CARICOM'S CRIME MEETING LEADS TO DEPORTEE AND REGIONAL

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000170 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KCRM PREF PGOV TD SUBJECT: CARICOM'S CRIME MEETING LEADS TO DEPORTEE AND REGIONAL SECURITY INITIATIVES SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Manning hosted an April 4-5 CARICOM heads of government meeting on crime and security in Port of Spain. Among agreed initiatives were to increase maritime and airspace security cooperation, explore the creation of a regional rapid deployment force, develop a Caribbean firearms database, increase anti-drug intelligence sharing and the use of DNA to investigate murders, work toward a CARICOM and hemispheric justice (presumably witness) protection program, and to train anti-kidnapping units. The leaders also agreed to pursue MOUs with the U.S., UK and Canada on deportees. In an April 7 lunch with the Ambassador and visiting WHA Director of Caribbean Affairs Velia De Pirro, National Security Minister Martin Joseph reiterated Trinidad's view that the deportee issue must be approached regionally and noted his interest in putting five C-26s in the Caribbean skies to counter drug trafficking and other crimes. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) With the exception of the President of Suriname, all leaders of the CARICOM nations met April 4-5 in Port of Spain to discuss crime and security. At the end of their two-day meeting, the heads of government issued a five page statement detailing their talks and items for follow up. Among highlights, the CARICOM leaders agreed to: - Engage international partners, "particularly the United States of America," on fighting the regional drug trade. - Sign a Maritime and Airspace Security Agreement by July 2008. - Examine creation of an anti-crime "Rapid Deployment Regional Join Force." - Step up the use of DNA and specialized forensics to counter crime. Train anti-kidnapping units - Establish a CARICOM Justice (presumably witness) Protection Program, establish a CARICOM polygraph capacity to counter corruption in law enforcement bodies, and pass legislation to allow for plea bargaining, asset seizure and wiretapping. - Pursue deportee negotiation with the U.S., UK and Canada, including on "adequate notification periods," sharing of full criminal and medical records, assisting in reintegration. - Set up a CARICOM Arrest Warrant. For a detailed list of agenda items, please visit http://www.caricom.org/jsp/pressreleases/pres 75_08.jsp ¶3. (SBU) During a lunch at the Ambassador's residence on April 7, National Security Minister Joseph noted the CARICOM leaders were approaching crime regionally and implied the U.S. should reciprocate in the way it deals with CARICOM on this issue. He specifically reiterated the GOTT's position that the deportee issue must not be dealt with bilaterally. ¶4. (SBU) As part of its anti-drug effort, Joseph noted that Trinidad plans to refurbish the two C-26 aircraft previously donated by the USG. It also is interested in exchanging its two (non-flying past donated) Pipers for a new C-26. Finally, Joseph made a pitch for USG assistance to refurbishing Barbados' two C-26 aircraft. If all these plans panned out, a total of five functional C-26s would be available to support regional security and patrol efforts. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: The CARICOM communiqu strikes us as having several positive facets (e.g., interest in wiretapping and asset seizure legislation),along with a few less upbeat (e.g., deportees) sections. The leaders' statement offers opportunities, should we choose, to engage the region on a key concern. END COMMENT. AUSTIN