US happy with swift handover of Coke
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
THE US State Department has commended Jamaica for what it described as the swift and safe handover of alleged drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke last Thursday, just hours after he waived his right to an extradition hearing.
The commendation was made during a press briefing at the White House in Washington last weekend, according to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister.
"At a recent press briefing at the White House, US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley commended the Government of Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the Jamaican authorities for their work to support Coke's transfer to the United States," the release said.
Just four hours after deciding not to fight his extradition during a special sitting of the magistrate court at the Mobile Reserve headquarters along Camp Road in Kingston, Coke was flown to New York where he will face trial on gun and drug running charges.
The extradition of Coke, the former strongman of the West Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens, ended nine months of strained relations between Washington and Kingston, which was triggered by an extradition request from the US on August 25, 2009.
During that period, the ruling Jamaica Labour Party hired US law firm Manatt Phelps & Phillips to lobby Washington on the issue.
The administration only relented and the authority given by Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne for extradition proceedings to commence against Coke, following sustained public outcry and calls for Golding's resignation.
But the decision prompted intense gun battles between members of the security forces and men loyal to Coke after lawmen went into Tivoli Gardens to apprehend him on May 24.
Coke had been on the run since, before his apprehension last Tuesday along the Mandela Highway in St Catherin in the comppany of the Rev Al Miller who said he was taking Coke to the US Embassy in Liguanea, St Andrew.
 
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6/30/2010
Commendation according to the OPM.Could this just be more PR?
It would be nice to have heard/seen the words of Philip Crowley before being convinced that they rose to the level of commendation.
One knows only too well just who held up the process for nine months before the swift handover.
6/30/2010
We have Videos showing the brutality handed down to normal Prisoners, by the Authorities in American Prisons. Dogs were allowed to attacked and bitten Inmates, after they have been beaten badly. And they had not done anything, trying to escape etc. Just natural Evil.The Prison Governor say's he was not aware of such Brutility..after a investigation. Plus those who were executed by a mistake!!
These Conditions have not helped to reform any one, nor have changed. It could have reformed me. US?)
6/30/2010
I've never been into any problem with the Law..but I'am living in a Country where We've seen Human Rights. They treat's Prison Inmates here with regards. Some Government Representatives here are Saying these Prisons are like Hotels, and should not be so. One African say's, he prefer's the Prison he was, than the Home they had given him here as a refugee. He is not locked up 24/7:
He get's all he want's..American Prison?" God help's the Poor there. Dudus 24/7 locked down. BANTON? the same.
6/30/2010
@Nicolas Henry - God do not interject Himself in the actions of men. No matter the deed. God gave his covenant and commandments on how man should live. He also gave men the freedom to live their lives but those who break the covenant will face judgement. If God was involve in the actions of men their would be no evil on earth. No child molesters, no cold blooded murders, no starvation and nobody dying from diseases. There is no way God would let that happen if he is active in our .
6/30/2010
I too believe God is at work with all of what is happening in Jamaica with these Dons and criminals loosing power. I for one have been praying earnestly for my country as many of us who live abroad want to come back home, but we want a peaceful and safe place to live in. Jamaica has been known for the murder capital of the world for too long and it is time all these killings cease. Bring back our sweet, sweet Jamaica!
6/30/2010
@ Richard Edwards; I think Crowley is also happy to know that another Black Man have been extradited to his Country, where he will soon be treated like a slave with Chains around his foot. Crowley have never heard of the sick Jamaican who is detained by immigration in his Country, and is un-able to obtain proper medical attention.
This was Published on the 28.6.10) This is a Country where some People are happy to see their jamaicans extradited to..un-represented in Court there: Extradite USC?:
6/30/2010
Just recently some of the Bloggers here were in defence of Golding position of not extraditing Dudus. The same bloggers are now praising Golding for doing the very opposite. Do you all have a mind of your own or you just follow whatever Golding does? I guess a "good job" is defined as anything Golding does - right or wrong. Time to call a spade a spade. Time for some independence of thought and less partisan diatribe. Golding can not and should never be trusted. Too much lies from him.
6/30/2010
@Carl Ricketts< I agree with you 1000%. God work in mysterious ways. The people that criticize do have a human feeling to do so. Lets view this from a biblical standpoint. Bloggers go read your BIBLE. Read the book of JONAH Chapt 1onwards. This is about Jonah and the whale. I bet you bloggers might learn something or two about how GOD works.
6/30/2010
The PM is doing a wonderful JOB. out of evil comes some good. Inspite of the delays, we are now facing a better a JA. Thanks to the PM. God uses man to carry out his plan. The prayers of the sincere Jcans has been answered. We now have a real shot at peace. with all this raucus about the delay, if Coke had been arrestd 9 monts ago, there would be no cleansing like we now have and the DONS would still be power raging hell on the Jacan people. Nothing happens before the time and the time has come
6/30/2010
The United States Administration will soon be in defiance with the People of Our Jamaican Society: Why?" because we will be calling on our Government to abolish this Extradition treaty, untill a referendom is called to decide what Percentage of the Population agree's with it. This treaty was not democraticly done; it was forced on the Population. And our people are not been treated under the Human rights act. Families and Children, suffers Psychological Stress, when their love ones are away.
6/30/2010
Yeah State Dept, you're happy that you always get what you want even if innocent people have to suffer and die in the process. One more thing why commend the bungling Bruce Golding? His actions during this whole episode were downright shameful and deplorable.
6/30/2010
Mr Crowley there is NOTHING to be pleased about sir, the PM of Jamaica delayed this process for many months and did not act until people in his inner circles, PSOJ, JMA and scores of other disgruntled persons in Jamaica started to register their disgust witht he way things were being handled. 74 of my fellow Jamaican citizens are dead Mr Crowley, thats hardly anything to be happy about, especially when it could been totally avoided.
R. Edwards NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com
6/30/2010
I thought the gangster was the one that facilitated his own switch removal? The GOJ was actually responsible for the 9-months delay in the extradition process with their bogus and unwarranted theory that wiretap information was illegally turned over to the US. My guess is that the US is just be "coyed" with that geo-political statement.
6/30/2010
LOL! Just four hours after nine months...
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