Prime Minister new RSS chairman

Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart is the new chairman of the Regional Security System (RSS).  He was selected  to head the regional body at its recently held meeting in St John’s, Antigua. replacing Errol Cort, the National Security Minister of the host country.

During the new meeting Stuart re-emphasised his  country’s commitment to the grouping that comprises the member states of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts, Grenada and Barbados.

Stuart, who is also Barbados’ Minister of Defence and Security,  gave the assurance that Barbados, where the RSS is headquartered, would continue to play a pivotal role in its operations.

Last December, when the RSS held its meeting here he had reiterated Barbados’ obligation to the system. At that time, he reminded the region that “the system is an indispensable prerequisite to the continued tranquillity of this region; and, whatever the Barbados Government has to do to ensure that it is properly resourced and properly fuelled – the government will do as long as I have anything to do with it.”

The RSS was formed over 30 years ago in 1982 to provide for the defence and security of the Eastern Caribbean, with five countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados –  being signatory to the initial memorandum of understanding.

It is mandated to assist member states, on request, in national emergencies, the prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, the protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters and threats to national security.