National Security Minister Condor heads five-member delegation to CONSLE

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor

ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 26TH 2010 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ new Minister of National Security, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor is among Caribbean Ministers of National Security now meeting in Antigua.

An update on CARICOM’s intervention in Haiti and preparations for the Caribbean/United States High Level Dialogue to be held next month, are high on the agenda of a meeting of the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE).

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mrs. Astona Browne; Advisor in the Ministry of National Security, Dr. Norgen Wilson; Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Lt. Col. Patrick Wallace and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Williams are also attending the Ninth CONSLE Ministerial Meeting.

Among the other key matters to be addressed are preparations for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 West Indies 2010, and the CARICOM Travel Card (CARIPASS) Treaty. CARIPASS will be a credit card sized swipe card that uses biometric matches of fingerprints and facial recognition technology. It will facilitate automated electronic immigration clearances at designated airports in participating CARICOM Member States.

The meeting will also receive status reports from the CARICOM Secretariat on matters including an audit on the implementation of regional security agreements, the memorandum of understating regarding the deportation of criminal offenders, and amendments to the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty/Model Legislation.

The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement coordinates security and law enforcement arrangements across the Community. It was established in July 2005. In 2007, the Conference of Heads of Government adopted Security as the fourth pillar of the Community in a demonstration of its commitment to Regional security.