The guns-for-drugs trade involving the exchange of the Jamaican ganja for illegal guns originating primarily from Haiti continues to be a major threat to our national security. Operation Kingfish, seeking to meet one of the major targets set by the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF) in 2007, made some progress in tackling this problem; however, much more needs to be done.

The monitoring of our coastline was made easier by the acquisition of three coast guard vessels - the HMJS Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey between 2005 and 2006.

Further assistance

If, despite our improved coastal assets, we are still unable to monitor our coastline effectively to guard against such acts of criminality, we must seek further assistance and cooperation with other governments, such as the United States. Further diplomatic cooperation between Jamaica and Haiti must be explored.

In his November address to Parliament on national security, Prime Minister Bruce Golding reported that Haitians had "infiltrated" many of our local communities and had become major contributors to the wide availability of the many guns on our streets and the increasing violent crimes being committed by the use of those illegal guns.

Welcomed, but

While some of the Haitians in Jamaica arrive through the "normal channels", there are still many who are being trafficked into the country. We must, therefore, move to deal decisively with Haitians residing in Jamaica illegally in order to curtail this recognised threat to our national security. We must similarly move to punish severely any Jamaican who is caught providing residence or is otherwise accommodating Haitians.

I welcome any person from anywhere taking up residence in Jamaica, so long as said person enters legally and abides fully with our laws. But if one is going to come to Jamaica and become a contributor to crime and violence or any other acts of criminality, he must be arrested and deported forthwith.

I am, etc.,

KEVIN K .O. SANGSTER

sangstek@msn.com

New Jersey