SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS: AMBASSADORS MORALES AND ROBINSON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000053 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC, USOAS AND INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KSUM MASS TD SUBJECT: SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS: AMBASSADORS MORALES AND ROBINSON MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER MANNING SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Patrick Manning received USOAS Ambassador and National Summit Coordinator Hector Morales, Jr. and WHA/DAS Ambassador David Robinson on February 4 to discuss Summit of the Americas preparations. Ambassador Morales underscored the import of getting logistical and security questions right and noted the import of the meeting, especially given it takes place early on in the new Administration's term. Manning expressed his expectation that all will run smoothly, including achieving required protections for U.S. forces that would be deployed to T&T in support of U.S. provided security assistance. Manning also related his hope that the First Lady would attend the Summit, said that Cuba would not be present and that its situation would be discussed in the "Heads Only" retreat, and said he foresaw no disruptions from Chavez or alternative summits. Septel will cover other meetings, including the ongoing effort to achieve an exchange of notes involving U.S. forces. End Summary. Preparations Important -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Prime Minister Patrick Manning received USOAS Ambassador and National Summit Coordinator Hector Morales, Jr. and WHA/DAS Ambassador David Robinson, along with WHA/CAR Director De Pirro, Deputy Summit Coordinator Tom Pierce and the Charge, on February 4. Accompanying Manning were Minister of State in the Finance Ministry and Summit Inter-Ministerial Committee Chair Mariano Browne and GOTT National Summit Coordinator Luis Alberto Rodriguez. Ambassador Morales set the tone for the friendly meeting by noting our excitement over the Summit and the importance of it occurring during the new Administration's first ninety days. The U.S. National Summit Coordinator then related Secretary Clinton's interest in its preparations. Ambassador Morales observed that while policymakers often focused solely on summit declarations, the Secretary was also interested on overall preparations. Exchange of Notes -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Morales observed that the GOTT had made several security related requests to the U.S. We were working through these with an eye to being helpful, but a prerequisite to our moving forward (including deploying support personnel) was an exchange of diplomatic notes providing our forces with appropriate legal cover, including on jurisdictional and immunity questions. The PM answered flatly that, "It will be done" and that he was, in fact, surprised that the exchange of notes had not already been concluded. (Note: This continues to be an issue being worked between our governments, as noted in septel.) First Lady Invitation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Turning to Summit participants, Manning recalled he had attended the first SOA in 1994, accompanied by his spouse (now Local Government Minister). He recalled Mrs. Clinton from that time and welcomed news that she might attend the SOA in her capacity of Secretary. Would the First Lady also attend, he asked? Ambassador Morales said that decision remains pending, with Manning replying he very much hoped she would come to Trinidad and that he would "drop a note" to President Obama along those lines (see Port of Spain 50). PM Manning also asked whether former President Bill Clinton would attend with the Secretary. Surmountable Challenges -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Manning then sought to reassure Ambassadors Morales and Robinson that the challenges in putting on the SOA are "not insurmountable." The south terminal of the airport, where dignitaries will be received, will be finished in time, with Chinese and local contractors working 24/7. Even if some unexpected glitch were to occur, the GOTT had contingency plans, including having visitors' planes parked at neighboring island airports. Ambassador Morales noted the U.S. stood ready to assist T&T in areas beyond security, but Manning answered there were "no concerns" and that he stays abreast of Summit developments, including by getting a briefing every Monday. Cuba -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Morales opined that the Summit theme chosen by Trinidad was very good, but that discussion on Cuba and the response to the financial crisis would also likely take place during the April 17-19 meeting. On Cuba, Morales noted that the comments made by the Foreign Minister and Rodriguez were helpful in clarifying that Havana would not be in Port of Spain during the SOA. Manning PORT OF SP 00000053 002 OF 002 replied that he also expected both topics to be raised and that he was a "man of integrity" and would spring no surprises. When he raised potential Cuban attendance last year and was waived off this, "that was that." Recognizing the sensitivity of the topic, the PM envisioned that it would be discussed at the "Heads Only" private retreat on the Summit's last day. Ambassador Morales said we still were awaiting White House confirmation on several issues including attendance and the conference format. Venezuela and Alternative Summits -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In closing, Ambassador Morales asked about possible "alternative summits." Manning made clear he intended no disruptions to the SOA would take place. Contrasting the Mar del Plata experience with his expectations for Trindad, he stated that what happened there "will not happen here." Protestors will need a police permit and would not get one for anywhere near the Summit sites. Also, while the PM said that Venezuelan President Chavez "doesn't talk to me like he used to," he was optimistic that Chavez "will come with a different attitude" and not hold any outside events. ¶8. (U) This cable has been cleared by Ambassadors Morales and Robinson. KUSNITZ