by Linda Straker
- RSS recognises and appreciates international partners to stem flow of weapons
- Caricom recently established Gun Crime Intelligence Unit
- Firearms and ammunition importation most significant current threat to region
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said on Wednesday, 22 March 2023, that Grenadians and citizens of member countries of the Regional Security Systems (RSS) can rest assured that the response mechanism of the RSS, along with its international diplomatic relations and partnerships, will function effectively to counter current and emerging threats to our societies.
“Our region is at present battling the scourge of firearms and ammunition importation into our countries from sources outside of our shores, where these menacing tools are manufactured,” he said, pointing out what he believes is the most significant current threat to the region.
“The easy access to firearms in our countries is one of the greatest threats that we currently face, and the various criminal activities spawned from the use of illegal firearms have far-reaching negative impacts on our people and societies,” he said, addressing the opening ceremony of the RSS Council of Ministers meeting at the Radisson Hotel Conference room.
To the audience of Prime Ministers and National Security representatives from the member states, diplomats and other international organisations, he said that economic and social development is difficult to achieve where turmoil and security instability exist, and “We must therefore continue to make every effort to ensure that the security environment in our countries is such that it encourages investment and supports the several critical economic activities that drive our development.”
“We recognise and appreciate the efforts of our international partners, including Interpol, US Customs and Border Protection, and other US Institutions in lending their assistance to stem the flow of these dangerous weapons. Caricom has also recently established the Gun Crime Intelligence Unit to assist in this effort. We also recognise the part that we in the region must play in strengthening our border protection mechanisms and reducing the demand for illegal firearms among our people,” he said.
