REGIONAL INTEGRATION TASK FORCE REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000250 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR and INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECIN PGOV XL TD SUBJECT: REGIONAL INTEGRATION TASK FORCE REPORT REF: PORT OF SPAIN 233 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The long-promised report on advancing regional economic (by 2011) and political (by 2013) integration was released May 30. Weighing in at 394 pages (with a separate shorter 164-page "Summary" version),the report is in line with CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) goals of free movement of labor and goods among member states. It goes beyond the CSME in calling for joint offshore energy exploration and fisheries management, integration in other productive and social sectors, and advocating an "evolutionary" movement toward regional governance and combined diplomatic presence. Countries so far expressing interest -- St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago. END SUMMARY. On the Web -------------- ¶2. (U) Drafted by a committee chaired by University of the West Indies Professor Vaughn Lewis, a former St. Lucia PM, the report was passed to regional leaders at a May 24 Port of Spain meeting (ref). It is posted at http://foreign.gov.tt/pages/introduction2.php . Economic Union -------------- ¶3. (U) The report calls for the free circulation of goods and, to the greatest extent possible, labor withn the proposed union. It suggests joint oil exploration/exploitation led by Trinidad's Petrotrin,particularly off the southern coast of Grenada, aswell as the constrction of a natural gas pipelie from Trinidad to the other three interested sttes and ultimately to all OECS countries. ¶4. (U) The report advocates enhanced fisheries management via regional regulatory mechanisms. Further recommendations address the promotion of green energy, environmental protection and conservation, a regional warning and control system for natural and man-made disasters, and enhanced maritime domain awareness. The report also calls for a merger of the transportation sectors of all four states and looks favorably upon "open skies" agreements. Common social security and educational systems are also advocated. Political Union -------------- ¶5. (U) Economic union in 2011 would be accompanied by a loose form of political governance. Final governance structures, set for 2013, would then evolve naturally out of discussions and experiences shared by member states. As a start, the report envisions a "Council of States" composed of government heads and a separate quasi-legislative arm with representatives from the government and opposition of each member state. The top judicial body would be the Caribbean Court of Justice. The report also suggests a coordinated foreign policy and the consolidation of diplomatic missions. In addition, it supports joint representation at international and regional organizations in New York (UN),Geneva (WTO, UNCTAD, ILO, WIPO, ITU, WMO) and Washington (OAS, IBRD, IADB, IMF). Reactions -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The ruling PNM intends to discuss the report at a June 21 party assembly. Public reaction to the voluminous document has been muted, perhaps reflecting the jaundiced view that it is one more political project that will have little impact on the common man. Opposition leaders at an early June lunch hosted by the CDA said they lacked details of the project, but were skeptical and pronounced it another Manning aggrandizement effort. They advocated a nationwide referendum prior to any integration, while admitting they were not sure whether such a vote would be constitutional. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Putting some flesh on the bones of the joint declaration Manning agreed to with his counterparts from St. Lucia, SVG, and Grenada in August 2008, the task force report parallels the CSME in its agenda for economic union while charting a new course on political union. Several points that would appeal to smaller states may provoke concern in T&T when and if people focus on the report, such as the proposal to merge unreliable LIAT with the relatively efficient Caribbean Airlines and the assumption that Petrotrin is up to the task of drilling for oil and gas in deep water. The Union would remain open for other states to sign on, but the report's sharp focus on issues of interest to the OECS suggests that T&T has for the time being given up on enticing larger CARICOM members. Whether it (and other interested states) can make progress on PORT OF SP 00000250 002 OF 002 pushing this effort forward remains to be seen. KUSNITZ