– additional US$ 60M to be pumped into programme this year
By Samuel Sukhnandan
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) has made a dent in cocaine smuggling in the region, officials said on Tuesday as a two-day meeting to review the work of the U.S.-funded programme closed.
Cocaine seizures across Caricom member states, training of police personnel, and the provision of fast boats to help curtail maritime criminal activities are among the successes of the initiative.
This is according to co-chairs of the meeting, Astonia Browne of Caricom and U. S. State Department Office of Caribbean Affairs Director Juan Alsace, at a news conference following the meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
Successful meeting
Browne, who is the St Kitts and Nevis National Security Ministry permanent secretary, said the meeting was successful and areas that required improvement were identified.
She said some projects that were discussed included Advanced Fingerprinting Information System (AFIS); Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS); Regional Integrated Ballistics Information Network (RIBIN); and counter arms trafficking and crime prevention efforts in relation to at-risk youth.
She stated that one of the aims of CBSI is crime prevention and there was a focus on preventing at-risk youth from becoming involved in criminal activity while helping them to develop vocational skills.
Achievements were also highlighted and recommendations made to improve agencies tasked in securing the region; working collaboratively with the U. S. government.
Alsace told media operatives that the investment has been worthwhile and the CBSI is showing great success thus far. He said some US$ 263 million has already been expended on the programme since its launch in 2011, with an additional US$ 60 million set aside for this year.
Co-chair Alsace alluded to comments made by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the opening on Monday, reiterating that indeed no one country can tackle regional security, as it requires a collaborative effort. The U.S. official said that theme was reflected in the discussions during the CBSI meeting. It was also agreed that countries of the Caribbean must work in partnership with each other and the U. S. government to improve communications and information sharing.
Discussions also touched on law enforcement and security strategies, especially to help at-risk youth find a better future. Alsace said out of the meeting, regional standards on arrest warrants and other law enforcement matters are being considered.
This discussion is likely to be expanded and continued at another CBSI meeting in Washington, DC, December 5-6. During this meeting, Caribbean security ministers will hold talks with the political leadership of the U.S. government, to determine the priorities and leadership for 2014 and years to come.
Alsace also agreed with Prime Minister Hinds’ comments that a holistic strategy was needed to tackle regional crime and security challenges, and said this will also be looked at during the next meeting.
Commitment was also given to sustain the initiative.
Browne said a joint plan of action for regional security, in partnership with the U.S., has already been put in place, with several programmes and initiatives already reflecting the strategic goals of the region’s crime and security strategy. This, she said, will serve as the blueprint that will inform the region’s strategies.
