Basseterre, St. Kitts (July 26, 2005): The newly announced intention of the Ministry of National Security, Justice, Immigration and Labour to introduce machine readable passports by October this year is in an effort to enhance the safety component of the travel document as part of an increased border control, security measure in the post 9/11 era.
The machine readability component is a security feature which is in keeping with the internationally accepted standards and the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The physical characteristics and the security features of these passports will now provide greater protection against forgery and tampering. Moreover, the machine readable passports expedite the processing of passengers by immigration and airline officials at ports of entry.
This initiative which is being approached in a unified manner by CARICOM countries will not negate the specific citizenship of any bearer. Apart from the machine readability of the document, it will change only in design and will now carry the CARICOM logo accompanied by the Federations Coat of Arms.
The regular passport will now be blue in colour instead of green.
Permanent Secretary, Ms. Astona Browne said Kittitians and Nevisians will continue to hold passports of the Federation. The governments of the region in a spirit of unity and uniformity decided to undertake the security measure, in and around the same time period, in an attempt to move forward in a unified manner.
Ms. Browne said that her ministry is cognizant of the need to upgrade border security via technologically advanced means in this era of terrorism.
While the new passport will be introduced in the October 2005, unexpired passports will maintain their validity until an announcement is made to the contrary. The general public will be will be informed in a timely Manner, Mrs Browne assured.
