DOD DEPUTY SECRETARY ENGLAND AND USSOUTHCOM MILITARY DEPUTY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PORT OF SPAIN 000474

USDOC FOR ADVOCACY CENTER - PATRICE WILLIAMS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS SNAR KCRM TD
SUBJECT: DOD DEPUTY SECRETARY ENGLAND AND USSOUTHCOM MILITARY DEPUTY
COMMANDER GENERAL SPEARS MEET WITH PM

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and
SouthCom Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Glenn Spears
visited Trinidad and Tobago October 14-15. They held several
meetings, highlighted by a lengthy second day session with the Prime
Minister. Agreement was reached to have T&T place a liaison officer
at JIATF-S and all expressed pleasure at the cooperative atmosphere
that characterized conversations.


2. (SBU) The PM expressed interest in the U.S. providing another
C-26 aircraft, not requiring T&T to return two non-functional Piper
aircraft, permanently stationing a USN ship in the region, allowing
the purchase of a sensitive surveillance camera, and U.S. Military
participation in a local air show. In response, the U.S. side noted
that a different but still capable (and not export restricted) model
of the surveillance camera was available, that provision of a new
C-26 was unlikely, that allowing the Pipers non-return was a very
real possibility, that permanent stationing of a USN vessel in the
region is not now contemplated, and that the GOTT would be
well-served to pursue its air show request through the relevant
international organization. The Deputy Secretary also raised the
GOTT's pending helicopter purchase, which two U.S. manufacturers are
interested in, with the PM indicating a procurement decision is
pending. End summary.

Itinerary
--------------


3. (SBU) DoD Deputy Secretary Gordon England, accompanied by
USSOUTHCOM Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Glenn Spears
and their respective staffs, visited October 14-15. The trip
included a dinner in the Deputy Secretary's honor on October 14
following the U.S. delegation's early evening arrival. The meal was
hosted by National Security Minister Martin Joseph and attended by
Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and Energy Minister Conrad Enill,
among others.


4. (SBU) On the following day, the delegation met with Prime
Minister Manning and attended a security cooperation briefing and
lunch hosted by T&T Defense Force (TTDF) Commander BGEN Dillon. The
DepSec also received the keys to the city of Port of Spain from
Mayor Murchinson Brown in a separate ceremony. General Spears held
a side meeting with GOTT officials on security concerns involving
next April's Summit of the Americas (SOA). Evident in all sessions
was the GOTT's desire to encourage greater USG security involvement
and cooperation in the eastern Caribbean.

Prime Minister's Meeting
--------------


5. (SBU) Present for the GOTT at the PM's meeting were Minister
Joseph, BGEN Dillon, Defense transformation lead Commodore Best, PM
Permanent Secretary Sandra Marchack, National Security Council chair
Joan Messiah, Washington DATT Lt Col Anthony Phillips-Spencer and
MFA Bilateral Director Sandra McIntyre-Trotman. In addition to the
DepSec and General, the Ambassador attended the session, as did
others from the Embassy and traveling party. (Note: Prior to the
meeting, Manning, England and the Ambassador met privately for
several minutes.)

Icebreaker
--------------


6. (SBU) The session began with both sides briefly commenting on the
challenges involved in T&T hosting the April 2009 Summit of the
Americas and the November 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting. The PM observed his government was bringing in two cruise
ships to help accommodate SOA delegates.

A Regional Approach
--------------


7. (SBU) Turning to substance, England recalled that when he and the
PM chatted in Washington earlier this year, Manning raised a number
of important issues, including the counter-narcotics fight. The
PM's intention to approach such concerns from a regional perspective
was spot-on, England noted. In this regard, General Spears added
that USSOUTHCOM could explore options for extending the "Enduring
Friendship" maritime domain awareness effort to include Trinidad and
also look for other areas to cooperate.

Recent Developments
--------------


PORT OF SP 00000474 002 OF 003



8. (SBU) Manning responded that since he had met with the DepSec
there had been two important regional developments. Specifically,
CARICOM had signed its Maritime and Air Domain Accord and also a
Common Arrest Warrant (to obviate the need for lengthy extradition
procedures). These agreements reflected T&T's intent to take
increasing responsibility for patrolling the eastern Caribbean to
assist others (especially OECS states) even as it also drives
forward the process of regional political and economic integration.


C-26s
--------------


9. (SBU) Moving to specifics, Manning said that in January 2009, the
GOTT wanted to start up eastern Caribbean aerial patrols. He noted
that the Regional Security System (RSS) now has two C-26s operating
from Barbados and T&T has two. Both of Trinidad's aircraft need
upgrades and were being modified, including with radar and to be
enabled for nighttime operations. The idea was, in conjunction with
the RSS, to have two daily patrols covering the seas from Antigua to
Guyana. Ideally, though, T&T would like to have a fifth C-26 join
the other four patrol aircraft. Does the U.S. have one it could
make available to Trinidad, Manning queried?


10. (SBU) The DepSec observed that under our legislation it would be
difficult for the USG to purchase a C-26 for T&T. It also was his
understanding that the plane was no longer manufactured, though
General Spears commented some U.S. National Guard units might still
operate C-26s. England then said that our constraints on purchasing
a C-26 do not extend to us helping upgrade the aircraft. If T&T
procured a C-26 on its own, we could look at assisting in its
upgrade. Nonetheless, the DepSec said we would consider the GOTT
C-26 request, but advised that Trinidad's best route would be to
look for a plane it could purchase on its own.


11. (SBU) Manning implied this was not a road T&T was eager to go
down. The C-26 is not widely used in the Caribbean, he explained.
This made difficult finding pilots who could fly it and technicians
who could maintain the plane. As such, the GOTT only planned to
keep its current C-26s in operation for three more years, replacing
them with the more widely used Bombardier Dash-8. The PM said his
government was already talking to "the Canadians" about the Dash.


Pipers
--------------


12. (SBU) Before moving on, the PM related that the GOTT has two
Piper Navajos given to it by the U.S. on a ten-year lease expiring
in 2009. The craft are not serviceable and getting them into shape
to return to the U.S. might be impossible and, in any case, would be
very costly -- money that could be better spent on upgrading T&T's
other security assets. The PM asked to be "released" from this
return responsibility. Answering, the U.S. delegation noted the
planes had been provided under our INL program and, while we would
need to check with Washington, it was possible we would be able to
grant this request. (Note: The craft are not serviceable. We are
in touch with INL to seek approval on their non-return.)

A Permanent Ship
--------------


13. (SBU) Manning then asked about surface ship assets. Some other
non-Caribbean nations have a permanent regional naval presence. It
would be beneficial, the PM continued, if the U.S. could station a
ship in the eastern Caribbean. Manning said he had made a similar
request to the British, who have a ship in the area only part of the
year. Opining that the U.S. has much more influence with HMG,
Manning further suggested Washington second Trinidad's request to
the UK. The PM concluded by saying that an expanded naval presence
was needed since pressure on traffickers and others to the west was
leading them to come east. Absent a full-time U.S. ship (he also
threw in the Canadians along with the British for good measure),
complete coverage of the region would be impossible.


14. (SBU) General Spears responded that the U.S. Fourth Fleet has no
ships permanently assigned. Instead, the Fourth Fleet and JIATF-S
look to coordinate whatever assets the U.S. places in the region in
conjunction with our partners. The DepSec further added the real
question is not whose assets are being deployed, but is there enough
and are they being properly coordinated.


15. (SBU) In that case, Manning said, how can T&T get a "seat at
the (JIATF-S) table?" Minister Joseph noted said this was already
under discussion. General Spears underscored that a T&T JIATF-S

PORT OF SP 00000474 003 OF 003


liaison "could happen tomorrow." The RSS and other nations could
also seek liaison officials. England emphasized it would be very
positive for the GOTT to place a liaison officer at JIATF-S and
welcomed agreement on this as an important step forward in our joint
security efforts.

Helicopters
--------------


16. (SBU) The DepSec noted the GOTT is in the process of procuring
four helicopters, saying this would provide a welcome boost to T&T's
capabilities and recalling there were bidders such as
AgustaWestland. The PM answered affirmatively, adding the
helicopters will be armed and a competition between manufacturers to
sell them is under way. The PM said a European company was in the
lead, offering a very good product.


17. (SBU) The problem, though, was availability -- helicopter
manufacturers are fully booked up and getting the four aircraft in a
timely manner would be difficult. Mentioning Sikorsky, the PM asked
for USG assistance to jump the production queue if an American
manufacturer was chosen. The DepSec said that if the GOTT chose a
U.S. manufactured helicopter, the USG could encourage the private
firm to accelerate delivery. The PM concluded this portion of the
conversation by saying that the GOTT needed to finalize its decision
on which helicopter it would purchase and, if a U.S. model were
chosen, he would be back in touch with us. (Note: During the
helicopter discussion, it was unclear whether the PM was thinking of
AgustaWestland as solely a European firm and Sikorsky as the purely
U.S. competitor; AW would build the helicopters in Philadelphia and
its North American division is incorporated in Delaware.
Illustrating this possibility, at one point the PM said he thought
the leading European model was the A-139, a craft -- actually the
AW-139 -- AgustaWestland produces. The PM, though, was speaking of
the favored model without notes and it was clear he was trying to
remember the craft designation, being unsure of it.)

A Camera for the Airship
--------------


18. (SBU) The PM then turned to Minister Joseph to raise the GOTT
concern that it has been unable to procure from the U.S. a sensitive
surveillance camera it wishes to mount on its airship for law
enforcement purposes. The DepSec noted there is equipment we cannot
export due to our laws, regulations and security requirements. The
Ambassador added we had previously discussed this issue with the
GOTT, suggesting it look to a less sophisticated camera model that
would suit its needs. (Note: We will be passing the GOTT information
on camera options again.)


19. (SBU) The PM said he was unaware of this and, if the less
sophisticated camera was suitable, it could solve the problem.
Nonetheless, he then asked if the U.S. had satellite surveillance
capability it could direct over T&T and share with the government.
The DepSec and General Spears replied we did not have such regional
coverage and suggested the GOTT contact commercial satellite imagery
providers. Manning closed this portion of the conversation saying
he would leave the request on the table and be interested in
information on commercial providers. England said such
information/conversations could be pursued through JIATF-S. (Note:
During the TTDF briefing later in the day, BGEN Dillon raised the
GOTT desire for yet another law enforcement surveillance system and
was advised that Trinidad needs to update its laws prior to USG
consideration of that request.)

Air Show
--------------


20. (SBU) As the meeting was wrapping up, Manning raised the
longstanding GOTT desire to have the U.S. participate in a local May
2009 air show. Specifically, the PM asked for an aerial acrobatic
team, saying U.S. participation was the linchpin of the event.
England responded that while we might be able to provide a
demonstration aircraft next year, our air teams are booked years in
advance. General Spears then suggested the event be delayed and
Trinidad work through the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS)
to set a suitable date. The Embassy MLO office could help pass
information on how to move forward in this regard, he said. The PM
indicated he was flexible on dates and could approach ICAS.


21. (U) This cable has been cleared by DoD and USSOUTHCOM.

AUSTIN