Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN785
2007-06-15 20:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:
BARBADOS - BLUE LANTERN: RESPONSE FROM RBPF ON
how-toVZCZCXRO7039 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHWN #0785 1662012 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 152012Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4945 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1760 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL RUEHCV/USDAO CARACAS VE
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000785
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
STATE FOR PM/DDTC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC BB XL
SUBJECT: BARBADOS - BLUE LANTERN: RESPONSE FROM RBPF ON
LICENSE 05-050018615
REF: 06 BRIDGETOWN 2136
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000785
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
STATE FOR PM/DDTC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC BB XL
SUBJECT: BARBADOS - BLUE LANTERN: RESPONSE FROM RBPF ON
LICENSE 05-050018615
REF: 06 BRIDGETOWN 2136
1. (SBU) Post has received an interim reply from the Royal
Barbados Police Force (RBPF),responding to the Embassy's
February 8, 2007, request for information concerning the
application by Sports Imports to import ten (10) Remington
700 rifles.
2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT:
June 12, 2007
Mr. Christopher Reynolds
Second Secretary
US Embassy
Bridgetown
Dear Sir
Importation of Firearms
I refer to your letter of February 8, 2007 concerning an
application by Sports Imports to import ten (10) Remington
700 7.62x51 (1.308) calibre rifles.
The Royal Barbados Police Force is currently investigating
this matter. Preliminary finding indicate that permission
was granted by a letter signed by Inspector Harewood for the
importation of the mentioned firearms.
However, the nature of further correspondence to Inspector
Harewood from Sports Imports necessitated further inquiry.
The circumstances are being examined in the ongoing
investigation.
Meanwhile, there is no valid import license for the
importation of these firearms.
The investigation is at an advanced stage and is being
conducted in accordance with the provisions of our Firearms
Act.
You would be informed in due course of our findings.
Yours faithfully
Darwin Dottin
Commissioner of Police
(signed)
END TEXT
--------------
Background
--------------
3. (SBU) When PolOff called Inspector Harewood initially, he
confirmed the letter he signed and stated that Sports Imports
had permission to import the 10 rifles. At the request of
PM/DDTC, PolOff followed up with Harewood, who works in the
Commissioner Dottin's office and is the one person at the
RBPF that can issue import licenses, to obtain enduser
information for the weapons. PolOff also called the
procurement officers at both the RBPF and the Royal Barbados
Defence Force, both of whom stated that they were not
importing these weapons. When PolOff called Harewood again
to ask for enduser information, he referred PolOff to the
Commissioner himself. Commissioner Dottin asked that the
Embassy put its request for clarification of the discrepancy
in writing, which the Embassy did with its February 8 letter.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It is encouraging that Dottin is taking
this matter seriously. It would appear that Inspector
Harewood did indeed grant permission for the rifles to be
imported into Barbados without obtaining all the enduser
information he should have gathered.
GILROY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
STATE FOR PM/DDTC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC BB XL
SUBJECT: BARBADOS - BLUE LANTERN: RESPONSE FROM RBPF ON
LICENSE 05-050018615
REF: 06 BRIDGETOWN 2136
1. (SBU) Post has received an interim reply from the Royal
Barbados Police Force (RBPF),responding to the Embassy's
February 8, 2007, request for information concerning the
application by Sports Imports to import ten (10) Remington
700 rifles.
2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT:
June 12, 2007
Mr. Christopher Reynolds
Second Secretary
US Embassy
Bridgetown
Dear Sir
Importation of Firearms
I refer to your letter of February 8, 2007 concerning an
application by Sports Imports to import ten (10) Remington
700 7.62x51 (1.308) calibre rifles.
The Royal Barbados Police Force is currently investigating
this matter. Preliminary finding indicate that permission
was granted by a letter signed by Inspector Harewood for the
importation of the mentioned firearms.
However, the nature of further correspondence to Inspector
Harewood from Sports Imports necessitated further inquiry.
The circumstances are being examined in the ongoing
investigation.
Meanwhile, there is no valid import license for the
importation of these firearms.
The investigation is at an advanced stage and is being
conducted in accordance with the provisions of our Firearms
Act.
You would be informed in due course of our findings.
Yours faithfully
Darwin Dottin
Commissioner of Police
(signed)
END TEXT
--------------
Background
--------------
3. (SBU) When PolOff called Inspector Harewood initially, he
confirmed the letter he signed and stated that Sports Imports
had permission to import the 10 rifles. At the request of
PM/DDTC, PolOff followed up with Harewood, who works in the
Commissioner Dottin's office and is the one person at the
RBPF that can issue import licenses, to obtain enduser
information for the weapons. PolOff also called the
procurement officers at both the RBPF and the Royal Barbados
Defence Force, both of whom stated that they were not
importing these weapons. When PolOff called Harewood again
to ask for enduser information, he referred PolOff to the
Commissioner himself. Commissioner Dottin asked that the
Embassy put its request for clarification of the discrepancy
in writing, which the Embassy did with its February 8 letter.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It is encouraging that Dottin is taking
this matter seriously. It would appear that Inspector
Harewood did indeed grant permission for the rifles to be
imported into Barbados without obtaining all the enduser
information he should have gathered.
GILROY