Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jul 2008
Source: Sun St. Kitts and Nevis (Antigua)
Copyright: 2008 SUN Printing & Publishing LTD
Contact:  http://sunstkitts.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4295

US ASSISTANCE TIMELY AND WELCOME

The United States Navy offered some assistance to the  Caribbean 
region as the individual territories try to  come to terms with the 
potential dangers each may be  exposed to through travel on the high 
seas by a variety  of entities. Right off the bat, one would feel 
very safe in suggesting there are two key areas under  extreme 
scrutiny. There is, first of all, the scourge  that is the 
trans-shipment of illegal drugs and their  accompanying arms and 
ammunition. These have been known  over the years to have a great 
negative impact on the region, as matters relating to crime and the 
erosion of  countries' human resource base seem inextricably linked 
one to the other.

The relation to crime and violence, however, would be a  key concern 
to all regional authorities who have seen a  sharp escalation in 
violent criminal activities around  the region. Many associate this 
with a reportedly, once  thriving drug trade in the region and there 
are several  jurisdictions that claim to have records which show 
violent crime increased steadily with the similar  movement of the drug trade.

As people sought to control specific areas related to  the trade, it 
becomes necessary for them to maintain  their ascendency through 
violence and therefore the  escalation of gun and therefore violent crimes.

There continues to be much concern on the part of  international 
travellers over terrorism, especially  those who patronise vessels 
that have United States  interests. The possibility is indeed real 
that  terrorists could launch attacks against these  interests, 
thereby causing much damage to property as  well as great loss of lives.

With these things in mind, the United States would find  it in their 
interest and in the interest of all  countries of the Caribbean 
region to get the regional  security forces up to speed and keep them 
in good order  as they seek to head off any problems with drugs, 
arms  and ammunition and a particular brand of violence  associated 
with terrorism.

So, as much as the United States will be seen as  protecting its 
interests, its assistance is timely and  welcome in this part of the 
world as we try to stretch  our very limited resources to tackle 
crime both on land  and at sea.

Mission Commander LCDR, Robert Greene, said for cruise  ships or any 
vessels to come into ports they require  inspections and monitoring 
of piers to guard against  possible explosives or contrabands.

"We are working with the regional security systems  drivers in the 
Caribbean on providing training for  those types of services and 
capabilities to increase  the overall capability in the region," Greene said.

He added that so far, there is no threat specifically  in this region 
and explained that the training is an  overall requirement regardless 
of which region they are  occupying.

We bear this in mind but continue to be guided by an  adage that an 
ounce of prevention is better than a  pound of cure or maybe it adds 
a better tone to this  specific situation when we say to be 
forewarned is to  be forearmed.

Looking at the matter in a realistic way, we would have  to admit 
that the Caribbean islands with all of their  beautifully rugged 
coastlines can be quite vulnerable  to those with criminal minds and 
intent. Add this to  the limited resources which do not allow for the 
proper policing of our waters, then the value of the exercise  in 
question takes on a rather enormous value especially  to those who 
would recognise that it all forms a part  of new crime fighting 
initiatives aimed at arresting  the present situation that may well 
have received a  great contribution from illegal drugs, arms 
and  ammunitions getting to the hands of our criminals  straight off 
the high seas compliments a new breed of  pirates.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart