TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000576 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR; S/CT PLEASE PASS TO RHONDA SHORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCRM PTER ASEC TD SUBJECT: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 0120019 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) Trinidad and Tobago is not known as a safe haven for terrorists or terrorist organizations. However, due to lack of border control, a lengthy judicial process, limited law enforcement resources, and occasional contacts by persons within T&T with outside radical elements, T&T is not immune to terrorist concerns. ¶2. (SBU) In Trinidad in May 2007, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) secured the arrest of two Guyanese and one Trinidadian accused of plotting to destroy a gas pipeline in New York's JFK airport. After they lost their appeal in June, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) approved the extradition of these suspects to the United States. In a separate matter, Imam Yasin Abu Bakr of Jamaat al Muslimeen (JAM) became the first person to be prosecuted under the GOTT's 2005 Anti-terrorism Act after delivering an allegedly seditious sermon in late 2005. Bakr challenged the validity of the Act but a high court judge dismissed the constitutional motion. The JAM leader has filed an appeal challenging the judge's ruling. The special prosecutor for the State desired to sever the terrorism indictment so that the other matters could go on in the interim. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions determined that the best chance for conviction was if all three charges were tried together. ¶3. (SBU) In July, Trinidad and Tobago enacted the Advance Passenger Information Act. Under this Act, regional and international aircraft and vessels must submit Advance Passenger Information prior to arrival in and upon departure from any of the ten Member States. This Act makes permanent the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) utilized during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The system utilizes a number of watch lists, including Interpol's SLTD database, to check every passenger arriving in the region or traveling throughout the region by air or by sea. Furthermore, the GOTT established the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Document Examination Laboratory (TTIDEL) at Port of Spain's Piarco International Airport. The laboratory's primary aim is to counter the fraudulent use of travel and identity documents by utilizing technical equipment and trained experts. The USG continues to support GOTT anti-terrorism efforts by engaging in bomb detection training and providing equipment. For its part, the GOTT, through its canine academy, trained 16 additional tactical and bomb-sniffing dogs. ¶4. (SBU) Gang activity is a growing concern in Trinidad and Tobago. Law enforcement officials estimate the number of gangs to be over 80, with fewer than ten gangs classified as "major" and wielding the majority of influence. Although they are primarily involved in criminal activities, there is a possibility that these groups might develop ties with radical elements. Trinidad's sister isle of Tobago, with its porous borders and lack of law enforcement human and financial resources, experiences a significant drug trade business, which could result in increased gang activity. ¶5. (SBU) Trinidad and Tobago's is the United States' largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and plays an important part in Caribbean energy security. Recognizing this, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are engaging the GOTT, under the umbrella of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (OAS/CICTE),to improve protection of infrastructure critical to LNG exports. Following bilateral preparatory meetings in October and December 2007, a team of USG experts carried out a vulnerability assessment in January 2008 and prepared a report with recommendations to the GOTT to improve and prioritize critical infrastructure protection efforts. The Secretary of Energy delivered that report to Prime Minister Manning in May. Ongoing bilateral engagement focuses on supporting GOTT implementation of the recommendations, including through a focused training needs assessment tentatively planned for early 2009. ¶6. (SBU) Post POC James Kuebler can be reached at KueblerJM@state.gov or (868) 822-5922. AUSTIN