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