Barbados PM calls on Caricom gov’ts to help Guyana in crime fighting

Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson is calling on Caricom governments to assist Guyana in its crime fighting efforts in the aftermath of the slayings which took place recently at Bartica and Lusignan.

In his opening remarks at the 19th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government in Nassau, The Bahamas on Friday, Thompson said that he was compelled to ask his colleagues to draw on the “Caribbean resolve and spirit” to deal with the issue of crime which was impacting on the region.

Noting that the government and people of Guyana had suffered immeasurable loss in the past month in an intolerable spate of senseless crime, he said that “Barbados stands firmly in solidarity with our comrades from Guyana and resolutely condemn these acts of apparent random barbarity.”

“Let us send a clear message to these assassins that we are ready, willing and able to put at the disposal of the Government of Guyana whatever assistance is necessary to carry out its primary role of protecting its people,” Thompson said.

He added, “If one of our member governments is perceived as incapable of bringing criminals to justice, then what is there to stop criminals elsewhere from challenging the authority of governments?”

Following the attack by gunmen on Bartica which left 12 people dead and several injured Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) loaned Guyana a helicopter and provided some special weapons which Guyana had been unable to secure.

Yesterday, the issue of security was on the agenda of the heads meeting. The meeting was also scheduled to discuss T&T Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s suggestion to establish a special regional security force to deal with criminal activities affecting member states. Suriname President Ronald Venetiaan has expressed support for Manning’s proposal.

Meanwhile, Thompson, who took over office from former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, acknowledged the contribution of his predecessors, particularly Arthur whose contribution he said was in deepening the relationship between the Caricom member states through his role as lead prime minister with responsibility for establishing the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). This, he continued, is considered one of the most important and sensitive components of the integration movement.

Stating that it was generally believed in Barbados and abroad that he had piloted this project with tremendous insight, tenacity and skill, Thompson recommended that the heads create a lasting tribute in the form of a university chair or some other relevant regional programme, that would bring lasting benefits to future generations of Caribbean people.

“We need not look too far to find something to which we can lend the name of the ex-Prime Minister of Barbados,” he said.