Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Miami Herald
April 3, 2008 By Thomas Shannon and James Stavridis
We recently completed a trip to three CARICOM nations -- Guyana, Barbados and Suriname. It was our first opportunity to travel together, and by combining our visits, we were able to interact directly with the heads of government of each nation, as well as the ministers of defense and foreign affairs.
Besides reinforcing the region's continuing importance to the United States, our joint visit was a follow-up to the June 2007 Conference on the Caribbean, hosted by President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and to President Bush's recent dialogue with the prime ministers of Guyana, the Bahamas and Belize. In each nation, we received a warm welcome at formal events and informally from the friendly people of three vibrant and diverse democracies.
At each stop, we found a confluence of views about the security challenges throughout the Caribbean, which are worth mentioning as the leaders of the region gather this Friday and Saturday to discuss security issues facing the Caribbean community:
Crime and related violence. In addition to street crime, the emergence of gangs and organized crime is of serious concern to governments intent on protecting their citizens and creating a safe environment for the economically vital tourist industry.
Movement of illegal weapons. The flow of small arms and ammunition continues to plague the region and fuels criminal violence, posing a unique threat to police and other law enforcement personnel.
Deportees. In the islands of the Caribbean, there is significant and legitimate concern about the deportation to their native countries of Caribbean citizens who commit crimes in the United States. Specifically, our interlocutors wanted more information on the criminal records and backgrounds of those being deported and help in reintegrating them into society.
Narcotics trafficking. The presence of drug dealers, moving through difficult-to-control sea and air space, is of deep concern. In addition to the effects of the drugs themselves on young populations, there is the potential and actual corruption of police forces and judiciary.
Money laundering. Often related to crime and drug issues, this problem has the potential to corrupt the financial systems as well as to provide the ''fuel'' for corruption.
Natural and ecological disasters. Caribbean societies and economies are especially vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters. Building CARICOM capacity to anticipate and respond to such disasters is a major security concern. Also, as global awareness of the potential damage to the environment from illegal logging, mining, pollution, reef decay and other forms of eco-destruction rises, Caribbean nations are exploring security solutions.
Pandemics and other health risks. The impact of HIV-AIDS, malaria, diabetes and other diseases can have a devastating impact on the small, cohesive societies of the Caribbean.
Fortunately, the nations of the Caribbean have well-developed structures in place, beginning with CARICOM, to discuss these threats and to fashion regional strategies to address them. Additionally, the impressive Regional Security System of the eastern Caribbean is a mature entity with real operational successes and impressive capability. These regional organizations know the concerns and are moving rapidly to seek solutions, as last year's cooperative success of the Cricket World Cup clearly demonstrates.
We in the United States want to help in any way that is sensible and effective. There is a wide variety of mechanisms available, from intelligence and information sharing, to mutually beneficial exchanges of trainers and to transfers of equipment and technology. Our message in Guyana, Barbados and Suriname is really a message for the entire region: The United States is a caring friend and partner, and we genuinely welcome the opportunity to discuss ways we can cooperate on regional security concerns.
Our embassies in the region and the U.S. Southern Command are ready to discuss issues and craft solutions. We eagerly await the outcome of Caribbean leadership discussions about security challenges and pledge to work with individual countries and regional organizations.
The Caribbean is not ''America's backyard,'' an expression that is wrong in every dimension. The Americas are a home we share together -- and in our home, we must all work together to help each other face the security challenges of this turbulent but ultimately promising 21st century.
Thomas Shannon is assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, and Adm. James Stavridis is commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
April 3, 2008 By Thomas Shannon and James Stavridis
We recently completed a trip to three CARICOM nations -- Guyana, Barbados and Suriname. It was our first opportunity to travel together, and by combining our visits, we were able to interact directly with the heads of government of each nation, as well as the ministers of defense and foreign affairs.
Besides reinforcing the region's continuing importance to the United States, our joint visit was a follow-up to the June 2007 Conference on the Caribbean, hosted by President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and to President Bush's recent dialogue with the prime ministers of Guyana, the Bahamas and Belize. In each nation, we received a warm welcome at formal events and informally from the friendly people of three vibrant and diverse democracies.
At each stop, we found a confluence of views about the security challenges throughout the Caribbean, which are worth mentioning as the leaders of the region gather this Friday and Saturday to discuss security issues facing the Caribbean community:
Crime and related violence. In addition to street crime, the emergence of gangs and organized crime is of serious concern to governments intent on protecting their citizens and creating a safe environment for the economically vital tourist industry.
Movement of illegal weapons. The flow of small arms and ammunition continues to plague the region and fuels criminal violence, posing a unique threat to police and other law enforcement personnel.
Deportees. In the islands of the Caribbean, there is significant and legitimate concern about the deportation to their native countries of Caribbean citizens who commit crimes in the United States. Specifically, our interlocutors wanted more information on the criminal records and backgrounds of those being deported and help in reintegrating them into society.
Narcotics trafficking. The presence of drug dealers, moving through difficult-to-control sea and air space, is of deep concern. In addition to the effects of the drugs themselves on young populations, there is the potential and actual corruption of police forces and judiciary.
Money laundering. Often related to crime and drug issues, this problem has the potential to corrupt the financial systems as well as to provide the ''fuel'' for corruption.
Natural and ecological disasters. Caribbean societies and economies are especially vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters. Building CARICOM capacity to anticipate and respond to such disasters is a major security concern. Also, as global awareness of the potential damage to the environment from illegal logging, mining, pollution, reef decay and other forms of eco-destruction rises, Caribbean nations are exploring security solutions.
Pandemics and other health risks. The impact of HIV-AIDS, malaria, diabetes and other diseases can have a devastating impact on the small, cohesive societies of the Caribbean.
Fortunately, the nations of the Caribbean have well-developed structures in place, beginning with CARICOM, to discuss these threats and to fashion regional strategies to address them. Additionally, the impressive Regional Security System of the eastern Caribbean is a mature entity with real operational successes and impressive capability. These regional organizations know the concerns and are moving rapidly to seek solutions, as last year's cooperative success of the Cricket World Cup clearly demonstrates.
We in the United States want to help in any way that is sensible and effective. There is a wide variety of mechanisms available, from intelligence and information sharing, to mutually beneficial exchanges of trainers and to transfers of equipment and technology. Our message in Guyana, Barbados and Suriname is really a message for the entire region: The United States is a caring friend and partner, and we genuinely welcome the opportunity to discuss ways we can cooperate on regional security concerns.
Our embassies in the region and the U.S. Southern Command are ready to discuss issues and craft solutions. We eagerly await the outcome of Caribbean leadership discussions about security challenges and pledge to work with individual countries and regional organizations.
The Caribbean is not ''America's backyard,'' an expression that is wrong in every dimension. The Americas are a home we share together -- and in our home, we must all work together to help each other face the security challenges of this turbulent but ultimately promising 21st century.
Thomas Shannon is assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, and Adm. James Stavridis is commander of the U.S. Southern Command.