3-man committee to review security of diplomatic pouch

Government has established a three-man committee to review the security of the diplomatic pouch, identify its weaknesses and make  recommendations for its improvement within the next three months. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Patrick Manning in a statement to the House of Representatives, comes weeks after the discovery of the  misuse of the diplomatic pouch for an illicit drug operation by “non-diplomatic” staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But the Prime Minister also used the occasion to inform the House of a security breach which took place during the UNC term.

“On reviewing procedures, Ministers have learnt with some consternation of a serious breach involving a diplomatic pouch which took place on June 5, 2001 resulting in the loss of 200 blank passports. Despite the fact that the then Prime Minister (Basdeo Panday) was notified, no remedial measures were put in place,” Manning stated. This provoked a howl from Opposition MPs, who shouted derisively: “Yes, blame UNC. That is the PNM response.” “We intend to do better,” the Prime Minister said. He said the committee appointed by Cabinet will have the following terms of reference:

1) to investigate the present and past practices with respect to the security governing and the use of the diplomatic pouch generally.
2) to determine the extent to which the usage is consistent with international law and best practice using both international law and the experience of other jurisdictions as a guide.
3) to make recommendations as may be deemed fit concerning the further use and security of the diplomatic pouch.

The committee will comprise Prof Andrew Burgess (Faculty of Law UWI); retired Permanent Secretary Frank Abdullah and a third person to be named. Manning said Government had begun discussions with Canadian authorities to obtain the services of an “appropriately qualified official” provided by that government. “Bring Lindquist!” Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday said sarcastically. He said Government intended to have the committee report as expeditiously as possible, “certainly within three months.” Manning said his Government acted “with dispatch” on in recognition of the seriousness of the development. Noting that three “mid-level officials” had been charged, he said the law would take its course. He stressed however that Government did not propose to engage in any witchhunt.