Tuesday, January 30, 2007

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Guyana's security preparedness is on track for the hosting of the prestigious Rio Group Summit scheduled for February 28-March 3 at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal.

“I am confident that the security arrangements will be in place because we are well advanced and the law enforcement agencies will be up and running for this event,” Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee said.

The summit has come at an interesting time, according to Rohee, just prior to Cricket World Cup 2007 beginning on March 28- April 9.

The Rio Group Summit will be used as a test-run for Guyana’s security preparedness for the huge sporting event.

“The security arrangements for the Rio Group Summit will go a far way in helping to attenuate any of the security issues that we are seeking to address for CWC. So it will be used as a dry run so to speak,” Rohee said.

The Heads of 19 Latin American countries will be meeting on March 3, while there will be a meeting of National Coordinators on February 28 followed by the meeting of Foreign Ministers on March 1.

Issues expected to be discussed at the summit are the democratisation of the international system, international economic governance and reform of the United Nations system.

Meanwhile law enforcement agencies are placing major emphasis on border security for the hosting of CWC.

Last month, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, had indicated that Guyana, among other host countries, will be receiving assistance for border security from the International Security Assistance Group (ISAG), set up by CARICOM.

Guyana will also be seeking help to form disposal units for the Hazmat arrangements. These are hazardous radiological, biological or chemical substances.

Rohee said that Guyana’s security arrangements for CWC are in place and would be judged by several dry-runs to take place in the areas of fire, immigration and traffic.

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version