This was the key message coming out of Wednesday’s (11th May, 2011),round of meetings between top Government and military officials from the Federation and the Commander of the United States Southern Command, General Douglas Fraser, who paid a visit to the island as part of a four-nation familiarization visit to the Caribbean.
The US senior military official used the visit to meet with and discuss various issues with Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of National Security, Mr. Sam Condor, and the Commander of the Defense Force, Lt. Colonel Patrick Wallace.
According to Rebecca A. Ross, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said General Fraser discuss bilateral and regional security cooperation to address transnational crime and illicit trafficking, particularly through such partnerships as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, Trade Winds and Secure Seas.
The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is a joint command comprised of more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and several other federal agencies.
“It is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for Central and South America, the Caribbean, Cuba; as well as for the force protection of U.S. military resources at these locations. SOUTHCOM is also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal and canal area,” Ross said.