JAMAICA WILL be deploying members of the security forces to eight Caribbean countries hosting Cricket World Cup 2007 to assist with security arrangements.
This was announced on Wednesday by National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, who told the media that a security plan was already in place with ongoing threat assessment being undertaken at regular intervals to identify actual or potential threats of a terrorist nature.
"Based upon the planning that has been undertaken so far and the commitments that we expect to receive based upon our preliminary discussions from our international partners and from our regional partners, we can say to everyone that the Caribbean will be ready to provide the highest level of security protection for all visitors and all citizens for the duration of Cricket World Cup 2007," he assured.
Beginning with London, next week, Dr. Phillips will be visiting several overseas capital cities to secure additional security assistance from other countries for Cricket World Cup.
TAKING NO CHANCES
Even with an appropriate visa regime in place, the National Security Minister said nothing would be left to chance, as persons with tickets to the games have access to the nine countries hosting the third biggest sporting event, after the Olympics and football World Cup.
He said, with many of the participating countries playing a major role in the war on terror, persons might seek to transfer the war to the Caribbean by targeting players from these nations.
"This means that the entire regional security arrangement will only be as strong as its weakest link and it is for that reason that we are participating with our CARICOM partners to ensure that the entire region has an effective security fence in place for these games," explained Phillips.
- E.C.
