THE long wait for a resolution to the extradition case against Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the high-profile Kingston Western-based Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporter, is to be resolved early 2010, according to his attorney Tom Tavares-Finson.

The extradition request, which has been before the Jamaican Government since August, is causing a major toothache for the Bruce Golding administration, as Coke was an integral player in the decision for Golding to take over the seat when former Prime Minister Edward Seaga retired as member of parliament after more than 40 years.

"You have to understand that the matter is coming to a head. It's been here since August, it cannot take the same period for the resolution to be made. It has to be completed in half that time, or less. So I am looking for a resolution early next year..." Tavares-Finson told the Sunday Observer in an exclusive interview.

It was first reported in August that the United States government had made a formal request for his extradition on allegations of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, as well as trafficking in weapons.

Ironically, Coke's father, the late Lester Lloyd Coke, otherwise known as Jim Brown, and leader of the feared Shower Posse, died at the general penitentiary while awaiting extradition to the US on murder and drug trafficking charges.

On the face of the allegations in the indictment, the lawyer does not believe his client will be of any use to US authorities.

"Based on the allegations that I have seen, there is nothing there to provide a burden of evidence that the warrant for his extradition should be signed," said Tavares-Finson. "In fact, based on the allegations, I am of the view that the US authorities are not really interested in my client. But if anybody knows our attorney general, Dorothy Lightbourne, those persons who went to law school with her will tell you that she is a meticulous person and will examine the evidence based on merit. If it is to be signed, it will be signed. If it is to be denied, it will be denied."

The attorney, who has been associated with the community before Coke was born, said he was cognisant that there are people here who wanted his client to be carted off to the US.

"The elements in the society are saying bring it to a head, sign the order, send him away. Of course, I am impatient like everybody else, but I am satisfied that the matter is being dealt with in a timely way," he stated.

Already there are suggestions that the United States is beginning to retaliate as the Obama administration has so far not named an ambassador to Jamaica.

US State Department officials contacted in November have refused to comment on the matter, saying they do not comment until the person they are seeking is in the custody of the United States.

However, the newest tale of US retaliation being spun is that the "country's high crime rate will force the US to issue something stronger than a tourism caution. That could be as strong as a directive saying US citizens should not travel to Jamaica," a US government source told this reporter.

But Tavares-Finson has rejected the idea that the US will use strong arm tactics to force Jamaica's hand.

"I am satisfied that if there is a legal basis for refusing the request the Americans are going to accept it," he said. "I am not of the view that if there are legal reasons to refuse the request, the Americans will behave in any way other than the legal way."

Reports of threats against two media houses for reporting on the matter have also surfaced, forcing the JLP to apologise for its initial dismissal of the allegations.

Police sources have told this reporter that armed thugs aligned to gangs which support the JLP have moved into Kingston, in close proximity to the garrison community of Tivoli Gardens, in which Coke is said to reside, with the intention of defending any attempt to extradite him.

However, Tavares-Finson said he has not given thought to acts of violence should Coke be ordered extradited. Neither does he expect any US reprisal if the Government denies the request.

"Nobody has heard of him being involved in any criminal activity," Tavares-Finson said of his client. "Nobody has heard that he is involved in any extortion downtown. The police are not saying that. Nobody is saying that he is involved in any narcotics trade in Jamaica. The police are not saying that. Nobody is saying that. Is he involved in murder and 'brucking' of people's house across the island? They (police) are not saying that he is involved in the car racket. Nobody is saying that. But they are painting a picture of this man, who they say is a notorious criminal, why, because essentially he has overseen the transformation of a community riddled with criminality and violence into a place where people can make money."

He pointed to businesses on Spanish Town Road which 10 years ago, he said, would not be caught dead anywhere near downtown Kingston.

For decades, the downtown area has been plagued by an elaborate extortion racket under which protection money is paid for security.

Meanwhile, Tavares-Finson has also stoutly defended his own reputation, which is being trashed, including by members of his own profession.

"I reject the notion that you are defined by the alleged reputation of your clients," he said. "Does that mean that every lawyer who defends a homosexual is a homosexual? The lawyer who defends rapists and paedophiles are that too? That is just so much rubbish. It is an immature process of argument and the persons who usually make this argument have an agenda."

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