Allow me to join with the Secretary General of CARICOM in thanking the Government of the Republic of Suriname for its graciousness in being excellent host to this the Eighth Meeting of the CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement. I am certain that I speak for all present.
We have all been the beneficiaries of the exceptional service and organization that has been displayed in the coordination for this Meeting thus far, as well as the ones which preceded it.
I am indeed gratified to meet once more with my colleagues throughout the Region to further advance the Regional Security Agenda. Six months have elapsed since we last met in the Republic of Guyana. The foremost security concerns of the Region have not changed. The priorities outlined by Heads of Government at their Thirteenth Special Meeting in Port-of-Spain in April 2008 are still very much on the agenda.
I wish at this time to recall these broad areas so defined.
• Maritime and airspace cooperation and the sharing of assets
• Intelligence and information-sharing
• Illegal Firearms
• Drug Trafficking
• Murder
• Crime Prevention
• Gang and Youth-Related Violence
• Kidnapping
• Deportees
The CONSLE therefore continues to direct the policies that will address the rising levels of crime, the illegal narcotics trade, the illegal arms trade, gang warfare and the overarching security of the Region.
Undoubtedly, in seeking to achieve the mandate that has been set before us by the Conference of Heads, we must make as priority:
– those projects that have already been funded,
– those projects that will generate funds, such as the CARIPASS,
– those projects that are on the brink of execution, and
– those that would have an immediate impact on the security situation in our individual Member States.
When last we met, we were unable to sign off on a budget to fund the crime and security agenda that would realize the completion of some of these projects. Since then, through a process of round robin, the Chair has obtained the approval of Bureau Members. Given this positive development, I feel assured that a sign off would be obtained on this occasion.
The economic reality with which all our Member States are faced cannot be ignored. Indeed, our Heads are meeting in Port of Spain next week to address this very issue. The emphasis on security as the fourth pillar of the Community, married with the realities of increased crime and violence in the Region, require that we also utilize every means to finance the security agenda. One such means is the reenactment of the Resource Mobilization Sub-Committee. This Sub-Committee would engage our international partners in obtaining and streamlining the financial and other resources that are or can become available.
The UNODC has heeded our many calls and has announced its intention to re-establish an office in the Caribbean. The Government of Canada, through its “Americas Strategy” has expressed a willingness to assist the Region in countering the threat of rising crime. The United States (US), in addition to pledging $30 million “to strengthen cooperation on security in the Caribbean”, has invited us to engage in a Security Dialogue in the Fall of 2009. I understand that at the Technical Meeting with the US yesterday, it was indicated that the actual amount is in the vicinity of $45 million and that the US administration proposes to make this a multi-year, multi-faceted, institutionalized arrangement.
The economic reality no doubt exacerbates the crime situation and compels us to pursue these offers in a deliberate and focused manner. Let us therefore seize the opportunity to become fully engaged in the processes that must ensue in the next coming weeks and months in order to establish the basis for a sustained relationship with these partners.
Suriname, I have been informed, is known as “the beating heart of the Amazon”. I am no medical doctor, but I know that the heart is the center of the circulatory system that pumps blood to all parts of the body. It is my earnest hope that here in Suriname at this Eight Meeting of the CONSLE, all the instruments and institutions that comprise the Regional Security architecture would be propelled into definitive action as we seek to realize a safer and a more secure Caribbean.
It is now up to us, CARICOM colleagues, to work together in achieving the objectives set out in our very comprehensive agenda over the next day and a half.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the work that was done by the Security Policy Advisory Committee (SEPAC), supported by the CARICOM Secretariat and IMPACS, over the past two days in preparation for this meeting of the CONSLE. May God continue to bless us and to bless our nations as we endeavour to strengthen political engagement on the issues that were defined earlier by our Heads, and that are currently affecting our fellow citizens.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you.
