US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON1273

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001273 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE; INFO WHA/PDA MJOHNSON; APRUITT; 
RBANKS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, JM, human rights 
SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker on post-OAS General 
Assembly issues 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY: Post seeks a DVC speaker to discuss issues of 
importance to the Caribbean arising from the Organization of 
American States General Assembly (OASGA) in Fort Lauderdale, 
June 5-7, 2005, with a special focus on corruption. END 
SUMMARY 
 
2.  Proposed Program Date: Preferred dates June 13 to 17, 
2005. 
 
3.  MPP Themes: Strategic Goal "Democracy and Human 
Rights"/"Economic Prosperity and Security" 
 
4. Purpose of the Program: Post seeks a speaker to talk to 
local audiences about issues arising from the OASGA to be 
hosted by the United States from June 5-7, 2005.  The main 
focus should be on fighting corruption. 
 
During a visit to Jamaica in December, U.S. Ambassador to 
the OAS John Maisto, focused on the "specific, measurable 
achievements" that represent the goals of the Summit of the 
Americas process.  The OASGA in Fort Lauderdale would be "an 
opportunity to build on commitments, and in particular to 
focus on how we can strengthen democratic institutions to 
make them more effective, more transparent, and more 
accountable." 
 
The proposed designation of 2006 as the Inter American Year 
Against Corruption should provide the focus for the DVC. 
The speaker should be able to discuss issues and obligations 
related to the 1996 Inter American Convention against 
Corruption, ratified by Jamaica four years ago, analyze the 
way forward and concrete steps that can be taken towards 
achieving Summit of the Americas goals - particularly in the 
area of transparency in governance - after the OAS meeting 
and leading up to the Summit in November. 
 
Post plans to have a "pre-DVC" scene-setter discussion with 
the in-house audience, to include short remarks by two or 
three local speakers representing government and civil 
society.  The audience will then be sensitized to some 
concerns that can be discussed with the DVC speaker. 
 
5.  Audience: Representatives of GOJ ministries and 
agencies; private sector representatives; civil society 
representatives, including human rights NGOs and others; 
academics; and members of the media, including those who met 
with Ambassador Maisto last December.  A key participant 
would be a WHA-sponsored Jamaican broadcast journalist who 
will be attending the OASGA. 
 
6.  Proposed topics and nature of events: A digital video 
conference with the audience in the U.S. Embassy's Public 
Affairs Auditorium (expected audience 30/35).  Suggested 
length of program: 90 minutes. 
 
7. Type of specialist required: A representative of the U.S. 
Mission to the OAS; or a USG official with a particular 
focus on civil society and democracy issues in the 
hemisphere. 
 
8.  Language: English. 
 
9.  Funding specifics: I Bucks. 
 
10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO; tel: (876) 935- 
6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email:guimondg@state.gov.  Back- 
up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935-6009; 
fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov.  Tighe