REMARKS DELIVERED BY
AMBASSADOR COLIN GRANDERSON
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL, FOREIGN
AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY
(CARICOM) SECRETARIAT AT THE OPENING OF THE FOURTH
CARIBBEAN-UNITED STATES SECURITY COOPERATION DIALOGUE
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA: 6 DECEMBER 2013
It is with great pleasure that I join with you all to be part of this the fourth
iteration of the Inaugural Meeting of the Caribbean-United States Security
Cooperation Dialogue. Today, we come together to build on our partnership
which began with the Inaugural Meeting of the Cooperation Dialogue in May
2010, here in Washington, D.C., where both Sides agreed to a new chapter of
engagement, laid the foundation for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
(CBSI) and committed to pursue a robust partnership.
Let me at the outset, on behalf of CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin
LaRocque, reiterate CARICOM’s appreciation particularly to the Government of
the United States for continuing to share in the Region’s interest in building on
the critical plank of security, as this lays a solid foundation for all sectors of the
Caribbean’s socio-economic development.
Given the escalating concerns over the rising incidence of violent crime in our
region and its effects on national and regional development, the issue of security
has gained increasing prominence on the agenda of the Caribbean Community.
Beyond the CBSI, CARICOM Heads of Government have taken a number of steps
of their own volition to address this scourge. They have embraced security as the
fourth pillar of the Community. The CARICOM Implementation Agency on Crime
and Security (IMPACS) was established. More recently, in February 2013, the
24th Inter-Sessional Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government addressed
several issues which concern the safety and security of CARICOM States. Issues
such as the threat of illicit trafficking, gang and youth violence, terrorism, and
cyber security were brought to the fore.
CARICOM Heads agreed that there must be a concerted effort to confront such
threats while simultaneously addressing the issue of crime prevention. To this
end, the Conference adopted a robust Regional Crime and Security Strategy
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which addresses many of the issues of Member States and which provides a
common platform from which the Region could advance its fight. Indeed CBSI
efforts must be seen as strengthening existing regional security initiatives.
CARICOM States are therefore committed to utilising the Regional Crime and
Security Strategy as the blueprint for establishing regional crime and security
priorities and initiatives, in coordination with agreed CBSI goals and objectives,
and urge our CBSI partners to follow suit.
CBSI-partners’ three-pronged approach, which seeks to substantially reduce illicit
trafficking, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice, has
made noteworthy steps on the road to improving citizen safety and security in
the Region. Deputy Secretary of State made reference to some of these gains a
few minutes ago. Through the CBSI cooperative dialogue process and
partnership, the various CBSI Technical Working Groups have developed
programmes and projects leading to significant progress in the areas of Maritime
and Aerial Security Cooperation, Law Enforcement Capacity Building, Border/Port
Security and Firearms Interdiction, Justice Sector Reform and Crime Prevention
for At-risk Youth. The CBSI Joint Implementation Report, recently presented at
the Fourth Meeting of the CBSI Commission held in November 2013 in Guyana,
highlights the significant work undertaken, the results-based outcomes and
tangible achievements to date.
The CBSI initiative and its tangible results have also garnered the attention of
international development partners such as Canada, the United Kingdom, the
European Union, Spain, France and the Netherlands, evidenced by your presence
here today. The assistance of your countries in helping to advance the
implementation and mandate of the CBSI is deeply appreciated. While CARICOM
continues to welcome this invaluable support, we also underscore the parallel
need to maximize the effectiveness and sustainability of such support, not by
replacing existing initiatives with these countries or diverting resources, but by
avoiding the duplication of efforts and generating a more effective impact.
Before I close, allow me to recognize the commendable work of the CARICOM
Implementation Agency of Crime and Security (IMPACS) in leading in the
Region’s CBSI efforts and serving as the CBSI Secretariat. IMPACS has cultivated
viable working relationships and has improved the Region’s collaboration on
security initiatives with our traditional and emerging partners as well as with
international organisations and agencies.
3
The Caribbean has emerged as a line of defence for the United States’ southern
flank as it is one of the corridors through which illicit traffic in drugs and arms
flows. This Fourth High-Level Dialogue must therefore clearly demonstrate the
determination of the Caribbean and the United States to deepen and further
improve security cooperation and to build capacity to address the unacceptable
levels of crime and criminality experienced by our citizens.
I look forward to a successful Dialogue as well as a recommitment of those
gathered to the objectives and ideals of Caribbean regional security.
I thank you.