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DE RUEHKG #0203/01 0321756
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FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2121
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000203 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL WHTI JM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON OPPOSITION LEADER 
BRUCE GOLDING 
 
REF: 05 KINGSTON 1346 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson.  Reasons 1.4(b) and 
(d). 
 
¶1.  Summary:  During the Ambassador's January 17 courtesy 
call on Leader of the Opposition Bruce Golding and senior 
Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) MPs Karl Samuda (JLP Chairman) and 
Ed Bartlett (shadow tourism minister), Golding lamented what 
he described as Jamaica's diminished importance to the USG, 
and expressed concern at the GOJ/Venezuela PetroCaribe 
agreement, and about Jamaica's high debt-to-GDP levels. 
Samuda faulted the GOJ for its inability to get a handle on 
Jamaica's record homicide rate, while Bartlett worried about 
the likely effects on Jamaica's tourism sector of 
implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative 
(WHTI).  With the ruling Peoples National Party internal 
election campaign heating up, and the prospect of general 
elections looming thereafter, Golding is positioning himself 
domestically and vis-a-vis the USG for what will likely be a 
bruising electoral campaign.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C)  On January 17, the Ambassador called on Leader of the 
Opposition Bruce Golding, at the Jamaica Labor Party's (JLP) 
Kingston headquarters.  JLP Chairman Karl Samuda and shadow 
tourism minister Ed Bartlett joined Golding, while P/ECouns 
(notetaker) accompanied the Ambassador.  Following brief 
welcoming remarks, Golding lamented what he characterized as 
Jamaica's diminished importance to the U.S. since the end of 
the Cold War.  Without explicitly saying so, Golding was 
referring to Jamaica's pro-Washington orientation during the 
1980-89 administration of Edward Seaga, Jamaica's last JLP 
prime minister.  The Ambassador acknowledged that the world 
is very different in 2006 than it was in 1989, and that Iraq 
and Afghanistan were of necessity higher priorities for the 
USG.  She assured Golding, however, that Jamaica remains 
important to the USG, noting the Secretary's proposed March 
visit to Nassau to meet with CARICOM leaders as a sign of 
Washington's desire to engage with Jamaica and the region. 
 
¶3. (C) Golding expressed concern about the GOJ's PetroCaribe 
agreement with Venezuela, wondering aloud "what IOU's are 
being stored up" as a result.  Then, noting Jamaica's high 
debt-to-GDP ratio, he wondered aloud how a future government 
would be able to continue managing Jamaica's massive debt. 
The Ambassador replied that there was little chance that 
Venezuela is offering its largesse with no strings attached. 
She also told Golding that she was very interested in the 
debt issue. 
 
¶4. (C) Noting Jamaica's record homicide rate during 2005, 
Golding criticized the GOJ for its inability to master the 
crime situation.  Samuda asked pointedly whether USG 
assistance to the GOJ and its security forces had "failed", 
particularly as, he continued, U.S.-origin firearms, 
illegally imported to Jamaica, were behind much of the 
violence plaguing the country.  In reply, the Ambassador and 
P/ECouns outlined multifaceted USG assistance, including 
close USG/GOJ counternarcotics cooperation; training and 
material assistance to the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF); 
training for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); and 
cooperation with the JCF (via RSO to ATF) in tracing serial 
numbers of illegal firearms seized by the Jamaican 
authorities.  Samuda seemed genuinely surprised at the extent 
of cooperation. 
 
¶5. (C) Bartlett, whose parliamentary constituency includes 
the tourism-dependent north coast city of Montego Bay, 
expressed gratitude that the USG had "granted a stay of 
execution" by extending the implementation date for the 
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) by one year.  He, 
Golding, and Samuda unanimously opined that WHTI, even with 
the extended deadline, would have serious negative 
implications for Jamaica's tourism industry, given the 
relatively small percentage of Amcits who possess passports. 
Golding asked whether there was any "wiggle room" to delay 
further, or suspend, implementation for Jamaica.  The 
Ambassador replied firmly that WHTI was a necessary measure 
for the USG and that it would be implemented fully, including 
for Jamaica-bound travelers.  PolEconCouns briefly outlined 
WHA/CAR Director Brian Nichols's 2005 discussions of WHTI 
with GOJ officials (Reftel), and said that the USG is well 
aware of Jamaica's concerns vis-a-vis WHTI. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) Golding used the brief but cordial meeting to seek the 
 
Ambassador's reassurance that the USG has not written off 
Jamaica, and to register a desire to see closer relations 
between the USG and the GOJ.  His unspoken message seemed to 
be that any future government he led would make closer 
bilateral relations a priority.  With the governing People's 
National Party undergoing a contentious internal leadership 
succession process, and the possibility that the PNP leader 
who emerges as prime minister will call early elections, 
Golding is seeking to position himself - domestically and 
vis-a-vis the USG - for what is sure to be a bruising 
political campaign ahead.  Post will report septel on how 
that campaign is shaping up. 
JOHNSON