VZCZCXRO5627
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #0656 1441454
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241454Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4780
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1737
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL
RUEHCV/USDAO CARACAS VE

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000656 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND INL 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ASEC SNAR BB XL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR OURISMAN'S MEETING WITH BARBADOS CHIEF 
JUSTICE SIR DAVID SIMMONS 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  In a May 16 introductory meeting with 
Ambassador Mary Ourisman, Barbados Chief Justice Sir David 
Anthony Cathcart Simmons expressed appreciation for U.S. 
support to the Barbadian judicial branch over the years. 
Simmons spoke fondly of his working relationship with 
previous U.S. ambassadors.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Ambassador Ourisman congratulated Barbados on a 
successful and safe Cricket World Cup (CWC).  Simmons, who is 
a former cricket player, noted that CWC provided an excellent 
example of international cooperation with law enforcement 
officers coming from as far away as South Africa and the 
temporary creation of the CARICOM Single Domestic Space. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Simmons thanked the United States for providing 
equipment and technical support to Barbados' criminal courts, 
which enabled Barbados to upgrade to computer-aided dictation 
and replace handwritten transcripts.  He praised in 
particular the efforts of former Ambassador Jeanette W. Hyde, 
who worked on this project with Simmons when he was Attorney 
General.  Simmons also brought up the "Partnership for 
Prosperity" agreement, signed in Bridgetown by President 
Clinton in 1997, during Simmons' tenure in PM Arthur's 
cabinet.  (Note:  This agreement is also known as the 
Bridgetown Declaration.  End Note.)  Ambassador Ourisman 
briefed him on the United States' latest cooperative efforts 
with the region, including CWC-related assistance, the launch 
of the State Partnership Program, and the upcoming June 
Conference on the Caribbean. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) BIO NOTE:  Sir David Anthony Cathcart Simmons was 
born on April 28, 1940. (Note:  This is the same date as 
Barbados statesman and founder of the Barbados Labour Party, 
Grantley Adams.  Adams was born on April 28, 1898.  End 
Note.)  Before Simmons became Chief Justice in 2002, he was a 
member of parliament for 25 years and was acting Prime 
Minister on several occasions between 1994 and 2000. 
 
Education 
 
--Wesley Hall Boys' School (Barbados):  1945 to 1947 
--St. Philip's Boys' School (Barbados):  1948 to 1950 
--Lodge School (Barbados):  1950 to 1960 
--London School of Economics and Political Science:  1960 to 
1965 
--Lincoln's Inn:  1964 to 1969 
--Council of Legal Education:  1968 to 1969 
 
Political Experience 
 
--Member of Parliament, St. Philip North:  1976 to 1981 
--Senator:  1981 to 1985 
--Member of Parliament, St. Thomas:  1985 to 2001 
 
Positions of Responsibility 
 
--Chairman, National Housing Corporation:  1976 to 1979 
--Chairman, Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation:  1979 to 1981 
--Chairman, National Sports Council:  1981 to 1985 
--Attorney General:  1985 
--Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs:  1994 to 2001 
--Chief Justice, Barbados Supreme Court:  2002 to present. 
OURISMAN