The following are excerpts of the interview with National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips on Wednesday:
DM: THERE has been the word going around all the time, and especially in some inner-city communities where the don runs things, there is the situation where the child has to subdue herself in most instances to these persons. 'Operation Kingfish' I gather will be targeting some of these persons. What is the direct relationship between safe schools and Operation Kingfish?
DR. PHILLIPS: I think it is clear that we have to attack the problem on a number of different levels. We obviously have to dismantle the gangs, but as I said we need to change the culture, the behaviour. There are some schools that are more vulnerable where the children are either inclined to violent behaviour themselves or are vulnerable in respect of the violent behaviour of others and those we are focusing on, as we are going to be looking at the question of the indiscipline on the roads and, you know, other aspects of the public order problem. But this is one critical element that we have to deal with.
DM: I gather you'll leave in January to meet with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of the same initiative against the gangs.
DR. PHILLIPS: Well, nothing is yet confirmed about the trip in January but we need to have some discussions on that side of the Atlantic.
DM: What sort of discussions?
DR. PHILLIPS: About further cooperation.
DM: I gather there is also on the table, the proposal of integrating some of their soldiers with our forces here. Why would we go that route?
DR. PHILLIPS: That is speculation. We have had, as I explained in Operation Kingfish, there is a level of training and activity that has taken place and that's what we have had.
