http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/03/obamas_fruitless_quest_to_extr.html
|
|
PM Defends Delay in Extraditing Coke
|
KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
|
 |
| Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding |
Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, has defended the Government's decision not to proceed with the United States' (US) request for the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, noting that evidence presented against Coke was obtained in violation of Jamaican law.
In responding to the US Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2009 in Parliament yesterday (March 3), which makes prominent reference to the August 2009 request for the extradition of Coke on drug trafficking charges, the Prime Minister said that "there were aspects of the case and the procedures employed that were abnormal."
He noted that, in most instances, these peculiarities would not, by themselves, prevent the request from being proceeded with. However in one important respect, it was found that there was violation of the Interception of Communications Act.
Mr. Golding said the law requires that for intercepted communication to be admissible in any criminal proceedings it must have been obtained, disclosed and used in accordance with exacting provisions.
"The Interception of Communications Act makes strict provisions for the manner in which intercepted communications may be obtained and disclosed. The evidence supporting the extradition request in this particular case violated those provisions. This was highly irregular," he said.
"So serious an offence is this violation that the penalty provided by law is a maximum fine of $5 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both such fine and imprisonment," the He said that the Jamaican Government, rather than summarily refusing the request, discussed with the US authorities the breaches that had occurred, and consistent with the provisions of the Extradition Treaty, sought clarification and additional information.
The discussions, he told the House, involved several meetings both in Jamaica and in Washington D.C., where the legal position was fully outlined by the Jamaican authorities and the US authorities undertook to consider the issues and requested time to do so.
The Prime Minister noted further that the Jamaican Government indicated to the US authorities that if other evidence existed, the procurement and disclosure of which were not in violation of Jamaican law, the Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, would be prepared to accept that evidence and issue the necessary authority to proceed.
"Their response, received only yesterday, has not altered its position (and) ever since the receipt of this extradition request, the Jamaican Government has remained constantly engaged with the US authorities on the matter," Mr. Golding said.
The US Narcotics Control Strategy Report accuses the Government of "unfounded allegations questioning US compliance with the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and Jamaican law" and has questioned the Government's commitment to law enforcement co-operation with the US.
"We respectfully reject these assertions. The Minister, in authorising extradition proceedings, has a duty to satisfy herself that they conform to the provisions of Jamaican law. As Minister and, especially, as Attorney-General, she cannot authorise processes, which she knows to be in violation of Jamaican law," Mr. Golding stressed.
|
|
JAMAICA: US critical of Jamaica’s refusal to extradite wanted man
Posted by admin on 3/02/10 • Categorized as Crime/Police, Jamaica
Christopher “Dudus” Coke.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government has so far not yet responded to a critical report by the United States regarding the extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke on drug-related charges in the United States.
“The high-profile suspect resides in and essentially controls the Kingston neighbourhood known as Tivoli Gardens, a key constituency for the (ruling) Jamaica Labour Party,” Washington said in its annual State Department narcotics report released on Monday.
The report questioned Jamaica’s commitment to law enforcement co-operation and highlighted the potential depth of corruption in the Bruce Golding government.
“Jamaica’s processing of the extradition request has been subjected to unprecedented delays, unexplained disclosure of law enforcement information to the press, and unfounded allegations questioning the US’ compliance with the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) and Jamaican law.
“The Government of Jamaica’s unusual handling of the August request for the extradition of a high-profile Jamaican crime lord…marked a dramatic change in Kingston’s previous co-operation on extradition, including a temporary suspension in the processing of all other pending requests and raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to combating trans-national crime,” the State Department said.
Washington said that Cooke, 40, is wanted on drug and firearms trafficking charges. If convicted he faces a term of life imprisonment.
The Golding administration has in the past defended its decision not to extradite Coke, stating that it would not act hastily and violate the extradition treaty between the two countries.
Last month, the United States revoked the visa of Wayne Chen, the chairman of the Urban Development Corporation. Professor of Law at the University of Miami, David Rowe, said by that act Washington was sending a clear message to Jamaica.
Rowe also warned of more consequences. He said US law enforcement officials might seek to indict Jamaican officials believed to be obstructing Coke’s extradition.
“I believe that the grand jury may bring a bill of indictment against individuals who have obstructed justice in preventing Christopher Coke’s extradition.”
Rowe, quoting inside White House sources, said President Barack Obama might consider dropping Jamaica from the list of countries he would be visiting during his first term in office.
Former National Security Minister, Peter Phillips, said the delay in carrying out the extradition among other things represents a weakening of political will.
“…it is also bringing Jamaica’s reputation to a very low stage in the international community. We run the risk of seeing the cooperation programme between the government of Jamaica (and the United States) in relation to counter narcotics and other efforts being reduced.
“We run the risk of having our trading relations interrupted, because people will doubt whether we are being strenuous enough in ensuring that there is no contamination from drugs or other contraband,” said Phillips, who served as national security minister in the previous People’s National Party (PNP) administration
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archive for the ‘dons’ Tag
Photo by Seen -- Tivoli Gardens at night
The notorious Tivoli Gardens Don Man, Dudus, who lives not in that ghetto, but in the luxury of upper St Andrews. He’s now wanted by the US government who are reported to be filing extradition papers. They want him for drug trafficking.
Dudus’s father was Lester Lloyd Coke aka Jim Brown – now dead, he was also wanted by the US authorities in 1988 who accused him of running a multi million dollar drug ring known as the shower posse; so named for spraying showers of bullets in over a 1,000 alleged murders. Read all about Jim Brown here.
Could this be a classic case of like father like son?
Perhaps so, but with the war on drugs and the need to get those higher up the chain behind bars, getting Dudus may well be a good catch for the US.
As I was reading about Dudus’s father, I found that the man who was said to be the brains behind his whole operation (Vivian Blake) is now out of US prison and back in Jamaica – god I bet he’s got some stories to tell. Where that guy at?
So there were always two don men that are still widely known. Two men who will probably go down in folklore and where rumour and legend follow. They are the two Dons of West Kingston Zekes and Dudus. Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke is the don from Tivoli Gardens and by all accounts, is still going strong. I tried to do a search on Duddus to see what he is up to nowadays and all seems to have gone abit quiet, he must be thinking he needs to lower his profile in the press. he does continue to maintain status in the community though as I heard he held two parties for his “earthday” in March of this year. this is the only picture I could find of him, i cannot verify if it is really him though as I did not take this pic myself.
The other, Donald “Zekes” Phipps, languishes in prison after what must have been a deal by the politicians to catch a big “name” to provide some legitimacy to Operation Kingfish - the crime operation which works with Scotland Yard in the UK.
Zekes has been back in court recently because he wants back this money (18 million Jamaican dollars) that he claimed did not belong to him when the police came and raided his house. read about this here
I found a bareboned factfile on him – he’s been arrested many times previously and always got acquitted (friends in the right places and money in the right hands) but this does not tell you about his supporters. One time in 2004 when he was arrested, there were rumours he had been hurt in poilice custody and a crowd gathered, he had to come out with a megaphone to let everyone know he was alright! His skinny frame and hesitant voice does not reveal the power that he by all accounts and purposes had.
i would love to know what connections these powerful dons and the police and the politicians, to be so widely known for so long, i mean Dudus is known as the “President” for christ sake !
There are a number of rumours I have heard of homosexuality in the gangs and of some dons.
Now, everyone wants to be a don which requires more and more brutal violence to get to the top.
Jamaica’s dons represent a contradiction. To be feared and respected at the same time. Community leaders and criminals. The don of Tivoli Gardens allows Passa Passa the weekly dancehall night to take place in an area often in the grip of gang warfare . Here you can see the party and yes the dancefloor has the main road running through the middle! One time when I was there, an army truck filled with armed soldiers passed through which was a little surreal.Now even the government are having to recognise their power. With the continued rise in the crime rate and with government policy fast running out of ideas, the Public defender Earl Witter has suggested including the dons in the consultation process to sort out what to do about it. Find out more about this here….
------------------------------------------------
Can a mother father?
By NADINE WILSON All Woman writer allwoman@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, March 01, 2010
LONG before Edith Clarke first published her resource book My Mother who Fathered Me in 1957 -- a book which studied the slavery-inspired familial structures in Jamaica characterised by paternal absence, parental irresponsibility and the rise of the maternal family -- countless women were toiling at homes across Jamaica trying to raise their children without the economic or emotional support of men.
Clarke's publication brought the issue of mothers 'fathering' to the forefront, and with the spotlight came a lot of questions about the impact of this traditional family shift -- where mothers were being forced into situations where they had to play both roles; and whether the children in these situations lacked proper parenting because of it.
STEWART... said his life turned out great despite being raised by his mother
Not much has changed since the publication of Clarke's book. Indeed, the years have seen a growth in single parent homes, with statistics showing that over the years, the number of female headed households has increased. The 2005 UNICEF publication Situation Analysis of Jamaican Children showed that over 45 per cent of Jamaica's homes are female headed, a trend that persisted for much of the 1990s.
They are statistics that point to the obvious reality: mothers have been playing dual roles to their children.
But despite the statistics, some experts still hold that mothers can't, and shouldn't attempt to 'father' too.
Senior Policy Analyst and Male Desk Representative at the Bureau of Women's Affairs Dave Noel Williams is one.
He is adamant that it is just not possible for a woman to father a child.
"That's a misnomer, it is foolishness, a woman cannot father a boy, and neither can a man mother a girl," he said. "They have their individual roles to play," he added.
Williams, who has counselled a number of boys and men over the years, said there are certain biological changes that occur in boys that only a father could relate to. Much has also been said about the need for a father in his daughter's life, to, among other things, help her relationships with men in the future.
"Failure to have a male figure present could be detrimental to the child," Williams said.
But, said Nordia Cooke, the mother of a six-year-old whose father disappeared shortly after the boy's birth, "In some cases, mothers are forced to father because of the voluntary absence of the child's father".
"So in my role, I have to be the father," she told All Woman. "And do I think I can do it? Of course! And I'm doing a pretty damn good job of it. Of course no one -- at least no one sane -- goes into a situation where they bring a child into the world and then decides to play mother and father. But I think that when forced to play the role, mothers can 'father', and many have been doing so with great results over the years."
Just ask anthropologist and talk show host Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart, who boasts the distinction of rising from poverty to now having acclaim as a lecturer, entertainer and talk show host with a doctorate in anthropology. And he has never ceased to bring praises to his mother, his sole caregiver.
Stewart said his life turned out great despite being raised single-handedly by her.
His own mother he said, "was phenomenal in taking on both roles" while raising him and his sister.
"Everything that for some other family they would depend on the man to do, or a child would grow up seeing their father doing, my mother was doing it all. Even certain, everyday tasks -- to nail up something, to fix something that I saw other men in other families doing, my mother was doing all of that and it was overwhelming for her," he said.
He said his mother died in her 30s due to ill-health brought on by her working extremely hard.
But he admitted that he is also a believer that a mother, no matter how self-sufficient, cannot 'father' her child.
"I understand what she (Edith Clarke) meant and I agree with what she meant. But in the strictest sense of the phrase, it is my firm belief that no woman can father a child," Stewart said. "No woman can father a child, while no man can mother a child. However, a woman can assume fatherly roles and be quite effective and successful in doing so when she is raising her children."
And despite assuming the roles, it's the children who oftentimes suffer from the missing link to their fathers.
Stewart said his mother was so adept at taking care of her children, that it is only now in retrospect that he is seeing that the absence of a father did affect him. At an early age, he started hanging out with older youths in his community, who he felt could have been father figures. That led to him being escorted off to a boys' home and then eventually from one jailhouse to the next during his youth.
"At that time, I was admiring them (the youths) and I thought it was cool. My mother had great difficulty competing with that, because while she could assume certain traditional roles such as a disciplinarian, a provider, and so forth that traditionally a father in Jamaica would accomplish, at the same time she was just simply not a man," said the anthropologist.
Fortunately his mother -- who sold bottles to earn wages sometimes -- made sure that she instilled a love for God and emphasised the need for education to her children. Stewart believes that the foundation laid by his mother had a far-reaching effect on his character and success today.
"Perhaps if a man was in the picture, I don't know if my mother would have tried as hard as she did with the results now manifesting in me the way they are. At the same time, a man can be in the picture and you can have a father, but it is not the best of father and this can affect you negatively," he surmised.
It's a question 30-year-old Fiona Elliott has been grappling with for the two years since she opted to leave the marital home with her son, after years of physical and mental abuse from her husband.
"Everyone told me to stay," she told All Woman. "I was shocked when I realised that everyone was spewing the same garbage -- 'stay for the child's sake', they would say. The boy needs a father."
But, she said, she started questioning the advice. "I know my son needs a father," she said. "But does he need this father? Does he need a father who is no good; who hurts him and who he sees hurting me? Should I have provided him with the traditional nuclear situation, but at the expense of a good father? Is having a father in this case -- abuse and all -- better than being parented by a mother alone? I don't think so!"
Paula, who is now in her 40s, said growing up without her father was extremely painful. She said although she knew of him, he had disregarded her as a daughter, refusing to make any contribution to her well-being. As such, the businesswoman said she was raised by her mother, who would quarrel all the time about the stresses of being a single parent.
Her mother eventually remarried and had other children but Paula said not having her father around her was especially hard because she watched the way her mother's husband was always there for his daughters, causing her to feel like the black sheep in the family.
"No matter what anybody says and no matter what anybody does, you just always feel a way. You feel a lot of disappointment and sometimes I felt like I was a burden for both of them," she said, while adding that, "there is still a lot of bitterness and anger".
But even she is the first to admit that it is better to grow up without a father than to be raised by one who is irresponsible. It is for this reason that she is in the process of divorcing her husband and the father of two of her children, who abused her on countless occasions.
"I went to my kids to see what they wanted and they told me to end the relationship and just leave him," she said. "It is best to be by yourself and take care of the kids, because if you stay in the relationship, chances are you might take the problem out on the children. After all, everybody has their breaking point."
Stewart agrees that the presence of a father doesn't necessarily mean a better life for the child.
"The presence of a man in a child's life doesn't necessarily equate to automatic success, because not all men are as responsible as they should be; not all men try to be the best father they should be. So sometimes the absence of a father, it may result in more work for the mother, but what it does is that for some women they use it as an opportunity, they use that unfortunate circumstance to propel them to do even better," he said
STEWART... said his life turned out great despite being raised by his mother
