BARBADOS PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO COUNTER-DRUG

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000017 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/19 TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS SNAR XL SUBJECT: BARBADOS PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO COUNTER-DRUG OPERATIONS DERIVED FROM: DBHardt ¶1. (U) Public comments made by Prime Minister Thompson and Opposition Leader Mia Mottley regarding the need to continue supporting regional counter-narcotics efforts through the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) exemplified Barbados' unified stance on the issue and its commitment to continue funding such efforts, even if other member-states cannot or will not. Such statements also confirm that the U.S. not only has a reliable partner in Barbados, but that continued support of the RSS -- including through CBSI -- would be money well spent on a sustainable regional counter-narcotics platform . End Summary. -------------- -------------- PM THOMPSON: MONEY FOR PLANES NEEDED -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson told House of Assembly members January 13 that he would allocate approximately US $1.3 million from the budget to clear Barbados' arrears to a Canadian company that services the two C-26 aircraft provided to the Barbados-based RSS by the U.S. While signaling his support for RSS operations and overall counter-narcotics efforts regionally, Thompson added that Barbados continues to foot most of the expenses incurred by the RSS -- an organization that is supposed to receive equal dues from all its member countries. Thompson noted that other countries in the region were being hit hard by the current economic crisis, adding that, as a result, Barbados has been forced to close any funding gaps for RSS. Privately, RSS Coordinator Grantley Watson told us that, in fact, only Barbados and one other unnamed RSS member provides consistent monetary support to the organization. Thompson reaffirmed publicly his support for the RSS, stating that Barbados is determined to keep the RSS' surveillance aircraft in the air. He further commented that "picking up the slack" is a price Barbados has to pay for ensuring the internal security of the country, and of the entire region. -------------- -------------- OPPOSITION: DEDICATED FUNDING NEEDED -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) In response to Thompson's call for additional funds, Opposition Leader Mia Mottley told the Assembly that because Barbados has to carry the "lion's share" of regional security-related finances, the government should have a program of dedicated funding for such efforts. She suggested using revenue from the Regional Travel Card system (aka CARIPASS) to help defray some of the costs to the RSS in particular -- a notion that did not seem to gain much traction in Parliament. Separately, NASoff suggested to RSS Coordinator Watson that proceeds generated from items seized by the RSS in drug-related activities be reallocated into specific-designated law enforcement budgets. Watson thought the idea was logical, but possibly politically impractical, claiming that once the funds are deposited into government treasuries, politicians would find other projects to fund. When Poloff made the same suggestion to Mottley directly, she agreed that it was an option worth exploring further. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) The RSS consists of a professional, committed and resourceful team that works around the clock to help disrupt and deter drug trafficking in the region. And it is true that Barbados carries the lion's share of the burden -- covering 40% of the operating budget, with the six other nations required to pay 10% each. Bolstering support to the RSS is key to the region's, and our, efforts to halt drug flows to and through the Eastern Caribbean; CBSI's regional approach for counter-drug operations fits neatly into such efforts. Going forward, helping the RSS create a maritime wing to support its air wing would also prove beneficial, as doing so would undoubtedly increase actual seizures. To date, the air wing has done a good job of tracking and deterring boats potentially carrying narcotics but, due to the member states' respective Coast Guard's limited reach, interception has proven to be problematic. End Comment. HARDT GOGGIN