VZCZCXRO8063
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0334/01 2201422
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081422Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9981
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000334 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (MICHAEL FORTIN AND JON MITCHELL) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS EAID ECON KCRM TD
SUBJECT: WHA/CAR DIRECTOR MEETS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER ON 
CARIBBEAN BASIN SECURITY INITIATIVE 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: WHA Caribbean Office Director Velia De Pirro 
discussed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative on August 3 with 
National Security Minister Martin Joseph, who expressed pleasure 
over the nascent program. Joseph urged a regional approach and was 
pleased that his thinking was consistent our approach.  De Pirro 
related the USG was working the CBSI in an interagency manner and 
encouraged Trinidad to do the same.  CARICOM is in the final stages 
of preparing its security strategy and will present it at the August 
13 Barbados working group meeting.  The WHA/CAR Director further 
noted we were interested in reaching out to non-Caribbean state 
partners, like Canada.  The Minister personally welcomed this, but 
needed to consult with CARICOM colleagues before the issue is 
discussed at the working group session.  In a separate Foreign 
Minister August 4 meeting, De Pirro also was told of GOTT enthusiasm 
for the CBSI. END SUMMARY. 
 
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CBSI 
---- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Visiting WHA/CAR Office Director Velia De Pirro, 
accompanied by the CDA and ECON/POLOff (notetaker), met August 3 
with National Security Minister Martin Joseph to discuss next steps 
on the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).  The Minister was 
accompanied by Defense Transition head Commodore Garnett Best and 
members of his International Affairs staff. 
 
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Well Prepared 
------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) De Pirro said the U.S. was diligently preparing for the 
August 13 Barbados working group meeting, looking at overall 
security strategy for the region as well as potential projects. 
Noting his pleasure that the USG was taking a regional approach, the 
Minister replied CARICOM is in the final stages of approving a 
security paper to be tabled in Barbados.  De Pirro queried about 
receiving a copy of the document prior to the meeting, but Joseph 
demurred saying it is still pending heads of government approval. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The WHA/CAR Director added she would lead the USG 
interagency meeting team and encouraged Joseph to have Trinidad 
represented by all relevant GOTT agencies.  The Minister answered 
his government was sending representatives from National Security, 
the Attorney General's office, and the MFA.  De Pirro expressed her 
hope that progress on a consensus regional security strategy, action 
plan, and agenda/schedule for future CBSI meetings could move 
forward at next week's session. 
 
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Partners? 
--------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Noting the Canadian government is interested in stepping up 
activity in the Caribbean, De Pirro suggested Ottawa could usefully 
be included in the CBSI. If fruitful, this could be expanded to 
include other partner nations like Britain, France, the Netherlands, 
and Spain. The Minister responded he had no trouble with Canada's 
participation but could not speak unilaterally for CARICOM and 
needed to consult with his fellow National Security Ministers. 
Joseph and De Pirro agreed that Canada's participation in CBSI would 
be a useful topic to formally discuss in Bridgetown. 
 
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Funding 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Minister Joseph asked about CBSI funding. De Pirro recalled 
that the President announced an initial $30 million for the 
initiative at the Summit of the Americas.  The actual initial budget 
request, on what we hope will be a multi-year program with greater 
funding, was $45 million.  The House approved $37 million, but the 
Senate has not yet appropriated any funds.  De Pirro was hopeful a 
conference committee would back the initiative.  Joseph said 
Trinidad and other CARICOM states intended to make their positive 
view of the CBSI known to key legislators as a way of encouraging 
funding. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Foreign Minister on Board as Well 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) In a separate August 4 meeting with Foreign Minister Paula 
Gopee-Scoon, the WHA/CAR Director reinforced the value of the CBSI 
effort and briefed the Minister on its current status.  The FM was 
grateful for the information and expressed enthusiasm about the 
 
PORT OF SP 00000334  002 OF 002 
 
 
initiative. Later that evening at a reception at the Charge's 
residence, the Foreign Minister informed De Pirro that she had 
spoken with Minister Joseph and named an MFA representative to join 
Trinidad's delegation to the Barbados' meeting. 
 
¶8.  (U) This cable has been cleared by WHA/CAR Director De Pirro. 
 
 
KUSNITZ