One other topic the Senators questioned him on is the claim from prior witnesses that Cabinet discontinued the security clearance procedure.
That's a basic background check that Special Branch performed on potential visitors, and possible new citizens. This security clearance helped the Immigration Department screen visitors for basic offences.
Immigration Officer Ady Pacheco said that it was discontinued through a policy change from Cabinet. Yesterday, the Senate asked the Police Commissioner to discuss the implications of that decision, given that he has the experience of a police officer and a Immigration CEO:
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Your evidence is that this would have been an important element in the process of determining whether or not to give a person a visa from one of these countries to come to Belize."
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"I would think so, because you would want to know the type of visitors that would be coming in especially from some of these countries."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Taking a look at these list of countries, you see your expertise and experience. Could you indicate to us what potential risk would fall from citizens of these countries coming to Belize?"
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"Well we know that Colombia. Bolivia were very high in terms of the cocaine production and so you'd always be concern about perhaps producers or narco-traffickers or so on would be visiting. In terms of countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq - we know that there were civil war I would say taking place in countries like that and so you'd always be concern about whether or not persons coming in could be involve in those sort of things or some military background. In terms of Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia and those things again, we know that some of those countries are involved in again drug production, trafficking as well as migrants moving around the region."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Final question - terrorism."
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"Terrorism would be one of the concerns of course especially with countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Somalia."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"In light of what you have said Commissioner, clearly there would be a risk to our security as a nation if these security clearance was not strictly enforced based on what you have said."
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"Well there are always risk. Because I am certain that there were other countries who were not on this list where history now shows they are involve in terrorism and other illegal activities. So, there are risk from any national, not just these nationals."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Right, but somebody came up with this list. You are able to help us with the risks that is identified. So what I am trying to get from you is whether or not based on your experience and expertise you would agree that there would be a risk to the country if the check and clearance was not..."
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"I would agree."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"In light of the risk that you have identified with respect to those countries, it would be equally applicable with respect to a security clearance for nationality."
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"I would think so."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Wouldnt it be more applicable Mr. Commissioner?"
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"As I said I would think so. It's difficult thinking back and I want to be as accurate as possible, I would think so."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Well let's go further. There was in place a requirement for a security clearance from the police which involve asking your international counterparts to provide any information relevant to applicants for nationality in Belize and a decision was taken to stop it. Are you aware of that?"
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"My recollection is yes there was such a system in place. I believe that some discussions were held with I believe Foreign Affairs [Ministry] and the Solicitor General Ministry and based on those discussions I believe that some changes were approved by cabinet."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Mr. Commissioner you will agree with me that any decision to suspend security clearance for persons applying for nationality of Belize creates a serious risk to the state of Belize?"
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"Well, you are asking if I would agree with you. Obviously if my recollection is correct, at that time I would say no. Perhaps in hindsight I may agree with you now."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"You will agree with me now?"
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"Yes, in hindsight. But at that time as I said based on my recollection I would say no."
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