Hylton warns against taking 'Dudus' matter to UN

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

OPPOSITION spokesman on foreign affairs and foreign trade, Anthony Hylton, yesterday warned the Bruce Golding-led Government not to take the contentious US extradition request for Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to the United Nations (UN).

Responding to this week's Sunday Observer lead story, Hylton, in a release to the media, said involving the UN in the matter would only serve to further sour relations between Jamaica and its powerful neighbour to the north.

"Jamaica has been viewed as a law-abiding member in the international community. To take this bilateral imbroglio to the United Nations would only further jeopardise Jamaica's standing and reputation within the international family of nations," the release stated.

Coke has been accused of drug trafficking and gun running by the US Attorney's Office which last August asked the Jamaican Government to extradite him to answer to the charges in a New York court.

But eight months after an indictment was handed over to the Jamaican Government outlining the allegations against Coke the order to proceed has not yet been signed by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dorothy Lightbourne.

Two weeks ago, Golding announced in Parliament that the evidence provided by US against Coke breached the Interception of Communications Act, and said he was prepared to pay a political price for refusing to have the extradition proceed.

This week, the Sunday Observer reported that the administration was mulling over taking the matter before a UN tribunal for mediation.

But Hylton was adamant that such a move could backfire.

"To go to the United Nations with this matter would also only highlight, on an international stage, the contradiction of our own Government bypassing our local judiciary to consult with an international arbitrator," the release stated.

"If there is need for any third party involvement in this matter it should come from our local courts. It is a long-standing principle of international law and relations that local remedies must first be exhausted before approaching the United Nations," the release said.

The US Government is presently preparing a second indictment against Coke which, they believe, will satisfy Golding's concerns.

The US authorities say they have information from nine co-conspirators against Coke, whose stronghold is Tivoli Gardens, the seat of power in Goldng's West Kingston constituency.

Earlier this month, the US State Department in its annual Narcotics Report accused Jamaica of employing delay tactics in the extradition matter and questioned the country's commitment to law enforcement co-operation.

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COMMENTS (12)

Carl Brow
3/18/2010

Mr Prime Minister..U should be a Football player with all dem delay tactics. Jamaicans please speak with intellegence rather than personal assumptions. It is fact indeed that the reason why Mr. Coke has not been extradited is because the JLP government will collapse under the release of delicate information to the US authority which will be exposed to the world thus increasing the lost of integrity and trust for the ruling government. Any way u tek it..its a really sad case..We need to take a stand or 'The stand' if we are to see a better jamaica

Elaine Brown
3/17/2010

My question is why in the first place did we sign on to a treaty that has elements that violate aspects of our Jamaican laws?
My observation is I now hear that PNP supporters in West Kingston are strongly opposed to the extradition. While we are worrying about fallout , backlash and visa revocations we should consider the potential for major civil unrest, not just in downtown Kingston , and not just with one "P".

Elli Deedo
3/17/2010

Mike Willy; There is no sanction in place for us..Secondly) we were not forced into Joining this Treaty, we had no legal obligation..we've freely extended our cooperation..if you do not get the picture. We must stop being devided, this is not a political issue as some are trying to make out of it.
But rather a National issue. If the PNP) believe's they will used this as a political issue to return to power they are making a big mistake. They need to come more constructive, and intelligent. With a more advance economic plan. They have ruled for 18 yrs, and the Country is suffering a serious water problem..Fire hydrans have left rottened down..no maintainance have been done. If this Mr Coke is extradited; I cant see how will they be benefited. We are returning home with plans which must be implemented in order to get our economy moving.
We are Jamaicans, it's time we change our political direction, we need to act..we need to free ourselves from White dictatorship. We've broken the slave barrier, it's time we begin to think for ourselves..It's time we send the signal again. we will cooperate 'if the condition suit's us, if not let us all perish for our Culture, and belief: We have passed the stage of cleaning their Toilets, we only clean ours.. as long as we continue's to sell out our integrity for a pot of Food, we will always be kept down by those who are endeavour to proclaim they are our superior. It's time we all place our cards on the table.

3/17/2010

Why would the USA,want to punish law abiding, Jamaicans; for one it has accused?
And why would such folks find ,`to get beaten` acceptable?
No `mutual agreement can supersedes, participating country` constitution` ot THERE SOVEREIGNTY!

donny schwartz
3/17/2010

This is a treaty dispute. Hylton should know this. Treaty disputes have an arena in which they can be aired an addressed. If Jamaica brings it's charge of "treaty violation" by the US, to the Jamaican courts, then the US will bawl "unfair". Similarly if the US brought it to their courts we would say "unfair". So what is left? an independent arbitrator. Doesn't have to be the UN but it will do (if it comes to that).
I don't know why people "killing themsleves" over this thing. LOL. The bottom line is that "this too shall pass" and who fi get lock up will get lock up. Golding dem know dat if this thing not handled properly we will risk an all out "war" in the streets of major urban areas across the country. We know the reality of the situation. The "fresh out of college" staff lawyers at the US DOJ and the interns at the State Department who put together the indictment don't give a damn about "street war" in Jamaica. They don't know anything bout dat. Many of them were in diapers when elements in Jamaica and the US State Department and DOJ were working closely in the 80's. Golding, on the other hand, is thinking waaay ahead of the idiots in the local press, private sector and clergy. They are the same ones who will bawl when the place mash up. LOL. I don't seh "no demolition". I say "controlled demolition". Think about it.

Karen Lee
3/17/2010

The un is a powerful body not to mess around with...so if you think it doesnt matter...think again..the fact is that the PM should let the courts handle it and not threaten an AG her job if she signes a document...that i dont agree with at all...the fact is that the PM should be guiding our country into growth and job creation..rebuild our nation, stop letting us loose "things jamaican"...to much spotlight is focused on Dudus...and @jacycn...u r right... womvr..

Sad Jamaican
3/17/2010

As of now, any moaning and whimpering about high murder rates and crime should be ignored. Jamaica seems to be comfortable with its current condition.

Michael Brown
3/17/2010

Why doesn't the Prime Minister take his Case to the Prezident ?
Why don't Jamaica allow the People of Tivoli Gardens, an Independent State within Jamaica to Vote on WHO should be Extradited ?
Dudus or Bruce ?
Someone is going to be Extradited, If it isn't Dudus, then, I say it must be Bruce, and maybe, The Very Silent and Absent, Attorney General, Miss Lightburn.
I personally am Worried about Jamaica when Dudus is gone, after all, He is the Sole Authority in Kingston who can Demand Peace.
I would rather have one 1 Don to worry about than all those Thugs running around out there.
My Word is only, Mr. Prime Minister, RESIGN NOW.........
You have made a Mockery of of Country, The World Weeps for Jamaica now.

Raul Grant
3/17/2010

Its going to be very interesting to see what the P.M's reaction will be if the second indictment is sent. Most people I think have an impression of what his real problem is.
My wish is that this situation becomes a benefit to Jamaica in the long run. Since i disagree with the government on this matter, I hope that the people who are defending the PM do so not out of which is their favorite party, but from an analytical point of view, with the country's good in mind.
The big picture for me is that i want a less crime infested . less corrupt Jamaica.Respect is due for those in authority but it is hard to feel that respect for those who prevent a progressive Jamaica.

mike willy
3/17/2010

Mr Hylton, I don't think it matter at this time because Jamaica is already "Black Listed" for non-compliance and is subjected to economic sanctions from the international community.

JA Cynic
3/17/2010

International arbitration is a very expensive and time-consuming process.Resolution is not guaranted and depends on the willingness of the contending parties to accept and implement the outcome.
This seems to be a theoretical option which would further attract international attention to Jamaica's problems.
Moreover, would the US elect to go this route?
Highly unlikely.If it does, the "pressure" would be relentless during the period. The" Weapon of Mass Visa Revocation"is highly effective.
JA Cynic

3/17/2010

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Hylton warns against taking 'Dudus' matter to UN