VZCZCXRO4500
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #0952 2081511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271511Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5144
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0090
RUEHCV/USDAO CARACAS VE
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000952 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND WHA/CAN 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
ADDIS ABABA FOR ANTHONY FISHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BB ETRD ETTC PGOV PINR PREL XL
SUBJECT: CANADA PM STEPHEN HARPER ADDRESSES BARBADOS 
 
REF: GEORGETOWN 654 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) On July 19, Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, 
addressed a standing room only audience of approximately 200 
senior officials, diplomats and top business representatives 
in Barbados.  Harper unveiled Canada's plan to play a bigger 
role in the hemisphere and create "a new partnership between 
Canada and the Caribbean."  Details of the plan were not 
specified, but Harper's address focused on trade, democracy 
building, economic development, and security.  Canada may be 
well-placed to join Venezuela, Cuba, China and Taiwan as the 
region's most significant benefactors.  However, the extent 
to which Canada will be able to compete for political and 
economic influence--among the other leading donors--will most 
likely be determined by the size and quantity of its 
contributions, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean where 
size almost always trumps substance.  End Summary. 
 
Canada's New Assistance Package 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Harper's address indicated that Canadian reengagement 
will reflect Canadian identity and values and will have three 
key components: 1) promotion of democratic values, which 
includes support for human rights; 2) strengthening economic 
development and opportunity; and 3) facing security 
challenges in the areas of crime, terrorism and natural 
disasters.  Harper also specifically touched on the 
importance of integrated trade in the region, claiming it as 
the "indispensable foundation" for fair and sustainable 
growth.  Harper promised that Canada would assist in the 
implementation of the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) 
and hinted of negotiations on a new trade agreement with 
Barbados and the wider English-speaking Caribbean, in 
addition to the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN). 
 
¶3. (SBU) Harper's other promises included a graduate and 
undergraduate scholarship program, increased support for the 
Organization of American States (OAS) and Pan-American Health 
Organization (PAHO), and continued full engagement in Haiti. 
Harper also invited Heads of Government to attend a meeting 
in 2008 in Canada.  (Note:  Although unclear from Harper's 
remarks, the meeting may coincide with the Caribbean 
Development Bank meeting in Halifax in 2008 and attempt to 
replicate the June Conference on the Caribbean in Washington. 
 End Note.) 
 
¶4. (U) More details of Canadian assistance were shared at a 
CARICOM donors meeting in Guyana in July (ref A).  According 
to reftel, the most dramatic influx of funds will be from the 
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), which will 
double its regional program to almost USD 60 million in 2007 
and USD 600 million in development funding over the next 10 
years.  CIDA will focus on the areas of fiscal policy reform, 
democratic governance, economic renewal and social and human 
capital formation. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) According to Harper, the Government of Canada will 
achieve a sustained and high level presence in the Caribbean. 
 Canada's reengagement may provide an opportunity for a 
rational voice to be heard in the region, which could counter 
the antagonistic rhetoric of some donors toward U.S. efforts 
to strengthen democracy and human rights in the Caribbean. 
However, the type and quantity of assistance may determine 
the true extent of Canada's influence in a region that 
prefers its gifts to be large, immediate, and politically 
expedient for the region's leaders. End Comment. 
OURISMAN