Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NASSAU247
2009-04-20 20:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

CODEL IMPRESSED BY OPBAT, STRONG BILATERAL

Tags:  ECON EFIN PREL PGOV HA BF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4511
OO RUEHGR
DE RUEHBH #0247/01 1102014
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 202014Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6308
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000247 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV HA BF
SUBJECT: CODEL IMPRESSED BY OPBAT, STRONG BILATERAL
RELATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000247

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV HA BF
SUBJECT: CODEL IMPRESSED BY OPBAT, STRONG BILATERAL
RELATIONS


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: CODEL Conyers visited The Bahamas April
7-9 to review OPBAT operations and assess current drug and
migrant challenges. GCOB officials led by Prime Minister
Ingraham described the negative impact of the situation in
Haiti on both OPBAT and The Bahamas. PM Ingraham stressed
the GCOB,s cooperation with the U.S. in tax matters in light
of new off-shore banking legislation being considered in the
U.S. Congress. CODEL Conyers expressed their appreciation
for OPBAT and the excellent bilateral relationship with the
GCOB, although it was concerned by the situation in Haiti and
the need for a new strategy on the war on drugs. Post
transmitted this cable April 15 to CODEL Conyers. CODEL
Conyers has not cleared on this cable to date. END SUMMARY.

--------------
Drug and Migrant Challenges
Highlighted
--------------

2. (SBU) A Congressional Delegation lead by John Conyers,
Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, visited The
Bahamas Nassau April 7-9 after previously touring Haiti
(delegation list in para 7). CODEL Conyers reviewed Royal
Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) fast-boats, granted by the USG
under SOUTHCOM,s Enduring Friendship program, at the port in
Nassau. The delegation also traveled to the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) base in George Town, Exuma April 8.
GCOB and U.S. law enforcement officials from the DEA and U.S.
Coast Guard briefed the delegation on current drug and
migrant challenges.

--------------
GCOB: Capacity-Building in
Haiti Required
--------------

3. (SBU) The CODEL met separately with Prime Minister
Ingraham, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Symonette, and Minister of National Security Turnquest and
Attorney General Barnett April 9. Prime Minister Ingraham
lauded the &excellent relationship8 with the U.S. and noted
the importance of the U.S. for The Bahamas, prosperity. PM
Ingraham and others described the impact of the situation in
Haiti on joint counter-drug efforts in OPBAT and the strains
on The Bahamas, security, social and health infrastructure
from Haitian migration. GCOB officials pointed to the need
to improve the overall situation in Haiti to discourage drug

trafficking and illegal migration. A Foreign Ministry
official with on-the-ground experience described Haiti as &a
black hole8 in terms of government capacity. Minister of
National Security Turnquest noted Bahamian training
assistance to the Haitian police force and support for Haiti
through CARICOM.

--------------
PM: Bahamas Financially Transparent,
Facing Domestic Challenges
--------------

4. (SBU) PM Ingraham pointed out the GCOB,s cooperation
with the U.S. in tax matters, as new off-shore banking
legislation moves forward in Congress, and said he was
concerned about &guilt by association8. He requested
recognition of The Bahamas, high level of transparency
compared to other jurisdictions. GCOB officials also
stressed the unique challenges of providing education, health
and other government services throughout the widely-scattered
archipelago. The PM and other officials challenged what they
regard as the prevailing misperception within the USG of The
Bahamas as a fully developed country which does not require
economic assistance. They referenced the unique challenges
of a small island developing state with varying levels of
income and development among the many islands.

--------------
Other Items: China, Port Security,
Health, Environment
--------------

5. (SBU) Other topics discussed with CODEL Conyers included:

-- Chinese Labor: Referencing recent discussions with a
visiting Chinese delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Symonette
stated that The Bahamas will not allow a significant influx
of temporary or permanent Chinese labor for the planned
stadium or other future projects, with the usual exception of
highly-skilled personnel not available in The Bahamas.

-- Air and Seaport Security: Deputy Prime Minister Symonette
noted the importance of pre-clearance facilities for The
Bahamas,s tourism-based economy. He pointed out that cargo
passing through the trans-shipment facility in Freeport,
owned by a Chinese company, is inspected in close cooperation
with USG personnel.


NASSAU 00000247 002 OF 002


-- Health: GCOB officials informed CODEL Conyers about plans
to expand health care benefits. They described specific
difficulties with availability of diagnostics on outlying
islands, noted their cooperation with CDC on infectious
diseases, and cited as a success decreased mortality among
infants with HIV-AIDS.

-- Environment: PM Ingraham said the GCOB was very active on
the issue of climate change to avoid &impending disaster8,
but called for U.S. recognition of and leadership on the
issue.


6. (SBU) Delegation list:

-- Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
-- Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX)
-- Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)
-- Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
-- Bob Creamer (spouse)
-- Sean McLaughlin, Minority Chief of Staff and General
Counsel, Judiciary Committee
-- Keenan Keller, Senior Counsel, Judiciary Committee
-- Alli Halataei, Minority Deputy Chief of Staff, Judiciary
Committee
-- Cynthia Martin, Professional Staff, Judiciary Committee
-- CDR Kenneth Pugh, Attending Physician
-- Lt. Bill Wellman, Liaison Officer, Navy OLA

--------------
Media Coverage
--------------

7. (SBU) Media coverage of the visit was light due to the
long Easter holiday and a four-day interruption in the
newspaper publishing cycle. One April 14 newspaper article
highlighted Chairman Conyers, statement to the press April 9
that the U.S. was ¬ winning8 the war on drugs despite
the massive investment of resources. It also quoted his
remarks on the &the enormity of the challenge8 confronting
the international community in Haiti.


8. (SBU) Post transmitted this cable April 15 to CODEL
Conyers. CODEL Conyers has not cleared on this cable to date.

ZUNIGA-BROWN