US expert: TT could face terrorist threat

FORMER President Arthur NR Robinson said yesterday the answer to crime and terrorism is not in having more laws and mobilising more force, but in the “rule of law”. He said small and isolated countries in the Caribbean need to come together in a collective approach to achieve the desired results. While acknowledging the importance of law enforcement, Robinson said, “force needs to be mobilised in many cases, but force is not the answer.” He said the most effective and immediate answer to crime and terrorism is the universal application of the law. When this happens and people know, then “those who are inclined to break it would be less so disposed,” he said.

Addressing the Employers’ Consultative Association’s (ECA) International Conference 2002 on “International Crime and Terrorism: Implications for business and Caribbean economies” at the  Hilton Trinidad, Robinson appealed for the region to support the application of the rule of law and not a reversion to “dictatorial and other such methods to think this issue of crime can be defeated in that manner”. Robinson, who was instrumental in the establishment of the International Criminal Court, said it is most important in the battle against crime and terrorism.

Feature speaker at the two - day symposium, Frank Razzano, had the audience engrossed with his touching first - hand account of surviving the attack on the World Trade Centres in the US on September 11, 2001. He said the lesson to be learnt from that day was terrorism has escalated and now permeates all parts of the world. Razzano said no country is immune and even the threat of terrorism can be devastating to economies. He gave examples of terrorist acts around the world, most recently in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Posing the rhetorical question of  “can terrorism happen in Trinidad and Tobago”, Razzanno referred to the 1990 coup by a “fanatical group” and reports of a terrorist cell operating in Trinidad.  

He said the UK advisory warning British travellers from visiting Trinidad and Tobago demonstrated the tremendous effect not only of terrorism but the threat of terrorism. Razzano said Trinidad and Tobago could face a terrorist threat because of the long tradition of following the rule of law. He made mention of various pieces of legislation (Proceeds of Crime Act, Dangerous Drug Act) to deal with drug trafficking and money laundering. Razzano expressed support for government’s Anti-Kidnapping bill saying it would be a “tremendous step forward”. He said terrorists were using kidnapping to finance their criminal activities. Although he personally endorsed the International Criminal Court, Razzano said the US reluctance to be involved is deeply rooted in the American concept of self.

Among the reasons he put forward was the fear that US leaders (military, political) could be prosecuted for their actions. He said the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution allows for someone to be indicted by a grand jury for a criminal offence, however, the International Court did not have this provision. He said Trinidad and Tobago and the US may not be moving together in the ICC, but they could stamp out terrorism through cooperation in the international effort and sharing information.