GLOBAL MARITIME PARTNERSHIPS - HAITI NEEDS MORE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000959 SENSITIVE SIPDIS WHA/CAR, EEB/TRA/OTP FOR DORIS HAYWOOD, PM/ISO FOR JEFF FREDERICK STATE PLEASE PASS OSD FOR DAVID GRUBER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EWWT EAID ECIN ECON EFIS MARR MASS MCAP, MOPS, PHSA, PINS, SMIT, SENV, SNAR, ASEC, HA SUBJECT: GLOBAL MARITIME PARTNERSHIPS - HAITI NEEDS MORE TIME REF: 50488 Summary: -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Government of Haiti requires additional engagement with the Embassy before it can understand the benefits of the Global Maritime Partnership Initiative (GMP). The GOH has consented to future meetings with Embassy officials on the issue. Embassy will make clear GMP linkages to previous and future planned activities with the Haitian Coast Guard and Port and Customs authorities. End Summary. Haiti: Unclear on Support -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Econoff discussed May 23 and June 16 the Global Maritime Partnership Initiative (GMP) with Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Organizations Director Azad Belfort. Econoff provided detailed information on GMP principles and shared examples of possible activities in which potential GMP partners could engage. Belfort was reminded that the U.S. Navy's Comfort ship visit to Haiti last fall was one example of a partnership activity. (Note: USNS Comfort deployed to the Caribbean and Latin America from June to October 2007 and treated several thousand Haitian patients on-board. The visit was highly valued by the Haitian public. End note.) ¶3. (U) Econoff previewed for Belfort specific regional activities that could reinforce global maritime partnership and where Haiti could gain value-added expertise (e.g., coastal and border security workshops, illegal seaborne migration and maritime security training). Belfort sought what he called "tangibles" -- enhanced funding, skills-building, and a structured organization. ¶4. (U) Belfort said that he did not understand how the GMP would provide a tangible benefit to Haiti. Nevertheless, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) could coordinate a focused meeting on the GMP between Embassy officials and relevant Haitian agencies, such as the Garde de Cote (Haitian Coast Guard),the Haitian National Maritime Service (SEMANAH) -- a Maritime oversight agency -- and Customs and Port Authorities. ¶5. (U) Belfort said he could not comprehend how GMP could succeed absent a "structure" with a lead country, staffing, official mandate, etc. Embassy informed him that changes in international law and agreements were not prerequisites to agreeing to GMP principles, but that neither were bilateral agreements precluded if two countries considered them important to enhancing maritime security. ¶6. (U) Econoff drew a parallel with the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),which Haiti supports and which Belfort understands, in the context of his familiarity with nuclear non-proliferation issues. Comment: -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Embassy assesses that the GOH is in principle receptive to the GMP, but that further Embassy engagement is needed to get Haiti on board. Belfort agreed to organize a future discussion with Embassy officials. Econoff, U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer, Embassy Narcotics Affairs Section, USAID and DEA will participate. (Note: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol advisors will provide USAID-funded enforcement training for Haitian government entities overseeing land, sea, and air ports of entry July 14-26. U.S. Coast Guard representatives will provide a Coast Guard-Seaport/Anti-terrorism Seminar -- funded through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency -- for representatives of the Haitian Coast Guard, SEMANAH and Port Authority July 21 to August 1. Linking these types of training to the GMP may help convince the GOH of the program's usefulness. End Note) PORT AU PR 00000959 002 OF 002 SANDERSON