VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #1269/01 1781238
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 271238Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3104
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM J7 MIAMI FL
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001269 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (NICHOLS, BENT, FORTIN) 
DEPARTMENT PASS DHS FOR BEARDSWORTH, VON DAMM, DODSON 
BRIDGETOWN FOR GILROY, AGUILERA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016 
TAGS: ASEC CPAS PINR PREL PTER XL JM
SUBJECT: STATE/DHS DELEGATION DISCUSSES CRICKET WORLD CUP 
SECURITY ISSUES WITH JAMAICAN MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY 
PETER PHILLIPS 
 
REF: KINGSTON 1118 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda L. Johnson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: DHS A/S Randy Beardsworth led a joint 
State/DHS delegation meeting with Jamaican Minister of 
National Security Peter Phillips in Kingston on June 22 to 
discuss security issues surrounding Cricket World Cup 2007 
(CWC).  Phillips proposed an international advisory group 
established to assist CWC countries both in identifying 
security threats and in providing assets that the region 
lacked.  Phillips hoped that the USG would join the 
international community in this endeavor.  DHS noted that a 
biometric "Smart Card" was neither feasible nor necessarily 
desirable, and outlined an alternative entry/exit border 
security system based on enhancement of the Automated 
Passenger Information System (APIS) capabilities of the 
region.  Phillips closed by noting that CWC could provide a 
platform for further cooperation on a host of bilateral 
security issues.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On June 22, Jamaican Ministry of National Security 
(MNS) and law enforcement officials met with Department of 
Homeland Security and Department of State representatives in 
Kingston to discuss security issues relating to the 2007 
Cricket World Cup. 
 
GOJ Participants: Minister of National Security Peter 
Phillips, MNS Permanent Secretary Gilbert Scott, Jamaica 
Constabulary Force Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen 
Ellington, Jamaica Defense Force Colonel Stewart Saunders, 
Special Advisor to the CARICOM Subcommittee on Resource 
Mobilization for Crime and Security O,Neil Hamilton, MNS 
official Karl Hamilton. 
 
USG participants: DHS Assistant Secretary for Strategic 
Planning Randy Beardsworth, Ambassador Brenda Johnson, 
WHA/CAR Director Brian Nichols, DHS A/S Chief of Staff David 
Von Damm, WHA/CAR Michael Fortin, CBP David Dodson, Embassy 
Kingston DATT, Econoff (note taker). 
 
--------------------------- 
Slow Start, but Progressing 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Phillips acknowledged that CARICOM has made a late 
start in its security preparations for CWC.  He noted, 
however, that regional security plans and threat assessments 
were almost complete, and that with the political leadership 
of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados, these vital 
documents would soon be completed. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Phillips stated that there would be an International 
Advisory Group (IAG) ) similar to one in place for the 2004 
Athens Olympics ) which already has buy-in from the British, 
the French and Interpol.  He hoped that the USG would 
participate, and has also reached out to the Canadians, the 
Dutch, the Australians and the South Africans.  Such a group 
would offer suggestions on the best ways to neutralize 
potential threats, and would assist in providing the assets 
that the region lacked.  He made particular note of the poor 
maritime capabilities of CARICOM countries. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Phillips touched upon an entry/exit system and 
border security, but noted that Barbados (Note: He was 
clearly referring to Barbados DPM Mia Mottley. End note.) had 
been spearheading that initiative, and that since the USG 
delegation was traveling to Barbados after the meeting, he 
would leave that discussion to the GOB. 
 
------------------- 
The DHS Perspective 
------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) DHS A/S Beardsworth focused on three elements of 
importance: who is entering the region; the physical security 
of the match venues; and the response capabilities of the 
region.  He noted that the DHS view was that since one cannot 
neutralize all risks, a careful analysis of one's 
vulnerabilities is required, followed by targeting one's 
response to the most likely threats.  It was important to 
remember, he stressed, that terrorism was not the only danger 
facing CWC.  However, concentrating on the first of the 
 
 
three, Beardsworth said that the USG has an interest in 
"keeping the bad actors out of the region," and that this was 
where the most fruitful partnership opportunities lay.  He 
acknowledged that the "smart card" system that had been 
discussed up until that point was simply not feasible, from 
both cost and time perspectives, and he added that he felt 
that it was not as strong as an Automated Passenger 
Information System (APIS) alternative. 
 
¶7. (C) With that in mind, he outlined an APIS action plan for 
CARICOM, but he noted strongly that the USG would only move 
forward in attempting to find funding for such a project with 
the full support of CARICOM, noting that the regional 
governments would need the political will to share 
information, put in place appropriate legislation, and see 
the project through in perpetuity. 
 
¶8. (C) The APIS model would involve air carriers to the 
region sending their APIS information to a CARICOM mainframe, 
which would be located in the U.S.  "Hits" would be reviewed 
by Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center, 
and then passed to a CARICOM Operations Center.  CARICOM Ops 
could then send the information to the appropriate regional 
airport authorities to ensure that pre-established actions 
will be taken.  Likewise, the USG would place law enforcement 
officials at the CARICOM Ops center during the World Cup (and 
hopefully beyond). 
 
------------------ 
Phillips' Response 
------------------ 
 
¶9. (SBU) Phillips noted that draft legislation requiring that 
APIS information be taken and shared among CARICOM was 
already under review, and stated emphatically that this was a 
system that would be a legacy, continuing long after CWC.  He 
expressed concern that the APIS model did not allow for 
intra-regional tracking of persons during the CWC, something 
CARICOM had looked to the "Smart Card" to do.  Beardsworth 
pointed out that APIS reporting within the region may indeed 
give a partial view of intra-regional movement of people. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Phillips closed by noting that he sought some 
assurance that the USG would participate in the IAG.  There 
is an initial meeting in Barbados July 26-27, and he inquired 
about USG attendance.  He also wondered what role the USG 
could play in other forms of assistance.  WHA/CAR Nichols 
pointed out - on the margins - that the USG must see an 
agenda and participants list for the July 26/27 meeting 
before deciding on our participation.  With regard to 
assistance, Phillips pushed very strongly to secure a meeting 
with DOD (reftel). 
 
---------------------- 
Other Bilateral Issues 
---------------------- 
 
¶11. (SBU) Finally, Phillips mentioned the opportunity to use 
CWC as a platform for further cooperation and dialogue, and 
brought up the matter of a mutual agreement on controlling 
illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.  Nichols 
noted that State understanding was that the Declaration of 
Principles has not yet been ratified by CARICOM pending 
review by Security Ministers, and that the USG stands ready 
to fulfill its obligations when this occurs.  Phillips seemed 
genuinely taken by surprise, and promised that he would raise 
it with CARICOM colleagues at the earliest opportunity. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶12. (C) Phillips seems to grasp the urgency of the cricket 
security planning situation, and was frank and open in his 
comments.  He would welcome any and all suggestions to 
improve the security profile of the region, and this offers a 
window to concentrate heavily on security issues in the next 
ten months before the start of CWC.  Any potential 
disappointment that he may have felt in the loss of the 
"Smart Card" may be tempered by the fact that Jamaica was 
always lukewarm to the idea.  The Beardsworth delegation may 
receive a very different response from Barbados DPM Mottley 
and Senator Goddard.  However, A/S Beardsworth's approach ) 
 
 
accentuating the strengths of an APIS model and the 
comparative ease of implementation ) went a long way towards 
convincing MNS, at least, of its potential.  Nonetheless, 
Phillips' desire to meet with relevant and appropriate DOD 
officials cannot be overstated.  If the USG continues to 
engage and deliver, we stand to generate significant 
goodwill, at the same time as strengthening our "third 
border."  End comment. 
 
¶13. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Beardsworth and 
WHA/CAR Nichols. 
 
JOHNSON