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Viewing cable 08PORTOFSPAIN474, DOD DEPUTY SECRETARY ENGLAND AND USSOUTHCOM MILITARY DEPUTY

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN474 2008-10-23 12:12 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Port Of Spain
VZCZCXRO2419
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0474/01 2971212
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231212Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9457
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3772
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PORT OF SPAIN 000474 
 
USDOC FOR ADVOCACY CENTER - PATRICE WILLIAMS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS SNAR KCRM TD
SUBJECT: DOD DEPUTY SECRETARY ENGLAND AND USSOUTHCOM MILITARY DEPUTY 
COMMANDER GENERAL SPEARS MEET WITH PM 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and 
SouthCom Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Glenn Spears 
visited Trinidad and Tobago October 14-15.  They held several 
meetings, highlighted by a lengthy second day session with the Prime 
Minister.  Agreement was reached to have T&T place a liaison officer 
at JIATF-S and all expressed pleasure at the cooperative atmosphere 
that characterized conversations. 
 
2. (SBU) The PM expressed interest in the U.S. providing another 
C-26 aircraft, not requiring T&T to return two non-functional Piper 
aircraft, permanently stationing a USN ship in the region, allowing 
the purchase of a sensitive surveillance camera, and U.S. Military 
participation in a local air show.  In response, the U.S. side noted 
that a different but still capable (and not export restricted) model 
of the surveillance camera was available, that provision of a new 
C-26 was unlikely, that allowing the Pipers non-return was a very 
real possibility, that permanent stationing of a USN vessel in the 
region is not now contemplated, and that the GOTT would be 
well-served to pursue its air show request through the relevant 
international organization.  The Deputy Secretary also raised the 
GOTT's pending helicopter purchase, which two U.S. manufacturers are 
interested in, with the PM indicating a procurement decision is 
pending.  End summary. 
 
Itinerary 
--------- 
 
3. (SBU) DoD Deputy Secretary Gordon England, accompanied by 
USSOUTHCOM Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Glenn Spears 
and their respective staffs, visited October 14-15.  The trip 
included a dinner in the Deputy Secretary's honor on October 14 
following the U.S. delegation's early evening arrival.  The meal was 
hosted by National Security Minister Martin Joseph and attended by 
Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and Energy Minister Conrad Enill, 
among others. 
 
4.  (SBU) On the following day, the delegation met with Prime 
Minister Manning and attended a security cooperation briefing and 
lunch hosted by T&T Defense Force (TTDF) Commander BGEN Dillon.  The 
DepSec also received the keys to the city of Port of Spain from 
Mayor Murchinson Brown in a separate ceremony.  General Spears held 
a side meeting with GOTT officials on security concerns involving 
next April's Summit of the Americas (SOA).  Evident in all sessions 
was the GOTT's desire to encourage greater USG security involvement 
and cooperation in the eastern Caribbean. 
 
Prime Minister's Meeting 
------------------------ 
 
5.  (SBU) Present for the GOTT at the PM's meeting were Minister 
Joseph, BGEN Dillon, Defense transformation lead Commodore Best, PM 
Permanent Secretary Sandra Marchack, National Security Council chair 
Joan Messiah, Washington DATT Lt Col Anthony Phillips-Spencer and 
MFA Bilateral Director Sandra McIntyre-Trotman.  In addition to the 
DepSec and General, the Ambassador attended the session, as did 
others from the Embassy and traveling party.  (Note: Prior to the 
meeting, Manning, England and the Ambassador met privately for 
several minutes.) 
 
Icebreaker 
---------- 
 
6. (SBU) The session began with both sides briefly commenting on the 
challenges involved in T&T hosting the April 2009 Summit of the 
Americas and the November 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government 
Meeting.  The PM observed his government was bringing in two cruise 
ships to help accommodate SOA delegates. 
 
A Regional Approach 
------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Turning to substance, England recalled that when he and the 
PM chatted in Washington earlier this year, Manning raised a number 
of important issues, including the counter-narcotics fight.  The 
PM's intention to approach such concerns from a regional perspective 
was spot-on, England noted.  In this regard, General Spears added 
that USSOUTHCOM could explore options for extending  the "Enduring 
Friendship" maritime domain awareness effort to include Trinidad and 
also look for other areas to cooperate. 
 
Recent Developments 
------------------- 
 
 
PORT OF SP 00000474  002 OF 003 
 
 
8. (SBU) Manning responded that since he had met with the DepSec 
there had been two important regional developments.  Specifically, 
CARICOM had signed its Maritime and Air Domain Accord and also a 
Common Arrest Warrant (to obviate the need for lengthy extradition 
procedures).  These agreements reflected T&T's intent to take 
increasing responsibility for patrolling the eastern Caribbean to 
assist others (especially OECS states) even as it also drives 
forward the process of regional political and economic integration. 
 
 
C-26s 
----- 
 
9. (SBU) Moving to specifics, Manning said that in January 2009, the 
GOTT wanted to start up eastern Caribbean aerial patrols.  He noted 
that the Regional Security System (RSS) now has two C-26s operating 
from Barbados and T&T has two.  Both of Trinidad's aircraft need 
upgrades and were being modified, including with radar and to be 
enabled for nighttime operations.  The idea was, in conjunction with 
the RSS, to have two daily patrols covering the seas from Antigua to 
Guyana.  Ideally, though, T&T would like to have a fifth C-26 join 
the other four patrol aircraft.  Does the U.S. have one it could 
make available to Trinidad, Manning queried? 
 
10. (SBU) The DepSec observed that under our legislation it would be 
difficult for the USG to purchase a C-26 for T&T.  It also was his 
understanding that the plane was no longer manufactured, though 
General Spears commented some U.S. National Guard units might still 
operate C-26s.  England then said that our constraints on purchasing 
a C-26 do not extend to us helping upgrade the aircraft.  If T&T 
procured a C-26 on its own, we could look at assisting in its 
upgrade.  Nonetheless, the DepSec said we would consider the GOTT 
C-26 request, but advised that Trinidad's best route would be to 
look for a plane it could purchase on its own. 
 
11. (SBU) Manning implied this was not a road T&T was eager to go 
down.  The C-26 is not widely used in the Caribbean, he explained. 
This made difficult finding pilots who could fly it and technicians 
who could maintain the plane.  As such, the GOTT only planned to 
keep its current C-26s in operation for three more years, replacing 
them with the more widely used Bombardier Dash-8. The PM said his 
government was already talking to "the Canadians" about the Dash. 
 
 
Pipers 
------ 
 
12. (SBU) Before moving on, the PM related that the GOTT has two 
Piper Navajos given to it by the U.S. on a ten-year lease expiring 
in 2009.  The craft are not serviceable and getting them into shape 
to return to the U.S. might be impossible and, in any case, would be 
very costly -- money that could be better spent on upgrading T&T's 
other security assets.  The PM asked to be "released" from this 
return responsibility.  Answering, the U.S. delegation noted the 
planes had been provided under our INL program and, while we would 
need to check with Washington, it was possible we would be able to 
grant this request.  (Note: The craft are not serviceable.  We are 
in touch with INL to seek approval on their non-return.) 
 
A Permanent Ship 
---------------- 
 
13. (SBU) Manning then asked about surface ship assets.  Some other 
non-Caribbean nations have a permanent regional naval presence.  It 
would be beneficial, the PM continued, if the U.S. could station a 
ship in the eastern Caribbean.  Manning said he had made a similar 
request to the British, who have a ship in the area only part of the 
year.  Opining that the U.S. has much more influence with HMG, 
Manning further suggested Washington second Trinidad's request to 
the UK.  The PM concluded by saying that an expanded naval presence 
was needed since pressure on traffickers and others to the west was 
leading them to come east.  Absent a full-time U.S. ship (he also 
threw in the Canadians along with the British for good measure), 
complete coverage of the region would be impossible. 
 
14. (SBU) General Spears responded that the U.S. Fourth Fleet has no 
ships permanently assigned.  Instead, the Fourth Fleet and JIATF-S 
look to coordinate whatever assets the U.S. places in the region in 
conjunction with our partners.  The DepSec further added the real 
question is not whose assets are being deployed, but is there enough 
and are they being properly coordinated. 
 
15.  (SBU) In that case, Manning said, how can T&T get a "seat at 
the (JIATF-S) table?"  Minister Joseph noted said this was already 
under discussion.  General Spears underscored that a T&T JIATF-S 
 
PORT OF SP 00000474  003 OF 003 
 
 
liaison "could happen tomorrow."  The RSS and other nations could 
also seek liaison officials.  England emphasized it would be very 
positive for the GOTT to place a liaison officer at JIATF-S and 
welcomed agreement on this as an important step forward in our joint 
security efforts. 
 
Helicopters 
----------- 
 
16.  (SBU) The DepSec noted the GOTT is in the process of procuring 
four helicopters, saying this would provide a welcome boost to T&T's 
capabilities and recalling there were bidders such as 
AgustaWestland.  The PM answered affirmatively, adding the 
helicopters will be armed and a competition between manufacturers to 
sell them is under way.  The PM said a European company was in the 
lead, offering a very good product. 
 
17.  (SBU) The problem, though, was availability -- helicopter 
manufacturers are fully booked up and getting the four aircraft in a 
timely manner would be difficult.  Mentioning Sikorsky, the PM asked 
for USG assistance to jump the production queue if an American 
manufacturer was chosen.  The DepSec said that if the GOTT chose a 
U.S. manufactured helicopter, the USG could encourage the private 
firm to accelerate delivery.  The PM concluded this portion of the 
conversation by saying that the GOTT needed to finalize its decision 
on which helicopter it would purchase and, if a U.S. model were 
chosen, he would be back in touch with us.  (Note:  During the 
helicopter discussion, it was unclear whether the PM was thinking of 
AgustaWestland as solely a European firm and Sikorsky as the purely 
U.S. competitor; AW would build the helicopters in Philadelphia and 
its North American division is incorporated in Delaware. 
Illustrating this possibility, at one point the PM said he thought 
the leading European model was the A-139, a craft -- actually the 
AW-139 -- AgustaWestland produces.  The PM, though, was speaking of 
the favored model without notes and it was clear he was trying to 
remember the craft designation, being unsure of it.) 
 
A Camera for the Airship 
------------------------ 
 
18.  (SBU) The PM then turned to Minister Joseph to raise the GOTT 
concern that it has been unable to procure from the U.S. a sensitive 
surveillance camera it wishes to mount on its airship for law 
enforcement purposes.  The DepSec noted there is equipment we cannot 
export due to our laws, regulations and security requirements.  The 
Ambassador added we had previously discussed this issue with the 
GOTT, suggesting it look to a less sophisticated camera model that 
would suit its needs. (Note: We will be passing the GOTT information 
on camera options again.) 
 
19.  (SBU) The PM said he was unaware of this and, if the less 
sophisticated camera was suitable, it could solve the problem. 
Nonetheless, he then asked if the U.S. had satellite surveillance 
capability it could direct over T&T and share with the government. 
The DepSec and General Spears replied we did not have such regional 
coverage and suggested the GOTT contact commercial satellite imagery 
providers.  Manning closed this portion of the conversation saying 
he would leave the request on the table and be interested in 
information on commercial providers.  England said such 
information/conversations could be pursued through JIATF-S.  (Note: 
During the TTDF briefing later in the day, BGEN Dillon raised the 
GOTT desire for yet another law enforcement surveillance system and 
was advised that Trinidad needs to update its laws prior to USG 
consideration of that request.) 
 
Air Show 
-------- 
 
20.  (SBU) As the meeting was wrapping up, Manning raised the 
longstanding GOTT desire to have the U.S. participate in a local May 
2009 air show.  Specifically, the PM asked for an aerial acrobatic 
team, saying U.S. participation was the linchpin of the event. 
England responded that while we might be able to provide a 
demonstration aircraft next year, our air teams are booked years in 
advance.  General Spears then suggested the event be delayed and 
Trinidad work through the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) 
to set a suitable date.  The Embassy MLO office could help pass 
information on how to move forward in this regard, he said.  The PM 
indicated he was flexible on dates and could approach ICAS. 
 
21.  (U) This cable has been cleared by DoD and USSOUTHCOM. 
 
AUSTIN