By LR LiburdThe St. Kitts-Nevis Observer
A contingent from the Regional Security System (RSS) is currently in St. Kitts and Nevis on request by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, and his predecessor, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, is questioning the reason behind that decision.
In an interview on WINN FM’s Voices programme last week Thursday, Dr. Douglas, who seemingly had ‘wind’ of the RSS’ imminent presence in the Federation even before PM Harris had made the formal announcement during his Independence Address to the nation on Monday (Sept. 19), gave an explanation as to why governments would solicit the entity’s assistance.
“The region is very fortunate to have an important resource, an entity known to us as the Regional Security System (RSS). And this body which is headquartered in Barbados exists to enforce some semblance of normalcy to any or all of our islands when conditions that are clearly abnormal arise. When our nations are torn asunder by hurricanes or other disasters, the RSS is called upon and they make a great dispatch in our defence. And when there is tumult created by man, social unrest and political upheaval for example, our governments can all call upon the RSS. And under these circumstances as well, the RSS move with great dispatch to restore order. It is of very great concern.”
From this backdrop, the Opposition Leader posed a number of questions to listeners and those who called in to the programme; all to which he provided answers.
“Is anyone aware of a hurricane or other natural disaster having struck our Federation in recent years? I certainly am not. Is anyone aware of any social or political unrest in our Federation this morning and there are signs of rioting, looting or any other type of mayhem? I don’t think there is.”
He however declared that despite the calm delivered by nature and that created by man, Prime Minister Harris, who is the current Chairman of the RSS, had called for that peace-keeping body to be deployed in the Federation.
“The big question in my mind is…why,” he said, adding, “The RSS is called upon in the most extreme circumstances. And so I am deeply concerned as to why the RSS has been brought into our Federation at this time and exactly what our Prime Minister is doing and why.”
The Observer understands that a contingent from the RSS had arrived in St. Kitts late last week and its members had participated in the Independence Ceremonial Parade.
During his Independence Address, Dr. Harris announced that the RSS was brought into the Federation to assist the Security Forces in their fight against the spiralling crime wave.
“The presence of the RSS will assist the police to make a further onslaught on crime and remove elements of crime, such as illegal guns, arms and ammunition and so on from the hands of the criminals. We ask for the full support of everyone to save lives by cooperating with the Security Forces.”
He explained that the decision was taken by his Cabinet following consultation with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force.
“I am pleased to advise that the Cabinet, after serious consultation with the Police Force as well as with the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, has sought the assistance of the RSS. The details of the operational engagement were worked out by the RSS, our own Police Force High Command team led by Commissioner Ian Queeley, Lt. Colonel Patrick Wallace of the Defence Force, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Osborne Petty.”
The former Prime Minister was however not in agreement with the decision, insinuating that it was a deliberate act of disrespect to Heads of the two Security Forces.
“I don’t believe that Commissioner Queeley and the High Command of the Police Force and Commander Wallace of that Command have been given a fair chance. Because by bringing the RSS here is a statement to be made to the Caribbean and to the world…‘I have no confidence in my own police and security officers generally.’ That is not what the morale of the men, who carry arms in this country, who protect and serve us, want at this critical time on the 33rd Anniversary of our Independence. That’s not what they want!”
However, during his nationwide Address, Dr. Harris pointed out that for two decades the efforts made by the Labour Party Government in its fight against crime were inadequate and that his Team Unity Administration had increased the Police Force’s budget and provided them other support systems to “uproot crime”.
“We have provided extra budgetary support for their operations; we have put in place an excellent team at the helm; we have buttressed their forensic resources; we have increased police training; we have expanded the K-9 Unit; we have provided enhanced telecommunication support; and approved a six-point plan and a strategic plan from 2016 to 2019.
“However, with 23 homicides for the year to date, we know that more must and should be done. We pledge as a Team Unity Administration that we would leave no stone unturned to keep our country safe. We will utilise all resources – local, regional and international in our effort to uproot crime.”
Meanwhile, Operation Rescue’s Dwyer Astaphan is in support of the Government’s decision, noting that the current crime situation is a threat to the country’s economic development and national security stability.
He posited that the presence of the contingent in the Federation “is not beyond the scope and duty of the RSS”.
Astaphan said that 25 homicides were recorded in the Federation under the 15-year governance of the People’s Action Movement, while some 300 were under the Labour Party Government of which he was a minister.
He also told listeners to his weekly radio programme, The Operating Room, on Tuesday (Sept. 20), that the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party had also contemplated seeking assistance from the RSS while he was a minister under Dr. Douglas.
According to the RSS website: “The Regional Security System (RSS) was created out of a need for a collective response to security threats, which were impacting on the stability of the region in the early 1970s and 1980s. In October 1982, four members of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States, namely, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Barbados to provide for ‘mutual assistance on request’. St. Kitts and Nevis joined after gaining independence in September 1983 and Grenada in January 1985. The MOU was updated in 1992 and the RSS acquired juridical status in March 1996 by way of the Treaty which was signed in St. Georges, Grenada.”
The entity’s Mission Statement is to ensure the stability and well-being of Member States through mutual cooperation, in order to maximise regional security in preserving the social and economic development of our people.
