Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN111
2008-03-06 11:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
NEW BARBADOS PM DISCUSSES FISH, CSME, REGIONAL TRANSPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ9881 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSP #0111 0661145 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061145Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9022 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3754 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//HQ USSOUTHCOM JS MIAMI FL
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000111
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAR
STATE PASS USTR FOR KENT SHIGETOMI
USDOC/ITA/MAC/OFFICE OF LATIN AMERICA CARIBBEAN
DOE FOR OFFICE OF POLICY AND INT'L AFFAIRS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EFIS EPET ETRD BB TD
SUBJECT: NEW BARBADOS PM DISCUSSES FISH, CSME, REGIONAL TRANSPORT
DURING VISIT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000111
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAR
STATE PASS USTR FOR KENT SHIGETOMI
USDOC/ITA/MAC/OFFICE OF LATIN AMERICA CARIBBEAN
DOE FOR OFFICE OF POLICY AND INT'L AFFAIRS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EFIS EPET ETRD BB TD
SUBJECT: NEW BARBADOS PM DISCUSSES FISH, CSME, REGIONAL TRANSPORT
DURING VISIT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (U) SUMMARY: The Prime Ministers of Barbados and Trinidad &
Tobago used their February 20 meeting in Port of Spain to reverse
perceptions that bilateral relations have deteriorated in recent
years, making optimistic statements about resolving their fisheries
dispute, holding dialogue on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,
and voicing common concerns with Venezuela's PetroCaribe initiative.
END Summary.
2. (U) During his February 20 visit to Trinidad, new Barbados PM
David Thompson met with Prime Minister Manning to discuss bilateral
fisheries negotiations, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy
(CSME),energy and transport cooperation. Thompson also met briefly
with political opposition leader Basdeo Panday.
3. (U) After his meeting with Thompson, Manning told reporters that
a fisheries agreement could be concluded within the next year,
following a technical report on flying fish stocks that is due
within a month. For his part, Thompson indicated a willingness to
engage with the Tobago fishing community in the future.
4. (U) The two leaders affirmed their commitment to the CARICOM
Single Market and Economy (CSME) and suggested holding a dialogue on
the integration scheme on the margins of the next meeting of CARICOM
Heads, March 7-8, to allow newly elected CARICOM leaders to benefit
from the perspectives of their longer serving counterparts.
5. (U) Manning and Thompson also discussed regional transport,
including prospects for T&T to launch a regional ferry service and
the possibility of T&T-based Caribbean Airlines expanding service
within the region.
6. (U) On energy, Thompson reaffirmed Barbados' stance on
PetroCaribe. The two PMs recognized that short-term financial
incentives have attracted other Caribbean countries to PetroCaribe,
but they voiced concern over the implications for those countries'
long-term debt burdens. Manning also briefed on the status of the
Eastern Caribbean Gas Pipeline project, under which a pipeline
currently being run to Tobago would be extended to Barbados and
several OECS countries.
7. (SBU) Comment: Manning and Thompson used this visit to send the
message that bilateral relations, that had deteriorated under former
Barbados Prime Minister Own Arthur, were now on an upswing.
Thompson's nod to the Tobago fishing community was politically
astute, as the fisheries dispute continues to provoke anger on
Trinidad's sister island. More significant for the region's future,
resentment over the success of T&T companies in penetrating other
CARICOM members' markets -- which former PM Arthur voiced at last
July's CARICOM Summit -- had raised questions about the level of
political support for CSME. Business contacts in T&T are taking
some comfort from Thompson's call for dialogue on CSME, noting that
it coincides with news that Barbados' authorities will permit T&T
conglomerate Neal & Massey to proceed with a takeover bid for
Barbados Shipping & Transport. End Comment.
AUSTIN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAR
STATE PASS USTR FOR KENT SHIGETOMI
USDOC/ITA/MAC/OFFICE OF LATIN AMERICA CARIBBEAN
DOE FOR OFFICE OF POLICY AND INT'L AFFAIRS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EFIS EPET ETRD BB TD
SUBJECT: NEW BARBADOS PM DISCUSSES FISH, CSME, REGIONAL TRANSPORT
DURING VISIT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (U) SUMMARY: The Prime Ministers of Barbados and Trinidad &
Tobago used their February 20 meeting in Port of Spain to reverse
perceptions that bilateral relations have deteriorated in recent
years, making optimistic statements about resolving their fisheries
dispute, holding dialogue on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,
and voicing common concerns with Venezuela's PetroCaribe initiative.
END Summary.
2. (U) During his February 20 visit to Trinidad, new Barbados PM
David Thompson met with Prime Minister Manning to discuss bilateral
fisheries negotiations, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy
(CSME),energy and transport cooperation. Thompson also met briefly
with political opposition leader Basdeo Panday.
3. (U) After his meeting with Thompson, Manning told reporters that
a fisheries agreement could be concluded within the next year,
following a technical report on flying fish stocks that is due
within a month. For his part, Thompson indicated a willingness to
engage with the Tobago fishing community in the future.
4. (U) The two leaders affirmed their commitment to the CARICOM
Single Market and Economy (CSME) and suggested holding a dialogue on
the integration scheme on the margins of the next meeting of CARICOM
Heads, March 7-8, to allow newly elected CARICOM leaders to benefit
from the perspectives of their longer serving counterparts.
5. (U) Manning and Thompson also discussed regional transport,
including prospects for T&T to launch a regional ferry service and
the possibility of T&T-based Caribbean Airlines expanding service
within the region.
6. (U) On energy, Thompson reaffirmed Barbados' stance on
PetroCaribe. The two PMs recognized that short-term financial
incentives have attracted other Caribbean countries to PetroCaribe,
but they voiced concern over the implications for those countries'
long-term debt burdens. Manning also briefed on the status of the
Eastern Caribbean Gas Pipeline project, under which a pipeline
currently being run to Tobago would be extended to Barbados and
several OECS countries.
7. (SBU) Comment: Manning and Thompson used this visit to send the
message that bilateral relations, that had deteriorated under former
Barbados Prime Minister Own Arthur, were now on an upswing.
Thompson's nod to the Tobago fishing community was politically
astute, as the fisheries dispute continues to provoke anger on
Trinidad's sister island. More significant for the region's future,
resentment over the success of T&T companies in penetrating other
CARICOM members' markets -- which former PM Arthur voiced at last
July's CARICOM Summit -- had raised questions about the level of
political support for CSME. Business contacts in T&T are taking
some comfort from Thompson's call for dialogue on CSME, noting that
it coincides with news that Barbados' authorities will permit T&T
conglomerate Neal & Massey to proceed with a takeover bid for
Barbados Shipping & Transport. End Comment.
AUSTIN