MONTEGO BAY, St James — Former Ambassador of Jamaica to the United Nations Curtis A Ward has shot down the widely held perception that the United States of America has a responsibility to ensure that illegal arms from that country do not enter Jamaica.

Ward argued that while the United States is not entirely innocent, it is the business of the Jamaican Government to defend its borders against the steady flow of illegal firearms.

“We blame the United States for not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal guns to our shores [but] while the US deserves some blame, it is our responsibility to ensure that our borders are secured and that we have control over what enters our territory,” Ambassador Ward said. “The US shares a mutual interest in controlling illicit arms trafficking, but it is our responsibility to protect our territory, our country, not the responsibility of others,” he added.

He argued, however, that the Caribbean Basin and Security Initiative — a US-funded partnership programme — is a starting point for addressing this problem. But he stressed that it is incumbent on the Jamaican Government to act proactively and put together the necessary programmes to keep the illegal guns from entering our shores.

“We should not wait for the United States to set the priorities for us, we must set them ourselves. We must take responsibility for nation-building and welcome international partners who share our objectives and our priorities,” he said.

In the meantime, Ambassador Ward noted that in Jamaica’s quest to stem the flow of illegal guns to its shores, in addition to the US, the country should also be seeking cooperation from other “third countries” where these illegal firearms originate.

He was speaking Saturday night at the third annual ball put on by the St James Police Civic Committee, in collaboration with Proven Wealth, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

The St James Police Civic Committee was established three years ago to help enhance the relationship between members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and citizens, as well as to address the welfare needs of police personnel in the parish.

Ward lauded the police for the recovery of illegal guns at the country’s borders, but lamented the need for the borders to be more fortified. “While we have travelled far we have a far way to go. Each time we read about the police seizing an illegal firearm I am encouraged. It’s one less gun on the street. But I am also discouraged because it tells me that the ‘security architecture’ of this country is weak. “Our maritime borders are not secured and we are not stopping guns from entering Jamaica,” said Ward.