BRIDGETOWN-Armed bandits, some in camouflage army clothing, have been robbing vessels in Grenadian waters. The vessels, laden with food and other supplies, have been heading for the hurricane-ravaged Isle of Spice.
By Rickey SinghOfficial confirmation that a combination of criminals and rogue elements within the security forces might be involved could not be obtained from Grenada with telephone links and other communication systems still down as a consequence of Ivan's destruction.
However, first official indication of a dramatic development that required new security strategies for the Grenada crisis came late yesterday with a "situation update" from the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA).
It came in sharp contrast to a bulletin released at 9 o'clock on Thursday night that relief supplies were scheduled for shipment to Grenada? yesterday.
Instead, CDERA management officials found themselves hastily reversing plans during yesterday on the basis of intelligence information that pointed to a serious security development.
CDERA coordinator Jeremy Collymore could not be reached for an explanation on why plans for shipment of supplies had been dramatically suspended, even if temporarily.
But a statement released by the agency stated: "On the recommendation of the Regional Security System (RSS) and CDERA, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Grenada is temporarily suspending all shipments of relief supplies to the country...
"The suspension is being implemented to allow for the strengthening of security to provide safety of passage for goods and equipment arriving in the country..."
On Thursday night, CDERA had optimistically reported that "air and seaports have been secured and aircraft and boats carrying relief supplies from the International Federation of the Red Cross and the United States Agency for International Development Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) are scheduled to arrive tomorrow (yesterday) in Grenada..."
Yesterday, hurried consultations involving Grenadian authorities, Caricom and RSS top brass, CDERA and officials of international agencies and organisations resulted in the decision to suspend all shipments of supplies until a more effective security arrangement could be put in place, hopefully today or tomorrow, the Trinidad Express was told last evening.
Beefing up the strength and capabilities of the RSS, including additional Coast Guard personnel, to ensure the "safety of passage" alluded to in CDERA's announcement of the temporary suspension in shipments of supplies was a major consideration following the reports of piracy at sea by armed gunmen.
St Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony has announced that his administration stood ready to accept Grenadian prisoners for a temporary period.
This would help ease the problems of housing prisoners who escaped from the Richmond Hill Prison on Tuesday when Hurricane Ivan pounded the island.
Meanwhile, it was learnt from reliable sources last evening that United States Secretary of State Colin Powell has offered assistance, including a military component, to help maintain law and order.
The offer is under consideration.
