- Jul 12, 2018
- 10,789
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE COURT OF ST. JAMES |
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE |
TO: James Carr, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ( Jamie )
FROM: Noah Cook, United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James
Secretary of State Carr,
Best regards,
Noah Cook
United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James
Secretary of State Carr,
My remaining time as the United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James is, most likely, limited with the approaching end of the administration of President Sinclair. It was a pleasure to live here, in London, and to serve as a link between our two countries. I hope that you give special consideration and trust to whomever comes after me as I am sure that they will also value the Special Relationship between our two countries. Please give my regards to the Prime Minister.
I am also reaching out to you regarding the possible establishment of a United States Coast Guard facility in Bermuda. While I may not be here to finish this project, I would at least like to start it as I feel that it is something that both administrations will support.
As you know, the United States Coast Guard is considered a part of the United States armed forces, but is structured under the Department of Homeland Security instead of the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard has a number of missions: environmental protection and conservation, drug interdiction and law enforcement on the high seas, and national security missions. The Coast Guard has determined that it would be a significant benefit to the United States for it to operate a permanent facility in Bermuda. The purpose of this facility would be to carry out the Coast Guard's mission as described above, as well as significantly extending the range of the Coast Guard to monitor Atlantic airspace.
Previously, the United States military had multiple facilities in Bermuda, the last of which closed in 1995. One of these facilities was the U.S. Naval Air Station Bermuda Annex, which was also called Naval Air Station Annex at Morgan's Point. The facility was located at approximately these coordinates (32.270756, -64.852704). The Coast Guard is interested in establishing a permanent facility at this location in particular. It would use this facility for some similar purposes that the Navy had used it: to house personnel and equipment, and also to dock Coast Guard cutters. If your government approves, the Coast Guard will construct this facility at its own expense. In addition to this facility, the Coast Guard also wants to permanently station a few HC-130J aircraft at L.F. Wade International Airport, as well as a small number of helicopters.
The benefits to the United States would be that the Coast Guard could extend its mission further out into the Atlantic without having to strain additional resources from the Navy or Air Force.
There are also potential benefits for Bermuda, and thus the United Kingdom. If your government agrees to allow the Coast Guard to establish a facility at Morgan's Point and to house aircraft at L.F. Wade International Airport, then the Coast Guard is prepared to offer some of its services to Bermuda. Specifically, the Coast Guard would be willing to use its assets to conduct life-saving missions in and around Bermuda, the Coast Guard assets stationed in Bermuda would be a physical deterrent to any kind of foreign interference in Bermuda, and the cutters in Bermuda could assist the United Kingdom in performing any drug interdiction or national security missions around Bermuda if asked to do so. Also, the Coast Guard port would provide the Royal Navy with a non-civilian port to dock and refuel at if the necessity arose. There is also the obvious economic benefit of having hundreds of Coast Guardsmen stationed and living in the island - in addition to this, the Coast Guard, through the United States Lighthouse Service, would dedicate $5-million to the refurbishment and preservation of Bermuda's two main lighthouses.
Finally, I want to directly acknowledge that the military did not leave every facility in Bermuda in pristine shape when they withdrew in 1995. With that being said, the United States government with direct assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will do an assessment of Morgan's Point and conduct an environmental cleanup of the area. While estimates are that it would cost around $65-million for the cleanup, I can confirm that $100-million has already been allocated. Following this cleanup, the Coast Guard facility will be built. I would also like to point out that establishing a Coast Guard facility at Morgan's Point would not displace any businesses or residents, as the former facility remains totally abandoned.
I hope that you and your government carefully consider this proposal. If your government is willing to move forward with this proposal, I can have a draft agreement sent over.
I am also reaching out to you regarding the possible establishment of a United States Coast Guard facility in Bermuda. While I may not be here to finish this project, I would at least like to start it as I feel that it is something that both administrations will support.
As you know, the United States Coast Guard is considered a part of the United States armed forces, but is structured under the Department of Homeland Security instead of the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard has a number of missions: environmental protection and conservation, drug interdiction and law enforcement on the high seas, and national security missions. The Coast Guard has determined that it would be a significant benefit to the United States for it to operate a permanent facility in Bermuda. The purpose of this facility would be to carry out the Coast Guard's mission as described above, as well as significantly extending the range of the Coast Guard to monitor Atlantic airspace.
Previously, the United States military had multiple facilities in Bermuda, the last of which closed in 1995. One of these facilities was the U.S. Naval Air Station Bermuda Annex, which was also called Naval Air Station Annex at Morgan's Point. The facility was located at approximately these coordinates (32.270756, -64.852704). The Coast Guard is interested in establishing a permanent facility at this location in particular. It would use this facility for some similar purposes that the Navy had used it: to house personnel and equipment, and also to dock Coast Guard cutters. If your government approves, the Coast Guard will construct this facility at its own expense. In addition to this facility, the Coast Guard also wants to permanently station a few HC-130J aircraft at L.F. Wade International Airport, as well as a small number of helicopters.
The benefits to the United States would be that the Coast Guard could extend its mission further out into the Atlantic without having to strain additional resources from the Navy or Air Force.
There are also potential benefits for Bermuda, and thus the United Kingdom. If your government agrees to allow the Coast Guard to establish a facility at Morgan's Point and to house aircraft at L.F. Wade International Airport, then the Coast Guard is prepared to offer some of its services to Bermuda. Specifically, the Coast Guard would be willing to use its assets to conduct life-saving missions in and around Bermuda, the Coast Guard assets stationed in Bermuda would be a physical deterrent to any kind of foreign interference in Bermuda, and the cutters in Bermuda could assist the United Kingdom in performing any drug interdiction or national security missions around Bermuda if asked to do so. Also, the Coast Guard port would provide the Royal Navy with a non-civilian port to dock and refuel at if the necessity arose. There is also the obvious economic benefit of having hundreds of Coast Guardsmen stationed and living in the island - in addition to this, the Coast Guard, through the United States Lighthouse Service, would dedicate $5-million to the refurbishment and preservation of Bermuda's two main lighthouses.
Finally, I want to directly acknowledge that the military did not leave every facility in Bermuda in pristine shape when they withdrew in 1995. With that being said, the United States government with direct assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will do an assessment of Morgan's Point and conduct an environmental cleanup of the area. While estimates are that it would cost around $65-million for the cleanup, I can confirm that $100-million has already been allocated. Following this cleanup, the Coast Guard facility will be built. I would also like to point out that establishing a Coast Guard facility at Morgan's Point would not displace any businesses or residents, as the former facility remains totally abandoned.
I hope that you and your government carefully consider this proposal. If your government is willing to move forward with this proposal, I can have a draft agreement sent over.
Best regards,
Noah Cook
United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James
