Region adopts CWC security

Some of the security arrangements made for the 2007 Cricket World Cup will be kept by CARICOM Heads of Government, with a number of other security measures agreed upon following the heads’ meeting in Trinidad and Tobago a few weeks ago.{{more}}

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, at a press conference held at Cabinet room last week Thursday, as he updated the media and public of this meeting, as well as his visit to Mexico.

Dr. Gonsalves indicated that upon recommendations made by the Standing Committees of Commissioners of Police and military Chiefs, the country leaders agreed that some arrangements put in place last year will be upgraded and expanded on a permanent basis.

“These include the Advance Passenger Information System, the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre and the Joint Regional Communication Centre….

In relation to the Advanced Passenger Information System, we are aboard, but we have to put other systems in place in relation to the yachting business because of the nature of the sector.”

The Prime Minister explained that while it is easier to have the system in place for air transportation, it is different to maritime transportation since it is difficult to give advance notice of whom they have on board because of the boarding and un-boarding of passengers at various ports.

“During the Cricket World Cup we had to deal with that problem in a creative way without abandoning the system and it was a difficult thing for us to do.”

A number of other vital security measures were agreed upon by the leaders, with discussions to continue on areas such as the CARICOM Visa and CARICOM Travel Card, which the Dr. Gonsalves admitted to having problems with as framed for the CWC.

“We are one of the countries which had sent in comments on these two treaties (CARICOM Maritime and Airspace cooperation Agreement and CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty, which are to be signed in July) because there were some legal issues that we had to have clarified, and those are in the process of being clarified.

Dr. Gonsalves also touched on his working visit to Mexico, where he met with President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa. The leaders discussed a number of issues concerning economic, political multilateral and cooperation affairs.

Dr. Gonsalves is currently in Austria on official visit. (JJ)