VZCZCXRO9827
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGE #0138/01 0372029
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 062029Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4746
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FAA MIAMI ARTCC MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GEORGETOWN 000138 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PBTS SMIG CVIS ASEC KFRD KHLS GY
SUBJECT: GUYANA PASSES WORLD CUP LEGISLATION - BETTER LATE 
THAN NEVER: 
 
REF: GEORGETOWN 00117 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000138  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU)  SUMMARY:  Guyana's National Assembly unanimously 
passed four bills allowing Guyana to participate fully with 
the nine other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries in a 
Single Domestic Space for the upcoming Cricket World Cup 
(CWC).  The four bills were: (1) Immigration (Amendment) Act 
; (2) Caribbean Community Special Visa Agreement Act; (3) 
Pre-Clearance Act; and (4) the Customs (Amendment) Act.  The 
bills were passed the evening of January 31, just hours 
before the CARICOM Single Domestic Space went into effect. 
 
----------------------- 
APIS LEGISLATION PASSED 
----------------------- 
 
¶2. (U)  The Immigration (Amendment) Act, makes provisions for 
the introduction of the Advanced Passenger Information System 
(APIS).  Under this bill, it is obligatory that the master of 
any vessel, whether aircraft or ship, arriving at any place 
in Guyana, must transmit passenger information to the 
immigration authorities in Guyana within the time specified. 
Failure to transmit the information required or transmitting 
incomplete or false information is an offense and is liable 
to a fine of G$20 million ( US$100,000).  Minister of Home 
Affair Clement Rohee told the National Assembly that this 
sharing of passenger information, even after CWC 2007, and 
border security were among the benefits and legacy of Guyana 
hosting this event. 
 
-------------------- 
SPECIAL VISA FOR CWC 
-------------------- 
 
¶3. (U)  The CARICOM Special Visa Agreement Act provides for 
special visas to facilitate travel to host venues from 
February 1 to May 15, 2007 after which they become invalid. 
The act gives legal effect to the CARICOM Special Visa 
Agreement which came into force December 12, 2006.  This 
agreement provided for state parties to adopt a common policy 
on the arrangements for a CARICOM special visa  and the 
harmonization of policies for the visa.   In total, 23 
countries will be affected, the majority of which Guyana had 
no-visa agreements.  The special visa fee of US $100, 
however, has caused some controversy among CWC participant 
countries. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
EASY TRAVEL FOR CWC TEAMS, OFFICIALS, AND MEDIA 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶4. (U)  The Pre-Clearance Act allows for unimpeded travel for 
teams, officials, media and sponsors (TOMS) during the CWC. 
The new pre-clearance law gives legal effect to an agreement 
between Guyana and other CWC hosts on the pre-clearance of 
passengers and goods for the purpose of CWC 2007.  Under the 
legislation, Guyana will designate a pre-clearance area at 
the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to facilitate TOMS, 
who are subjected to the country's entry rules and 
regulations. 
 
----------- 
CUSTOMS LAW 
----------- 
 
¶5. (U)  The Customs (Amendment) Act makes provision for the 
Minister of Finance to make regulations requiring any master 
of an aircraft or ship expected to arrive in Guyana or 
expected to depart from Guyana to furnish advance information 
relating to any passenger or cargo or both on board such 
craft in the form and manner as may be provided in the 
regulations.  Like the immigration law, the customs amendment 
law makes provisions for a fine not exceeding G$20 million in 
cases where a master of an aircraft or ship intentionally 
fails, or recklessly furnishes incomplete or false advance 
information. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
GUYANA'S MOTO:  BETTER LATE THAN NEVER 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU)  COMMENT:  Much like the frantic last-minute 
preparations for the August 2007 national elections, Guyana 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000138  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
has waited until less than two months from the start of the 
CWC to finally take action.  While they were able to push 
through the necessary legislation with only hours to spare, 
it remains an open question whether they will finish the 
other required preparations for the games.  A quick glance 
around Georgetown finds that the new hotels, roadwork and 
transportation infrastructure for the CWC are yet to be 
completed. 
Robinson