Selman: Terrorists could target Cricket World Cup

While the Caribbean is not a principal target for terrorism, chairman of the Caribbean Task Force on Crime and Security, Lance Selman, yesterday said the region could be used by terrorists to get to principal targets. He referred to the Caribbean’s Cricket World Cup 2007, which will bring thousands of visitors from various countries to the region, including those from principal targets of terrorist activities. Selman said the new breed of international terrorists have shown they were prepared to get to their principal targets anywhere they can be found.

“The traditional cultural and financial ties between the Caribbean, North America and Europe can facilitate the region’s use either as a trans-corridor for terrorist individuals and intelligence of terror, or as a location for satellites of international terror organisations.” Speaking on the topic, “How can the Caribbean stem the rise of corruption and terrorism?” at the United Nations Information Centre Media Workshop “Information for Action III: The Media and Human Rights,” at the Simon Bolivar Auditorium, Selman said the potential for the introduction of weapons that accompany terrorist activities was a cause for attention and concern.

Although there are no indications of the activities he mentioned, Selman warned that the Caribbean must take all steps to protect its societies from the phenomenon of terrorism. He said there were 12 major conventions dealing with terrorism, including the International Convention for Suppression of Terrorist Funding (1997) and Suppression of Financing for Terrorism (1999). Selman said the conventions sought to obligate states to create offences, penalties and facilitate investigation and extradition. “In essence, the conventions seek to deny a safe haven for terrorists and terrorist money.” Selman said the Caribbean was committed to complying with international conventions and had taken action with respect to suppression of terrorist financing. He said the region had agreed to implement the recommendations on terrorist financing made by the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.