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Caribbean, US security officials wrap up talks on cooperation
CMC
Friday, May 22, 2009
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) Caribbean Community (Caricom) and United States officials have concluded technical talks on security cooperation with both sides describing the dialogue as productive and explicit in its objectives for future cooperation.
The Caribbean-US Technical Meeting on Security Cooperation sought to find common ground on which to advance the security cooperation agenda for both regions, particularly in combating illicit trafficking in drugs and firearms and rising violent crime.
During the meeting that was jointly chaired by Astona Browne, interim chair of the Security Policy Advisory Committee (SEPAC), and the US Ambassador to Suriname Lisa Bobbie Shreider-Hughes, Caricom officials pointed to the critical areas in which greater collaboration and support were needed to enhance the region's security.
Those areas include deportations, cyber crime, drugs and guns trafficking interdiction, gang violence, justice sector reinforcement, witness protection, border security, institutional strengthening and capacity building.
Meantime, the US delegation outlined strong mechanisms for cooperation which they said could prove to be mutually beneficial. Those included information and intelligence sharing, capacity building, training for law enforcement officers, crime detection, strengthening of the Caribbean's assets base for crime fighting, drug and arms interdiction, providing life skills training for youth and boosting rehabilitation programmes in the Caribbean.
Browne, who headed the Caricom delegation and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meeting, said the United States had recommended "a wholesome package" and had demonstrated a willingness and spirit of cooperation.
She noted that the meeting was well-timed at a point when the Caribbean region was making efforts to forge partnerships with neighbouring states, particularly the US, "with whom we would like to strengthen engagement given its proximity".
"It is important that we collaborate to strengthen the region's security mechanism," she added.
Browne thanked the US for its efforts over the years to support the Caribbean and expressed hope that such technical cooperation would be institutionalised "as we move forward in securing our region; our people; knowing that our safety is their safety".
Ambassador Shreider-Hughes, endorsed the sentiments expressed by Browne and noted that "reasonable progress" had been made and stated further that she was very impressed with the presentations, the level of engagement and strong leadership from the Caribbean.
She reiterated her country's commitment to the process of partnering against crime and commended Suriname for "the excellent arrangements" they had made to host the meeting.
Caricom's assistant secretary general for foreign and community relations, Ambassador Colin Granderson, said the meeting was productive, and exceptionally rich in information sharing.
"It was also important that we gave a sense of what the Community had been doing to deal with the situation; as the co-chair (Astona Browne) pointed out, we are not helpless but we need support in our efforts," Ambassador Granderson concluded.
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