DeLisle Worrell: The frontier of practice in international criminal law
Opening remarks by Dr DeLisle Worrell, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, at the
University of the West Indies' (UWI) Course in International Crime, Bridgetown, 17 January
2011.
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This course is an example of what Barbados needs to do in order to keep up with the
evolving challenges of globalisation. Globalisation is not new to us: the Barbados we know
today was born of the global outreach of an expansionist English nation, and its economy
grew through international commerce in sugar, slaves and consumption goods. What is new
is the nature of Barbados' economic interface with the rest of the world. Very little now
remains of the sugar economy of the last three centuries. What we have today is an
economy driven by international commerce in services, principally tourism services, with
international business and financial services (IBFS) in second place.
The international business and financial services sector is Barbados' most recent foreign
currency diversification initiative. Our success in this activity is a result of an emphasis on
quality - of regulation, of legislation, and of official administration. In order to maintain
internationally acceptable quality we must constantly upgrade our performance in all these
aspects - improving the adequacy of regulation, the appropriateness of legislation, and the
processes and skills which enable government and private firms to provide an efficient
professional service.
The anti-money laundering (AML) framework, and the way we execute that framework, are
crucial aspects of our quality control. We must constantly upgrade that framework to keep
abreast of best international standards; we must take measures to equip official entities with
the knowledge and skills to execute their responsibilities in a transparent, even-handed and
expeditious fashion. Practitioners must fully understand and implement measures and
procedures, which will ensure that their operations satisfy a demanding international
standard, all the while offering their clients a service that is competitive in price and quality.
This course put on by UWI will help all participants to remain current on the latest
developments in international criminal law, so that we can enhance our standing among our
competitors in the market for international business and financial services.
The UWI is fortunate to have the benefit, as lecturer for this course, of one who has been
writer, teacher and service provider in this field from its inception, in the person of Bruce
Zagaris. Bruce's CV speaks for itself: he has a B.A., J.D., and LL.M. from The George
Washington University, Washington, DC, one of the most distinguished universities in the
US. Since November 1978, he has practiced law in Washington, D.C., where he is currently
a partner with Berliner Corcoran & Rowe. He has served as a consultant, counsel and
lobbyist for fourteen governments, including our own, on various subjects, many relating to
aspects of international criminal or enforcement law. His work for governments has included
negotiating, advising and providing public relations support on international enforcement
agreements. Bruce has served as a consultant to the U.S. Agency for International
Development, the British High Commission, and UN projects on anti-money laundering and
organized crime. Bruce's work for private banks and corporations has involved counseling on
prevention strategies, on complying with anti-money laundering requirements, on the
development of due diligence procedures, and on compliance with transnational corruption
laws.
Bruce has served as an expert witness and/or consultant on several occasions. The list of
particulars is a long one. He has handled transfer of prisoner applications and advised
accused and convicted persons of the operation of applicable treaties and the pros and cons
of applying under them. He has been active in civil prosecution on behalf of victims of
transnational crimes and torts.
Bruce has testified before Congress in the US on the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery
Act, on the U.S. Government's efforts to combat international tax evasion, on Mutual Legal
Assistance Treaties, and on a National Gambling Impact Study. Bruce's work with the
Executive Branch of the US Government includes advising on strategy for dealing with
international organized crime, as well as writing, advising and lecturing on money laundering,
international tax enforcement, and financial investigations. He has lectured to U.S. diplomats
and staff, as well as to foreign governments and officials.
Since 1985, Bruce has edited the International Enforcement Law Reporter, a monthly
publication which discusses developments in international criminal and related enforcement
law matters. It can be viewed at http://www.ielr.com. He has written extensively on issues of
international criminal law, in a wide variety of publications. Bruce has appeared on many of
the leading international media networks, and has been interviewed and quoted in the
international press.
To cap it all, Bruce Zagaris has been an advisor on international criminal law to a succession
of Barbadian Government administrations, and has been, and continues to be, of invaluable
assistance to us in that capacity. Beyond this, he is a friend of Barbados, one of a
distinguished list of international luminaries whose informal support and advice has done
much to assist this small nation in making its way in a changing world.
With Bruce Zagaris as lecturer, this week's course takes us to the frontier of practice in
international criminal law, which is where we need to be, in order to be most competitive. Our
heartfelt thanks to Bruce; we really do appreciate his willingness to put his expertise at our
disposal, and the committed support he has given us, over the years. We look forward to a
rewarding week with him.