Security threats in small countries.

• Author: Conaway, Janelle
• Position: OAS - Caribbean islands

NATIONAL SECURITY means different things to different countries--and to the small states of the Caribbean basin, it means confronting a range of potential perils. "What one state considers an inconsequential or fleeting economic, environmental, or social challenge may be looked upon by another as a threat to its very survival," OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin said.

In an address to the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), Ambassador Ramdin explained that small island states, as well as low-lying coastal countries such as Suriname, Guyana, and Belize, are particularly concerned about environmental security. Natural disasters are part of the problem--one hurricane can ravage an entire country--but the transshipment of hazardous materials also poses a serious threat in a region heavily dependent on tourism.

Illegal trafficking in drugs and firearms is another problem, Ramdin added. "In the island Caribbean, this is of particular concern as criminal elements with sophisticated weaponry and transnational networks can potentially destabilize society and threaten the ability of governments to govern," he said.

The IADB, which last year became an OAS agency subject to the civilian oversight of its political bodies, could play a strategic role in tackling such security issues by promoting information exchange and fostering greater military-civilian cooperation, Ramdin said. Through strong partnerships with the IADB and its...