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Saint Lucia - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-ST. LUCIAN RELATIONS The United States and St. Lucia have a cooperative relationship. The United States supports the St. Lucian Governments efforts to expand its economic base and improve the lives of its citizens. The Government of St. Lucia has cooperated with the United States on security concerns. U.S. assistance is primarily channeled through multilateral agencies, such as the World Bank, and the USAID office in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Peace Corps, whose Eastern Caribbean regional headquarters is located in St. Lucia, has 22 volunteers in St. Lucia, working primarily in business development, education, and health. U.S. security assistance programs provide limited training to the paramilitary Special Services Unit and the coast guard. In addition, St. Lucia receives U.S. counternarcotics assistance and benefits from U.S. military exercises and humanitarian civic action construction projects. St. Lucia and the United States share interest in combating international crime and narcotics trafficking. Because of St. Lucias geographical location, it is an appealing transit point for traffickers. In response to this threat, the Government of St. Lucia has concluded various bilateral treaties with the United States, including a Maritime Law Enforcement Agreement (subsequently amended to include overflight and order-to-land provisions), a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, and an Extradition Treaty. More Americans visit St. Lucia than any other national group. In 2005, tourist visitors totaled over 700,000, mainly from the United States, the United Kingdom, and CARICOM. Cruise ship arrivals in 2005 were down by 18% over 2004, while the number of stay-over visitors increased slightly in the same period. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--Mary M. Ourisman Deputy Chief of Mission--Mary Ellen T. Gilroy Political/Economic Counselor--Martina Strong (Acting) Consul General--Clyde Howard Jr. Regional Labor Attaché--Martina Strong Economic/Commercial Affairs--Anthony Eterno Public Affairs Officer--Julie OReagan Peace Corps Director--Kate Raftery The United States maintains no diplomatic presence in St. Lucia. The Ambassador and Embassy officers are resident in Barbados and frequently travel to St. Lucia. The U.S. Embassy in Barbados is located in the Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael (tel: 246-436-4950; fax: 246-429-5246). Other Contact Information U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Trade Information Center 14th and Constitution, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 1-800-USA-TRADE Caribbean/Latin American Action 1818 N Street, NW, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 466-7464 Fax: (202) 822-0075