- So the WikiLeaks global scandal has touched Jamaica in case you didn't know. Here are some of the highlights (lowlights?) that came out which involved drug-smuggling, and the PM's wife somehow got mentioned:
US embassy cables: Cuba frustrated by Jamaica's lack of action over international drugs tradeWikiLeaks cables: Jamaica accused of aiding drug smugglers
"Cuban [interior ministry] officials contend that narcotics smugglers from Jamaica are utilising both Cuban airspace and waters to transport narcotics ultimately destined for the United States, but their repeated attempts to engage Jamaica on the issue have been ignored," wrote Jonathan Farrar, the US chief of mission in Havana. A US coastguard drug interdiction specialist who worked closely with Cuban colleagues reported their being incensed by the Jamaicans' "complete lack of co-operation" in failing to share information, return calls or respond to tip-offs.
"Cuban [interior ministry] officials contend that narcotics smugglers from Jamaica are utilising both Cuban airspace and waters to transport narcotics ultimately destined for the United States, but their repeated attempts to engage Jamaica on the issue have been ignored," wrote Jonathan Farrar, the US chief of mission in Havana. A US coastguard drug interdiction specialist who worked closely with Cuban colleagues reported their being incensed by the Jamaicans' "complete lack of co-operation" in failing to share information, return calls or respond to tip-offs.
The Mayor began by stating pointedly that the Government of Jamaica (GoJ) faced a serious crisis because of Washington's request for the extradition of Christopher Coke to stand trial on narcotics and firearms charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (reftels A,B). He predicted that there would be "severe repercussions" and "collateral damage" if Coke were arrested, and that this would "risk destroying everything the Government was trying to do on the economy and crime." The Mayor said that in recent years his administration had worked with Coke to reduce crime in the inner cities of Jamaica, particularly in West Kingston. If he now were extradited, this would "leave a vacuum," and matters would be much worse. McKenzie noted that in recent days several of his "contacts in the communities" had told him they "would not take this (Coke s extradition) lying down."
Mrs. Golding expressed her belief that Secretary Clinton's failure to mention the GOJ in the Department's traditional Independence Day congratulatory message to the Jamaican people in August 2009 had been an intentional slight, instigated by the PNP through its "nefarious influence" on Secretary Clinton. Similarly, Mrs. Golding attributed the Coke extradition request to Congressman Rangel's "whispering in Secretary Clinton's ear" and the PNP's "pernicious influence" within the Jamaican diaspora, and insisted that the extradition request had been orchestrated as a means of embarrassing her husband politically.
Of course, for those of us who live in Jamaica, the only surprising revelations are those attributed to Mrs. Golding's statements! I guess she has a similar disassociation from reality when necessary. - QBF
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