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RR RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT
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DE RUEHSP #0053/01 0411756
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101756Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9672
INFO RUEHWH/COLLECTIVE WHA DIPL POSTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000053 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC, USOAS AND INR/IAA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KSUM MASS TD
SUBJECT: SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS: AMBASSADORS MORALES AND ROBINSON 
MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER MANNING 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Patrick Manning received USOAS 
Ambassador and National Summit Coordinator Hector Morales, Jr. and 
WHA/DAS Ambassador David Robinson on February 4 to discuss Summit of 
the Americas preparations.  Ambassador Morales underscored the 
import of getting logistical and security questions right and noted 
the import of the meeting, especially given it takes place early on 
in the new Administration's term.  Manning expressed his expectation 
that all will run smoothly, including achieving required protections 
for U.S. forces that would be deployed to T&T in support of U.S. 
provided security assistance.  Manning also related his hope that 
the First Lady would attend the Summit, said that Cuba would not be 
present and that its situation would be discussed in the "Heads 
Only" retreat, and said he foresaw no disruptions from Chavez or 
alternative summits.  Septel will cover other meetings, including 
the ongoing effort to achieve an exchange of notes involving U.S. 
forces.  End Summary. 
 
Preparations Important 
---------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Prime Minister Patrick Manning received USOAS Ambassador 
and National Summit Coordinator Hector Morales, Jr. and WHA/DAS 
Ambassador David Robinson, along with WHA/CAR Director De Pirro, 
Deputy Summit Coordinator Tom Pierce and the Charge, on February 4. 
Accompanying Manning were Minister of State in the Finance Ministry 
and Summit Inter-Ministerial Committee Chair Mariano Browne and GOTT 
National Summit Coordinator Luis Alberto Rodriguez.  Ambassador 
Morales set the tone for the friendly meeting by noting our 
excitement over the Summit and the importance of it occurring during 
the new Administration's first ninety days.  The U.S. National 
Summit Coordinator then related Secretary Clinton's interest in its 
preparations.  Ambassador Morales observed that while policymakers 
often focused solely on summit declarations, the Secretary was also 
interested on overall preparations. 
 
Exchange of Notes 
------------------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Ambassador Morales observed that the GOTT had made several 
security related requests to the U.S.  We were working through these 
with an eye to being helpful, but a prerequisite to our moving 
forward (including deploying support personnel) was an exchange of 
diplomatic notes providing our forces with appropriate legal cover, 
including on jurisdictional and immunity questions.  The PM answered 
flatly that, "It will be done" and that he was, in fact, surprised 
that the exchange of notes had not already been concluded.  (Note: 
This continues to be an issue being worked between our governments, 
as noted in septel.) 
 
First Lady Invitation 
--------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Turning to Summit participants, Manning recalled he had 
attended the first SOA in 1994, accompanied by his spouse (now Local 
Government Minister).  He recalled Mrs. Clinton from that time and 
welcomed news that she might attend the SOA in her capacity of 
Secretary.  Would the First Lady also attend, he asked?  Ambassador 
Morales said that decision remains pending, with Manning replying he 
very much hoped she would come to Trinidad and that he would "drop a 
note" to President Obama along those lines (see Port of Spain 50). 
PM Manning also asked whether former President Bill Clinton would 
attend with the Secretary. 
 
Surmountable Challenges 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Manning then sought to reassure Ambassadors Morales and 
Robinson that the challenges in putting on the SOA are "not 
insurmountable."  The south terminal of the airport, where 
dignitaries will be received, will be finished in time, with Chinese 
and local contractors working 24/7.  Even if some unexpected glitch 
were to occur, the GOTT had contingency plans, including having 
visitors' planes parked at neighboring island airports.  Ambassador 
Morales noted the U.S. stood ready to assist T&T in areas beyond 
security, but Manning answered there were "no concerns" and that he 
stays abreast of Summit developments, including by getting a 
briefing every Monday. 
 
Cuba 
---- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Ambassador Morales opined that the Summit theme chosen by 
Trinidad was very good, but that discussion on Cuba and the response 
to the financial crisis would also likely take place during the 
April 17-19 meeting.  On Cuba, Morales noted that the comments made 
by the Foreign Minister and Rodriguez were helpful in clarifying 
that Havana would not be in Port of Spain during the SOA.  Manning 
 
PORT OF SP 00000053  002 OF 002 
 
 
replied that he also expected both topics to be raised and that he 
was a "man of integrity" and would spring no surprises.  When he 
raised potential Cuban attendance last year and was waived off this, 
"that was that."  Recognizing the sensitivity of the topic, the PM 
envisioned that it would be discussed at the "Heads Only" private 
retreat on the Summit's last day.  Ambassador Morales said we still 
were awaiting White House confirmation on several issues including 
attendance and the conference format. 
 
Venezuela and Alternative Summits 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) In closing, Ambassador Morales asked about possible 
"alternative summits."  Manning made clear he intended no 
disruptions to the SOA would take place.  Contrasting the Mar del 
Plata experience with his expectations for Trindad, he stated that 
what happened there "will not happen here."  Protestors will need a 
police permit and would not get one for anywhere near the Summit 
sites.  Also, while the PM said that Venezuelan President Chavez 
"doesn't talk to me like he used to," he was optimistic that Chavez 
"will come with a different attitude" and not hold any outside 
events. 
 
¶8.  (U) This cable has been cleared by Ambassadors Morales and 
Robinson. 
 
KUSNITZ