BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER approximately one month of assisting the local security forces in their Operation Safe Streets initiative, the contingent from the Regional Security System has left the Federation earlier this week, SKNVibes understands.
A number of individuals who spoke with this publication have expressed that while they were not in a position to state affirmatively that the RSS had gone, they however “had a feeling because of certain things we observed”.
SKNVibes was able to confirm that the contingent had vacated St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday (Oct. 18).
While speaking with this publication however, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris said he would not be able to speak to those “specifics” but indicated that “they were a welcomed contribution to the safety of the country”.
“We praise God that during the tenure here, so far, there has not been any untoward incident. And according to the Police High Command and the High Command of the security forces in general, their presence has lent much to the peace and security which we now enjoy.
“That being said, again, the High Command are very positive about the results we have had from sea operations, air operations and land operations. I am not at liberty to comment on the specifics of the assignment because the assignment is taking different phases and there will be different reiterations, if you will, of the programme.”
The National Security Minister stressed that other phases of the operation would follow.
“What I do know is that this was always going to be taking place in phases and the resources will come as and when needed. We as a member state of the RSS always had the capacity to call upon that support as and when necessary. And in assessing when such support is necessary and for how long, the Cabinet relies upon the competent advice of the security leadership. And so any matter to do with the length of their tenue, the different phases in which they are embarking, I would want to leave that to those more competent to address that matter.”
The Prime Minister commended the RSS Member States and the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their support in this initiative.
“I want, in commending them, to commend the Member States, the Governments in particular, for seeing wisdom in lending their nationals to us to assist another Member State at a time of challenge. Equally, I must commend the Chamber, the Hotel and Tourism Association, the grouping of accountants, the Evangelical Association and all the NGO groups with which we conferred and who gave a resounding vote of confidence in our action. We thank them for putting the security and safety of the country above all else.”
The programme, the Prime Minister reiterated, “will continue as long as the security forces deem that it is necessary”.
