GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana and the United States are to sign an agreement to participate in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon has said.
He said the two countries have already agreed to the design and execution of the project that would focus on citizen security, through the reduction of illicit arms, promotion public safety and social justice.
Luncheon, who is also Secretary to the Defence Board, said that the agreement would focus on financing projects to counter drug-smuggling, anti money laundering and financial crimes.
Under this agreement, US$100,000 would be provided to train the Narcotics Branch of the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit. Officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) would also be trained in tracing dirty money in the economy and terrorism-financing, Luncheon said.
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee had said recently that Guyana could probably acquire a maritime patrol vessel under the CBSI.
The CBSI was borne out of discussions at the Summit of the Americas that were held in 2009 in Trinidad.
Regional national security ministers subsequently met with United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in June 2010 when they launched security partnership and affirmed the Department of State’s commitment of US$45 million to CBSI in 2010, with US$79 million requested for 2011. (CMC)
