existing legislation,
assistance on drafting new legislation, judicial training for
judges and prosecutors, and forensic training for the
Jamaican Constabulary Force, as well as other assistance.
Canada hopes that the European Union will engage on
administrative and criminal law issues. Though the Canadian
initiative has been slow to get off the ground, awaiting
final approval in Ottawa, Kingsley said that an initial one
and a half million Canadian dollars has been provided to the
Ministries of National Security and of Justice. Glover

expressed hope that with the international community more
cohesive and a relatively new JLP government in power,
changes would be made. He worried, though, that Prime
Minister Golding alone could not push through anti-corruption
measures. Nevertheless, he attributed the bulk of problems
to a lack of capacity rather than to any absence of political
will to address crime and corruption.

Jamaica Open to Greater Caribbean Dialogue
on Security Issues
--------------


5. (C) De Pirro briefed on the U.S. proposal for a
U.S.-Caribbean Regional Security Dialogue with CARICOM
members, the Dominican Republic, and partners UK, France,
Canada, and the Netherlands. She highlighted the cooperative
approach the United States was taking by basing its proposal
on the ongoing security dialogue within CARICOM. De Pirro
encouraged high-level attendance at the U.S-Caribbean
Security Dialogue Conference to be hosted by WHA Assistant
Secretary Shannon in Washington, DC December 8-9. (Note: On
November 15, CARICOM requested a postponement of the meeting.
End note.) Jamaican interlocutors welcomed the conference.
Minister of National Security Trevor MacMillan, who planned
to attend, highlighted trafficking in illicit weapons as a
priority for discussion. He blamed the significant increase
in the &arms for ganja8 trade between the Dominican
Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica for fueling crime and violence
in inner-city communities. In a separate meeting, Police
Commissioner Hardley Lewin welcomed increased dialogue on
security, but warned that the United States and donors should
heed the priorities laid out by Caribbean states, rather than
present them with a pre-conceived plan. De Pirro stressed
that the U.S. proposal was for a dialogue that would
eventually yield a mutually agreed set of priorities and
solutions. Lewin said that while the United States views the
Caribbean as a unitary region, a single template cannot meet
the varied needs based on the geographic and political
landscapes of the countries involved. He hoped to see a good
deal of flexibility in any proposals resulting from the
dialogue so that each island can tailor a program to its
unique characteristics. Lewin was particularly concerned
that given Jamaica,s geographic isolation from its
neighbors, it not be left out of the planning process.

Jamaica,s Foreign Relations
--------------


6. (C) Courtney Rattray, Director of Bilateral Affairs at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAFT),noted
Jamaica,s efforts to strengthen regional cooperation. He
said that Jamaica is establishing a permanent diplomatic
Mission in Haiti, which will be co-located with the Barbadian
embassy in Port-au-Prince until it can open its own fully
staffed facility. (Bio Note: Rattray departs December 6 to
take up the post of Jamaican Ambassador in Beijing. End
note.) In a separate meeting, Jamaican Commissioner of
Police Hardley Lewin told De Pirro that he has made
arrangements for five Jamaican Constabulary Force officers to
join MINUSTAH in Haiti, and that when the Jamaican mission
opens, it will include a Police Liaison Officer. Lewin said
he is amenable to working through NAS to facilitate
additional contacts with the Haitian National Police and
officers in the Dominican Republic.


7. (SBU) Paul Robotham, MFAFT Under Secretary for
Bilateral and Regional Affairs and Jamaica,s National
Coordinator for the Summit of the Americas (SOA),sought U.S.
support for language in the SOA Draft Communique. He said
that since the SOA is being held in Trinidad and Tobago, it
has a &Caribbean flavor,8 and the theme of promoting human
prosperity is particularly relevant to the concerns of small
island nations. He welcomed U.S. sensitivity to these
concerns, as evidenced by the USD 5 million to be provided to
Jamaica for hurricane recovery. De Pirro encouraged Robotham
to reach out to U.S. Summit Coordinator and Permanent
Representative to the OAS Hector Morales, noting that the
U.S. is committed to a successful SOA and seeks to work
cooperatively on a meaningful Draft Declaration.

Economic Partnerships for Jamaica
--------------


8. (C) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ronald
Robinson welcomed Jamaica,s inclusion in the U.S.-Brazil
bio-fuels initiative, which he hoped would revitalize the
sugar cane industry in Jamaica. In response to De Pirro,s
questions regarding steps toward economic integration among
CARICOM members, Robinson said progress was being made to
meet the 2015 deadline. He noted, however, that while

Jamaican ministries were working on harmonization and other
technical issues, CARICOM was slow-moving &to the point of
frustration.8 He warned that while Jamaica is keen to
improve trade and security cooperation in the region, it
would oppose any form of political union. De Pirro
highlighted the U.S. interest in improved trade, economic,
and security cooperation with the Caribbean, noting that the
issue of political union was for Caribbean nations to decide.



9. (SBU) Michael Stern, the Minister of State in the
Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, highlighted
Jamaica,s interest in closer trade ties with the United
States. As a template, he pointed to the recently concluded
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe. De Pirro
noted the need for the harmonization of various laws, rules,
and regulations to facilitate trade between the United States
and CARICOM members. Stern expressed gratitude to U.S.
Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez for meeting with Caribbean
ministers at the second annual Americas Competitiveness Forum
(ACF) in August 2008. (Emboffs delivered a letter sent by
Secretary Gutierrez to the Minister.) Stern asked whether
the Department of Commerce was preparing a response to the
Caribbean ministers, request for a trade mission to the
region. Stern told De Pirro that Prime Minister Golding had
told government ministers October 29 that it was time to
dispose of failing assets, a possible reference to Air
Jamaica. Golding had also noted that due to falling oil
prices, Jamaica should not rely on PetroCaribe.

Human Rights Concerns
--------------


10. (SBU) De Pirro hosted a luncheon for representatives
from local NGOs Woman Inc., Jamaican Forum for Lesbians,
All-Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG),Jamaicans for Justice,
People,s Action for Community Transformation (PACT),and the
International Organization for Migration (IOM). NGO
activists identified lack of resources to address domestic
violence and provide assistance to victims, sexual harassment
and pervasive cultural norms that permitted such behavior,
societal stigma and physical violence against homosexuals,
and the alarming number of civilian deaths at the hands of
security forces as primary concerns. The organizations
reported good cooperation with government officials on a
number of these issues. The focus of their work continues to
be providing victims, assistance and pro bono legal aid, and
to conduct grassroots advocacy and awareness-building
activities. Representatives reported doing outreach in
schools, sending editorials to national newspapers, and
testifying at parliamentary hearings on pending legislation.


Comment
--------------


11. (C) The prominence of crime and corruption during
discussions highlights how neuralgic the issue is for
Jamaicans. The Golding government has staked a great deal on
addressing these concerns, but without broad bipartisan
support, it faces an uphill battle. End comment.


12. (U) WHA Caribbean Affairs Director De Pirro cleared
this message.
Heg