VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0313/01 0481758
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171758Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1909
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1376
RUEHCV/USDAO CARACAS VE PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000313 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, DEPT PASS USAID, SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016 
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV PINR SNAR ASEC AC XL
SUBJECT: RSS CHAIRMAN AGREES TO PARTNERING WITH U.S. 
NATIONAL GUARD 
 
REF: BRIDGETOWN 2411 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Mary Kramer, for reasons 1.4 (a) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY:  Ambassador Kramer and the National Guard 
Bureau (NGB) Chief, Lt. General Blum, met February 3 with 
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Spencer, acting in his 
capacity as Council Chairman of the Regional Security System 
(RSS), to pitch RSS participation in USSOUTHCOM's State 
Partnership Program (SPP).  Spencer welcomed the USG 
proposal, a long awaited first step in formalizing 
cooperation in security and disaster management, especially 
in the run-up to the March 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC).  In 
a subsequent one-on-one with Ambassador Kramer, Spencer 
requested USG assistance in resolving ongoing issues with the 
RSS C26 program and an outstanding Export Import (EXIM) Bank 
loan issue.  He also sought U.S. sponsorship for 25 
scholarships to celebrate the country's 25th year of 
Independence on November 1, 2006.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Lt. General H. Steven Blum and Ambassador Kramer, 
accompanied by National Guard Bureau POLAD Dr. John Finney, 
USSOUTHCOM NGB Liaison Col. Wilfredo Colon, Bridgetown 
Military Liaison Officer CDR Peter Kilfoyle, and PolOff 
(notetaker), met with Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister 
Baldwin Spencer, accompanied by PermSec Cora Richards and 
Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Col. Croft in 
Antigua on February 3 to seek official support for the 
Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System (RSS) to 
participate in USSOUTHCOM's State Partnership Program.  The 
SPP provides training and exchange opportunities that could 
transition from military-to-military to military-to-civilian, 
and eventually to civilian-to-civilian programs. 
 
¶3. (C) The Ambassador first presented PM Spencer with the 
Transportation Security Administration's confidential 
assessment of Antigua's international airport and the good 
news that 150 M-16 A4 assault rifles had recently been 
delivered to the ABDF through the Foreign Military Finance 
(FMF) program.  (Note:  PM Spencer had broached the rifle 
issue with the Ambassador in November (reftel). End note.). 
General Blum then described a brief history of the SPP and 
the related goals of the National Guard.  He also provided 
regionally relevant examples of successful partnerships with 
the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Trinidad, and answered Spencer's 
queries. 
 
¶4. (C) Not surprisingly, the Antiguan PM was keen to 
determine the extent of opportunities for bilateral training 
programs under the SPP.  The General explained that entering 
the program under the umbrella of the RSS allowed for maximum 
flexibility, including a bilateral training component, while 
avoiding country-specific restrictions such as those attached 
to states that have not yet signed Article 98 Agreements. 
The General acknowledged that RSS partner countries have 
differing interests, capabilities, and goals.  He stressed 
that programs which address issues of regional importance 
such as disaster preparedness and the looming CWC would take 
precedence.  PM Spencer approved participation in the SPP on 
behalf of the RSS, and MLO and the ABDF representative agreed 
to coordinate correspondence to make the transaction official. 
 
Three Issues: One-On-One 
------------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) Once General Blum's presentation had concluded, PM 
Spencer requested a one-on-one meeting with Ambassador Kramer 
(PolOff remained as notetaker) to discuss three areas of 
concern:  continued funding for the C-26 aircraft, 
sponsorship of 25 anniversary scholarships, and a legacy loan 
from the EXIM Bank. 
 
RSS Air Support 
--------------- 
 
¶6. (C) PM Spencer informed the Ambassador that the RSS was 
finalizing its strategic plan on how to move forward to 
acquire additional funding for the C-26 airborne maritime 
surveillance program.  The Eastern Caribbean leaders are 
seeking financial support from the French, British and Dutch 
governments that also have an interest in maintaining the RSS 
C-26.  The current RSS Chairman requested U.S. assistance in 
emphasizing to its European partners the importance of 
maintaining the regional surveillance program.  He believes 
that if the U.S. were to make a case in support of the RSS 
through diplomatic channels, other donors would come on 
 
board.  Ambassador Kramer stated that those who favor a 
continuation of the C-26  program had new allies in Rear 
Admiral Jeffrey J. Hathaway of the Joint Inter-Agency Task 
Force (JIATF) South and in the unified position of the U.S. 
Ambassadors accredited to the region.  The Ambassador advised 
that she could not yet promise anything but was continuing to 
press the issue (reftel). 
 
Silver Anniversary Scholarships 
------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Prime Minister then asked the Ambassador to help 
find sponsors for 25 scholarships to U.S. institutions to be 
doled out as part of the country's 25th Anniversary of 
Independence to be celebrated November 1, 2006.  The 
scholarships should be in areas critical to the development 
of Antigua and Barbuda, such as agriculture and issues 
related to the CARICOM,s Single Market Economy (CSME).  He 
agreed to send a letter outlining specific curricula GOAB 
wished to pursue.  Again, the Ambassador made no promises 
other than to research some possibilities. 
 
EXIM Loan - Bird Legacy 
----------------------- 
 
¶8. (C) Finally, Spencer entreated the Ambassador to aid him 
in clearing up an old debt to the Export Import (EXIM) Bank 
left by the V.C. Bird administration (1981-1994).  That 
administration had taken out a loan in the early 1980's to 
build the Deep Water Harbor in St. John's and then never 
repaid the loan.  It was Bird's opinion (according to 
Spencer) that the USG had gotten a good deal on the air force 
military installation in Antigua, so the GOAB didn't need to 
repay. The current government now wants to upgrade the harbor 
to expand cruise ship capacity and improve cargo facilities, 
but needs to clear this loan before local financial 
institutions will consider a financial partnership.  He was 
visibly uncomfortable at having to admit to the immensity of 
the GOAB's national debt, and candid about the many other 
challenges he faces trying to clean house, move forward and 
still meet the critical needs of his people.  He asked if the 
Ambassador could request that EXIM review the loan and 
consider some form of debt forgiveness.  She agreed to look 
into the matter. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶9. (C) The overall tone of the meeting was collaborative and 
upbeat, with MLO taking the next steps to formalize and 
finalize the agreement for RSS to participate in the SPP. 
Post is encouraged by Spencer's enthusiasm for the project of 
partnering the Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System 
with a state National Guard. 
KRAMER