AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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