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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Monday, August 30, 2004 – A Strategic Review Team of the Regional
Security System (RSS), was on the island recently, on a fact-finding mission,
regarding the provision and state of security of a number of institutions.
While here, the team focussed on port security, tourism, illegal importation of
drugs and fire arms, as well as the impact of HIV/AIDS and school drop out.
Head of the visiting Strategic Review Team of the RSS, retired General Cameron
Ross, said they would be in consultation with a number of stakeholders to
discuss the various security needs of the state. He added that the RRS would
also be examining whether their own structure, organisation and funding met the
present requirements to effectively deal with the anticipated security threats
to the region.
According to General Ross a sense of security stems from a general easiness
about the state of things in a country. He said “The ability of people to walk
to school, to work in the market place without the threat of some security
attack against them. So the RSS perhaps has a role in this, because drugs are a
major factor, fire arms are a major factor in the security dynamics. Each
country cannot afford to deal with these issues as a single entity. It is very
clear that there must be a pooling of resources and this is perhaps what the RSS
can assist in.”
During the RSS short visit, the team paid courtesy calls on Governor General,
Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Lousiy; and Prime Minister, Honourable Dr. Kenny
Anthony.
The local press was also invited for a look into the RSS operations.
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