Potential Threat in the Eastern Caribbean (Annotated) –split

II. Potential Threat

The security environment in the Eastern Caribbean is deteriorating markedly. Superimposed on domestic sources of instability that have generated four violent actions against democratic regimes in the last four years, growing Soviet and Cuban involvement in Grenada and the leftward lurch of the Suriname government provide further cause for concern. The most dramatic setback occurred in Suriname, where the assassination of the democratic political, trade union and civic leaders decapitated the internal opposition to the Bouterse regime.

While Cuba’s direct role has been submerged, Bouterse’s violent actions followed secret visits to Cuba by Suriname leaders and by Cuban officials to Suriname, Cuban training of Surinamese security officers, and the appointment of an intelligence operative, the former head of the Caribbean section of the Americas Department of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, as Cuban Ambassador to Suriname. The Cubans clearly support Bouterse’s elimination of opposition — whether or not they counseled their execution. This Cuban support for the use of violence against democratic elements, plus the use of Cuban allies — such as Nicaragua and Grenada — as bases for the propagation of subversion, cannot but preoccupy the weak democratic states of the Eastern Caribbean.

Grenada has been moving into the Soviet orbit at an accelerated pace since PM Bishop’s visit to the Soviet Union last summer. Recent intelligence indicates that the Soviets and Cubans are in the process of deepening their presence. Soviet experts are expected to arrive in Grenada shortly to begin a feasibility study of the Grenville deep water port. Naval access was reportedly requested during Bishop’s Moscow visit. A major military base at Calivigny has been completed, but not yet occupied. The battalion-sized facility could be used as a staging base for Cuban or other foreign forces. A road between Calivigny and the airport in construction at Point Salines is also being improved for use of heavy equipment. Construction at Point Salines appears to be proceeding at a substantial pace. A 9800 (10500)-foot runway will probably be completed early next year. The airfield will then be able to accommodate Soviet TU-95 naval reconnaissance aircraft and IL-62 aircraft used to support the Cuban forces in Africa. (The IL-62 cannot fly directly to Angola from Cuba, but could do so from Grenada, which is 900 miles closer to Africa.)

The work of internal consolidation is well advanced. The People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) has established a military and security apparatus out of proportion to the island’s population of 110,000. In August 1982, a Cuban vessel offloaded what was probably a substantial delivery of military equipment. Three Soviet-built BRDM-2 amphibious armored vehicles were subsequently identified on the island. In parallel, the Soviet Union has provided Cuba for the first time with air and naval equipment which allows Havana to project force beyond the periphery of the island. During the past year, Cuba has received its first two amphibious landing ships (Polnocny-class) that would each allow the transport of 180 troops and six tanks to anywhere in the Caribbean. In addition to this over-the-beach assault capacity (and the naval protection provided by Cuba’s new Soviet-built ocean-going surface combatants and attack submarines), Havana has a formidable capacity to land or airdrop troops in the Caribbean Basin, using its AN-26 military transports. (1500-3000 troops could be moved anywhere in the Caribbean in twenty-four hours). These capabilities could be used to reinforce the Grenadian or Surinamese regimes, or to transport troops from these countries to Cuba, or Caribbean subversives, to back up a minority group seizing power in other Eastern Caribbean states.

Cuba currently maintains contact with radical leaders in the Eastern Caribbean through intelligence links and overt devices such as scholarships and propaganda. Grenada increasingly has become a focal point for training and direction of Caribbean revolutionaries. PM Bishop has acknowledged publicly that Grenada is training members of “progressive” organizations from Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent in “basic security work.” Libyan money is funnelled to radical groups by a “People’s Bureau” operating in Grenada.

Because of their small size and limited potential for resistance, political takeovers in the islands can be accomplished without the need to engage in prolonged Central America-style insurgencies or extended consolidation processes such as in Nicaragua. Power was seized in Grenada by less than 50 men in one-half day. In Suriname, Bouterse eliminated most serious opposition in two twenty-four hour sessions of arrests and executions. (See description of recent crises in Annex B.) Potential instability in the area has increased in recent years as a result of the fall in prices of the region’s leading export commodities and the depressed state of tourism. External forces (particularly Cuba and Libya) have played on this troubled situation.

Secret S/S-O Department of State Incoming

Exdis Exdis Exdis Exdis

Page 01 Kingst 05734 01 of 03 281952z SSO: 003115 SS07015

Action: SS-00 Info: ARA-02, INR-01, SS-01, S-01, D-01, P-02, UNA-01, EUR-01, SP-02, OCT-01, SSO-01, SSS-01, SSI-01

Dept Pass: NSC for Judge Clark; USFORCARIB Key West FL; COMUSNAVSO Roosevelt Roads PR; CINCLANT Norfolk VA

P 281944z Jun 83 FM Amembassy Kingston To Secstate Washdc Priority 3871 Info Amembassy Bridgetown Amembassy Port of Spain Amembassy Georgetown Amembassy Paramaribo Amembassy Moscow USINT Havana

Section 01 of 03 Kingston 05734 Exdis

E.O. 12356: Decl: OADR Tags: JM, XL, PINS, UR, CU Subject: Prime Minister Seaga assesses security situation in Caribbean: Growing concern over Soviet/Cuban threat

1. (S – Entire Text).
2. Summary: During a State/INR briefing on the regional security situation, Prime Minister Seaga indicated growing concern over the Soviet/Cuban efforts to subvert the Caribbean and Central America. Seaga noted that the Soviets will exploit the region’s deepening economic crisis. Caricom countries are too involved in their domestic economic problems and are not devoting sufficient attention to this growing security threat; in fact, many seem totally unaware of the seriousness of the threat. Seaga predicts over the next decade common US/Caricom interests will be undercut and the Soviets will make serious inroads in the area. He urges that USG officials engage the region’s political leadership in discussions on the security threat and on ways to respond to it. While his own economic crisis has perhaps exaggerated his immediate concerns, Seaga clearly identifies with US interests and wants to play a constructive role. End Summary.
3. State/INR officer Dubose briefed Prime Minister Seaga, Minister of National Security Spaulding and MFA Minister of State Gallimore on the security situation in the Caribbean region at Jamaica House on June 16. The Ambassador and DCM also attended. Seaga responded by outlining his view of the increasing Soviet/Cuban threat to the democratic, pro-Western Caribbean countries. Seaga believes Grenada was selected as their surrogate because it was an available vulnerable and cooperative partner that would not require major Soviet/Cuban resources. He predicted that Suriname will likely follow the same pattern. Similarly, the rapid East European build-up in Nicaragua and subversion of the guerrillas in El Salvador aim to topple neighboring democratic countries in Central America. Seaga underlined the adverse impact of the deteriorating economic conditions in the region which made many of the democracies vulnerable to this threat. He noted that leftist militants are ready to exploit the potential social unrest and dissatisfaction created by unemployment and dashed expectations. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister added, democratic systems must mobilize popular support and respond effectively to social needs. Authoritarian governments, however, do not have similar pressures and thereby can exploit the weaknesses of the democratic system. He added that he believes the Soviets and Cubans were preparing to use Grenada and Suriname as the bases for major subversive campaigns much as they were already doing in Nicaragua.
4. Seaga illustrated this point by indicating that the Jamaican opposition PNP party had used similar tactics in the 1970s. The opposition resorted to violence, social unrest and authoritarian tactics to seek to retain control. However, the Jamaican public was unwilling to give up its strongly held democratic traditions. Opposition leader Manley is continuing to pursue this strategy, according to Seaga, and is pursuing three options. First, the PNP is biding its time to see if the current economic crisis will undercut support for the government and thereby enable it to regain power through popular means. Secondly, should this tactic fail, the PNP will use “terrorism and armed force” to gain control. Seaga believes, however, that the public would oppose such measures and would only accept them should a major social crisis occur. Seaga added that both the PNP and the Communist WPJ parties are organizing for such action. As its third option, the PNP may seek to sabotage the government and the economy by exploiting public dissatisfaction, through such measures as strikes.

Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51811 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10 Confidential Department of State Incoming Telegram J7041

Page 01 Bridge 03512 01 of 02 212227z Action: ARA-06 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, CIAE-00, DODE-00, H-01, IO-15, NSC-01, NSAE-00, L-03, PM-08, PA-01, OMB-01, SVC-00, USIE-00, SNP-01, PRS-01 / 043

R 211728z Jun 83 FM Amembassy Bridgetown To Secstate Washdc 5570 Info Amembassy Antigua Amembassy Georgetown Amembassy Kingston Amembassy London Amembassy Ottawa Amembassy Paramaribo Amembassy Port of Spain USLO Caribbean USMission Geneva USINT Havana USMission USUN New York CINCLANT Norfolk VA

Confidential Section 01 of 02 Bridgetown 03512

E.O. 12356: Decl: OADR Tags: SHUM, GJ Subject: Grenada: Former political detainee details torture charges against the PRG

1. (C) Summary / Comment: A former Grenadian political detainee, Anthony Mitchell, has charged the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) of Grenada with torture of political prisoners. The allegations appeared in an interview Mitchell gave recently to the Trinidad Express and which was also reprinted in part in the Barbados Nation. Because of the specificity of Mitchell’s charges, his story comes across as particularly credible. It is also noteworthy that prominent independent Grenadian journalist Alister Hughes, previously skeptical about torture charges against the PRG, told Emboffs in recent conversation that he now thinks torture of political prisoners has in fact occurred. Hughes has compiled new updated list of political detainees which embassy will forward to Department Septel. End Summary / Comment.
2. (U) Following is text of Mitchell interview: Begin Quote. Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, June 14, CANA — A former political detainee of Grenada’s People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) has alleged in a newspaper published here that prisoners were subject to various forms of torture in the Spice Isle.

Businessman Anthony Mitchell, held from October 15, 1979 to November 16, 1982, accused the Grenada authorities of shooting prisoners, administering electrical shocks to sensitive parts of their bodies, and peeling off their skin with pliers.

Mitchell, now a temporary resident of Barbados until he gets permission to settle in the United States, told the Express newspaper it was only because his mother was close to the ruling New Jewel Movement (NJM) that he did not get rougher treatment.

“I have to say that I was lucky I was not brutalised anymore than I was and this was because of my mother who has been close to the movement,” he said, adding:

“There were other things they did to some of the prisoners. They shocked people in their bottoms, they shocked them in their testicles, they broke people’s fingers and allowed the bones to set without any medical attention.

“Most of this type of torture was carried out at Mount Royal, which had been Gairy’s house.”

Mitchell, who said he used to belong to the NJM, said prisoners could sometimes communicate in prison, or for example, they were allowed to go to church together about once a month.

“Or we might meet in the library where they would show me their fingers still swollen big. Russell Budhlall, for example, had his fingers broken like this,” Mitchell told the Express.

He said he saw marks on certain prisoners which showed they had been tortured by the Bishop regime. Asked by the Express if electrical shocks were used, Mitchell replied: “Yes, electric shocks. Keith St. Bernard, another prisoner, has scars on his chest where they took off the skin with a pliers. Roland Budhlall was tried for murder, found not guilty, but is still in detention. His hands are covered with scars from electric shocks. The shocks leave white marks, and those places never get back their natural colour.

“I was in contact with all these people in prison. If you were allowed to go and visit these people in prison you would see the marks yourself.”

Asked by the Express if there were any other forms—

Note by OC/T: (#): Omission Para 2 Line 5. Correction to follow.

FM Amembassy Bridgetown

To Secstate Washdc 5571

Info Amembassy Antigua

Amembassy Georgetown

Amembassy Kingston

Amembassy London

Amembassy Ottawa

Amembassy Paramaribo

Amembassy Port of Spain

USLO Caribbean

USMission Geneva

USINT Havana

USMission USUN New York

CINCLANT Norfolk VA

Confidential Section 02 of 02 Bridgetown 03512 Of torture while he was detained, Mitchell said:

“Sometimes they would handcuff you while you were standing with your hands stretched above your head. So you would actually almost be hanging. You would be left like this for days. They might loosen one hand to allow you to eat, that was all. I saw people like that, but I was only like that for a short while until the thing I was hanging on broke.”

He added: “I have also seen people shot in the cells. Winston “Nanan” Crow, for example. He is a Rasta. We were taking exercises in the yard. Usually we were allowed about one hour a day. The other 23 hours we were locked up. One day we were taking some exercise in the yard when after only 30 minutes a guard told us to go back inside.

“One of my friends had warned me to cooperate with the guards, but all of a sudden the guard just shot Winston Crow. The shot passed through his leg and took off part of his groin. He didn’t die.

“Dennis Charles was shot in his hand while he was in his cell. His thumb was badly damaged…”

Mitchell told the “Express” that the grounds for his being detained were that he was “reasonably suspected of counselling and conspiring with other persons to take action of such a nature that was likely to endanger public safety, public order or the defence of Grenada or to subvert or sabotage the People’s Revolutionary Government.” End Quote. Bish

June 21, 1983

Copies To:

• ARA
• INR
• S/S-S: Dir TMA

Memorandum for Mr. William P. Clark The White House

Subject: Grenada: Response to Bishop’s Remarks

In response to Prime Minister Bishop’s critical remarks at a New York press conference on June 9, the Department endorses an interagency recommendation that we express our displeasure and spell out more precisely our expectations in the areas of human rights and relations with the Soviets and Cubans. We have determined that the message should be delivered by Ambassador Middendorf through the Grenadian Ambassador to the OAS. The points of the interagency cleared demarche are attached.

Charles Hill Executive Secretary

Attachment: As stated.

Confidential Decl: OADR

Drafted: ARA/CAR: RC Brown 6/20/83 x23210 W3503E

Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51819 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

Cleared:

• DOD/ISA: Cdr. Castro
• DOD/JCS: Com. Darby
• NSC: O North
• CIA/NIO/LA: Mr. Horton
• CIA/AD/LAD: [Name Redacted]
• ARA: J Michel
• ARA: C Antoine

Confidential

Talking Points for Ambassador Middendorf

We were surprised and disappointed by remarks reportedly made by Prime Minister Bishop to a press conference in New York on June 9 and recent attacks against the U.S. by Deputy Prime Minister Coard and Foreign Minister Whiteman in Grenada. These statements appear to contravene the June 7 understanding to mutually curb critical rhetoric.

We made clear during the Washington conversation that we will judge the sincerity of Prime Minister Bishop’s proposal for a dialogue by the actions of the Grenadian Government in several important areas: civil liberties, foreign policy orientation and public rhetoric.

With respect to public statements, the constant barrage of anti-American propaganda generated by the Government of Grenada, whether inside or outside the country, creates misimpressions and an atmosphere of hostility. Curbing this hostile rhetoric is essential before any rational exchange can begin.

In the area of human rights, we will look to the Grenadian Government:

a) to release from jail the large number of political prisoners who have been held without trial for several years,

b) to restore Grenada to a constitutional state of law, reestablishing guarantees for such basic human liberties as free speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, and due process.

c) to establish a timetable to return Grenada to a democratically elected government in the near future through secret ballot elections overseen by international observers, and

d) to restore an independent judiciary to deal with the full range of civil and criminal matters.

In the field of foreign affairs, we are concerned about Grenada’s non-independent foreign policy. The votes cast by Grenada in international fora are almost identical to those cast by the Soviet Union and Cuba. We would like to see evidence that Grenada is following a truly non-aligned policy.

Confidential Decl: OADR Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51819 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

The presence in Grenada of an increasing number of Soviets and a large number of Cuban personnel — some with military responsibilities — creates the impression that Grenada is becoming an outpost for interests alien to the security of this hemisphere. Consistent with a truly non-aligned foreign policy, we would like to see a reduction of these personnel eventually to a level of no more than the requirements of a normal diplomatic mission.

We hope that the Government of Grenada will take the necessary steps to demonstrate its good faith in following through on the concerns expressed during the June 7 meeting in Washington.

Department of State S-319070

Action Memorandum S/S 8318071

Confidential June 21, 1983

To: P – Mr. Eagleburger From: ARA – James H. Michel Subject: Grenada: Response to Bishop’s Remarks

Issue for Decision Whether to express our displeasure at the Grenadian Prime Minister’s anti-U.S. statements.

Essential Factors After reviewing a number of options, the restricted interagency meeting I chaired last Friday concluded that we should express our displeasure to Bishop for his anti-U.S. remarks as well as similar statements made recently by his chief ministers. We also believe it important to spell out in more detail our expectations in the other important areas of human rights and relations with the Cubans and Soviets. The best means for transmitting our demarche is through the already established channel between Ambassador Middendorf and Grenadian OAS Ambassador Dessima Williams.

Recommendation: That you sign the attached Hill-Clark memorandum to express our displeasure at Bishop’s remarks through Ambassador Middendorf.

Approve ________ Disapprove ________

Attachment: As stated

Drafted: ARA/CAR: RC Brown 6/21/83 632-3210 W-3505

Clearance: ARA: CA Gillespie

Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51820 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

Confidential Decl: OADR

Following your instructions to clean the OCR artifacts and perform a spellcheck while strictly maintaining the original text and converting to sentence case, here is the formatted analysis from the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

Secret Declassified Bureau of Intelligence and Research NLRR M86-81, #51821 Current Analysis Series By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

July 1, 1983

CENTRAL AMERICAN HIGHLIGHTS

Caribbean: CARICOM Summit

The July 4 summit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is expected to further the process of dissolution of Caribbean regional cooperation. Political solidarity has already been splintered by the issue of Grenada’s pro-Eastern Bloc orientation and now economic cooperation is seriously threatened. While we expect that the differences will be papered over, the long-range future and utility of the institution is in doubt. Two positive factors which may slow the dissolution process are the Eastern Caribbean Regional Security Treaty and the hoped-for Congressional approval of US trade liberalizations included in the Caribbean Basin Initiative.

The splintering of regional political solidarity was evident last fall in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, when an effort to exclude Grenada from CARICOM or insist that it hold elections aborted. This time, despite the continued militarization of Grenada, and the disturbing events in nearby Suriname, the issues of Grenada and Soviet and Cuban adventurism in the region are unlikely to be raised. Prime Minister Seaga of Jamaica told us that Grenadian Prime Minister Bishop has shown such good behavior of late that his critics in CARICOM lack an issue on which to focus.

Regional economic cooperation is seriously threatened by deteriorating economic conditions and a new wave of protectionism stemming from and manifested in, inter alia:

• The trade impasse from Jamaica’s recently expanded two-tiered foreign exchange system;
• Deceptive labeling of goods to unfairly exploit intraregional tariff advantages;
• Trinidad’s return to licensing of imports;
• The collapse of the multilateral clearing facility due to Guyana’s default;
• Trinidad’s failure to renew the oil facility because of its own economic troubles; and
• Failure to agree on a regional air carrier.

Secret – 2 –

A slight decline in real GDP per capita, 25-40 percent unemployment and 8-20 percent inflation in most of the CARICOM countries has caused them to concentrate on protecting their tiny economies rather than taking a broader view of regional cooperation.

The Eastern Caribbean Regional Security Treaty signed last fall offers some hope that the highly vulnerable islands of the Eastern Caribbean can band together with strong Barbados to defend themselves against internal and external violence. It remains to be seen whether the Treaty signers will have the political will or the rapid military deployment capability to fulfill its assigned mission. The Treaty’s implementation will depend almost entirely on US aid.

Another positive factor on the horizon is the hoped for passage of the Caribbean Basin Initiative. Political and economic cooperation may revive somewhat if economic conditions improve and the United States increases its imports of Caribbean products. Thus, much will depend on the conditions for access the Caribbean has to US markets.

A final factor which may affect US-Caribbean relations as well as Caribbean regionalism is the Antiguan initiative to interest CARICOM in a proposal for a deep-seabed-type of regime for Antarctica. We understand that the Antiguan proposal asks for United Nations General Assembly involvement in the Antarctica issue and is similar to the proposal Malaysia presented at the Non-Aligned Movement summit in New Delhi.

Drafted by INR/IAA: JBiswas / WLofstrom 7/1/83 x-22387 Approved by INR: NBellocchi

Page 01 Bridge 04213 01 of 02 222127z Action: ARA-06 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, AID-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, CIAE-00, DODE-00, H-01, IO-11, NSC-01, NSAE-00, SY-06, HA-08, L-03, PM-08, PA-01, MCT-02, OMB-01, USIE-00, SP-02, SNP-01, PRS-01 / 046

R 221336z Jul 83 FM Amembassy Bridgetown To Secstate Washdc 5889 Info Amembassy Antigua Amembassy Kingston Amembassy Port of Spain Amembassy London Amembassy Ottawa Amembassy Georgetown Amembassy Paramaribo USINT Havana USMission Geneva Amembassy Moscow Amembassy Rome USLO Caribbean CINCLANT Norfolk VA COMUSFOR CARIB Key West

Confidential Section 01 of 02 Bridgetown 04213 Rome for the Vatican Office

E.O. 12356: Decl 07/21/89 Tags: GJ, SHUM, PGOV, PREL Subject: Grenada Notes

1. (U). Summary: This Grenada Notes cable contains the following items: — Grenada/USSR sign four new agreements — Grenada assumes more prominent role in World Peace Council — Eight accused terrorists are freed on legal technicalities but rearrested — Catholic Center in Grenada sponsors socialist conference — Amnesty official comments on Grenada End Summary.
2. (U). Grenada/Soviet Union sign four new contracts. In early July the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) of Grenada and the Soviet Union signed four new contractual agreements in the areas of education, communication, water supply and a seaport development project. According to Boris Nikolaev, the economic counselor in the Soviet Embassy in St. George’s, Moscow will be sending 15 teachers to Grenada by September to teach science and mathematics at the secondary school level. The Soviet Union will finance a feasibility study and identify the site for a proposed satellite earth station which it has promised the PRG, Nikolaev stated. According to the PRG, the satellite earth station, which is to be financed under a US $7.5 million line of credit, will enable the country to receive radio, telephone, telegraph and television communication from socialist countries. The Soviet official announced that a group of Soviet experts would be arriving within the next few months to work with officials of the Central Water Commission (CWC) on a three-month feasibility study on the water supply system in the areas of Concord and Spring Gardens. Finally, Nikolaev said, Moscow would also send a team to Grenada shortly to conduct a feasibility study on the seaport development project which is planned for the north-eastern town of Grenville.
3. (U). Grenada assumes more prominent role in WPC. According to recent government reports from Grenada, the Grenada Peace Council (GPC) has been elected to the Bureau of the World Peace Council (WPC) and Victor Husbands, the GPC General Secretary, has been elected a member of the Presidential Committee of the WPC. The elections reportedly took place at the “World Assembly for Peace and Life Against Nuclear War” which was held in Prague, Czechoslovakia from June 21-26. Husbands led a three-member delegation to the assembly which included Wilberforce Nyack, Vice-President, and Patsy Romain of the National Women’s Organization. Husbands is reported to have said Grenada was elected to serve on the WPC because of the solidarity it extended internationally when countries are threatened by war.

Eight accused terrorists freed on legal technicalities are reincarcerated by the PRG. In late June eight individuals charged with the murder of five Grenadians in 1980 were freed on legal technicalities in a dramatic High Court decision, but were immediately taken back into custody by police, according to (CANA) reports from Grenada. Guyana-born Judge James Patterson discharged the accused after ruling that there had been “brutal breaches” of the Criminal Procedures Act during the preliminary hearing which preceded the trial. Judge Patterson said the accused were not informed of their rights to call witnesses and there was no evidence that the accused, as required, were provided with copies of the written evidence of the prosecution two days before their—

Page 01 Bridge 04213 02 of 02 221539z 8584 Action: ARA-06 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, AID-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, CIAE-00, DODE-00, H-01, IO-15, NSC-01, NSAE-00, SY-06, HA-08, L-03, PM-08, PA-01, MCT-01, OMB-01, USIE-00, SP-02, SNP-01, PRS-01 / 046

R 221336z Jul 83 FM Amembassy Bridgetown To Secstate Washdc 5890 Info Amembassy Antigua Amembassy Kingston Amembassy Port of Spain Amembassy London Amembassy Ottawa Amembassy Georgetown Amembassy Paramaribo USINT Havana USMission Geneva Amembassy Moscow Amembassy Rome USLO Caribbean CINCLANT Norfolk VA COMUSFOR CARIB Key West

Confidential Section 02 of 02 Bridgetown 04213

Appearance in court. Other breaches included the failure of the magistrate to take notes at the preliminary hearings and to show that all of the accused were represented by defense lawyers. The judge also ruled, however, that his discharge of the case did not preclude the prosecution from instituting fresh proceedings for another preliminary inquiry. Following are names of the accused in the murder case: Jimmy Julien, Isaac James, Denzil Richardson, Richard Matthew, Catherine and Annas Pascall. Hughes has no further information on the backgrounds of these individuals. The eighth person accused, former police corporal Wilton De Raviniere, was charged with possession of explosives in November 1979.

(U). Amnesty official comments on Grenada. During recent visit to Barbados, Jack Rendler, described in local press as Amnesty International’s assistant director for the Western region, said the Caribbean generally does not present the kind of human rights problem or abuses that concern Amnesty in other parts of the world. Rendler noted, however, that the arbitrary detention and forcible repatriation of Haitian refugees by the Dominican Republic, and the arbitrary arrest of political opponents in Guyana, Suriname and Grenada, are of concern to Amnesty. Rendler called on Barbados to play a more active role in speaking out on human rights violations in the region and beyond. (Embassy Comment: By the time report of Rendler’s visit appeared in local press he had already left island. We are still awaiting definitive word on the long promised visit to Grenada of Amnesty and other human rights organizations. End Comment.) Bish

(C). (Embassy Comment: In the opinion of prominent independent Grenadian journalist Alister Hughes, the government’s case against the eight accused is questionable at best. According to Hughes, a man was shot under mysterious circumstances in a PRG militia camp in 1980. Shortly thereafter, Hughes said, a minibus riddled with bullets and four dead passengers was found in the vicinity of the camp. Speculation is, according to Hughes, that members of the militia had intercepted the minibus and accidentally shot one of the passengers. Having done so, they decided to remove any witnesses by killing the other three. Hughes believes the persons now charged with the murders are innocent scapegoats rounded up in order to save the militia from embarrassment. End Comment.)

(U). Catholic Center in Grenada sponsors socialist conference. A regional youth conference sponsored recently by the Pope John Paul Ecumenical Centre in Grenada has called on Caribbean governments to support Grenada’s “right to build their own political process.” The conference, which was attended by youth from church organizations, leftist political parties, trade unions and peace councils from Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, also expressed support for the government of Nicaragua and the groups wanting “to overthrow the U.S.-backed military administration” in El Salvador. Statement also urged the U.S. to remove its military base from Cuba, and what was called U.S. build-up of conventional and nuclear weapons in Puerto Rico.

(C). (Comment for Rome – Office of the Vatican: We wonder to what extent Vatican authorities follow the political activities of church organizations in the Eastern Caribbean which have tended to adopt tendentious anti-U.S. and radical leftist positions on many issues. To what extent is Embassy Rome-Office of the Vatican interested in being kept informed by this embassy? We note that Grenada Governor General Paul Scoon is to have an audience with the Pope sometime before August 13. End Comment.)

Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51822 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

Confidential Department of State Incoming Telegram

Confidential Department of State Incoming Telegram

Page 01 Havana 06796 01 of 02 212126z Secret Action: ARA-00 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, AID-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, DIC-02, OPR-02, CIAE-00, DODE-00, H-01, IO-15, NSAE-00, COME-00, SSO-00, SY-06, HA-08, L-03, PM-11, PA-01, PC-01, MCT-02, OMB-01, INRE-00, CA-01, ACDA-12, A-02, USIE-00, SP-02, SNP-01, NSCE-00, TRSE-00, OCS-06, PRS-01 / 132

O R 211700z Oct 83 FM USINT Havana To Secstate Washdc Immediate 1215 Amembassy Bridgetown Immediate Amembassy Antigua Amembassy Caracas Amembassy Georgetown Amembassy Kingston Amembassy Moscow Amembassy Paramaribo Amembassy Ottawa Amembassy Port of Spain USMission USUN New York Amembassy London Comnavbase Guantanamo Bay COMUSFORCARIB Key West FL CINCLANT Norfolk VA

Secret Section 01 of 02 Havana 6579

E.O. 12356: Decl: OADR Tags: PREL, CU, GJ Subj: Cuba breaks silence on Grenada: Mourns Bishop; claims no involvement in events

1. (S) Summary: Breaking a week-long silence, the Cuban Communist Party and government released a formal declaration evening of October 20, claiming that Cuba had no advance knowledge of the power struggle within the New Jewel Movement and denying that Cuba had played any role in the events in Grenada. Statement admits, however, that Castro communicated with the Central Committee of the New Jewel Movement October 15, outlining Cuba’s position and promising continued Cuban support for the Grenadian people, regardless of any changes in the party, which Cuba considered purely an “internal matter”. The Cuban government has declared three days of mourning over Bishop’s death, the circumstances of which it said must be “clarified” and if it turns out to have been a cold-blooded execution, the guilty should be given exemplary punishments. Statement predictably warns that imperialism will try to use the Grenadian tragedy and the “errors committed by the Grenadian revolutionaries” to reverse the revolutionary process in Grenada. Comment: It sounds as though Castro, after having given a clear signal of Cuban acquiescence in Bishop’s ouster, was stung by unexpected killings and is concerned that the aftermath may be a setback for Cuban-inspired revolutionary movements. End Summary.
2. (U) In a lengthy statement read on nationwide television at 8:00 p.m. October 20 (presume FBIS has text) and published the following morning in the official daily of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), the Cuban government finally broke its week-long silence on the events in Grenada (reftel). Statement claims that when Bishop and a Grenadian delegation spent 36 hours in Cuba October 6-8 (following their trip to Hungary and Czechoslovakia), Bishop never told Castro about the “serious arguments and differences” which were taking place within the New Jewel Movement (NJM). (The statement says that Castro accompanied Bishop on a tour through the Cienfuegos area, where they visited plants and talked with workers, so the two men apparently spent a great deal of time together. Previously, the Cubans had only announced that the Grenadian delegation toured the area, with no indication that Castro and Bishop had spent much time together).
3. (C) On October 12, according to the statement, Cuba first heard from its embassy in Grenada the “surprising and disagreeable news” that there were profound divisions within the Central Committee of the New Jewel Movement. Saying that this was a “purely internal matter,” statement claims that the PCC, “despite our friendship with Bishop and our confidence in his integrity and governing capacity,” gave strict instructions to the Cuban representatives in Grenada not to become involved in an internal party matter. On October 15, Fidel Castro sent the New Jewel Movement’s Central Committee a message outlining Cuba’s position in terms of non-involvement in internal party matters. Fidel went on to say, however, that Cuba was concerned that divisions within the NJM could damage the “image of the Grenadian revolutionary process.” And recalling the high esteem in which Cuba held Bishop — he warned that it would be difficult to explain these events to the Cuban people. Moreover, Fidel’s message pointedly said that Cuba’s collaboration with Grenada “would be maintained as a commitment to the Grenadian people” regardless of how the intra-party struggle turned out.
4. (U) After recounting the events which led to the killings of Bishop and his aides, the Cuban statement says that it has not yet been possible to determine the actual manner or principle, nor any internal divisions within the NJM can justify “atrocious proceedings such as the physical elimination of Bishop and the group of well-regarded, honest and worthy leaders” killed. The statement calls for clarification of the circumstances around the killings. If it involved cold-blooded executions, the Cubans say, those guilty should be subjected to “exemplary punishments”.
5. (U) Cuban statement closes by saying that the current situation in Grenada is “extremely difficult and complex,” and that “only a miracle of common sense, equanimity and revolutionary wisdom” can save the Grenadian—

Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51823 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

Secret Department of State Incoming Telegram

Page 01 Havana 06579 02 of 02 212123z Action: ARA-00 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, AID-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, OIC-02, OPR-02, CIAE-00, DODE-00, H-01, IO-15, NSAE-00, COME-00, SSO-00, SY-06, HA-08, L-03, PM-08, PA-01, PC-01, MCT-02, OMB-01, INRE-00, CA-01, ACDA-12, A-02, USIE-00, SP-02, SNP-01, NSCE-00, TRSE-00, OCS-06, PRS-01 / 132 W

O R 211700z Oct 83 FM USINT Havana To Secstate Washdc Immediate 1216 Amembassy Bridgetown Immediate Amembassy Antigua Amembassy Caracas Amembassy Georgetown Amembassy Kingston Amembassy Moscow Amembassy Paramaribo Amembassy Ottawa Amembassy Port of Spain USMission USUN New York Amembassy London Comnavbase Guantanamo Bay COMUSFORCARIB Key West FL CINCLANT Norfolk VA

Secret Section 02 of 02 Havana 6579

Revolutionary process. Warning that “no step must be taken which could help imperialism’s plans”, statement pledges continued Cuban cooperation with Grenada, but says that “our political relations with those now responsible for ruling Grenada must undergo a serious and profound analysis.”

6. (S) Comment: Castro’s October 15 message to the NJM clearly gave a green light for Coard and his supporters to oust Bishop, but it is possible that the Cubans did not expect the result to be the murder of Bishop and his supporters. Indeed, in a conversation October 20 with a mid-level foreign ministry official, he told me that a Cuban statement on Grenada would soon be released, and that it would emphasize Cuba’s view that the divisions within the NJM were a “family matter”. The MINREX official also claimed that Cuba had considered the possibility that Bishop and his close supporters might be exiled to Cuba. He stated outright that Bishop had been “murdered” because “no soldier would shoot a leader without orders”, and then tried to draw a parallel with Che Guevara’s death. Much of the Cuban statement is window-dressing, of course, for the Cubans surely were aware of divisions within the NJM, and no reference was made in the statement to the role played by the Grenadian Ambassador to Cuba. For a Cuban government pronouncement on an international event, however, it is remarkable that no attempt was made to blame the U.S. or other “imperialists” for the events in Grenada, and the warnings that the free world may try to take advantage of the situation are rather muted. The implied rebuke in the admission that the new leaders of the NJM made “serious errors” and that Cuba’s relations with them will be reviewed may indicate Castro’s concern that the killings in Grenada will ultimately prove a setback to Cuban-inspired revolutionary movements in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Finally, as an example of pure gall, declaring three days’ official mourning is hard to beat. Todd

Secret Confidential Department of State Incoming Telegram Page 01 Kingst 09366 01 of 04 211746z 8933

Confidential Department of State Incoming Telegram

Page 01 Kingston 10366 01 of 04 211756z Action: ARA-00 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, OIC-02, CIAE-00, H-01, IO-11, NSCE-00, NSAE-00, SSO-00, SY-06, HA-08, L-03, PM-08, PA-01, MCT-02, OMB-01, INRE-00, SYE-00, USIE-00, SP-02, SNP-01, PRS-01 / 101 W

O 211732z Oct 83 FM Amembassy Kingston To Secstate Washdc Immediate 5918 Amembassy Bridgetown Immediate Info Amembassy Antigua Immediate Amembassy Georgetown Immediate Amembassy Caracas Immediate Amembassy Paramaribo Immediate Amembassy Port of Spain Immediate CINCLANT Norfolk VA Priority USFORCARIB Key West FL Priority NAVFORCARIB Roosevelt Roads PR Priority DIA Washdc Priority USMission USUN New York Priority

Confidential Section 01 of 04 Kingston 10366

E.O. 12356: Decl: OADR Tags: PINS, PGOV, GJ, JM Subject: Grenada: PNP severs ties with New Jewel Movement; will recommend its expulsion from the Socialist International

Ref: (A) Kingston 10281, (B) Kingston 10313

1. (U) Speaking on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the People’s National Party (PNP), Party Leader Michael Manley issued a statement on Grenada October 20. The PNP announced its decision to: repudiate and not recognize the Revolutionary Council; formally sever all relations with the New Jewel Movement (NJM) “in its present guise;” recommend the expulsion of the NJM from the Socialist International; appeal to the international community “to isolate the ruling clique in Grenada;” and demand the lifting of martial law, cessation of executions and respect for the rights of free movement and individual liberty. Statement concluded with a warning “against any external efforts to exploit a deplorable situation and… any attempt at foreign intervention from any source whatever.”
2. (U) Full text reads: Begin Text: The People’s National Party has had a close relationship with the New Jewel Movement which goes back to its earliest days more than ten years ago.

The New Jewel Movement and its leaders faced terrible years of repression involving murders, beatings and frequent imprisonment under the brutal and corrupt government of Eric Gairy. In the end the rigged election system and plans to eliminate certain leaders of the New Jewel Movement left them little choice but to resort to revolution to save Grenada from the tyranny of Gairy’s rule.

The People’s National Party gave birth to the existence of a plural democracy in Jamaica and has at all times remained firmly committed to the electoral process. Against this background, we have nevertheless consistently and resolutely defended the Grenadian revolution under the leadership of the New Jewel Movement. We have given that support because of our conviction that the NJM, as a party, was genuinely committed to democratic principles and was itself organised on strictly democratic lines.

There can be no doubt that Gairy was overthrown by the will of the people and that the revolutionary government of Grenada enjoyed popular support at all times during the 4 1/2 years of its existence. At every stage the People’s National Party encouraged the holding of elections in Grenada. We received the solemn assurances that the revolutionary government of the NJM intended to move to constitutional government and the holding of elections in due course. The recent announcement of a constitutional committee which was to prepare a draft constitution for discussion in the country at large, was evidence of an effort to meet with that solemn commitment. We were prepared to permit them a reasonable time in which to fulfill it.

We have observed the careful work carried out in the name of the revolution in encouraging the emergence of genuine democratic organisations representing farmers, working groups, professional groups and other occupational groupings. Participation was not confined to party cadres but extended to involve all Grenadian citizens. We also observed the growing voice that was accorded to these democratic organisations in the running of the country and, in particular, in their relations with the government itself.

Declassified NLRR M86-81, #51824 By KMM/K NARA Date 1/4/10

Confidential Department of State Incoming Telegram

Page 01 Kingston 10366 02 of 04 211753z 9154 Action: ARA-00 Info: OCT-00, Copy-01, ADS-00, INR-10, EUR-00, SS-00, OIC-02, CIAE-00, H-01, IO-11, NSCE-00, NSAE-00, SSO-00, SY-06, HA-08, L-03, PM-08, PA-01, MCT-02, OMB-01, SYE-00, USIE-00, SP-02, SNP-01, PRS-01 / 101 W

O 211732z Oct 83 FM Amembassy Kingston

Confidential Section 02 of 04 Kingston 10366

While complaints were raised as to individual detentions and press freedom, we noted the continuance of the judicial system and that no executions were ordered by the regime.

The events which began in Grenada several days ago and which ended in the brutal killing of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop along with cabinet colleagues and trade union leaders were marked by one critical and decisive fact. There had clearly been differences of opinion within the leadership of the New Jewel Movement about the implementation of certain party decisions. The party decisions themselves and any argument about their implementation are not our business nor the business of anyone else anywhere in the world. However, in the midst of the argument a clique used the army to detain the leader of the country and to keep him under house arrest. There he was silenced so that he was unable to present his side of the argument to his party or to his country. By the act of introducing the army to silence one party to an internal democratic argument, those responsible abrogated absolutely and irrevocably the very democratic process to which the New Jewel Movement had been committed throughout its existence.

By that act, the clique among the leadership of the party and among the leadership of the army had removed themselves from any semblance of the democratic process. They have, therefore, disqualified themselves as members of the great family of progressive movements and parties in the world who are committed to the democratic process.

The People’s National Party deplores the imposition of army rule on the people of Grenada and denounces the introduction of any totalitarian regime whether in the CARICOM region or elsewhere.

We deeply regret the loss of a great young leader and his comrades in these brutal circumstances. Furthermore, we state categorically that those who breached the democratic process by detaining Prime Minister Bishop instead of allowing the matter to be handled by democratic discussions and decision-making in the party, set in train a series of events that made virtually inevitable the brutal unacceptable events which transpired on Wednesday, October 19. We hold the clique which originally sent the army to detain Bishop absolutely responsible for the final outcome.

During his tenure, Maurice Bishop earned international recognition and respect for his efforts to implement basic reforms and beneficial programmes for the advancement of his people. To the very end he continued to enjoy their love and admiration.

The People’s National Party has considered the question of its relationship with the clique which now forms the Revolutionary Council and with the New Jewel Movement as it now stands after the events of the last week.

Taking note of the arbitrary seizure of political power by the military and a clique; being satisfied that Prime Minister Bishop enjoyed overwhelming popular support and that the clique of persons who had him detained and who bear the clear responsibility for his death and the death of the other leaders of the revolution were acting contrary to the wishes of the people; the PNP has unanimously taken the following decisions:

1. We repudiate the Revolutionary Council and as a party we do not recognise its right to speak for the Grenadian people.
2. We formally sever all relations with the New Jewel Movement in its present guise.
3. We will be recommending to the Socialist International the expulsion of the NJM as it is now composed and in the light of the events of the last week.
4. We appeal to all members of the international community, liberation movements and progressive forces to isolate the ruling clique in Grenada and thereby encourage the return of a government consistent with the wishes of the Grenadian people.
5. We demand the lifting of martial law, that the executions cease and the right of free movement and individual liberty be fully respected.
6. At this time, we share a feeling of profound grief with the people of Grenada and we hope and pray for their early release from the military oppression which has been so brutally imposed upon them. We grieve with the relatives of all those who have died.
7. Finally, the future path of Grenada must be settled by its own people. Only they have the competence to decide their own political process. We warn against any external efforts to exploit a deplorable situation and denounce any attempt at foreign intervention from any source whatsoever. End Text.
8. (C) Comment: In discussing Manley’s statement with the DCM, Prime Minister Seaga interpreted its thrust as a warning to any internal clique not to involve the military in settling political differences. The PM also saw it as an attempt to portray events in Grenada as a purely domestic affair and thus “keep the heat off Cuba.” According to Seaga, Manley believes Grenada is already sufficiently socialized to “remain a communist bastion,” but fears that someone might intervene.
9. (C) The Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) intend to use the Grenada situation to the fullest to discomfit the PNP and revive public fears about Manley’s ties with Cuba. The references in Seaga’s October 20 speech (Septel) to the “mistaken, naive and virginal view of many people… who believe such things cannot happen here,” follow this tack. So too does the statement that “moderate leaders are only used… to win the people’s support in the beginning, while military commands are put in place to keep the people under oppressive control when the time comes to remove the sheepskin of moderate leadership and make way for the wolf underneath.” Nine references to Cuba (and one to Russia) clearly identify the wolf; the identity of the naive, moderate sheep is left to the audience to determine.
10. (C) By PNP standards, the statement on Grenada is tough. Despite the fulsome praise for Bishop, there is no attempt to explain away recent events as a radicalized response resulting from outside pressures (a line frequently taken with respect to the Sandinistas). The PNP has adopted a non-recognition policy with regard to the new Grenadian authorities and is moving to isolate and ostracize the NJM until it cleans up its act. The warning against intervention is to all. End Comment.
11. Drafted/Approved: Pol: AK Slight