STATE/DHS DELEGATION DISCUSSES CRICKET WORLD CUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001269 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR (NICHOLS, BENT, FORTIN) DEPARTMENT PASS DHS FOR BEARDSWORTH, VON DAMM, DODSON BRIDGETOWN FOR GILROY, AGUILERA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016 TAGS: ASEC CPAS PINR PREL PTER XL JM SUBJECT: STATE/DHS DELEGATION DISCUSSES CRICKET WORLD CUP SECURITY ISSUES WITH JAMAICAN MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY PETER PHILLIPS REF: KINGSTON 1118 Classified By: Ambassador Brenda L. Johnson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: DHS A/S Randy Beardsworth led a joint State/DHS delegation meeting with Jamaican Minister of National Security Peter Phillips in Kingston on June 22 to discuss security issues surrounding Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC). Phillips proposed an international advisory group established to assist CWC countries both in identifying security threats and in providing assets that the region lacked. Phillips hoped that the USG would join the international community in this endeavor. DHS noted that a biometric "Smart Card" was neither feasible nor necessarily desirable, and outlined an alternative entry/exit border security system based on enhancement of the Automated Passenger Information System (APIS) capabilities of the region. Phillips closed by noting that CWC could provide a platform for further cooperation on a host of bilateral security issues. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On June 22, Jamaican Ministry of National Security (MNS) and law enforcement officials met with Department of Homeland Security and Department of State representatives in Kingston to discuss security issues relating to the 2007 Cricket World Cup. GOJ Participants: Minister of National Security Peter Phillips, MNS Permanent Secretary Gilbert Scott, Jamaica Constabulary Force Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, Jamaica Defense Force Colonel Stewart Saunders, Special Advisor to the CARICOM Subcommittee on Resource Mobilization for Crime and Security O,Neil Hamilton, MNS official Karl Hamilton. USG participants: DHS Assistant Secretary for Strategic Planning Randy Beardsworth, Ambassador Brenda Johnson, WHA/CAR Director Brian Nichols, DHS A/S Chief of Staff David Von Damm, WHA/CAR Michael Fortin, CBP David Dodson, Embassy Kingston DATT, Econoff (note taker). -------------- Slow Start, but Progressing -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Phillips acknowledged that CARICOM has made a late start in its security preparations for CWC. He noted, however, that regional security plans and threat assessments were almost complete, and that with the political leadership of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados, these vital documents would soon be completed. ¶4. (SBU) Phillips stated that there would be an International Advisory Group (IAG) ) similar to one in place for the 2004 Athens Olympics ) which already has buy-in from the British, the French and Interpol. He hoped that the USG would participate, and has also reached out to the Canadians, the Dutch, the Australians and the South Africans. Such a group would offer suggestions on the best ways to neutralize potential threats, and would assist in providing the assets that the region lacked. He made particular note of the poor maritime capabilities of CARICOM countries. ¶5. (SBU) Phillips touched upon an entry/exit system and border security, but noted that Barbados (Note: He was clearly referring to Barbados DPM Mia Mottley. End note.) had been spearheading that initiative, and that since the USG delegation was traveling to Barbados after the meeting, he would leave that discussion to the GOB. -------------- The DHS Perspective -------------- ¶6. (C) DHS A/S Beardsworth focused on three elements of importance: who is entering the region; the physical security of the match venues; and the response capabilities of the region. He noted that the DHS view was that since one cannot neutralize all risks, a careful analysis of one's vulnerabilities is required, followed by targeting one's response to the most likely threats. It was important to remember, he stressed, that terrorism was not the only danger facing CWC. However, concentrating on the first of the three, Beardsworth said that the USG has an interest in "keeping the bad actors out of the region," and that this was where the most fruitful partnership opportunities lay. He acknowledged that the "smart card" system that had been discussed up until that point was simply not feasible, from both cost and time perspectives, and he added that he felt that it was not as strong as an Automated Passenger Information System (APIS) alternative. ¶7. (C) With that in mind, he outlined an APIS action plan for CARICOM, but he noted strongly that the USG would only move forward in attempting to find funding for such a project with the full support of CARICOM, noting that the regional governments would need the political will to share information, put in place appropriate legislation, and see the project through in perpetuity. ¶8. (C) The APIS model would involve air carriers to the region sending their APIS information to a CARICOM mainframe, which would be located in the U.S. "Hits" would be reviewed by Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center, and then passed to a CARICOM Operations Center. CARICOM Ops could then send the information to the appropriate regional airport authorities to ensure that pre-established actions will be taken. Likewise, the USG would place law enforcement officials at the CARICOM Ops center during the World Cup (and hopefully beyond). -------------- Phillips' Response -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Phillips noted that draft legislation requiring that APIS information be taken and shared among CARICOM was already under review, and stated emphatically that this was a system that would be a legacy, continuing long after CWC. He expressed concern that the APIS model did not allow for intra-regional tracking of persons during the CWC, something CARICOM had looked to the "Smart Card" to do. Beardsworth pointed out that APIS reporting within the region may indeed give a partial view of intra-regional movement of people. ¶10. (SBU) Phillips closed by noting that he sought some assurance that the USG would participate in the IAG. There is an initial meeting in Barbados July 26-27, and he inquired about USG attendance. He also wondered what role the USG could play in other forms of assistance. WHA/CAR Nichols pointed out - on the margins - that the USG must see an agenda and participants list for the July 26/27 meeting before deciding on our participation. With regard to assistance, Phillips pushed very strongly to secure a meeting with DOD (reftel). -------------- Other Bilateral Issues -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Finally, Phillips mentioned the opportunity to use CWC as a platform for further cooperation and dialogue, and brought up the matter of a mutual agreement on controlling illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons. Nichols noted that State understanding was that the Declaration of Principles has not yet been ratified by CARICOM pending review by Security Ministers, and that the USG stands ready to fulfill its obligations when this occurs. Phillips seemed genuinely taken by surprise, and promised that he would raise it with CARICOM colleagues at the earliest opportunity. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶12. (C) Phillips seems to grasp the urgency of the cricket security planning situation, and was frank and open in his comments. He would welcome any and all suggestions to improve the security profile of the region, and this offers a window to concentrate heavily on security issues in the next ten months before the start of CWC. Any potential disappointment that he may have felt in the loss of the "Smart Card" may be tempered by the fact that Jamaica was always lukewarm to the idea. The Beardsworth delegation may receive a very different response from Barbados DPM Mottley and Senator Goddard. However, A/S Beardsworth's approach ) accentuating the strengths of an APIS model and the comparative ease of implementation ) went a long way towards convincing MNS, at least, of its potential. Nonetheless, Phillips' desire to meet with relevant and appropriate DOD officials cannot be overstated. If the USG continues to engage and deliver, we stand to generate significant goodwill, at the same time as strengthening our "third border." End comment. ¶13. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Beardsworth and WHA/CAR Nichols. JOHNSON