FEATURE ADDRESS TO GRADUATING CLASS
PHASE 2 OPERATIONS 1-2005
By Sen. The Hon. Colin V. A. Derrick
Minister of
Justice
Thursday, 7 th July, 2005
 I am extremely honoured to be invited to address you the graduants
on your successful completion of the Phase Two Operations Course
for the Regional Security System (RSS).
As you are no doubt aware, the Regional Security System emerged
in 1982 to address security threats mainly to the islands of the
Eastern Caribbean States and Barbados .
Much effort has been spent in the training and development of
the security forces that comprise the RSS through generous funding
by the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States
of America . You are but one example of this effort and I trust
that there will be many more which will greatly enhance the effectiveness
of the RSS to address and respond to the varied and vigorous threats
to the security of our nation states.
The events that triggered the demolition of the Twin Towers that
housed the World Trade Centre in New York on September 11, 2001,
or 9/11 as it is commonly called was so daring and devastating
that it has forced us all to re-examine the operational readiness
of our security forces to combat similar threats, and in particular,
the predominantly maritime crimes of illegal narcotics, illegal
immigration, narco-terrorism and piracy, which are significantly
threatening our region.
Illegal Narcotics I am advised that drug busts make up the bulk of the arrests made
at sea by our security forces. Columbia produces 75% of the world's
cocaine supply; Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines produce
and supply large quantities of cannabis. The drug routes open up
from there to all destinations of the globe; the majority being
carried across the Caribbean to global markets, with many of our
Caribbean States acting as staging posts in the journey.
Although the routes are known, surveillance is extremely difficult
due to the limited resources that are available to our nations,
to assign to such operations thereby severely restricting the effectiveness
of our regional Maritime Police Units. This restriction is most
frustrating to our Governments, particularly as it is established
that the proceeds of such crimes finance many devastating acts
of terrorism.
Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigration is currently the topic of much concerned debate,
especially at this time with the rapid spread in our region of
the deadly AIDS virus. This disease, which is prevalent worldwide
and with no known cure to-date, has ramifications of human decimation.
Our region, which have small populations, must closely monitor
illegal immigration, as the social consequences are innumerable
and in view of the limited resources, monitoring is extremely challenging.
Hence, the potential of terrorists transiting the region unimpeded.
Terrorism The threat of terrorists' strikes in our region particularly by
sea is of great concern. Most of our economies, rely mainly on
tourism and such a strike would severely cripple our economic development.
We have read about the attacks on the USS COLE (a powerful warship)
and the use of remote controlled craft against Spanish warships
by Basque separatists. With the introduction of the International
Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS code) this has shown us how vulnerable
this region is, especially with our limited anti terrorist capability.
The Terrorist events in London today is but a harsh reminder of
the vulnerability of wealthy nations to such strikes.
With the commencement of the CSME, a great deal of movement is
expected throughout the region, so hence the challenges in respect
of such threats, will continue to increase.
Piracy The safety of shipping and ships crews against piracy is also
of concern to our tourism dependant region. and certainly the impact
on the economic stability in this mainly tourism dependant region.
Our strategic commanders must be cognisant of this potential threat
and employ operational plans to defuse such threats.
Training
It must be said that training and refresher courses are by far
the most important assets of any security force. It is here that
personnel are prepared and tested for the various roles that they
may encounter in their tasks.
The development and delivery of training programs based on the
requirements of the police and coast guards in the region is a
step in the right direction and it is important that the individuals
selected to attend such training courses are the best persons for
the tasks at hand.
It is also vitally important that the best possible staff, technical
assistance and opportunities be provided to the participants. In
this regard, I am pleased to note that, the United Kingdom Security
Advisory Team Maritime Training Unit (UK SAT MTU) together with
the RSS instructors have been the coordinators and instructors
of this course.
I have been reliably informed that the exercises undertook over
the past five (5) weeks by this graduating class of the RSS Phase
2 Operations course, dealt with the preparation of Coxswains for
the Forty (40) foot and 920 RHIBs of the Coast Guards. I am assured
that all participants are now fully physically fit and were drilled
in navigation, rules of the road and the principles of operating
small vessels safely in conjunction with a team of personnel.
I can only hope that you understand that the classroom is where
the theory and training is advanced.………. The fruits and benefits
of your training arer in your application of what you have learnt
to when you return to your respective bases.
In addition to the training, it's important to build community
and professional alliances. Most of you would know of this through
the annual regional training such as the RSS coordinated and US
sponsored Tradewinds Exercise also the Unity Exercise (UNEX). So
I urge you to put the knowledge gained to good use, make good use
of your peers and subordinates and most of all, maintain those
friendships developed here; its through this that the importance
of training would be brought to bear on the ultimate reduction
of the threats to the national security of our countries.
I would also like to implore upon you the importance of pursuing
this worthy profession with integrity, loyalty, and continued dedication
and commitment to the safety and well being of our region. Never
allow yourselves to be compromised into bribery with the promise
of lucrative rewards. Don't ever go down that road, which in the
long run will prove detrimental not only to your future goals but
to the region as a whole.
Continue to excel…you have already completed a number of courses
which have enabled you to aspire to this level of competence. Aim
for the highest level of competence and never be sidetracked.
I would like at this time to express my Government's appreciation
to the United Kingdom Security Advisory Team Maritime Training
Unit for providing the funding for this course and to reiterate
my Government's viewpoint that it will significantly enhance the
capacities of the RSS, now at a sensitive juncture in its operation.
With the withdrawal of funding from the United States , the intervention
of this UK organisation is indeed a very welcome development to
the Caribbean region as a whole.
My Government will continue to urge the UK/Caribbean Security
Advisory Team to expand its portfolio to direct special attention
to our security concern particularly in the area of a number of
criminal deportees transferred from the United Kingdom and the
USA , which has impacted negatively on our small Caribbean societies
and communities.
But I wish to end on a more positive and promising note by saying
that with Cricket World Cup 07 (CWC07) swiftly approaching, it
can be concluded that this training is both necessary and timely.
I wish you all the best on your graduation and pray that God will
continue to direct you all. ! I thank you.
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