VZCZCXRO6707
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #0563 0801455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211455Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2466
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM J6 MIAMI FL PRIORITY

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000563 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (BENT), WHA/FO (SNIDLE) AND PM/WRA (PICO) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC MASS OAS PARM PREL XL JM
SUBJECT: GOJ'S RESPONSE TO POTENTIAL US-CARICOM MINISTERIAL 
INITIATIVE ON COMBATTING ILLICIT ARMS TRAFFICKING 
 
REF: SECSTATE 40149 
 
¶1. (SBU) March 16, Poloff delivered reftel talking points via 
facsimile to Joy Wheeler, Director of the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Foreign Trade.  On March 20, Poloff received a 
response from Karl Hamilton, Ministry of National Security, 
through Claudette Francis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
Foreign Trade. 
 
¶2. (U) The GOJ's response to potential US-CARICOM ministerial 
initiative on combatting illicit arms trafficking is as 
follows: 
 
"The Ministry welcomes this initiative and hope that it will 
bear fruit given Jamaica's active support and participation 
in both the UN Programme of Action and the OAS CIFTA 
Convention on the issue. 
 
It is hoped that, particularly, technical assistance can be 
provided for the region in the marking and tracing of 
weapons, seeing that we are net importers of arms.   The 
deepening of customs and law enforcement exchange of 
information and intelligence is always welcome. 
 
Being aware of the problems associated with the illicit 
import and trafficking of firearms, it is hope the US keeps 
its word in assisting in this area, especially as it relates 
to the stricter montioring (sic) of weapons being exported 
from its shores. 
 
Jamaica, however, is still in support of a legally binding 
instrument at international level to compel states to provide 
information on tracing and marking and other issues 
pertaining to the export, import and transshipment of arms 
and ammunition, but we are very much aware that the United 
States, as  producer country, is very much against this. 
 
I understand that Hon. Minister Phillips will also be in 
attendance at this meeting and should be able to expound on 
the issue.   Please also consult with the International 
Organisations Department with which this Ministry/Division 
has and will continue to exchange documents and views on the 
issue at hand." 
 
JOHNSON