Army/Police do 2,246 patrols

The Defence Force is looking to China and elsewhere for military aid to compensate for the loss of military grants which the United States withdrew because of this country’s refusal to exclude US military personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. So said Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Ancil Antoine, addressing the ceremonial parade for the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces on its 41st anniversary, at Teteron Barracks on Thursday. Antoine said: “The loss of IMET funding for military training from our principal ally, the United States, is cause for concern on our part.  However, we have put in place contingency plans to address this shortfall and will be looking to our other allies such as the Peoples Republic of China, Nigeria and India. I would like to express our thankfulness for the assistance and support of the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, and more recently China, India, France, Venezuela and Argentina.” He said he had also requested a further $2.6 million from the Ministry of Finance for the Force’s development programme.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Ancil Antoine, has called for the enhancement of Defence Force’s Chaguaramas lands to establish a comprehensive military base, including housing and facilities for recreation, work, training, sports, entertainment, medical care, logistics and offices. He said such a base would provide soldiers and their families with a safe and secure environment, which he said was a prerequisite for them to do their duty for the country.   “With the adoption of a ‘One Force’ concept, our people will come first...We propose to reform our military health-care system, seek affordable housing and encourage Family Support Groups.” He disclosed that the Defence Force and Police Service, in union as the Interagency Task Force, had conducted 2,246 mobile and foot patrols in Laventille/Morvant and made 249 arrests, to tackle the recent spate of gangland killings.

Suspects were held for crimes like possession of arms and ammunition, larceny, murder, robbery and narcotics offences. He said: “This spree of arrests assisted to re-establish a more stable environment within the community than in the past.” He disclosed the Defence Force had also held two holiday camps for that area’s youngsters, and was re-introducing the Civilian Conservation Corps and three other youth programmes. He said the Force considered it an honour to shape young minds, “As citizens ourselves, we are aware of the threat posed to our young citizens by violent crime, illicit drugs, delinquency, illiteracy, lack of respect for authority, and the breakdown of the family unit.”

President George Maxwell Richards, in his address, commended the establishment of the family support groups, noting: “Yours is a profession that can take a severe toll on family life.”  He offered his support in the Force’s request for improved facilities, equipment and manpower, and its proposal for a military base complex. Noting Antoine’s focus on young people, Richards said: “You must make a conscious effort to connect with the youth of the nation, in a sustained way, so that the Force may become more attractive to young professionals. I agree that they (ie soldiers) must see themselves also as contributors to national development and not compartmentalised into a fighting force.” Urging careful selection of recruits who have proper motivation, Richards noted that the profession was not just a job, instead saying: “It is a sacred trust that goes far beyond quantifiable reward.”