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EDITORIAL - That United States narco watch list
published: Thursday | September 20, 2007
The apparent angst among local narcotics agents over Jamaica's remaining on the United States government's watch list, as we reported yesterday, is understandable. Given their hard work and rate of success in apprehending traders and narcotics over the past few years, they would have every right to expect some positive adjustment in the ranking.
This has yet to happen, but we would urge our agents to continue doing the good work they are doing, conscious of the interests of the Americans, without being overwhelmed by their lack of approval or endorsement of their efforts.
We do understand that encouragement strengthens labour, but Washington's bark may be more threatening than its bite. Remaining on the United States list may make us liable to sanctions the Americans may wish to impose, but we really should implement policies and carry them out for the benefit of our people and not primarily for Washington's approval.
There can be little doubt that local police have made a significant dent in the narcotics trade. Indeed, one local businessman reported last year that the success of the police in nabbing major players had resulted in a decline in sales in the hardware business, particularly in western Jamaica. This had to do with the fact that the persons directly involved in the drug trade often used construction projects as avenues to launder their earnings.
Of course, the hypocrisy of the Americans in their self-adopted role as the world's policeman is never more evident than in the maintenance of lists like the one under discussion.
As the world's sole superpower they can grant and withhold their approval as they have a mind to. Smaller, more vulnerable states like ours are in no position to respond in kind when the Americans commit breaches in areas where we have an interest.
For example, for years Jamaican officials have been trying to get a greater level of cooperation from the Americans in stemming the flow of illegal guns into our island, with little success. Again, this is quite understandable, since the trade in guns is lucrative business for powerful interests who help to frame public policy.
It is, nevertheless, ironic that Jamaica should still have this marker against its name, given its unequivocal cooperation with the Americans in various security measures, including complying with the amended International Ship and Port Security code. The authorities have made changes to the country's cargo inspection system, putting them in line with the requirements of the U.S. Container Security Initiative.
Previous State Department reports on Jamaica's counter-narcotics efforts have described the country's cooperation with the U.S. as excellent, given the considerable progress made in disrupting the trafficking in large quantities of cocaine. Concern has remained high, however, over the relatively high production rate of marijuana.
Jamaica's attractiveness as a trans-shipment point for traffickers from South America into the U.S. can only be diminished by improvements in the monitoring of our coastlines, offshore waters and port facilities. The Americans have already provided significant help in this area and the commitment displayed by our security personnel is bearing fruit.
We urge our police not to be daunted by the latest report, but to continue to carry out their duties with the professionalism expected of them. The Jamaican public salutes your efforts 100 per cent.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.
published: Thursday | September 20, 2007
The apparent angst among local narcotics agents over Jamaica's remaining on the United States government's watch list, as we reported yesterday, is understandable. Given their hard work and rate of success in apprehending traders and narcotics over the past few years, they would have every right to expect some positive adjustment in the ranking.
This has yet to happen, but we would urge our agents to continue doing the good work they are doing, conscious of the interests of the Americans, without being overwhelmed by their lack of approval or endorsement of their efforts.
We do understand that encouragement strengthens labour, but Washington's bark may be more threatening than its bite. Remaining on the United States list may make us liable to sanctions the Americans may wish to impose, but we really should implement policies and carry them out for the benefit of our people and not primarily for Washington's approval.
There can be little doubt that local police have made a significant dent in the narcotics trade. Indeed, one local businessman reported last year that the success of the police in nabbing major players had resulted in a decline in sales in the hardware business, particularly in western Jamaica. This had to do with the fact that the persons directly involved in the drug trade often used construction projects as avenues to launder their earnings.
Of course, the hypocrisy of the Americans in their self-adopted role as the world's policeman is never more evident than in the maintenance of lists like the one under discussion.
As the world's sole superpower they can grant and withhold their approval as they have a mind to. Smaller, more vulnerable states like ours are in no position to respond in kind when the Americans commit breaches in areas where we have an interest.
For example, for years Jamaican officials have been trying to get a greater level of cooperation from the Americans in stemming the flow of illegal guns into our island, with little success. Again, this is quite understandable, since the trade in guns is lucrative business for powerful interests who help to frame public policy.
It is, nevertheless, ironic that Jamaica should still have this marker against its name, given its unequivocal cooperation with the Americans in various security measures, including complying with the amended International Ship and Port Security code. The authorities have made changes to the country's cargo inspection system, putting them in line with the requirements of the U.S. Container Security Initiative.
Previous State Department reports on Jamaica's counter-narcotics efforts have described the country's cooperation with the U.S. as excellent, given the considerable progress made in disrupting the trafficking in large quantities of cocaine. Concern has remained high, however, over the relatively high production rate of marijuana.
Jamaica's attractiveness as a trans-shipment point for traffickers from South America into the U.S. can only be diminished by improvements in the monitoring of our coastlines, offshore waters and port facilities. The Americans have already provided significant help in this area and the commitment displayed by our security personnel is bearing fruit.
We urge our police not to be daunted by the latest report, but to continue to carry out their duties with the professionalism expected of them. The Jamaican public salutes your efforts 100 per cent.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.