Saint Vincent - Foreign Relations

St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintains close ties to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and is a member of regional political and economic organizations such as the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is also a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has chosen to recognize Taiwan instead of the People's Republic of China.

As a result of its small physical and demographic size, historical ties to Britain, and geographic location, St. Vincent and the Grenadines traditionally conducted its foreign relations based upon alliances with other Eastern Caribbean states, Britain, and the United States. The country's foreign policy was administered by Britain until full independence was achieved in 1979. After independence, foreign policy was implemented by the prime minister through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mitchell made no fundamental changes in the overall foreign policy after taking office from Cato in 1984. His only modification of Cato's foreign policy, which reflected the pro-Western, conservative stance of his government, was a more outspoken articulation of Vincentian concerns regarding United States military assistance in the region.

Although Vincentians had not been especially alarmed by the coming to power of Maurice Bishop's Grenadian NewJewel Movement in 1979, domestic public opinion supported former Prime Minister Cato's decision to participate in the intervention. Mitchell, then the opposition leader, was actually one of the first Caribbean political leaders to call for a United States intervention in Grenada after the coup and Bishop's assassination in 1983. Mitchell pushed for the intervention in order to warn Cuba not to interfere in the politics of any other Eastern Caribbean nation. Mitchell was also a guiding force behind the three-party merger of moderates in Grenada under the banner of the New National Party prior to that country's elections in 1984. Mitchell was determined to promote moderate forces in Grenada because he believed that instability in Grenada could ultimately affect the durability of the Vincentian political establishment.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines' historical alliances with Britain, the United States, and Canada grew from common political and linguistic heritages and were strengthened further by the bilateral and multilateral economic aid granted by those countries. Although St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintained diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and Cuba, the politically conservative Vincentian populace discouraged close relations with those communist states.

Foreign policy also focused strongly on mutual cooperation with island neighbors. As a result of its association with the West Indies Federation and its administration by Britain in conjunction with other English-speaking islands prior to the federation, St. Vincent and the Grenadines frequently manifested interests that overlapped with those of its neighbors. As in the case of the Grenada crisis, an occurrence on one island could have repercussions for the others; thus, any compromising of the physical security or economic wellbeing of one or more of the Commonwealth Caribbean nations was a catalyst for at least a limited Vincentian involvement in regional affairs.

The United States and St. Vincent have solid bilateral relations. Both governments are concerned with eradicating local marijuana cultivation and combating the transshipment of narcotics. In 1995, the United States and St. Vincent signed a Maritime Law Enforcement Agreement. In 1996, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines signed an Extradition Treaty with the United States. In 1997, the two countries signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

The United States supports the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines' efforts to expand its economic base and to provide a higher standard of living for its citizens. U.S. assistance is channeled primarily through multilateral agencies such as the World Bank. The United States has 27 Peace Corps volunteers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, working in business development, education, and health. The U.S. military also provides assistance through construction and humanitarian civic action projects.

A relatively small number of Americans--fewer than 1,000--reside on the islands.

The United States maintains no official presence in St. Vincent. The Ambassador and Embassy officers are resident in Barbados and frequently travel to St. Vincent.