ATTACK GUNSHIPS

New Attack Helicopter Unit To Fight Crime

DESCRIBING crime as the "one dark cloud" hanging over this country, Prime
Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday the Government was moving to
purchase helicopters with attack capabilities and high-speed sea vessels,
to wage a war against criminals, particularly those involved in the illicit
drug trade.

Manning also said that a state-of-the-art radar system from Israel was now
being installed to help detect criminal activity in Trinidad and Tobago waters.

He made these disclosures during yesterday's inaugural "Breakfast with the
Prime Minister" at Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain. It was organised by the
Public Relations Committee of the ruling People's National Movement (PNM)
and had more than 500 guests.

Manning said a recommendation for the establishment of a helicopter unit is
expected to go before the Cabinet.

"The bulk of the patrolling of our waters will be done by helicopters with
an attack capability, to deal with a lot of the high-speed craft the drug
dealers use to transit the Gulf. And, we are purchasing high-speed craft
ourselves to do the work that is involved in the inshore waters of Trinidad
and Tobago," he said.

After speaking about the prospects in the energy sector, Manning said crime
was "the only dark cloud" hanging over the country.

Manning said the new radar system would provide "coverage" to "critical
parts of the country. That radar will give us 360-degree coverage of the
coast of Trinidad and the coast of Tobago. In fact, it will also see beyond
Barbados".

This last comment-a likely reference to the fishing dispute between this
country and Barbados-had the audience in stitches.

Manning said the radar was also able to monitor up to a certain height
above ground level and added that this would be "enough to deal with
aircraft that make airdrops (of drugs) from time to time".

He said the Government has already taken possession of some of the new
equipment.

"It is our intention," he continued, "to utilise technology... in the fight
against drugs."

Manning said: "We have aircraft and I have had a demonstration of the
infrared capability of those aircraft. It will surprise you, that's all I say."

The Prime Minister admitted that there exists a problem "with the
operations on the ground in the context of the drug trade, and we are
moving expeditiously to try to correct it".

He then said such efforts would be significantly assisted if the Opposition
were to lend their support to anti-crime legislation now before the Parliament.

Manning recalled that, in 1994, Scotland Yard Detectives had said that the
drug trade could be eradicated in Trinidad and Tobago because it was a
small country.

He also said that during Tuesday's National Security Council (NSC) meeting,
it was reported by one security agency that about 35 per cent of the
kidnappings in this country were "related to criminal activity separate and
distinct from anything else".

Manning, who is chairman of the NSC, said when the total picture was
examined, that figure would be significantly higher.

The PM said Government was committed to dealing with the problem of crime
in the country.