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).

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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.

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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