Granger calls for strengthening of security architecture in CARICOM

Feb 17, 2017 News

By Murtland Haley
President David Granger urged his fellow Caribbean Heads of Government to work towards strengthening the region’s security architecture as he deems it to be an essential pillar of the community.

President David Granger addressing the Heads of Government yesterday, flanked by CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque (L) and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit (Ministry Of The Presidency Photo)

Granger, who is also Chairman of CARICOM, made this appeal yesterday during his remarks at the opening session of the Twenty-Eighth Inter-Sessional Meeting of The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.
“The Caribbean, a maritime corridor between two continents, is vulnerable to narcotics trafficking and human trafficking, to gun running, to terrorism, to penetration by international criminal cartels,” the Guyanese leader asserted.
Granger said that to approach these issues, transnational criminal threats demand transnational functional cooperation.
“We live in uncertain times; we must continuously strengthen our security architecture in order to assure our citizens and investors of greater security and stability.”
The President told his counterparts that they need to be vigilant in the face of continuing threats to sovereignty and territory of fellow member states.
Meanwhile, outgoing Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit, on the matter of security, said that the completion of the regional security architecture has resonance, regionally and nationally.
He said that these institutional arrangements are to combat the scourge of crime that is affecting the Community.
“Cross border crime is a serious concern within our Community. We need the legal instruments to combat it in our countries as well as regionally. This is a time for action. We cannot afford the luxury of procrastination.”
Also addressing the issue of security was CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who said that the agenda of the meeting will address broad areas such as economic development, crime and security and international relations.
He said that the region’s crime and security agenda is affected by states not being able to deliver results as fast as they should in a number of areas.
“Crime and Security is not just a national issue but a regional one. The critical regional legal instruments that are awaiting finalisation would assist in the battle at the national level. The time is past due for the outstanding matters to be concluded with a degree of urgency.”
According to LaRocque, winning the battle for a safe and secure society brings with it more opportunity for economic growth and development. He added that it will also provide a boost for one of the region’s major economic sectors, tourism.
“This sector is one of the prime drivers of economic growth, attracting major investment, creating jobs and boosting the creative industries, among others. Proposals for sustainable tourism development in our Region are therefore welcome and will be considered at this Meeting.”
On Monday last, Ambassador LaRocque told media operatives that crime continues to pose a threat to the region. According to him, not only has crime been a national issue for Member States but also a regional matter, warranting a regional solution. He said that the community will continue to examine ways in which crime in the region can be reduced.
He had pre-empted that the Heads of Government would examine additional options, as the conference provides an opportunity for holistic examination and the presentation of updates from Member-States on implemented crime-fighting strategies.
One of the matters to be dealt with at the meeting is the Arrest Warrant Treaty. It is an instrument formulated to address the issue of cooperation between member states in the fight against crime and reducing the complex nature of procedures as it relates to extradition.
The Treaty, once ratified, will simplify the procedure by which fugitives from justice are returned to participating member states so as to face criminal prosecution or serve sentences.

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