Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN576
2008-12-18 17:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM
how-toVZCZCXRO9969 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHSP #0576 3531702 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 181702Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9590 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC
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.
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
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