Shaky on Chavez

- Golding worried over PetroCaribe deal
- Concerned Chavez would influence outcome of 2007 election

THE THEN Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) helped fuel the fears of the United States about Jamaica's relationship with Venezuela in light of the PetroCaribe oil deal and the increasing influence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in the affairs of Jamaica.

Now in government, the JLP has fully endorsed the PetroCaribe and has repeatedly spoken glowingly about its benefits to the country.

But a private diplomatic cable from the US Embassy in Kingston revealed that senior members of the then Opposition complained repeatedly about the impact of the deal initially inked by the P.J. Patterson-led People's National Party (PNP) government.

The JLP had also reportedly expressed fear that Chavez would seek to influence the outcome of the 2007 general election to keep the PNP in power.

The PetroCaribe deal was the subject of numerous cables from Kingston to Washington between 2005 and 2008 as the Americans kept a keen eye on the developments between Jamaica and one of its bitterest rivals.

According to the embassy, Patterson was well aware of the concerns of the US government and its frosty relationship with Chávez, but still decided to go ahead with the PetroCaribe deal although "some in his Cabinet expressed unease about Chávez's motives".

By late 2007, permanent secretary in what was then the Ministry of Commerce, Dr Jean Dixon, sought to allay the fears of the Americans by telling embassy officials that the US government was being overly concerned about the motives of Chávez.

"Jamaica has a strong history of operating independently in the political arena, and would not be forced to vote in any particular manner simply to ensure a smooth relationship with other nations," a December 2005 diplomatic cable allegedly quoted Dixon.

not convinced

But that did not seem to satisfy the Americans, and the embassy claimed that then Opposition Leader Bruce Golding was also not convinced.

A June 2006 cable alleged that Golding was worried the PetroCaribe deal was making Jamaica too beholden to the wishes of Venezuela.

"I worry that our vote has been forced through PetroCaribe," the cable reportedly quoted Golding in reference to a planned vote for Venezuela to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

However, the vote on the Security Council seemed to be the least of Golding's concerns about PetroCaribe, the embassy claimed.

"Golding then claimed to have credible information from a virtually impeccable source that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez was providing US$5-6 million in cash to the PNP to influence the outcome of the upcoming national election," a January 2007 diplomatic cable claimed.

According to the cable, Golding alleged that the money would be provided in US currency and "would be routed from Venezuela via Cuba using a diplomatic pouch".

"Golding then suggested that the US could assist by either helping to intercept the Venezuelan money, or if it already had reached Jamaica, helping to expose it," the cable said.

"He believed Chávez had taken on the role of 'godfather with money' and that Jamaica was 'being sucked into an agenda not of our own making'," a March 2007 cable allegedly quoted Golding.

Three months later, the embassy claimed that Golding reported to its officials that he had confirmed that the Venezuelan money, US$6 million, had arrived in Jamaica.

"He then said: 'At the risk of being blunt, the question is whether the US is merely a spectator or is going to register serious concerns'," a May 2007 cable said.

"The ambassador reiterated Washington's deep reservations about Chávez's economic and political influence throughout the region and told Golding that we had expressed these concerns to the Government of Jamaica. However, the US was unable to intervene directly in the electoral processes in other countries," said the cable.

But shortly after taking office, Golding commended Chávez for his vision in creating PetroCaribe.

Golding also highlighted the value of the agreement to several Caribbean countries and the way in which PetroCaribe had helped to buffer the effects of high oil prices and stabilise regional economies.

Formulated in January 2006, the PetroCaribe Fund manages the proceeds of a Venezuelan oil facility where Jamaica is allowed to treat as loan proceeds the sale of oil from that country.

Opening the year's Budget Debate, finance minister Audley Shaw announced that at the end of March, a total of US$1.5 billion, or approximately J$920 billion, had accrued to Jamaica under this agreement

In Opposition

The JLP reportedly expressed fear that Chávez would seek to influence the outcome of the 2007 general election to keep the PNP in power.

He (Golding) believed Chávez had taken on the role of "godfather with money" and that Jamaica was "being sucked into an agenda not of our own making".

"I worry that our vote has been forced through PetroCaribe." Golding said in reference to Venezuela becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

In Government

Shortly after taking office, Golding commended Chávez for his vision in creating PetroCaribe.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has described the Venezuelan-sponsored PetroCaribe Agreement as a model of cooperation.

The PetroCaribe Agreement represents the strengthening of relations between Venezuela and the countries of the Caribbean by providing significant support to the petroleum industry in the face of rising oil prices - Golding.