JAMAICA: CRICKET WORLD CUP (C-AL6-01777)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000057

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (FORTIN, BUDDEN),INR/I (GIBNEY)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017
TAGS: PINR CARICOM JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: CRICKET WORLD CUP (C-AL6-01777)

REF: A. STATE 200688

B. 01/12/07 MORGAN/FORTIN E-MAIL

Classified By: CDA James T. Heg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This message responds to the information requested in
ref. A; answers are keyed to paragraphs.


A. (C) Econoff sent the updated Regional Security Plan
(including threat and risk assessments) electronically to
Michael Fortin (ref. B). To access, open the document, type
'rsplan', then select 'read only'.

Colonel Antony Bertram Anderson joined the Jamaica Defense
Force (JDF) in 1984 after graduating from the College of
Arts, Science, and Technology with a diploma in Electrical
and Electronic Engineering. He was promoted to the rank of
Lieutenant in September 1985, Captain in September 1989,

Major on 03 September 1996, and to Lieutenant Colonel on 30
November 2002. On 02 August 2006, Anderson was promoted to
full Colonel. Anderson was appointed Commander of the
Caribbean Operational Planning and Coordinating Staff
(COPACS) in charge of security preparations for Cricket World
Cup 2007 (CWC).

After completing his initial officer training at the Royal
Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, he was posted to
the Second Battalion of the Jamaica Regiment as an infantry
officer. Colonel Anderson served in the infantry as platoon
commander and as the regimental signals officer. In 1992, he
became th officer in charge of aircraft maintenance for the
JDF Air Wing, and subsequently was appointed the Senior
Advisor on Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Matters to
JDF Headquarters, as well as Force Conservation Officer.
During 1996, Anderson served as an instructor on the Jamaica
Junior Command and Staff Course, and served as the Standards
Officer for the course in 1997 and 1998. He took up the
position of Officer Commanding the JDF Supply Depot in 1998
until departing for the Senior Staff College in 1999.

Colonel Anderson holds a Bachelors of Engineering (Honors)
degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters degree in
Defense Administration from Cranfield University in the
United Kingdom. He is a graduate of the Canadian Land Forces
Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army Command and
General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth. In 2002 he was
awarded the Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service. He
chairs or serves on a number of Boards, including as Chairman
of the Strategic Working Group of the JDF's Strategic Defense
Review Committee, and as Chairman of the JDF Information
Technology Steering Committee. He also serves on the Board
of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and is a Justice of the Peace
for the parish of Kingston in Jamaica.


C. (U) The status of national legislation to enable operation
of the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) is
currently being prepared for presentation to Parliament.
Post expects an announcement on the status of this
legislation soon, and expects it to be passed. Minister of
National Security Peter Phillips understands the urgency of
this, and also has optimism about APIS as a legacy tool.


D. (U) Post has no information regarding specific threats
surrounding CWC.


E. (C) It is certain that Jamaican VIPs from all professions
will be attending some or all of the matches. This would be
including, but not limited to, any and all politicians, up to
the Prime Minister. Post has no specific information on
foreign VIPs. There were rumors that Pervez Musharraf might
attend an unspecified match involving Pakistan, which is
scheduled to play its group matches here on March 13 (against
the West Indies, probably the most likely one if Musharraf
did come),March 17 (Ireland, on St. Patrick's Day),and
March 21 (Zimbabwe).


F. (U) Post received Diplomatic Note 8/802/273 from the GOJ
informing that Jamaica will participate in the common visa
policy for the period 15 January to 15 May 2007. It further
notes that it will suspend "visa abolition agreements" that
Jamaica has with various countries for this period (NOTE:
U.S. citizens are exempt from this visa requirement, as is
the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain,
Japan, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France, Canada, and CARICOM
members. ENDNOTE). While the media and political opposition
have complained that this visa will harm the tourist trade,
there have been concurrent articles noting that this is
shaping up to be the busiest tourist season ever.


J. (SBU) The Chinese are building the stadium in Trelawny,
near the North Coast, that will be used for the practice
matches (05-09 March) as well as the Opening Ceremony (11
March). They are using many Chinese laborers. While Post
has no specific information on connections to the military or
intelligence services among these workers, it is certainly
true that the Chinese have expanded their military
cooperation with Jamaica, stepping into a developing void
left as the U.S. and UK decrease such engagement. The
Chinese military has offered equipment, uniforms and training
to the JDF in recent months. Post has heard no specific
reports of security assistance directly related to CWC,
however.


K. (SBU) Post has not heard reports of Chinese efforts to use
the largesse to influence foreign policy positions, but the
GOJ can be vulnerable to such efforts, as evidenced by the
CARICOM vote for Venezuela for the non-permanent UNSC seat in
late 2006.


L. (U) JDF preparations for CWC include USG training. Recent
media reports have indicated that the Jamaica Constabulary
Force (JCF) - Jamaican police - will have the primary
responsibility, however, except in the case of a large-scale
event, whether natural or terrorist in nature. The police
will be augmented by private security firms, who will be in
makeshift uniforms.


M. (SBU) GOJ counterterrorist capability is minimal, as
Jamaica has not historically been a target. The JDF are,
however, a well-trained, highly professional force.


P. (SBU) U.S. consular accreditation has not yet been
addressed. It is known, however, that the International
Cricket Council (ICC),which "owns" the event, has suggested
that Consular officials will be required to purchase tickets,
just like other spectators. Embassy Kingston will likely
have at least one official at most of the matches. In the
event of a major natural or man-made crisis, local officials
will have complete access; foreign military may have a more
difficult time, given the lack of a permanent Status of
Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Jamaica (NOTE: A SOFA has been
proposed to the GOJ and is currently under study. ENDNOTE).
Moreover, Jamaica lacks the medical infrastructure to
adequately handle and contain a large-scale disaster. Post
believes, however, that in the event of a crisis the GOJ
would expedite any necessary regulations or paperwork to
receive what assistance is needed. Post is conducting a
Crisis Management Exercise (CME) on January 31.


Q. (SBU) Post has no direct knowledge that drug traffickers
are planning to take specific advantage of CWC, although we
deem it likely. GOJ does hope that some of the training and
equipment that they may receive in advance of CWC will have
legacy potential in attacking the drug trade and crime in
general.
HEG