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