'Dudus' matter hurting Jamaica, says Dudley Thompson

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large helpsh@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, April 19, 2010

FORMER national security minister Dudley Thompson believes that the ongoing impasse between Jamaica and the United States over the extradition of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke is hurting this north Caribbean island badly, internationally.

Ambassador Thompson, who served as Jamaica's envoy to several African countries, including Nigeria, Namibia and Ghana, said that Prime Minister Bruce Golding had his back against the wall in not acting fast enough in the 'Dudus' affair, adding that further delays in settling the matter could have far-reaching effects.

"It is harming Jamaica's image internationally in a huge way," the 93-year-old retired politician, lawyer and diplomat told the Observer during an interview in Kingston.

"We can't imagine up to now the harm that is being done. I do not think that when it started out that anybody on either side thought that it would have stretched out to such a very deep wound; Jamaica has been wounded," said Thompson, who is now based in Florida, United States.

Known as the 'Burning Spear' -- having successfully represented numerous local, regional and international figures in his time in the courtroom, among them the 1952 defence of Kenyan Jomo Kenyatta, who later became president of that African country -- Ambassador Thompson chided State officials for allowing the 'Dudus' extradition matter to drag on.

"I should not think that the damage is irreparable, but I do feel that a matter as sensitive as this, at a time like this, should have been handled much quicker, not delayed over such a long period of time.

"Every delay lays the onus upon us in Jamaica to state why we have to take more action. Again, it depends on whether or not you are working on the spirit of the (Extradition) Act, or the actual legal, day-by-day, word-by-word, letter-by-letter interpretation of the Act," he said.

"Such a matter should have had quicker and more transparent exhibition to the public. What I don't like is the 'you told me, I told him' position that exists today. A lot of finger-pointing is taking place. A change of attitude in this approach does seem to suggest that we didn't start from a very strong position. It gives me the impression that there are a lot of things still to be revealed and a lot of names are being covered up," said Thompson, who also expressed concerns about the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips issue.

"...What is the source of the money that was paid? (to the US-based law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips); who paid the cheque? Those are questions that should come out straightforward; it shouldn't take much time to say that," Thompson said.

The law firm said that the Jamaica Government contracted it to act on its behalf in regard to extradition matters, a claim that the Government has denied.

Thompson, in the meantime, remained fixed in his views that Tivoli Gardens -- the pro-Jamaica Labour Party community in West Kingston -- was like a kingdom unto itself.

"My political history has always felt that Tivoli Gardens is a fiefdom on its own. Tivoli Gardens, also from my own personal relationship, has always been a separate and different part of Jamaica.

"Golding being prime minister and representing that area should be able to come right out and clarify that situation. I doubt whether that is being done.

"He is under pressure, but he can always get out of trouble by telling the truth. The truth is the best prerogative in the world," said Thompson, a Rhodes Scholar produced by Mico (University) College, which honoured him last weekend.

Regarded as one of the toughest defence lawyers in the history of Jamaica's legal system, Thompson is also widely remembered in his stint as national security minister in the 1970s for his words, "No angels died at Green Bay", following the killing of five civilians by army rifles in St Catherine in 1978.

Ten men from the Jamaica Labour Party stronghold of Southside in Central Kingston went to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) shooting range in the Port Henderson area, with the promise of jobs as bodyguards and drivers at the then princely wage of $300 a week, when five of them were shot dead and the other five escaped.

Four of the five had criminal records, including Norman "Gutto" Thompson, a former Santos Football Club and Jamaica representative.

Ten JDF soldiers, who were either charged with murder or conspiracy to murder, were freed in February 1982 by a jury in the Manchester Circuit Court. This came after a coroner's jury in 1978 found that persons conspired to kill the men, who were transported to the range in two Jamaica Red Cross ambulances.

JDF personnel testified at the trial that the men went to Green Bay to collect illegal guns and were killed by soldiers, after they fired at soldiers.

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COMMENTS (19)

Jay Brown
4/19/2010

99% of who are writing here do not understand the so called " Dudus" issue.
All is not what it appears to be.
The PM said he is prepared to lose political capital over this matter, why?
You all need to dig just a little bit deeper to get to the truth. YOU ARE ALL being feed a story, which happens misdirection.
Just watch what will happen very soon.

John John
4/19/2010

The puppet and the puppet master.
When one talks about leaders, titles such as Kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers come to mind. These are what you call legal leaders.
Then there is such a thing as a real leader, a de facto leader. This is a leader without legal title even though he is the one who really run things. eg. a don
What happens when the two meet and form an unholy union? Like any good marriage, their titles change.
The legal leader, Prime Minister, becomes what is commonly known as a puppet.
The real leader, eg. don, becomes known as a puppet master. He controls the puppet with finely tuned strings.
A puppet master has no legal title but leads his community.
A puppet on the other hand? Now we are talking bottom of the barrel. He leads nothing. His strings are being pulled.
Qualifications for being a puppet?
Lack of PRIDE. or simply put, lack of SHAME.

Chebrina Thomas
4/19/2010

Jamaica knows that the FBI and CIA if they get Mr Coke will give him a nice deal one he wont refuse,in order to get the necessary details that will bring down the top of his organization,thats if he is not the Top Man.
For ages Dons have had to find ways of taking care of their Garrisons, which costs millions of dollars per year,the Don has to be able to give the MP votes and the MP has to be able to give the Don opportunities to make the money required to take care of the people within the Garrison.
Say Mr Coke Makes it to the USA then the rest of Jamaica will see what politics is all about and who are the ones who truly benefit from elections ,some get free health and free education while others get unlimited opportunities to the peril of a nation who were too hungry to see that the worm was on a hook.
The MP will now have to pull off his best trick yet to save not only the Don but also himself and whoever has been assisting the Don for all these years.

John John
4/19/2010

SHAME.
Jamaica's political leaders need a heavy dose of SHAME.
Shame is missing from our chosen leaders.
Without shame, you will get up in the morning, go to work without bathing or brushing your teeth.
Without shame you will go to the bathroom and don't wash your hands.
Without shame you will not honor your mother and father.
Without shame you will steal your neighbors baggy.
Without shame you will develop questionable friends.
Without shame you will sell your country for personal gain.
You see, SHAME & NASTINESS go hand in hand.
Jamaicans are a proud people who deserve leaders who have shame. Jamaica produces, world class athletes, Bob Marley, reggae music, bob sled team, beef patties, Jerk chicken, doctors, farmers, rastafari, spelling bee champions, Skill Cole, reggae boys, ......
Our achievements are unending.
Despite our leaders, Jamaicans continue to persevere. Lets fight back against nastiness and those without shame.

baRt siMsen
4/19/2010

the US need to begin calling names! Many are those who are hiding behind Duddus!!!! Many Ganja planes flew out of the Caymanas area!!!!! Please obzerver dont black this one.... you block all of my posts so far....

Duque Molton
4/19/2010

I totally have to agree with John John and George Watson. George, I wonder too why Seaga is not being mentioned and keeping tight lipped on the matter, after all he was the good old represetative for TG...

Norma Sparkes
4/19/2010

Every single comment is based on visa, are jamaicans gone visa crazy? a visiting visa is for visiting not a work permit. Should we be talking about visa are the united states of america against dudus? or is it visa against jamaicans.

Jay Brown
4/19/2010

Guess the editior did not like my comments.
Why is this former minister living overseas?

Contact Done
4/19/2010

Like the historical evidence of the plagues in the story of Moses and the stubborn Pharaoh. It will be too late for Jamaica (after irreparable damage) when stubborn Bruce will realize the error of his ways and have this as his legacy.
With all the parade of "Intellectual skylarking' those who do'nt know the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.
..and this too shall pass

Kweli Simba
4/19/2010

As good an advocate as Mr. Thompson was, he aught to know that the actual legal, letter-by-letter interpretation of the Act, is what generates and characterizes the spirit of the treaty. To apply any other way would be a miscarriage of justice. The contention of the Govt. is not that Dudus should not be extradited. It is about a violation of a Jamaican statute. The political spins and interpretations has only caused more anxieties for the Jamaican people.
Mr. Thompson's concern for the Island internationally is far from being altruistic based on his alacrity in slamming the Prime Minister and the constituency he represents. I wonder how Tivoly Gardens would look if Dudley Thompson had won his bid to represent. If only the truth was told.

Danavan smith
4/19/2010

Dudus need to stand up like a man and face what ever may come his way, and stop hide behind bruce golding and the woman and children of TG , how long can he hide? i thought he is the tuffest, it would be the best thing he ever do, may be he will live to see his grand kids, haer about dead man walking? i think dudus is just a COWARD.

george watson
4/19/2010

Maurice Tyndale speaks about T.G. and the former commissioner of police. I don't know how he became commissioner, but if he were the best there ever was, he would still not have the job. Remember he said that T.G. was the mother of all garrisions and shortly after he got the job the police had the audacity to go in there.
In all this talk about T.G. Mr. Seaga is not being mentioned, but his name should forever be stained for having created such a monster.
The police went into all the garrisons, but T.G. was the only one when the police went in there, there was a fuss by the politicians because they felt that it was a state within a state and that the people were untouchable.
We are now reaping the whirlwind.

John John
4/19/2010

dudus matter is not hurting Jamaica. Prime Minister bruce is hurting Jamaica. I didn't elect dudus to squat. bruce was elected. There is but one person hurting Jamaica and his name is bruce. We need to find out why? Is he a foreign spy? Who is working for? Trinidad? He certainly got a thing against Jamaica. If bruce does not like Jamaica, Jamaica does not like bruce. Why don't bruce just leave while he still has a chance. bruce must be aware that his visa will soon be cancelled. You know what they say, 'misery loves company'. Vaz - I saw how hard you fought for your American citizen status? What a sinting when you can't even visit as a visitor.

4/19/2010

Colin Powell, a former US secretary of State, could offer some good advice to the Jamaican govt. probably at no cost. I'm sure he would like to see the home country of his parents maintain a good relationship with his country.

Maurice Tyndale
4/19/2010

A stain that will be remembered for a long time, is going to be recorded in the history of Jamaica's relationship with the United Stataes.
If my memory serves me rigt, there was a statement made by a politician, that "Tivoli Gardens is more important than Jamaica";
Nevertheless, does it surprise us now of the defence of the TG 'god' by the JLP? I am not, and I doubt if the she were on the other foot, if the behaviour of the leader / MP would have been different.
All of these parties have disparaged the name of Jamaica, with their associations with the thugs that are worshipped as 'gods' by many Jamaicans. Who is now surprised at thee statements made by Adniral Lewin, that TG is the "mother of all garrisons". In his last speech, that I call the 'FED-UP' speech, he lamented on the association of criminals with politicians. He walked away in the sunset, disallowing any politician to tarnish his reputation.Gangs, guns, garrisons and politicians; destroyers of Jamaica

JAN WATTS
4/19/2010

I think the US should take back the leader them visa and let them, see that its a serious matter and the US is not joking.

C. Brown
4/19/2010

Ricci, I totally agree; extradite these corrupted leaders instead, for too long they've been holding Jamaica hostage. We need a new beginning, fresh ideas, and some peace. These politicians appear to be untouchable and seem to answer to no one. Get rid of them once and far all.. Wi fed up!!!!!!!

Owen Grier
4/19/2010

I am sickened by the fact that the currrent leadership of Jamaica has chosen to protect the guilty at the expense of Jamaica's reputation and economic survival. The prime minister and his ilk will not face the consequesces, but millions of Jamaicans will feel the chill as the US tightens the screw. Denying visas to the political class would surely get their attention. Preventing Bruce Golding and his cabinet from visiting the US (over even passing through, except for a UN visit) would surely change things.
I hope one day an extradition request will arrive with his name on it. Good luck Bruce.

ricci williams
4/19/2010

since these politicians don't want to extradite dudus,i wish the united states could find some evidence against these corrupt leaders and send an extradition requet for them instead whether a PNP leader or JLP leader clean up jamaica once and for all.observer dont block this comment.

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'Dudus' matter hurting Jamaica, says Dudley Thompson