Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN412
2008-09-15 11:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSP #0412/01 2591122
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 151122Z SEP 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9394
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0109
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0161
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000412 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA
PLEASE PASS TO REBECCA JOVIN AND LYNN SICADE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ON A BROAD RANGE OF CONCERNS

REF: A. STATE 91894

B. STATE 91908

C. STATE 95334

D. STATE 96677

Classified By: DCM Len Kusnitz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000412

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA
PLEASE PASS TO REBECCA JOVIN AND LYNN SICADE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ON A BROAD RANGE OF CONCERNS

REF: A. STATE 91894

B. STATE 91908

C. STATE 95334

D. STATE 96677

Classified By: DCM Len Kusnitz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Foreign Minister
September 10 for a wide-ranging conversation that touched
upon South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Serbia's request to seek a
ruling from the International Court of Justice on Kosovo,
UNGA Third Committee priorities, and allowing U.S. Air
Marshals to operate on routes to and from the U.S. The
Minister noted that the GOTT is likely to keep its head down
on all the UN issues and pledged to work for a resolution of
the air marshal issue. END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
South Ossetia and Abkhazia's Independence; Serbia's/Kosovo
-------------- --------------


2. (C) The Ambassador began the September 10 session by
delivering the South Ossetia and Abkhazia demarche (ref a)
and explaining our position on Serbia's request involving
Kosovo's and the International Court of Justice (ref b). The
Minister responded that the GOTT is "not an aligned country"
and does not typically involve itself in matters bearing on
another country's sovereignty, hence it would refrain from
comment/action in both instances. While adding that she
personally agreed with the U.S. on Georgia, that
understanding did not trump the standard GOTT position of not
getting involved in such disputes. The Minister did promise
to convey U.S. views to Prime Minister Manning.

--------------
UNGA Third Committee Human Rights Priorities
--------------


3. (C) With regard to our UNGA Third Committee concerns (ref
c),the Minister explained that GOTT policy is to initially
refrain from taking a position. Trinidad, she explained,
prefers to observe the meetings and then examine the various
reports from the human rights council. Only latter would the
GOTT determine if it needs to take a position. Noting the
policy, the Ambassador asked that the GOTT abstain or vote
against any defamation of religion resolution. The Minister

agreed to examine the issue in conjunction with the Attorney
General before the UNGA, saying her government would likely
abstain.


4. (C) Continuing, the Ambassador asked if the GOTT would be
interested in joining a cross-regional committee to draft a
resolution on freedom of expression in Zimbabwe. The
Minister replied that CARICOM pronounced on the failings of
Zimbabwe's national elections earlier this year, but the GOTT
would not/not be part of drafting a resolution.


5. (C) Recognizing the long-standing relationship between
T&T and Cuba, the Ambassador noted that this should not
prevent the GOTT from supporting a resolution on prisoners of
conscience. In light of Russia's involvement in Venezuela,
the Minister mused that now might be the time to reassess
T&T's unwavering support for Cuba, though she offered no real
indication that the GOTT intended to do this or support human
rights resolutions directed at Cuba. (Note: In passing, the
Minister indicated that she would be visiting Cuba later this
year. Whether it would be a personal or official trip was
unclear.)

--------------
U.S. Air Marshals: Lighting a Fire
--------------


6. (C) The Ambassador inquired about the close to two-year
delay in responding to our November 2006 diplomatic note
seeking permission to post U.S. Air Marshals on flights to
and from Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister granted that the
approval process has been lengthy and related that the MFA
only sought a legal opinion from the AG's office in June

2008. In addition, the Ministry wrote a letter to Caribbean
Airlines, asking their input. The Minister then pledged her
personal attention to the subject, noting that final
responsibility for presenting this issue to the Cabinet would
fall to the National Security Ministry. The Ambassador
closed by reminding the Minister that not only are USG
interests involved, but also the safety of Trinbagonian
citizens. The Minister reiterated that she would "light a

fire" to get this matter resolved.

-------------- --------------
Comment: We are your friend, just don't ask us to do anything
-------------- --------------


7. (C) The Minister is a friend of the U.S. and a positive
voice inside the government. Despite this, the weight of
past precedence and Caribbean "solidarity" continues to weigh
on the GOTT actions in international fora. The GOTT is not
shy about complaining that the "U.S. talks a good game, but
doesn't deliver" while explaining away its poor UN voting
record as something that we should just accept. We will
continue to raise UN issues with the GOTT, though improving
its voting record will involve it breaking with CARICOM, its
neighbors and other "not aligned" states--something that also
may be increasingly difficult if Manning's regional
integration effort gets off the ground.
AUSTIN