YESTERDAY'S bomb blast in Trinidad and Tobago could spur the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to speed up a decision on a proposed regional security system, according to Jamaica's Information Minister Senator Burchell Whiteman.

Senator Whiteman suggested yesterday that the system should be the focus of regional response to terrorist activities.

"There are some things we can do and some things we have been doing, but I think the regional security system has to be fully established for us to draw from that what it is that each country should best do to be effective in this fight against terrorist activities," the minister told the Observer after yesterday's weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.

"How do you deal with something like that? We have dealt with anti-terrorism legislation, we are dealing with improved security at our ports and airports, but you have to create within the society an awareness that those who deal with the international drug trade are also potential funders of terrorist activities," Whiteman added.

The idea of a mutual security pact between Caricom countries was introduced by Barbados' Prime Minister Owen Arthur at the 2003 summit of Caricom leaders in Montego Bay, Jamaica. However, there has been little headway in the process since.

In the meantime, Prime Minister P J Patterson has communicated to the government of Trinidad and Tobago Jamaica's "concern and sympathy" over the bomb blast which injured 14 persons on the twin-island republic, Senator Whiteman told yesterday's briefing.
He said that the incident was reported to the prime minister and other members of the Cabinet during their weekly meeting.

"I do not know the cause, but, whatever it is, it is a reminder that those who engage in acts of destruction and terrorism are not confined to any particular geographic location," the information minister said.

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