Leaders differ on wire-tapping legislation

Telephone wire-tapping legislation will not be passed in St Vincent and the Grenadines, unless government is prepared to bite the bullet and pass the laws on their own.{{more}}

As he did in 2004, when the matter was raised with him by Prince Andrew, Duke of York, during his visit to this country, Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has indicated that he will never support such legislation.

At a press conference last Monday on his return from the United Nations, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that he supported a call made by Deputy Commissioner of Police Bertram Pompey for the introduction of telephone wire-tapping legislation.

He, however, said that it is an issue that he will not touch unless there is bi-partisan support.

“I don’t want it (the wire tapping issue) to be an issue to divide people,” Dr Gonsalves said.

“The risk is really too great. people must feel free to discuss and share their views on things, especially politically,” Eustace said as he dismissed the idea.

“The question is when you would cross the line and start intercepting the conversations of ordinary citizens,” the Opposition Leader said.

“It is probably something that can help in the fight against crime, but it is a matter of trust,” said Eustace, as he made it clear that he does not trust the government with such power.

When he made the call for wire-tapping legislation to be passed a couple weeks ago, Pompey said that the level of sophistication shown by modern criminals demands that the police embrace new measures of crime fighting, including telephone wire-tapping.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT earlier this week on the issue, Top Cop Keith Miller said that Communication Interception legislation is necessary, not just telephone wire-tapping, but all methods of communication, including communication on the Internet.

Regarding the question of trust, Miller challenged anyone to bring evidence to show why he or the police force can’t be trusted with those powers.

“There is no legitimate reason why people can’t trust the Commissioner of Police or the police force,” Miller said.

However, Eustace is resolute in his opposition to any such legislation being passed, and told SEARCHLIGHT that even if his party takes the reins of power in the next elections, he will not introduce such a law.

As he addressed the issue, Dr Gonsalves said that the technology to intercept telephone communications already exists. He reasoned that if the law is implemented, it will in fact help to police against the abuse of the technology.

He also noted that similar laws are in place in Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica, the United States and the United Kingdom.

He, however, gave the assurance that the government is not currently involved in any wire tapping exercises.

In March 2006, former Minister of National Security now advisor to the Prime Minister, Sir Vincent Beache, at a ceremony to introduce electronic birth, marriage and death certificates, suggested that wiretapping has taken place in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The following month in parliament, Dr Gonsalves was on the defensive, saying that if wire-tapping was taking place, it is without the knowledge of the government.

“This government, this Prime Minister, has not been, will not be involved in any wire-tapping, simply because it is illegal, given the state of current law,” Dr Gonsalves said in parliament on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.