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