PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – CARICOM Heads of Government will decide on security arrangements for Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC 2007), at their meeting in St. Kitts/Nevis this week, July 3 – 6. A number of measures are being put in place to ensure a safe, secure and stable environment in the Caribbean Region during CWC 2007 in March and April, 2007.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning who has responsibility under CARICOM for regional security is expected to announce the decisions. This was revealed by Lance Selman, Head of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the organization mandated by CARICOM Heads to secure the region.
Mr. Selman said security exercises have already been carried out in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and other states. Collaboration among regional law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies is closer than it has ever been. This has been extended to include counterpart international organizations to counteract potential threats from trans-national criminal and terrorist elements, he said.
The arrangements will ensure that the estimated large influx of visitors expected for the event, will enjoy a wonderful and unique experience that only the Caribbean can offer as the Region hosts the next world sport event following the current FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.
IMPACS is coordinating an integrated program of activities to strengthen regional security. In addition to the management of intelligence, regional security planning is focusing on issues relating to border security, crisis management and all their related social, legal and political implications.
“We are very mindful of the international security context in which this world event will be taking place”, Mr. Selman said. “While regional security is being put in place, national security forces will conduct their normal duties to improve their fight against crime in their own states,” he added. During the games the Region will be more secure than it has ever been and IMPACS is collaborating closely with international partners towards achieving this objective.
Warm up matches for CWC 2007 begin on March 5, 2007, in Barbados, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago. This will be followed by the formal opening ceremony in Jamaica on March 11.
The group stage matches will run from March 13 in Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. The finals will be played in Barbados.
