Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NASSAU657
2009-10-26 19:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
OPPOSITION LEADER CHRISTIE,S "SCORCHED EARTH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #0657 2991948 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261948Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6781 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000657
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BF PINR
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER CHRISTIE,S "SCORCHED EARTH
POLICY" SUCCEEDS
REF: NASSAU 644
Classified By: DCM Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000657
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BF PINR
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER CHRISTIE,S "SCORCHED EARTH
POLICY" SUCCEEDS
REF: NASSAU 644
Classified By: DCM Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Bahamian incumbent leader of the Progressive Liberal
Party (PLP) Perry Christie retained his party,s leadership
position, securing 84% of his party convention,s delegate
votes. In the lead up to the October 21-23 Convention
Christie had threatened a &scorched earth policy8 against
any candidates who dared to challenge him. His challengers,
stalwart Dr. Bernard Nottage, and attorney Paul Moss received
204 and 23 votes respectively. Christie received 1,158
votes. Christie also beat Nottage in, 1997 and 1998.
2. (U) In the race for Deputy PLP leader, Member of
Parliament Phillip &Brave8 Davis received 767 votes,
beating candidates Obie Wilchcombe who received 401 votes and
Jerome Fitzgerald who received 217 votes. In the race for
party Chairman Bradley Roberts received 834 votes, incumbent
Glenys Hanna-Martin received 367, Ken Dorsett received 141,
and Keod Smith received 141.
3. (C) Comment. Christie,s election, despite a highly
critical internal report, indicates his continued hold over
the party and entrenched support from party stalwarts.
However, the election of Brave Davis is evidence of growing
dissatisfaction within the party. The negative public
perception of the PLP combined with current scandals
involving PLP members and the Travolta trial as well as
personal legal troubles, could eventually put Davis in a good
position to challenge Christie for leader. Should Davis
eventually attain the position, it would be unlikely to cause
any change to the U.S.-GCOB relationship.
AVANT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BF PINR
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER CHRISTIE,S "SCORCHED EARTH
POLICY" SUCCEEDS
REF: NASSAU 644
Classified By: DCM Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Bahamian incumbent leader of the Progressive Liberal
Party (PLP) Perry Christie retained his party,s leadership
position, securing 84% of his party convention,s delegate
votes. In the lead up to the October 21-23 Convention
Christie had threatened a &scorched earth policy8 against
any candidates who dared to challenge him. His challengers,
stalwart Dr. Bernard Nottage, and attorney Paul Moss received
204 and 23 votes respectively. Christie received 1,158
votes. Christie also beat Nottage in, 1997 and 1998.
2. (U) In the race for Deputy PLP leader, Member of
Parliament Phillip &Brave8 Davis received 767 votes,
beating candidates Obie Wilchcombe who received 401 votes and
Jerome Fitzgerald who received 217 votes. In the race for
party Chairman Bradley Roberts received 834 votes, incumbent
Glenys Hanna-Martin received 367, Ken Dorsett received 141,
and Keod Smith received 141.
3. (C) Comment. Christie,s election, despite a highly
critical internal report, indicates his continued hold over
the party and entrenched support from party stalwarts.
However, the election of Brave Davis is evidence of growing
dissatisfaction within the party. The negative public
perception of the PLP combined with current scandals
involving PLP members and the Travolta trial as well as
personal legal troubles, could eventually put Davis in a good
position to challenge Christie for leader. Should Davis
eventually attain the position, it would be unlikely to cause
any change to the U.S.-GCOB relationship.
AVANT