Grannum: We are one in the fight against violent extremism

WHILE the Caribbean archipelago has been fortunate not to have a direct impact from terrorist acts, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Lieutenant Colonel Glyne Grannum has stressed the importance of the region joining the global effort to counter violent extremism, with “one heart, one body and one mind”.

His comments came during a reception held on Monday evening in the Bridgetown Port on board the visiting Canadian HMCS Kingston as part of the 2017 Tradewinds exercise and in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of independence.
Briefly addressing the event which was attended by a number of high level military officials, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and other specially invited guests, the head of the BDF lamented the tragic terrorist event which took place in London over the weekend.

He also highlighted the importance of this year’s Tradewinds exercise which has had a partnership with the region for over three decades, predicting that that this the fourth installation will be the largest exercise ever held in Barbados.

The Lieutenant Colonel expressed gratitude to all partners who brought resources with them and will join in the training effort, while raising the level of sensitisation and the level of operational capacity to deal with multidimensional threats.

He also highlighted the role of Canada in the formative years of the BDF back in the late 1970s, saying that he, along with Superintendent of Prisons Lieutenant Colonel John Nurse owe a lot to Canada for their professional development.

He used the opportunity to present a mahogany timepiece to signify the years spent between Barbados and Canada and in celebration of the milestone of 150 years of independence Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Patrick Todd, while speaking on behalf of Prime Minister the Rt Hon Freundel Stuart who was unable to attend the event, assured that Barbados cherishes the deep longstanding friendship that exists between the people of Canada and Barbados.

He told the guests that the Government of Canada would have assisted in the refurbishment of the Grantley Adams International Airport and noted that the father of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the late Pierre Trudeau was a close friend of Barbados’ Father of Independence the late Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

Minister Todd also pointed to the fact that recently the Barbados Government would have been provided concessional loan financing to assist the Barbados Water Authority in the installation and procurement of our smart Meter programme.

He also highlighted the role of the Canadian military as they take part in the annual Tradewinds exercise,ensuring that regional military personnel are proactive and that the defence and security of the region is not compromised. (JH)