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Phillips presses PM on Dudus case
Says Golding needs to 'do the right thing'
BY GARFIELD MYERS, Editor-at-Large South/Central Bureau myersg@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, September 07, 2009
Mandeville, Manchester - Former National Security Minister Peter Phillips has demanded that Prime Minister Bruce Golding break his silence and "do the right thing" in regard to the request by the United States Government for the extradition West Kingston 'don' Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Failing that, the ruling party would have given up its moral right to govern, Phillips told cheering Opposition People's National Party (PNP) supporters at the annual North West Manchester constituency conference in Mile Gully on Saturday night.
PHILLIPS. if the Government of Jamaica fails in upholding the law of the land, then they would have forfeited their moral right to govern Jamaica
"It is not a matter on which the prime minister can afford to be silent," said Phillips. "Jamaica demands of him not only to explain to us what is happening but in fact to do the right thing. If the Government of Jamaica fails in upholding the law of the land, then they would have forfeited their moral right to govern Jamaica."
The Jamaican Government confirmed late last month that the US Government had requested the extradition of Coke in line with an existing treaty between the two countries. The Government has remained silent since.
Coke is reportedly wanted in the United States for alleged narcotics and arms trafficking. West Kingston - including Tivoli Gardens, with which Coke is most associated - is Prime Minister Golding's constituency and is routinely considered the primary political stronghold of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Phillips argued that the extradition issue involving Coke, whom he did not refer to by name, "is perhaps the most serious ... confronting us today..."
He declared that "whatever the differences politically that might exist between the Government of the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party we all have a right to expect, and I myself expect, that in a country that is beset by lawlessness; in a country that is facing a rising tide of violence and crime that the right signals will be sent".
While noting that he did not know the details of the request, Phillips pointed out that "it is not the first time we have faced extradition requests. I had to deal with many such requests when I was minister of national security. Our officials in the ministries of justice, foreign affairs, and national security are not unfamiliar with how to do deal with such requests.
But we have heard nothing, and the time is passing. Rumours abound, printed in the press - and I think they are probably even more than rumours - about the fear that is gripping parts of downtown Kingston.
Reports have come forward about businesses that are being affected, from the ladies selling on the streets, to businesses, some of which closed early this week... Still not a word from the authorities charged with guiding the affairs of the country. Not a word from the Government. This is a serious issue. It affects the international obligations that have been entered into and observed by all governments of Jamaica up to this point. It affects the fundamental issue as to whether Jamaica and the Jamaican Government observe the rule of law and that there is one law for everyone".
Phillips's son, Michael, who was recently selected to succeed veteran member of parliament Dean Peart as the PNP's representative whenever an election is called, also addressed the crowd at the Mile Gully High School. PNP parliamentarians Lisa Hanna and Luther Buchanan were among those bringing brief greetings as well as Senator Mark Golding, who provided an analysis of Jamaica's pending borrowing relationship with the International Monetary Fund.
Peart, who recently underwent an operation, was unable to attend but spoke briefly to the enthusiastic crowd via telephone link.
Says Golding needs to 'do the right thing'
BY GARFIELD MYERS, Editor-at-Large South/Central Bureau myersg@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, September 07, 2009
Mandeville, Manchester - Former National Security Minister Peter Phillips has demanded that Prime Minister Bruce Golding break his silence and "do the right thing" in regard to the request by the United States Government for the extradition West Kingston 'don' Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Failing that, the ruling party would have given up its moral right to govern, Phillips told cheering Opposition People's National Party (PNP) supporters at the annual North West Manchester constituency conference in Mile Gully on Saturday night.
PHILLIPS. if the Government of Jamaica fails in upholding the law of the land, then they would have forfeited their moral right to govern Jamaica
"It is not a matter on which the prime minister can afford to be silent," said Phillips. "Jamaica demands of him not only to explain to us what is happening but in fact to do the right thing. If the Government of Jamaica fails in upholding the law of the land, then they would have forfeited their moral right to govern Jamaica."
The Jamaican Government confirmed late last month that the US Government had requested the extradition of Coke in line with an existing treaty between the two countries. The Government has remained silent since.
Coke is reportedly wanted in the United States for alleged narcotics and arms trafficking. West Kingston - including Tivoli Gardens, with which Coke is most associated - is Prime Minister Golding's constituency and is routinely considered the primary political stronghold of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Phillips argued that the extradition issue involving Coke, whom he did not refer to by name, "is perhaps the most serious ... confronting us today..."
He declared that "whatever the differences politically that might exist between the Government of the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party we all have a right to expect, and I myself expect, that in a country that is beset by lawlessness; in a country that is facing a rising tide of violence and crime that the right signals will be sent".
While noting that he did not know the details of the request, Phillips pointed out that "it is not the first time we have faced extradition requests. I had to deal with many such requests when I was minister of national security. Our officials in the ministries of justice, foreign affairs, and national security are not unfamiliar with how to do deal with such requests.
But we have heard nothing, and the time is passing. Rumours abound, printed in the press - and I think they are probably even more than rumours - about the fear that is gripping parts of downtown Kingston.
Reports have come forward about businesses that are being affected, from the ladies selling on the streets, to businesses, some of which closed early this week... Still not a word from the authorities charged with guiding the affairs of the country. Not a word from the Government. This is a serious issue. It affects the international obligations that have been entered into and observed by all governments of Jamaica up to this point. It affects the fundamental issue as to whether Jamaica and the Jamaican Government observe the rule of law and that there is one law for everyone".
Phillips's son, Michael, who was recently selected to succeed veteran member of parliament Dean Peart as the PNP's representative whenever an election is called, also addressed the crowd at the Mile Gully High School. PNP parliamentarians Lisa Hanna and Luther Buchanan were among those bringing brief greetings as well as Senator Mark Golding, who provided an analysis of Jamaica's pending borrowing relationship with the International Monetary Fund.
Peart, who recently underwent an operation, was unable to attend but spoke briefly to the enthusiastic crowd via telephone link.
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