Advanced Search

Chapter 15:06 - Security Assistance (CARICOM Member States)

Subscribe to a Global-Regulation Premium Membership Today!

Key Benefits:

Subscribe Now for only USD$40 per month.
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
SECURITY ASSISTANCE
(CARICOM MEMBER STATES)
ACT
CHAPTER 15:06
Act
14 of 2007

1 - 28 1/2012
(inclusive) by L.R.O.
Pages Authorised
Current Authorised Pages

LAWS OF GUYANA
2 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
Note
on
Subsidiary Legislation
This Chapter contains no subsidiary legislation.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 3
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
CHAPTER 15:06
SECURITY ASSISTANCE
(CARICOM MEMBER STATES) ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Acceptance of the Treaty.
4. Treaty to have force of law.
5. Implementation of amendments to the Treaty.
SCHEDULE
__________________________

14 of 2007 An Act to provide for the implementation of the Treaty on
Security Assistance among Caricom Member States
and for matters connected therewith.
[23rd MARCH, 2007]
Short title.
Interpretation.
1. This Act may be cited as the Security Assistance
(CARICOM Member States) Act.
2. In this Act -
"Contracting Parties" means the Contracting Parties to the
Treaty;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Home Affairs;
"Treaty" means the Treaty on Security Assistance among
CARICOM Member States concluded among Member
States of the Caribbean Community on 6 July, 2006 at St.
LAWS OF GUYANA
4 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012

Acceptance of
the treaty.
Treaty to have
Implementa-
tion
of amendments
to the treaty.

Expiry of Act.
Kitts and Nevis as set out in the Schedule together with
the Protocol to the Treaty.
3. The Government of Guyana hereby enters into,
adopts and adheres to the Treaty.
4. The Treaty shall have the force of law in Guyana.
5. (1) Where an amendment or protocol to the Treaty
is accepted by the Contracting Parties, the Minister may by
Order amend the Schedule for the purpose of including the
amendment.
(2) Where the Schedule is amended in accordance
with this section, any reference in this Act or in any other
enactment or in any instrument having effect under any such
enactment shall, unless the context otherwise requires be
construed as a reference to the Treaty as so amended.
6. The Minister may by order specify a date on which
this Act shall expire.
__________________
SCHEDULE
TREATY
ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE
AMONG CARICOM MEMBER STATES
THE CONTRACTING PARTIES
Reaffirming the decision of the Conference of Heads of
Government of the Caribbean Community reached at its 24th
Meeting held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from 2 - 5 July, 2003,
where the Conference was challenged to promote a system of
regional security to ensure the economic and social integrity
of Member States;
the force of law.
Schedule
Schedule
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 5
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
Recalling further the First Meeting of the Ministerial Sub-
Committee on Developing a Regional Resource Mobilisation
Strategy for Crime Prevention and Security Issues which
convened in Kingston, Jamaica, from 9-10 January, 2004;
Convinced that the stability and well - being of the Caribbean
region can best be promoted by mutual cooperation;
Wishing to maximize their strength in the interest of the
defence of their States and to achieve sustainable social and
economic development for their people;
Striving to preserve the common heritage of their people
founded on the principles of democracy, liberty of the
individual and the rule of law:
HAVE AGREED as follows:
ARTICLE 1
USE OF TERMS
In this Treaty, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Community" means the Caribbean Community established
by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the
Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single
Market and Economy (CSME) signed at Nassau, The
Bahamas on 5 July, 2001;
"Contracting Parties" means Antigua and Barbuda, The
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize; Dominica, Grenada, Guyana;
Jamaica; St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia; St. Vincent and
the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; and the
Regional Security System;
"Contracting States" means Antigua and Barbuda, The
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana;
Jamaica; St. Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; St. Vincent and
the Grenadines; Suriname; and Trinidad and Tobago;
LAWS OF GUYANA
6 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
"Co-ordinator" means the Co-ordinator of the RSS appointed
in accordance with the Treaty;
"Forces Commanders" means the –
(a) Commander of the Antigua and Barbuda
Defence Force;
(b) Commissioner of Police of the Royal Police
Force of Antigua and Barbuda;
(c) Chief of Staff of the Royal Bahamas Defence
Force;
(d) Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police
Force;
(e) Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force;
(f) Commissioner of Police of the Royal
Barbados Police Force;
(g) Commissioner of the Belize National Police;
(h) Commandant of the Belize Defence Force;
(i) Chief of Police of the Commonwealth of
Dominica Police Force:
(j) Commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police
Force;
(k) Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force;
(I) Commissioner of Police of the Guyana
Police Force;
(m) Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force;
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 7
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
(n) Commissioner of Police of the Jamaica
Constabulary Force;
(o) Commissioner of the Royal Saint
Christopher and Nevis Police Force;
(p) Commander of the St Kitts and Nevis
Defence Force;
(q) Commissioner of the Royal Saint Lucia
Police Force;
(r) Commissioner Police of the Royal Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force;
(s) Chief of Police of the Suriname Police Force;
(t) Commander in Charge of the Suriname
Army;
(u) Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and
Tobago Defence Force; and
(v) Commissioner of Police of the Trinidad and
Tobago Police Service
"Full command" means the military authority and
responsibility of a commander to issue orders to his
subordinates in every aspect of military administration
and operations.
"Regional Security System" or "RSS" means the Organisation
established by the Treaty signed at St Georges, Grenada,
on the 5th day of March 1996 between Barbados and the
Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean
States;
"Security Assistance Mechanism" means the arrangements
LAWS OF GUYANA
8 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
and the utilization of the support facilities required to
expedite the mobilization, coordination and deployment
of resources to respond effectively and in a timely
manner to control the threat of serious crimes, man-made
or natural disasters, and national and regional crisis;
"service personnel" means personnel belonging to or
connected with anyone of the Forces referred to in the
definition of "Forces Commanders"; and
"Treaty" means the Treaty establishing the Regional Security
System signed at St. Georges, Grenada on the 5th day of
March, 1996 by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The
Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher
and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines.
ARTICLE 2
ESTABLISHMENT
There is hereby established a Security Assistance Mechanism
that is charged with the execution of the tasks and services
required to be performed in accordance with this Treaty.
ARTICLE 3
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Security Assistance Mechanism are the:
(a) efficient and timely response to and
management of natural and man- made
disasters in order to reduce and eliminate
the harmful consequences thereof;
(b) expeditious, efficient mobilisation and
deployment of regional resources in order to
manage and defuse national and regional
crises and to combat serious crimes;

LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 9
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
(c) combating and elimination of threats to
national and regional security, however
arising; and
(d) preservation of the territorial integrity of the
Contracting States.
ARTICLE 4
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION
Each Contracting State shall take all necessary measures,
including legislative and administrative measures, to ensure
the effective implementation of the objectives of this Treaty
within its territory.
ARTICLE 5
JOINT STRATEGIC COORDINATING
AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
1. There shall be a Joint Strategic Coordinating and
Planning Committee (hereinafter called "the Committee")
comprising the Co-ordinator of the RSS and the Forces
Commanders.
2. The Committee shall meet in session as often as the
exigencies of the circumstances require.
3. The meetings of the Committee shall be chaired by
the Contracting States on a rotating basis in the English
alphabetical order.
4. The Committee shall perform the following
functions:
(a) monitor the availability and readiness of the
resources for deployment by the Security
Assistance Mechanism as required;

LAWS OF GUYANA
10 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
(b) monitor and advise on the preparedness of
the Contracting Parties to accommodate
material, military and service personnel in
times of national crisis;
(c) make arrangements for the transportation of
material, military and service personnel to
receiving Contracting States at short notice
including where necessary arrangements for
mandatory requisition by the Contracting
Parties of air and sea transport vessels
belonging to private persons; and
(d) any other function mandated by the
Contracting States which is within the
objectives stated in Article 3.
5. Subject to Article 11, the Committee shall be
responsible for mobilising coordinating and deploying the
resources of the Security Assistance Mechanism in response
to a request for assistance by a Contracting State.
6. Combined operations shall be coordinated at any
suitable place as may be agreed upon by the Committee.
ARTICLE 6
THE COORDINATING SECRETARIAT
1. The Central Liaison Office of the RSS shall be
designated the Coordinating Secretariat of the Security
Assistance Mechanism.
2. In the performance of its functions the Coordinating
Secretariat shall:
(a) seek to ascertain the quantum and
availability of the resources in the territories
of the Contracting States which may be
identified for use by the Security Assistance
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 11
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
Mechanism;
(b) as directed by the Committee, act as the
focal point for relations with governments of
third States and representatives of
competent international organisations on
issues within the remit of the Security
Assistance Mechanism;
(c) compile and distribute to Contracting States
and the Committee statistics on the material,
disciplined forces and related facilities of the
Contracting Parties;
(d) on request prepare a draft budget for the
Security Assistance Mechanism for
submission to the Committee whenever the
Security Assistance Mechanism is activated;
(e) develop and establish a database for the
Security Assistance Mechanism; and
(f) perform any other function mandated by the
Contracting States which is within the
objectives stated in Article 3.
3. The Central Liaison Office of the RSS shall provide
administrative and secretarial services for the purposes of the
Security Assistance Mechanism.
ARTICLE 7
COORDINATOR
1. The Coordinator shall be responsible for the general
administrative direction of the Security Assistance
Mechanism.
2. The duties of the Coordinator shall include –
(a) advising the Contracting States on request
LAWS OF GUYANA
12 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
on the issues of serious crimes, man-made
and natural disasters and matters of regional
security;
(b) arranging and servicing meetings of the
Security Assistance Mechanism;
(c) coordinating the operations of the Security
Assistance Mechanism;
(d) submitting annually and at the request of
the Contracting States reports on the
administrative and operational activities of
the Security Assistance Mechanism; and

(e) taking appropriate action in respect of any
decision taken or directive received from the
Contracting States.
3. The Coordinator shall submit any information and
prepare any document sending by the Contracting States and
submit any information which in his opinion the Contracting
States ought to be informed.
ARTICLE 8
THE BUDGET
1. The Contracting States may, where the exigencies of
the Security Assistance Mechanism so require, agree to the
preparation of a budget in which the quantum or proportion
of each Contracting State contribution is determined.
2. Whenever a request is made for assistance or
cooperation from the Security Assistance Mechanism, the
receiving Contracting State shall meet the financial
obligations arising from the rendering of such assistance or
cooperation.
3. Budget estimates shall on request be prepared by
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 13
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
the Coordinating Secretariat with, where necessary, the
assistance of a technical committee, for submission to the
Committee which shall consider and transmit it to the
relevant Contracting States for their approval.
4. Supplementary estimates may be prepared and
submitted to the Contracting Parties as the exigencies of the
Security Assistance Mechanism may require.
5. Annual financial statements shall, where
appropriate, be submitted by the Coordinating Secretariat to
the relevant Contracting States.
ARTICLE 9
AREAS OF COOPERATION
1. The Contracting Parties agree to cooperate in the
areas and in the manner set out hereunder –
(a) combating threats to national and regional
security;
(b) minimizing the incidence of serious crimes;
(c) preserving the territorial integrity of the
Contracting States;
(d) conducting search and rescue missions as a
consequence of natural and man-made
disasters; and
(e) in any other area mandated by the
Contracting States which is within the
objectives stated in Article 3.
2. Any one or more of the Contracting Parties may
request in writing the assistance of one or more of the other
Contracting Parties in the areas of cooperation set out in
paragraph 1 of this Article.
LAWS OF GUYANA
14 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
3. Assistance provided by any one or more of the
Contracting Parties to one or more of the other Contracting
Parties may be coordinated through the Coordinating
Secretariat.
4. The Contracting Parties shall consult together
whenever in the opinion of any of them, the national security
of any Contracting State is threatened.
5. Where, having so consulted, the Contracting Parties
or any number of them consider that they should take action
to combat the threat to the security of any Contracting State
upon the written request of the Contracting Party, they may
individually or collectively take such action as may be
requested in writing by that Contracting State.
6. The service personnel of a sending Contracting
State may, with the written consent of the receiving
Contracting State, use reasonable force as and when necessary
during operations in the receiving Contracting State.
Article 10
COMMAND, CONTROL AND DISCIPLINE
1. Subject to the laws of the requested Contracting
State –
(a) the requesting Contracting State shall have
responsibility for the operational direction,
administration and logistics requirements of
all service personnel operating in that
Contracting State for the purposes agreed by
the States; and
(b) the senior officer of a requested State shall
exercise full command over his service
personnel.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 15
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
2. The responsibilities referred to in paragraph 1 (a)
may vest in the requested Contracting State based on a
request in writing of the requesting Contracting State for such
period as is specifically stated by the requesting Contracting
State.
3. Service personnel shall be subject to the applicable
code of discipline in accordance with the law of his State and
the regulations of the Force to which he belongs.
ARTICLE 11
COOPERATION BETWEEN
TWO OR MORE CONTRACTING STATES
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other article,
within the spirit and in accordance with the objectives of this
Treaty, any two or more Contracting States may –
(a) activate the Security Assistance Mechanism;
and
(b) cooperate with each other;
without the RSS being an active participant.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 the Coordinating
Secretariat and the Coordinator may be required to give
relevant support and cooperate with the respective
Contracting States to the extent and for the purposes
required.
ARTICLE 12
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
Contracting States may conclude bilateral or multilateral
agreements with one another on the matters dealt with in this
Treaty for the purposes of supplementing or strengthening its
provisions or facilitating the application of the principles
LAWS OF GUYANA
16 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
embodied in it.
ARTICLE 13
JURISDICTION
1. When service personnel of a sending Contracting
State are within the jurisdiction of another Contracting State,
they shall respect the laws, customs and traditions of that
other Contracting State.
2. The relevant authorities of one Contracting State
shall have, within another Contracting State or on board any
vessel or aircraft of that other Contracting State, the right to
exercise all such criminal and disciplinary jurisdiction over
the service personnel of the first-mentioned Contracting State
as are conferred on the relevant authorities of that
Contracting State by the laws of that Contracting State,
including the right to repatriate personnel to their own State
for trial and sentencing.

3. The courts of a Contracting State shall have
jurisdiction over service personnel of another Contracting
State with respect to offences that are committed by such
personnel within the first-mentioned Contracting State which
are punishable under the law of the first-mentioned
Contracting State.
4. Where the courts of one Contracting State and the
relevant authorities of another Contracting State have the
right to exercise jurisdiction in respect of an offence, the
relevant authorities of the other Contracting State shall have
the primary right to exercise jurisdiction where the offence
arises out of an act or omission occurring in the course of
official duties by a member of the service personnel of that
other Contracting State.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 17
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
ARTICLE 14
CLAIMS
Except as otherwise agreed, the receiving Contracting Party
shall:
(a) not institute any legal proceedings against a
sending Contracting Party or its service
personnel or other legal entities acting on its
behalf;
(b) with legal proceedings and claims brought
by third Parties against a sending
Contracting Party or against service
personnel or other legal entities acting on its
behalf;
(c) preserve, save and keep free from harm
service personnel of the sending Contracting
Party or persons or other legal entities acting
on its behalf; and
(d) compensate a sending Contracting State or
its service personnel or other legal entities
acting on its behalf,
in respect of death or injury to such service personnel,
damage to or loss of equipment or property, or damage to the
environment arising within the territory or other area under
the jurisdiction or control of the sending Contracting State in
the course of providing assistance.
ARTICLE 15
OPERATIONAL AND MEDICAL EXPENSES
1. The receiving Contracting State shall pay the
expenses incurred in accommodating and victualling the
service personnel of the sending Contracting Party.
LAWS OF GUYANA
18 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
2. The medical expenses of any service personnel of
the sending Contracting State who needs medical attention –
(a) in the receiving Contracting State as a result
of injuries received, or illness occurring
during operations or training in that
Contracting State shall be borne by the
receiving Contracting State;
(b) after having been repatriated to the sending
Contracting State as a result of injuries or
illness referred to in subparagraph (a) shall
be borne by the receiving Contracting State;
and
(c) as a result of injuries or illness referred to in
paragraph (a) which cannot be obtained in
either the receiving Contracting State or the
sending Contracting State shall be borne by
both Contracting States in such proportion
as may be agreed upon.
3. The receiving Contracting Party shall pay the
operational expenses incurred in respect of the transportation
and use of the resources necessary to mobilize and execute
any request made on its behalf.
ARTICLE 16
TRAINING
1. The Contracting Parties may make arrangements
for the training of service personnel.
2. Training may be conducted on a collective or
individual basis.
3. The Committee shall be responsible for all training
initiatives undertaken by virtue of this Treaty.
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 19
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
ARTICLE 17
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
In the case of a dispute between two or more Contracting
Parties relating to the interpretation or application of this
Treaty, the Contracting Parties shall consult together with a
view to the settlement of the dispute by negotiation, enquiry,
mediation, conciliation, arbitration or other peaceful means of
their own choice prior to the initiation of any judicial process.
ARTICLE 18
COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION
1. This Treaty shall enter into force on the day that it is
signed by two Member States of the RSS, the RSS and two
other Contracting Parties:
2. This Treaty shall cease to be in force in respect of a
Contracting Party on the day specified by notice in writing to
the other Contracting Parties; such notice to be given at least
six months before the date specified in the notice.
3. In the event of the termination of this Treaty, any
provision relating to a matter of criminal jurisdiction or to any
other obligation arising from or under this Treaty while in
force, shall remain in force until the matter is settled or
otherwise finally resolved.
ARTICLE 19
ACCESSION
1. After its entry into force any Member State of the
Community may accede to this Treaty.
2. Instruments of accession shall be deposited with the
Depository who shall forward certified true copies to all
Contracting Parties notifying them of the dates of deposit of
LAWS OF GUYANA
20 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
the instruments of accession.
ARTICLE 20
DEPOSITORY
This Treaty shall be deposited with the Secretary General of
the Community (herein referred to as the Depository) who
shall forward certified true copies to all Contracting Parties,
notifying them of the dates of signature and shall be
registered with the Secretary General of the United Nations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly
authorized thereto by their respective governments, hereby
sign the present Treaty.
DONE at …………………................…………
on the……………….. day of………………….
Signed by………………………………………..
for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on the…… day
of…………at ………………………………………………………..
Signed by…………………………………….
for the Government of the Bahamas on the……. day of ...…….
at………………………………………
Signed by………………………………...
for the Government of Barbados on the ……. day of …………
at……………………………………………

LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 21
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
Signed by………………………………….
for the Government of Belize on the………. day of…………..
at……………………………………………
Signed by………………………………….
for the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica on
the………
day of……………………. at …………….....……………………..
Signed by………………………………..
for the Government of Grenada on the………...day of………..
at …………………………………………..
Signed by………………………………….
for the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
on the ……………..day of……………….
at …........................................…………………………………….
Signed by ………………………………….
for the Government of Jamaica on the……….. day of…………
at …………………………………………….....................................
Signed by……………………………..
for the Government of Saint Lucia on the ………day of ………
at ………………………………………………...............................
Signed by ……………………………………

LAWS OF GUYANA
22 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
for the Government of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on
the……..day of……………. at …………………………...………
Signed by …………………………………
for the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the
……day of............. at ………………………………......………….
Signed by …………………………………
for the Government of the Republic of Suriname on the……..
day of………………… at ………………………………………….
Signed by ……………………………………..
for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
on the …………day of ……………….at …………………………
AND IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned being duly
authorized thereto has signed the present Treaty
for the Regional Security System on the …………day of………
at …………………………………………………............................
PROTOCOL TO THE TREATY ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE
AMONG CARICOM MEMBER STATES RELATING TO THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CARICOM OPERATIONS,
PLANNING AND COORDINATING STAFF (COPACS)
Contracting Parties to the Treaty on Security Assistance
Among CARICOM Member States,
Recalling Article 2 of the Treaty which established the
Security Assistance Mechanism and Article 3 which set out
the objectives of the Mechanism including the "expeditious,
efficient mobilisation and deployment of regional resources in
order to manage and defuse national and regional crises and
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 23
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
to combat serious crimes";
Recalling further Articles 5 and 6; and
Recognizing that the Community may have the need on
occasion to mobilize forces under a single command in
relation to the management of a single incident or event;
Agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
In this Protocol, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Conference" means the Conference of Heads of Government
of the Caribbean Community established by Article of
the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the
Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single
Market and Economy;
"Contracting State" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
the Treaty
"COPACS" means the CARICOM Operations, Planning and
Coordinating Staff established by Article 2;
"Regional Operations Commander" means the Regional
Operations Commander appointed in accordance with
Article 3;
"Security Assistance Mechanism" shall have the meaning
ascribed to it in the Treaty;
"Treaty" means the Treaty on Security Assistance Among
CARICOM Member States concluded among Member
States of the Caribbean Community on 6 July, 2006 at St.
Kitts and Nevis.

LAWS OF GUYANA
24 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
ARTICLE 2
ESTABLISHMENT OF COPACS
1. Notwithstanding Articles 5 and 6 of the Treaty, the
Contracting States hereby establish the CARICOM
Operations, Planning and Coordinating Staff, which shall
have the functions specified in Article 3.
2. COPACS shall be temporary in nature and shall be
convened by the Conference as and when required and for
such period as determined by the Conference.
3. The Conference may assign any function or
responsibility under the Treaty to the Regional Operations
Commander during the period that COPACS is convened.
ARTICLE 3
REGIONAL OPERATIONS COMMANDER
1. The Regional Operations Commander shall be
appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government of the
Caribbean Community on the recommendation of the Council
of Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement for
such period as COPACS is convened.
2. The Regional Operations Commander shall be
responsible for managing COPACS and shall have the overall
command of the forces of the Security Assistance Mechanism
during such period as COPACS is convened.
ARTICLE 4
FUNCTIONS OF COPACS
1. COPACS shall have the following functions during
such period as it is convened:
(a) mobilising, coordinating and deploying the
resources of the Security Assistance
Mechanism during the period and in respect
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 25
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
of the incident or event for which it is
convened;
(b) seeking to ascertain the quantum and
availability of the resources in the territories
of the Contracting States which may be
identified for use by the Security Assistance
Mechanism;
(c) preparing and implementing a Resource
Mobilisation Plan for the approval of the
Conference;
(d) preparing and implementing a Plan in
relation to all security related aspects of the
event or incident for which it was convened;
(e) as directed by the Conference, acting as the
focal point for relations with governments of
third States and representatives of
competent international organisations on
issues relating to its establishment;
(f) preparing a draft budget for its activities in
relation to the incident or event for which it
was convened;
(g) performing any other function mandated by
the Conference within the scope of its
establishment pursuant to paragraph 2 of
Article 2.
2. COPACS shall establish a Regional Operations
Coordinating Centre as required to be the Operational
Headquarters under the command of the Regional Operations
Commander, in order to execute the Plan specified in
subsection (c) of paragraph 1 and related matters.

LAWS OF GUYANA
26 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
ARTICLE 5
SECURITY ASSISTANCE MECHANISM
Nothing in this Protocol shall prevent any Contracting Party
to the Treaty from activating the Security Assistance
Mechanism as provided in the Treaty in relation to any
incident or event for which COPACS does not have authority.
ARTICLE 6
ENTRY INTO FORCE AND TERMINATION
1. This Protocol shall be open for signature by any of
the Contracting Parties and shall enter into force upon
signature by three such Contracting Parties.
2. This Protocol may be terminated by the agreement
of all parties hereto and in any event shall be terminated
immediately upon the termination of the Treaty, but
termination of the Protocol alone shall not otherwise affect the
operation of the Treaty.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly
authorized thereto by their respective governments, hereby
sign the present Protocol.
Signed by ……………………………………
for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on the …….day
of.......... at………………………………………….
Signed by ……………………………………..
for the Government of The Bahamas on the……... day of……
at …………………………………………………….
Signed by ………………………………….
for the Government of Barbados on the……….. day of ………
LAWS OF GUYANA
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
Cap. 15:06 27
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
at ……………………………………………………
Signed by………………………………….
for the Government of Belize on the………. day of…………..
at…………………………………………..........................................
.
Signed by………………………………….
for the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica on
the………day of……………………. at….....……………………..
Signed by………………………………..
for the Government of Grenada on the………...day of………..
at ………………………………………..................................…..
Signed by ……………………………………
for the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
on the…..day of ………. at ………………………………………
Signed by …………………………………….
for the Government of Jamaica on the ……….day of …………
at ………………………………………………................................
Signed by …………………………………….
for the Government of Saint Lucia on the……… day of……..
at ……………………………………………………..
Signed by …………………………………..
for the Government of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on
the…...day of ……………. at …………………………………..
Signed by ……………………………..

LAWS OF GUYANA
28 Cap. 15:06
Security Assistance (Caricom Member States)
L.R.O. 1/ 2012
for the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the
……..day of ………………. at ……………………………………
Signed by …………………………………………
for the Government of the Republic of Suriname on the……..
day of……………… at …………………………………………….
Signed by ………………………………..
for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
on the………day of ………………. at …………………………..
AND IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned being duly
authorized thereto has signed the present Treaty for the
Regional Security System on the ………… day of ……
at …………………………………………
___________________