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| Patrick Manning | |
KINGSTON, Jamaica, February 25, 2008 - Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister has suggested the creation of a Caribbean law enforcement unit to help police the region's countries, some of which are facing spiraling crime rates.
Patrick Manning said a well-trained, equipped regional force with the power to legally operate in any CARICOM country would be part of the answer to combating the crime situation - one which he insists is being driven by the illegal drug trade.
"Many of us in the Caribbean today are challenged by the unacceptable levels of criminal activity in our country, most of which are now spurred by the global traffic in illegal drugs. The trade in illegal arms and gang warfare lead to an unacceptable level of homicide in our main urban centres," he said, while delivering the keynote address at the recent University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus Commemoration Dinner in Jamaica.
"This situation is exacerbated by both growing illegal migration and deportation to the region of criminal elements from some metropolitan countries. What is certain, as far as I am concerned, my dear friends, there is the need to intensify cooperation among the law enforcement agencies of our nations, as well as collaboration with the international community, particularly the wider Caribbean region, Latin America, United States and Europe."
Mr Manning said his country had sought to stem the flow of illegal drugs and arms into the country through initiatives which he believes will eventually rid the country of the drug trade, such as round the clock surveillance of the twin island republic's largely unprotected coastline. But he also noted that the pattern in the past demonstrated that when the operations of drug lords are interrupted in one country they move to another.
"(That) pattern emphasises the need for multilateral efforts among ourselves and with the wider world. Failure to effectively deal with the issue of crime could stymie the economic and social development of the Caribbean," he said.
Mr Manning further urged CARICOM heads to spearhead the process of greater cooperation in the sharing of intelligence among police forces to head off migratory drug smugglers.
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