Breaking the gridlock in the regional integration movement, CARICOM leaders met in Port of Spain, Trinidad to tackle head-on the problem of escalating crime and security concerns in the region.

A key milestone arising out of the heads of government meeting was consensus on the need for collaborative efforts to deal with regional security and the negative impact of crime on the economies of individual member states. 

Agreement was reached on a Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which will include regional security as another founding principle.  The principles currently governing CARICOM affairs cover trade and economic development, finance and planning, foreign and community relations and human and social development. 

Media reports confirm the “serious position taken by Heads of Government has elicited interest and support from many quarters including from our international development partners."

The signing of the Maritime and Airspace Treaty first introduced for the Cricket World Cup is yet another decisive action taken.  A proposed deadline of July 2008 was announced.

A number of strategies were agreed upon to treat with drug trafficking, illegal firearms, gang and youth violence and the heinous crime of murder.  Additionally, the issue of deportees came under further scrutiny with resultant plans to pursue negotiations for standardized agreements with Canada, the UK, US and other states.

Some of the measures to be introduced include the use of DNA in forensics and the introduction of video in criminal proceedings and ID parades. (For more details see the Jamaican Gleaner)

Two international conferences will be held in Trinidad in 2009, The Summit of the Americas and the meeting of Commonwealth Heads.  This is the projected timeframe for execution of the regional plan of action, which are to be implemented prior to these events.

The question of funding for these initiatives was undecided.  However, assurances were given that a few options were being explored.

On a less positive note, CARICOM leaders identified the need for intelligence gathering and information sharing.  Whether they fully appreciate the broad scope of intelligence gathering demanded in our global environment is questionable.  Various organizations in the US and the UK continue to demonstrate their commitment to intelligence gathering and information sharing and report their findings in a timely manner.   It appears such releases remain unknown or reports unread. 

While a sense of urgency was generated by the joint report of the UNODC and the World Bank, this report was published on May 3^rd, 2007 according to the UN News Centre. 

Were our leaders winking, blinking and nodding for almost a year?  Suffice it to say, such a lethargic response to security threats is unacceptable in the 21^st century.