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DE RUEHBH #0673/01 1511841
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 311841Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4309
INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN 0092
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5610
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3670
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8540
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3549
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4710
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2829
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0460

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000673 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ECON EINV KCOR BF
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE: INGRAHAM ROLLS OUT 
AGENDA 
 
REF: NASSAU 646 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. D. Brent Hardt for 
reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  Prime Minister Ingraham rolled out his 
government's plans for The Bahamas at the ceremonial opening 
of parliament May 23.  Picking up on his campaign theme of 
restoring trust, Ingraham pledged to focus on good 
governance, accountability, transparency and respect for 
human rights.  The agenda closely parallels U.S. hemispheric 
goals for strengthening democracy, including promises of a 
Freedom of Information Act, public disclosure of contracts, 
ethical standards for Ministers and improvements to the 
judiciary.  It also pledges several other items in line with 
U.S. priorities, including reduction of time to trial, 
improvements in the immigrant detention center, increased 
capacity for the Defense Force and improved airport 
security.  The speech signaled a change in economic 
development strategy, shifting focus from development through 
foreign investment to development through stronger local 
businesses.  The speech made only a fleeting reference to 
foreign policy issues in its pledge to stand up for human 
rights, reinforcing the perception that the government will 
follow a pragmatic approach to its international engagement, 
working closely with the U.S. and avoiding the previous 
government's non-aligned activism.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Responsible and Transparent Government a Priority 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2.  (U) The new Bahamian government presented its agenda to 
the Bahamian people May 23 in the Speech from the Throne 
delivered by the Governor General at the ceremonial opening 
of parliament.  The speech laid out Prime Minister Ingraham's 
agenda with the theme of "restoration of responsible, 
responsive and transparent government in the sunshine."  To 
achieve these goals, the speech rolled out an ambitious 
agenda that included accession to the United Nations 
Convention Against Corruption, the development of a Code of 
Ethics for Government Ministers, and the creation of an 
Office of the Ombudsman to address public concerns regarding 
Government behavior.  It also promised a Freedom of 
Information Act, public provision of details regarding 
government contracts, and passage of a National Investment 
Act to create "transparency and clarity" in government 
investment priorities and "a level playing field for both 
Bahamians and international persons." 
 
Strengthened Judiciary and Improved Human Rights Promised 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶3.  (U) The government's agenda responded directly to growing 
concerns over the inefficiency of the Bahamian judicial 
system, promising to strengthen the judiciary with more 
judges, quicker trials, and full compliance with 
Constitutional requirements for judicial independence.  To 
address related human rights concerns over prison 
overcrowding and persons being held for unreasonable time in 
prison while awaiting trial, the government promised improved 
bail laws, electronic monitoring of persons on bail, and 
revised sentencing guidelines to eliminate jail time for 
first time non-violent offenders.  Tackling another human 
rights issue flagged annually in our human rights report, the 
Government promised to refurbish and upgrade the detention 
center used to house illegal migrants. 
 
Improved Airport Security 
------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) Following reports of breaches in airport security and 
persistent failure to meet security standards, the government 
has given priority to efforts to improve security standards 
at Nassau's international airport and other Bahamian 
airports.  It also promised a complete redevelopment of the 
airport to meet the growing demands of the tourism industry. 
The previous government had pledged such a redevelopment to 
major hotel developers to keep pace with the industry's 
growth, but took five years to negotiate a management 
contract.  Aviation Minister Neko Grant has made clear that 
aviation security and safety and friendlier air travel are 
 
his top goals. 
 
Defense Force Upgrades 
---------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) To address the sensitive problem of illegal 
immigration, the government promised to upgrade the Royal 
Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) presence in Great Inagua, the 
southern Bahamian island closest to Haiti.  Such a presence 
in the southern Bahamas will allow the RBDF to intercept 
Haitian sloops carrying migrants and illegal drugs and to 
keep out Dominican fisherman poaching in Bahamian waters. 
The restoration of funding and resources to the Defense Force 
follows a change in the Force's leadership last year that has 
thus far helped boost morale and effectiveness and promises 
to make the RBDF a better partner for the U.S. (reftel.) 
 
Economic Policy Focused on Local Business 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) The government's agenda is decidedly pro-business, 
promising to streamline the small business startup process, 
increase government loans for small- and medium-sized 
businesses in tourism, food-processing and light 
manufacturing, and promising to reduce taxes on commercial 
properties.  But there is also has a nationalistic tinge to 
the FNM's economic policy that could put at risk some foreign 
investments already on the books or in final stages of 
negotiation.  While the government affirmed its openness to 
foreign investment, specifically recognizing the importance 
of international investment in hotel and resort sector, it 
also promised to encourage Bahamian boutique hotels, lodges 
and inns to compete with foreign investment, review 
(increase) taxes on foreign-owned property, and develop 
policies to limit foreign investment concessions and land 
purchase rights.  Following their election criticism of the 
Christie government for failing to reveal terms of highly 
touted investment deals, Ingraham in government is now 
promising to disclose in the House of Assembly all agreements 
with international investors. 
 
Comment:  Government in the Sunshine:  Welcome Changes Long 
Sought 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) The Ingraham government's opening salvo in the Throne 
Speech offers much that is commendable and in line with U.S. 
goals in the hemisphere to strengthen democracy and support 
good governance.  A Freedom of Information Act, public 
disclosure of contracts, ethical standards for ministers, 
improvements to the migrant detention center and reduction of 
time to trial are all issues raised in our annual U.S. 
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.  We have also 
advocated for attention to these issues in OpEd's, digital 
videoconferencing, speaker programs and regular diplomatic 
engagement.  If the government follows through on this list, 
it will significantly strengthen the country's governance. 
The strong commitment to airport security and planned 
improvements to upgrading the Defense Force are also in line 
with longstanding U.S. priorities.  Only the nationalistic 
tinge to the government's economic approach -- a product of 
campaign rhetoric that accused the PLP of selling off 
Bahamian lands to foreigners -- could negatively affect some 
U.S. investors seen as too close to the former government. 
Overall, Ingraham's first salvo suggests he has a clear 
vision for how to achieve his "responsible, responsive, and 
transparent government in the sunshine." 
 
 
HARDT