Caribbean governments will retain some security arrangements put in place for the Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.

Caricom Heads of Government have agreed to retain the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC) as a permanent intelligence core for the management of the regional intelligence and threat assessment. They have also agreed to preserve the Joint Regional Communication Centre (JRCC), one of the key organisations linked to the operation of the Single Domestic Space.

According to a statement from the Impacs Regional Communications Centre, the Barbados-based JRCC, which was set up to help monitor the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) for travellers entering the Single Domestic Space is expected to have wider use by all Caricom member states and associate members.

“They would wish to benefit from the service of having that enhanced form of surveillance which would go a long way at easing some of the pressure at border entry points,” Chairperson of Caricom sub-committee on security for CWC 2007, Mia Mottley said.

Mottley, who is the deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, explained that states have already expressed interest in benefiting from the JRCC service. “Our governments have invested in the security platform for Cricket World Cup but we recognise that the benefits will extend long after the tournament is finished,” she added.

The Fusion Centre, located in Trinidad and Tobago, plays a critical role in the regional security arrangements. Staffed by intelligence specialists from Caricom member states, the centre is charged with gathering and analysing intelligence and liaises closely with national law enforcement agencies.

The Caricom Special Visa is another security mechanism which was implemented and this would be the subject of a study to be undertaken by a task force established by the Heads of Government and comprising officials from the ministries of Tourism, National Security and Foreign Affairs. A policy paper emanating from the study on the permanent establishment of a Single Domestic Space is also being prepared for the consideration of the Heads of Government at their July conference in Barbados.