The tripartite talks on security cooperation and other issues at operational and policy levels, involving officials from Anguilla and St. Martin/St. Maarten, have been a regular feature for a long time. Although there is an enduring traditional friendship between the indigenous people of the two islands, we in Anguilla have seen, in no uncertain terms, that on the formal level there are certain sovereign and international requirements we must follow with respect to our relations with the half French half Dutch territory.

The authorities there, particularly the French, do not hesitate in making their position clear when it comes to immigration matters. Anguilla likewise has to follow suit. It is all a matter of protecting national borders and land areas because, given the rising problems of crime and terrorism, nothing must be left to chance.

That is why the security systems and restrictions are being put in place at the seaports where there are daily flows of passenger movements between the two islands. Cross-border crime can be a difficult problem to solve and strict police, customs and immigration regulations must be put in place to prevent and control the situation. We in Anguilla have always dread incidents where criminal activities in St. Martin/St. Maarten may spill over here and unfortunately the records do show that there have been a few cases. There are crimes being committed in Anguilla as well and we do not want to hear that anyone from here takes that type of disgraceful behaviour across the border.

The tripartite talks are important because there is a need for cooperation at both the operational and policy levels. A matter of much importance to the security of Anguilla is the ease with which, it appears, irresponsible persons from Anguilla can purchase or otherwise obtain illegal firearms in St. Martin where at least one gun shop is said to be in operation. This is a longstanding matter of concern which has become intolerable following what seems to be an increase in the number of guns and shooting incidents in Anguilla. This is something the authorities in the islands must effectively address without delay. For its part, Anguilla must step up its security checks of persons and baggage at the Blowing Point Port.

The situation gets even more complex when it comes to the fact that there are many open ports in Anguilla where illegal firearms, drugs and other contraband materials can be brought in on fishing boats. It will not be easy to police these areas given the shortage of manpower and other possible monitoring facilities. Traditionally, smuggling has been a problem in Anguilla and perhaps one of the most effective ways to deal with it may be patrols of the channel between the two islands. This is the more likely method of control and it is also a matter for the authorities to sort out.

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