VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #1007/01 1421907
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221907Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2854
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PRIORITY 7366
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY 2348
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN PRIORITY 5104
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO PRIORITY 5678
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM J7 MIAMI FL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001007 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/CT AND FOR WHA/CAR (BENT, FORTIN) 
DEPARTMENT PASS TO DHS (STALLWORTH, PATTERSON, LOONEY) 
BRIDGETOWN PLEASE PASS GILROY, AGUILERA 
SANTO DOMINGO FOR LEGATT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2016 
TAGS: ASEC CPAS OAS PINR PREL PTER XL JM
SUBJECT: CARICOM MINISTERS OF NATIONAL SECURITY MEET TO 
DISCUSS CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007 
 
REF: A. STATE 80801 
 
     ¶B. BRIDGETOWN 744 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b) a 
nd (d) 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: At a meeting of CARICOM Ministers of 
National Security and Law Enforcement addressing security 
issues surrounding Cricket World Cup 2007 held in Kingston on 
May 19 and 21, ministers were very receptive to proposals for 
USG assistance, through the OAS Inter-American Committee 
Against Terrorism (CICTE), in the areas of airport screening, 
communications, and canine units for bomb detection.  They 
expressed a strong desire to receive further details on both 
the specific elements of the proposals, and the potential 
issues related to Third Border Initiative funds that might 
arise, in order that they may begin planning. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Summary (cont,d): Subcommittees responsible for a 
regional security strategy; a sub-plan for disaster 
preparedness; border security surrounding visa issuance, 
immigration, and customs; intelligence; the regional 
legislative agenda; and sources for international assistance 
provided status reports.  DHS Executive Director for the 
Foreign Operations Division, Charles Stallworth, also gave a 
brief presentation on a proposed "smart card" entry/exit 
system for the region.  Although Stallworth was clear that 
this was still merely a proposal, CARICOM officials 
distributed draft notes of the May 19 session that reflected 
firm USG commitment to the proposal and its funding.  In 
response to Econoff protest, officials deleted the text and 
replaced it with phrasing that more accurately represented 
Stallworth's comments.  End summary. 
 
¶3. (SBU) On May 19 and 21, CARICOM Ministers of National 
Security and senior regional law enforcement officials met in 
Kingston to discuss security issues relating to the 2007 
Cricket World Cup. 
 
Primary Participants: Barbados Deputy Prime Minister Mia 
Mottley (Chairwoman); Jamaica Minister of National Security 
Peter Phillips; Trinidad and Tobago Senator Martin Joseph, 
Minister of National Security; Dominica Minister of National 
Security Rayburn Blackmoore; Wesley Wharton, Assistant 
Director, Technology, Ministry of Finance, Sustainable 
Development, Information and Technology, St. Kitts and Nevis; 
Phillip Goddard, Special Envoy, Barbados; Colonel Alvin 
Quintyne, Chief of Staff, Barbados Defence Force; Darwin 
Dottin, Police Commissioner, Royal Barbados Police; Juanita 
Thorinton-Powlett, Office of the Prime Minister, Barbados; 
Joan Massiah, Office of the Prime Minister, Trinidad and 
Tobago; Gilbert Scott, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of 
National Security, Jamaica; Duncan Jarrett, Commander, 
Metropolitan Police, United Kingdom; Francesca Flessati, 
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom; Francis 
Forbes and Lance Selman, Directors, Implementing Agency for 
Crime and Security (IMPACS); Jeremy Collymore, Coordinator, 
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA); 
Grantley Watson, Regional Security Coordinator, Regional 
Security System (RSS); Jacqulyn Joseph, Executive Director, 
Office of the Deputy Secretary-General, CARICOM Secretariat. 
 
USG participants: Charles Stallworth, Executive Director, 
Foreign Operations Division, DHS; John Morgan, Economic 
Officer, Embassy Kingston. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
Ministers Receptive to Proposed Security Assistance Programs 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶4. (SBU) Econoff delivered ref. A talking points to CARICOM 
security ministers on the margins of the Ministers of 
National Security Meeting in Kingston on May 19 and May 21. 
All ministers expressed strong support for the proposed 
programs, and noted that the potential assistance directly 
addressed some of the critical needs of the region.  They 
were particularly interested in the communications equipment 
 
proposal, but were anxious for further information on canine 
units and airport security equipment and training as well. 
Barbados Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Mia Mottley noted 
sharply that while this assistance is greatly appreciated, "a 
great deal more clarity" on specifics is required.  Which 
countries are eligible for the Third Border Initiative (TBI) 
funds was a concern, she continued.  Econoff reiterated that 
OAS' Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) would 
work with the region to identify priority countries. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
Cricket World Cup Security Preparations: State-of-Play 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Darwin Dottin, Police Commissioner of the Royal 
Barbados Police, outlined for the ministers the progress made 
regarding regional security for Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC). 
 He presented a draft Regional Security Plan, and the 
ministers accepted that document as a basis for further 
detailed planning and coordination.  The final draft of the 
plan is due to be completed by 23 June.  Post will report 
septel on the substantive components of the regional security 
strategy and its implications for international assistance, 
the details of the border security strategy as they relate to 
customs and immigration, and the progress of the region in 
developing an intelligence-sharing mechanism. 
 
-------------- 
A CARICOM Visa 
-------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The ministers agreed to proceed with the 
introduction of a CARICOM Multiple Entry Visa for the period 
January 15 to May 15, 2007.  A visitor who is required to 
obtain a visa for any one CARICOM State must obtain this visa 
before entering the region.  In discussions with a United 
Kingdom delegation in April 2006, the UK raised concern that 
a rubber stamp format under consideration by CARICOM would be 
easily replicated, and urged a more secure visa.  The 
ministers further committed that by May 28 the CARICOM 
Secretariat would confirm the visa requirements of all member 
 
SIPDIS 
states, and would submit a final assessment report on the 42 
countries of special interest identified by the USG. 
 
------------------- 
"Smart Card" Update 
------------------- 
 
¶7. (C) On May 19, Charles Stallworth, Executive Director of 
the Foreign Operations Division, DHS, provided an overview of 
a possible "Smart Card."  He outlined a card that would 
capture a digital photograph, 10 fingerprints, and biographic 
data as outlined in Ref. B.  Two changes from that time 
arose: first, the concept of the card as an "e-purse," 
partnering with a financial institution, appears to have lost 
favor and was not mentioned.  Second, although Mottley stated 
then her opinion that only visitors attending CWC should 
receive smart cards, there is now consensus that "all 
passengers who require a CARICOM visa are required to obtain 
a swipe card." 
 
¶8. (C) With respect to financing, Stallworth was clear that 
USG funding was not yet in place for a smart card system.  He 
noted that there may arise the need for the region to partner 
in some of the costs.  Nevertheless, a draft summary of 
recommendations and conclusions from the May 19 session that 
was distributed for comment on May 21 stated both that 
Stallworth "outlined the (USG) offer to provide" a biometric 
card system, and that the "Government of the USA will meet 
the installation, maintenance and operations costs up until 
December 2008."  Econoff reminded the ministers at the May 21 
session that the funding for such a card was not yet 
obligated, and reminded participants of Stallworth's 
presentation at the previous meeting.  The notes were amended 
to reflect this, and Post will monitor the final summary of 
recommendations to ensure that Stallworth's comments are 
accurately portrayed. 
 
 
¶9. (SBU) Participants discussed the benefits to the region of 
staying "ahead of the curve" on this technology.  In addition 
to its future potential as a secure travel document 
facilitating regional movement ) a key goal under CSME ) 
Stallworth pointed to the Western Hemisphere Travel 
Initiative, and noted that the region would be compliant with 
any potential requirements far ahead of the rest of the 
hemisphere.  Former Senator Goddard of Barbados, now a 
Special Advisor for Technology, Trade and Investment to the 
Barbados Office of the Prime Minister, stated that the card 
could be used as a national identification card. 
 
------------------------ 
International Assistance 
------------------------ 
 
¶10. (C) Although "International Support Required to 
Complement National and Regional Resources" was prominent on 
the agenda, the ministers made no firm requests.  An 
extensive document that detailed the region's requirements 
and identified possible source countries was dismissed by 
Minister Phillips and DPM Mottley as "embarrassing to the 
region."  They noted that a "wish list" of items ) the 
document, in one example, identifies the need for 600 shin 
guards for riot protective gear ) would only dilute 
attention from the critical resource needs.  They tasked the 
police and military chiefs to come up with a list of critical 
needs, removing from the document anything that would more 
appropriately be under the purview of regular procurement. 
 
¶11. (SBU) At the suggestion of the UK's Jarrett and Flessati, 
there will be an international advisory committee ) Mottley 
called it an "International Support Group" ) which shall 
comprise representatives of likely donor countries.  That 
group will then liaise directly with Minister Phillips, who 
is the Regional Resource Coordinator, to identify donor 
capabilities and prevent duplication of efforts.  At a 
breakout session on May 21, Phillips noted that there had 
been "sporadic" contacts between, for example, various 
regional parties and SouthCom and the FBI.  Phillips 
therefore emphasized the need to channel communication more 
effectively. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶12. (C) Ministers' receptivity to the TBI-funded, 
CICTE-operationalized proposals is heartening.  Embassy 
Bridgetown and Embassy Port of Spain should expect DPM 
Mottley and Minister Joseph to be hungry ) and impatient - 
for details, as well as concerned about the availability of 
TBI funds for certain countries. 
 
¶13. (C) Comment (cont,d): Stallworth's presentation and the 
misrepresentation of his comments in the draft summary 
distributed on May 21 are illustrative of how badly the 
region wants the USG to take on the entry/exit card system. 
Mottley noted to Econoff during a break that CARICOM had been 
talking to the UK and Canada about a "smart card-type" 
system, but had put it on hold in the wake of the USG 
"offer."  While the DPM seems very clear that this is not a 
done deal, she and others repeatedly made comments such as 
"when we get the swipe cards" and "this will happen."  This 
left the impression that the chatter on the margins was not a 
matter of if, but of when.  Mottley indicated that she would 
contact Ambassador Kramer immediately on her return to 
Barbados to inquire about the potential visit of Secretary 
Chertoff. 
 
¶14. (C) Comment (cont,d): Likewise, the establishment of a 
strict vertical line of communication to coordinate requests 
for international assistance is a welcome departure from the 
piecemeal approach that has characterized the process until 
now.  Flessati and Jarrett commented to Econoff that a 
benefit of the "International Support Group" approach was not 
 
only that efforts were not duplicated, but also that each 
country could play to its strengths in training and equipment 
provision.  At the same time, it avoids any notion that, for 
example, "the USG recommends action 'x'," which could later 
have negative repercussions.  Instead, the international 
support group gives its recommendations and responds to 
requests for assistance.  End comment. 
JOHNSON