Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
State Department Budget Cuts Deeply into Caribbean Programs
Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(08 November 2017) — Over the past few months I have been raising alarm concerning the possible impact president Donald Trump’s budget cuts on the U.S. State Department were expected to have on USAID assistance programs and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). Now that the FY 2018 Budget is advancing in the U.S. Congress, Caribbean diplomatic efforts and Caribbean Diaspora political action must be intensified if there is any hope of maintaining FY 2017 spending levels or restoring any of the cuts already proposed by the U.S. State Department in its proposal to the Congress (Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Fiscal Year 2018). What is most important is that the Caribbean diplomatic corps in Washington and the Caribbean Diaspora across the United States must work in tandem on seeking a better deal for the Caribbean.
Before dealing with this issue of coordination and collaboration between the Caribbean Diplomatic corps and the Caribbean Diaspora, let me highlight what these cuts are and their likely impact on the region. The cuts proposed by the State Department belie its message in the proposal sent to Congress. The State Department noted, “The Western Hemisphere is a region of vital interest to the United States. Diplomatic engagement in the region is a critical step to secure shared borders and to increase economic growth.” Further, while noting that the State Department’s goal is to advance U.S. national security and economic interests domestically and abroad, stated, “… citizen security programs directly bolster U.S. national security while supporting democratic institutions in the hemisphere. Drug trafficking, transnational crime and weak government institutions pose risks to the United States and to all citizens in the region.”
If these statements are to be taken at face value, and these statements are the true intent of the Department of State, one has to wonder how this policy squares with the budget cuts it proposed. Contrary to the stated objectives, overall assistance to the Caribbean region in FY 2018 will decline by 28% compared to FY 2016, that’s $221.015 million compared to $307.823 million. Furthermore, there is a 37% cut in the CBSI program from $57.721 million in FY 2016 under President Barack Obama’s Administration to $36.200 million in FY 2018. Also, among these cuts is the USAID Caribbean Development Program budget which has been reduced to zero dollars. The State Department noted that funding for this program had already been in decline, but the FY 2018 cut represents a 100% reduction.
A further breakdown of the overall Budget cuts on Caribbean countries revealed the following reductions: Jamaica (-90%), Belize (-84%), Bahamas (-52%), Dominican Republic (-51%), Trinidad & Tobago (-51%), Barbados & Eastern Caribbean (-41%), Guyana (-18%), Haiti (-17%), and Suriname (-7%). Of the $221.015 million in the FY 2018 budget, $157.455 million is earmarked for Haiti, which also represents a 17% decrease. Furthermore, of the total allocation to the region, $110 million (almost 50%) will be for HIV/AIDS programs. When these cuts are considered alongside across-the-board cuts to regional programs and to regional and international organizations that provide certain services to the Caribbean, there is much to be concerned about. It is imperative for the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Diaspora to respond.
There is a glimmer of hope, as I have learnt from a reliable source that the House and Senate Budget Committees’ Bills have both increased the cap for the foreign assistance budget submitted by the State Department. These Bills do not breakdown country-by-country assistance programs so restoration or increase in funding of each country program is not evident. I have also learnt that the House and Senate Bills have restored CBSI funding to $57.7 million and $52.2 million, respectively, which would suggest a final figure probably in the $54 million range. However, that was not a done deal.
This opens an opportunity for restoring or increasing the country earmarks set by the State Department. However, this won’t happen unless there is strong and sustained messaging from the Caribbean diplomatic corps in Washington backed by Caribbean Diaspora voters across the United States. It is important that the Caribbean diplomatic corps in Washington inform their nationals across the United States on these issues and the importance of their support.
So far, I understand the Caribbean diplomatic corps has increased its presence on Capitol Hill, which is something I have been pushing for a long time. I know of seasoned Caribbean diplomats, such as Ambassador Anton Edmunds of St. Lucia, who understand the legislative process and Congressional dynamics who are leading the way. Others are stepping up as well. Recently, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) and other co-chairs of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus reached out to the Caribbean diplomatic corps, inviting them to a meeting on Capitol Hill to urge their increased presence in the Halls of Congress to advocate for the Caribbean.
Rep. Eliot Engel (2nd L) & Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith (2nd R) flanked by Jamaican Embassy representatives Mrs. Marsha Coore-Loban (R) and Mrs. Nicholette Williams (L)
A week ago, the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade of Jamaica, the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith visited with Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), who, as the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was leading the charge for the Caribbean on a number of issues related to U.S.-Caribbean relations. Congressman Engel co-authored the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016 which sets the stage for Diaspora engagement in the policy-making process. His office worked persistently to restore funding for Caribbean assistance programs and for CBSI. I am also aware of the tireless work of Ms. Sally Yearwood, Executive Director of Caribbean-Central American Action, in her advocacy for the Caribbean on Capitol Hill.
The Caribbean Diaspora community in the United States has a major role in seeking to restore and maintain funding for USAID programs and the CBSI. With a proper understanding of what’s at stake and the urgency for action, members of the Caribbean Diaspora must, without hesitation call or write (email) their Senators and Representatives and urge them to support funding for the Caribbean. The Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Diaspora, working in tandem, must emphasize the mutual security interests of the CBSI to the U.S. and the Caribbean.
Following his meeting with Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Congressman Engel tweeted: “I assured Jamaican Foreign Minister I will fight to reject #Trump budget cuts to #Jamaica & entire #Caribbean.” Rep. Engel cannot do it alone. We need all hands on deck!
© 2017 Curtis A. Ward/The Ward Post
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Great Article Ambassador Ward. Very Timely. Love it. We at ICS can use it for our Legislative Forum on Capitol Hill tomorrow — November 16th. Sorry you won’t be able to make it. ICS has been convening Forums and Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill since 1999. Some years we have done events three times. ICS also played the important role of introducing then CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus. ICS worked with the Office of Charles Rangel to reintroduce the Resolution to clear Marcus Garvey’s name. ICS worked very closely with the Offices of Congresswoman Christensen and Congresswoman Barbara Lee to execute the passage of the Resolution that led to June being declared Caribbean American Heritage Month. Indeed as a result of our efforts ICS was recognized in the Congressional Record on more than one occasion. That said, although ICS has been doing yeoman’s work for an all volunteer organization, we know that our efforts are just a drop in the bucket. There is much more that is needed to be done, but unlike CCAA, Diaspora Organizing is not the job that pays our Bills — so there are limitations. I am sure that you know this given the challenge faced to keep NCOCA alive… Getting diaspora to take off a work day to go sit around and talk policies is far easier said than done. That said, we must continue to exhort and push and cajole. This is why The Ward Post is resonating well with so many people. The role of the critic and analyst is well filled by your efforts. Thank you for bringing this conversation about the weaknesses of the diaspora to the fore. I am sure eventually all the talk will yield to action. As we get ready for our Legislative Forum in Rayburn 2200 – Thursday November 16th at 8:30 am to 12:30 pm – the small but committed band of the faithful, we will surely take note of all the wonderful analysis you have done. Thank you again for your continued leadership and critical thinking. God Bless Your Endeavors.