PM pleased with Obama's maritime help

Basseterre, St Kitts (CMC):

Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas says the Barack Obama administration is committed to boost the Caribbean's maritime capabilities.

Speaking during his weekly radio call-in programme 'Ask the Prime Minister', Prime Minister Douglas said the decision of the United Kingdom to halt certain naval implications as a cost-cutting measure "has caused the region great concern due to the negative implications regarding our anti-drug-trafficking efforts.

"Inquiries are, therefore, being made as to whether this decision might be reversed," he said, noting that while the results of these efforts are being awaited "the Government of the United States has committed to boost our maritime capabilities with interceptor vessels that will greatly assist us with our anti-narcotic trafficking operations.

"This is a definite plus and I wanted to share this with you. So, then, our work continues. We forge ahead."

Primary interest

Britain recently announced plans to pull out its warships from the Caribbean for the first time in over 65 years.

The Royal Navy has been associated with several major seizures in Caribbean waters over the last 10 years.

Last week, the Trinidad and Tobago government said the UK's primary interest, with respect to the security of the Royal Navy in the Caribbean, is the security of UK Overseas territories.

"I am further advised that the main threats to the security of the UK Overseas territories are natural disasters, especially hurricanes, regional corruption and the effects of drugs and drug-related crimes, hence the need for the Royal Navy to have a presence in Caribbean waters."

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that she was also "advised that the Royal Navy would continue to provide a permanent presence in the Caribbean and will be able to respond to the full range of foreseeable contingencies".