CARICOM MINISTERS OF NATIONAL SECURITY MEET TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001007 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT AND FOR WHA/CAR (BENT, FORTIN) DEPARTMENT PASS TO DHS (STALLWORTH, PATTERSON, LOONEY) BRIDGETOWN PLEASE PASS GILROY, AGUILERA SANTO DOMINGO FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2016 TAGS: ASEC CPAS OAS PINR PREL PTER XL JM SUBJECT: CARICOM MINISTERS OF NATIONAL SECURITY MEET TO DISCUSS CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007 REF: A. STATE 80801 ¶B. BRIDGETOWN 744 Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: At a meeting of CARICOM Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement addressing security issues surrounding Cricket World Cup 2007 held in Kingston on May 19 and 21, ministers were very receptive to proposals for USG assistance, through the OAS Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE),in the areas of airport screening, communications, and canine units for bomb detection. They expressed a strong desire to receive further details on both the specific elements of the proposals, and the potential issues related to Third Border Initiative funds that might arise, in order that they may begin planning. ¶2. (SBU) Summary (cont,d): Subcommittees responsible for a regional security strategy; a sub-plan for disaster preparedness; border security surrounding visa issuance, immigration, and customs; intelligence; the regional legislative agenda; and sources for international assistance provided status reports. DHS Executive Director for the Foreign Operations Division, Charles Stallworth, also gave a brief presentation on a proposed "smart card" entry/exit system for the region. Although Stallworth was clear that this was still merely a proposal, CARICOM officials distributed draft notes of the May 19 session that reflected firm USG commitment to the proposal and its funding. In response to Econoff protest, officials deleted the text and replaced it with phrasing that more accurately represented Stallworth's comments. End summary. ¶3. (SBU) On May 19 and 21, CARICOM Ministers of National Security and senior regional law enforcement officials met in Kingston to discuss security issues relating to the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Primary Participants: Barbados Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley (Chairwoman); Jamaica Minister of National Security Peter Phillips; Trinidad and Tobago Senator Martin Joseph, Minister of National Security; Dominica Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmoore; Wesley Wharton, Assistant Director, Technology, Ministry of Finance, Sustainable Development, Information and Technology, St. Kitts and Nevis; Phillip Goddard, Special Envoy, Barbados; Colonel Alvin Quintyne, Chief of Staff, Barbados Defence Force; Darwin Dottin, Police Commissioner, Royal Barbados Police; Juanita Thorinton-Powlett, Office of the Prime Minister, Barbados; Joan Massiah, Office of the Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago; Gilbert Scott, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security, Jamaica; Duncan Jarrett, Commander, Metropolitan Police, UNITED Kingdom; Francesca Flessati, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UNITED Kingdom; Francis Forbes and Lance Selman, Directors, Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS); Jeremy Collymore, Coordinator, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA); Grantley Watson, Regional Security Coordinator, Regional Security System (RSS); Jacqulyn Joseph, Executive Director, Office of the Deputy Secretary-General, CARICOM Secretariat. USG participants: Charles Stallworth, Executive Director, Foreign Operations Division, DHS; John Morgan, Economic Officer, Embassy Kingston. -------------- -------------- Ministers Receptive to Proposed Security Assistance Programs -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Econoff delivered ref. A talking points to CARICOM security ministers on the margins of the Ministers of National Security Meeting in Kingston on May 19 and May 21. All ministers expressed strong support for the proposed programs, and noted that the potential assistance directly addressed some of the critical needs of the region. They were particularly interested in the communications equipment proposal, but were anxious for further information on canine units and airport security equipment and training as well. Barbados Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Mia Mottley noted sharply that while this assistance is greatly appreciated, "a great deal more clarity" on specifics is required. Which countries are eligible for the Third Border Initiative (TBI) funds was a concern, she continued. Econoff reiterated that OAS' Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) would work with the region to identify priority countries. -------------- -------------- Cricket World Cup Security Preparations: State-of-Play -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Darwin Dottin, Police Commissioner of the Royal Barbados Police, outlined for the ministers the progress made regarding regional security for Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC). He presented a draft Regional Security Plan, and the ministers accepted that document as a basis for further detailed planning and coordination. The final draft of the plan is due to be completed by 23 June. Post will report septel on the substantive components of the regional security strategy and its implications for international assistance, the details of the border security strategy as they relate to customs and immigration, and the progress of the region in developing an intelligence-sharing mechanism. -------------- A CARICOM Visa -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The ministers agreed to proceed with the introduction of a CARICOM Multiple Entry Visa for the period January 15 to May 15, 2007. A visitor who is required to obtain a visa for any one CARICOM State must obtain this visa before entering the region. In discussions with a UNITED Kingdom delegation in April 2006, the UK raised concern that a rubber stamp format under consideration by CARICOM would be easily replicated, and urged a more secure visa. The ministers further committed that by May 28 the CARICOM Secretariat would confirm the visa requirements of all member SIPDIS states, and would submit a final assessment report on the 42 countries of special interest identified by the USG. -------------- "Smart Card" Update -------------- ¶7. (C) On May 19, Charles Stallworth, Executive Director of the Foreign Operations Division, DHS, provided an overview of a possible "Smart Card." He outlined a card that would capture a digital photograph, 10 fingerprints, and biographic data as outlined in Ref. B. Two changes from that time arose: first, the concept of the card as an "e-purse," partnering with a financial institution, appears to have lost favor and was not mentioned. Second, although Mottley stated then her opinion that only visitors attending CWC should receive smart cards, there is now consensus that "all passengers who require a CARICOM visa are required to obtain a swipe card." ¶8. (C) With respect to financing, Stallworth was clear that USG funding was not yet in place for a smart card system. He noted that there may arise the need for the region to partner in some of the costs. Nevertheless, a draft summary of recommendations and conclusions from the May 19 session that was distributed for comment on May 21 stated both that Stallworth "outlined the (USG) offer to provide" a biometric card system, and that the "Government of the USA will meet the installation, maintenance and operations costs up until December 2008." Econoff reminded the ministers at the May 21 session that the funding for such a card was not yet obligated, and reminded participants of Stallworth's presentation at the previous meeting. The notes were amended to reflect this, and Post will monitor the final summary of recommendations to ensure that Stallworth's comments are accurately portrayed. ¶9. (SBU) Participants discussed the benefits to the region of staying "ahead of the curve" on this technology. In addition to its future potential as a secure travel document facilitating regional movement ) a key goal under CSME ) Stallworth pointed to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and noted that the region would be compliant with any potential requirements far ahead of the rest of the hemisphere. Former Senator Goddard of Barbados, now a Special Advisor for Technology, Trade and Investment to the Barbados Office of the Prime Minister, stated that the card could be used as a national identification card. -------------- International Assistance -------------- ¶10. (C) Although "International Support Required to Complement National and Regional Resources" was prominent on the agenda, the ministers made no firm requests. An extensive document that detailed the region's requirements and identified possible source countries was dismissed by Minister Phillips and DPM Mottley as "embarrassing to the region." They noted that a "wish list" of items ) the document, in one example, identifies the need for 600 shin guards for riot protective gear ) would only dilute attention from the critical resource needs. They tasked the police and military chiefs to come up with a list of critical needs, removing from the document anything that would more appropriately be under the purview of regular procurement. ¶11. (SBU) At the suggestion of the UK's Jarrett and Flessati, there will be an international advisory committee ) Mottley called it an "International Support Group" ) which shall comprise representatives of likely donor countries. That group will then liaise directly with Minister Phillips, who is the Regional Resource Coordinator, to identify donor capabilities and prevent duplication of efforts. At a breakout session on May 21, Phillips noted that there had been "sporadic" contacts between, for example, various regional parties and SouthCom and the FBI. Phillips therefore emphasized the need to channel communication more effectively. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶12. (C) Ministers' receptivity to the TBI-funded, CICTE-operationalized proposals is heartening. Embassy Bridgetown and Embassy Port of Spain should expect DPM Mottley and Minister Joseph to be hungry ) and impatient - for details, as well as concerned about the availability of TBI funds for certain countries. ¶13. (C) Comment (cont,d): Stallworth's presentation and the misrepresentation of his comments in the draft summary distributed on May 21 are illustrative of how badly the region wants the USG to take on the entry/exit card system. Mottley noted to Econoff during a break that CARICOM had been talking to the UK and Canada about a "smart card-type" system, but had put it on hold in the wake of the USG "offer." While the DPM seems very clear that this is not a done deal, she and others repeatedly made comments such as "when we get the swipe cards" and "this will happen." This left the impression that the chatter on the margins was not a matter of if, but of when. Mottley indicated that she would contact Ambassador Kramer immediately on her return to Barbados to inquire about the potential visit of Secretary Chertoff. ¶14. (C) Comment (cont,d): Likewise, the establishment of a strict vertical line of communication to coordinate requests for international assistance is a welcome departure from the piecemeal approach that has characterized the process until now. Flessati and Jarrett commented to Econoff that a benefit of the "International Support Group" approach was not only that efforts were not duplicated, but also that each country could play to its strengths in training and equipment provision. At the same time, it avoids any notion that, for example, "the USG recommends action 'x'," which could later have negative repercussions. Instead, the international support group gives its recommendations and responds to requests for assistance. End comment. JOHNSON