Published On:Friday, February 26, 2010

CRITICAL security issues for the Bahamas and the region will be addressed by National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest at the CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) meeting in Antigua and Barbuda today.

Mr Turnquest and the government department's permanent secretary Missouri Sherman-Peter left today for the regional meeting with expectations of an update on CARICOM's military response to Haiti's catastrophic earthquake of January 12.

They will also have the opportunity to put forward recommendations about how the Caribbean can now assist the devastated country, and these will be sent to Heads of Government for consideration.

Also on the agenda is a review of preparations for the Caribbean and United States High Level Dialogue on Crime and Security to take place in Washington, DC, later this year between participating CARICOM members, the Dominican Republic and the US.

A Caribbean-United States Declaration on Security Cooperation and a Caribbean-US Plan of Action on Security Cooperation is expected to be agreed in Washington, and it is anticipated the plan of action will be funded by the US under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.

On the second day of the two-day conference in Antigua and Barbuda, CONSLE will also address the Strategic Work Plan and Budget of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), as well as the CARICOM legal agenda, including the status of signature and ratification of the various CARICOM treaties.

Mr Turnquest said: "CONSLE has a short and concise agenda, which permits it to consider and make decisions on critical national and regional security issues, such as the situation in Haiti.

"The outcome of the CONSLE meeting should help to advance the region's security agenda."