Tight security for Defence Ministers talks

Dillon made the remarks at the 20th Floor Conference Room, Tower C, Wrightson Road, Portof- Spain where he and officials from the Defence Force outlined the objectives of the conference.

“There will definitely be security arrangements during the conference, and even a day or two before the conference officially begins,” Dillon said.

“This is to treat with the level of delegates who will be visiting, since we are expecting, in addition to Defence Ministers, a few Prime Ministers, who happen to have National Security as their portfolio.” He said while security arrangements would be akin to those experienced during the 2009 Fifth Summit of the Americas, he reassured citizens there would be minimal inconvenience as possible.

Asked the cost of the conference, the minister said that the overall cost was approximately $9 million, which was funded in part by private sponsors. He was optimistic the conference would yield tangible results for local security and added that networking among the various nations as well as closer partnerships at regional and international levels were key to success during times of crisis.

“Given our national security capabilities, I think that we can contribute and make a significant impact not only on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago but on behalf of the wider Caribbean region. The commonality of the threats that we face requires co-operation at all levels. Porous land and maritime boundaries, natural disasters and the threat of global terrorism are just a few of the issues that continue to confront us in the national security environment,” Dillon said.

Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier General Rodney Smart echoed the minister’s sentiments, and said that a more resourceful criminal element and the added complexities of illegal drug and arms trafficking have changed the national security landscape, and that local and regional law enforcement agencies must become more flexible, as they continue to grapple with growing international threats.

“The CDMA is an example of the new challenges that the protective agencies continue to face.

Improved relations with local, regional and international partners will go a long way in the fight against transnational organised crime, environmental protection, infrastructural protection, climate change and disaster response management,” Smart said.

He added that TT would be better defended following October’s conference and urged criminals to think twice before engaging in activities harmful to the country or its citizens. The conference is scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency from October 10 to 12 and attending will be Defence Ministers and officials from 33 countries in the Americas. This year’s theme is “Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation in the Hemisphere in an increasingly Volatile Global Environment”.

The conference is expected to deal with the issues of international terrorism, drug trafficking, natural disaster response and co-ordinating relief efforts.