 Commencing the 18th of June 2021, the U.S. government will be extending assistance to select units within the Royal St. Lucia Police Force, RSLPF. The force has been excluded from receiving U.S. assistance since the imposition of the Leahy Law in 2013, due to the alleged extrajudicial killings of 12 individuals by members of the police force. The Leahy Law prohibits U.S. funded assistance to units of foreign security forces, while there is credible information implicating that unit in the commission of gross violation of human rights. U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda Taglialatella, speaking at a press conference on Friday, explained that the U.S. government will now be lending aid to select units within the force. After years of review that included consultations across the United States government agencies, as well as coordination with St. Lucia, we have been able to identify a number of Royal St. Lucia Police Force units, with which we will be able to resume full cooperation and assistance. This means that those units, such as the Marine and Immigration Units, will again be able to enjoy the full benefits of United States security assistance that we are planning to begin, as we speak. These units will be eligible for security assistance, like that provided through the United States Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. This initiative seeks to reduce illicit trafficking in the region, advance public safety, and promote social justice. Some St. Lucia security units may also benefit from other security assistance programs, such as the professional, military, educational, and technical training courses provided through the United States Department of Defense, state partnership program exchanges with the Florida and the United States Virgin Islands National Guards, and regular maritime maintenance support through the United States Southern Commands technical assistance and field teams. This is only the first step. We look forward to continuing to expand our cooperation and engagement. An important part of this process is to ensure full accountability and allegations of extradition killings. Prime Minister the Honourable Alan Shasne, welcomed in the decision by the U.S. government, highlighted how this extension of aid will assist security forces in St. Lucia. The Prime Minister explained that the Government of St. Lucia continues to work assiduously to ensure the complete removal of the Leahy Law. This to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and other programming of the U.S. government security agencies, including Southern Command, will allow for, amongst other things, the effective rollout of the Border Security Agency that is being established. Fundamentally, the revision of the blanket policy that denied our law enforcement personal access to U.S. funded training is welcomed and this is a step in the right direction. This administration will continue to provide all the support necessary to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, which is in charge, which is charged with investigations into the allegations of wrongdoing. We are also committed to providing all the necessary support to our law enforcement professionals charged with keeping us all safe. Commissioner Police Milton Daisy expressing gratitude to the U.S. government, indicated that this support will aid immensely in the RSLPS fight against crime. We are pleased that your Excellency has announced the lifting of certain conditions of the Leahy imposition and has agreed that certain departments in the force will be receiving further assistance. Commissioner Police Milton Daisy speaking there.