Gov’t denies US law firm hired to fight extradition

BY LYNFORD SIMPSON Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

THE Opposition walked out of yesterday's sitting of the House of Representatives after the Government dismissed claims that it had engaged the services of a United States-based law firm to, among other things, advise the administration on pending extradition requests.

The Opposition was also upset over the alleged "partisan behaviour" of House Speaker Delroy Chuck and also what it claimed was the "arrogance" of Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

The relationship between Washington and Kingston has been deteriorating rapidly since the Government's refusal to extradite Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to face trial on alleged gun and drug charges in the US.

The issue about Government's engagement of a United States law firm arose during a routine debate on regulations for the sharing of forfeited property between Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

However, Dr Peter Phillips, a former national security minister, steered the debate in the direction of the Coke extradition issue after pointing to information on a US Government website regarding a contract between the US and Jamaica, which he said named noted attorney-at-law Harold Brady as acting on behalf of the Jamaican Government.

Phillips said the US-based law firm -- Manatt, Phelps and Phillips -- was engaged for US$100,000 per quarter to provide services that would include "contacts and meetings with the executive branch regarding existing political and economic matters, including existing treaty agreements between Jamaica and the US".

Dr Phillips wanted to know if arrangements with the US firm included current extradition matters. However, House Speaker Delroy Chuck intervened, insisting that the question had no bearing on the debate about forfeited property. "I understand that the Government of Jamaica in November 2009 entered into agreement with a firm named Manatt, Phelps and Phillips who claim, in their foreign agents registration, that they represent the Government of Jamaica through Harold Brady and Company. And that their advice, among other things, is sought in relation to treaties, agreements, political and economic matters ...at a cost of US$100,000 per quarter," Phillips told the House. "Given the timing, my question is, does this represent a contractual obligation as reported by the Government of Jamaica, does it relate to extradition matters and is it properly entered into by the particular individual on behalf of the Government of Jamaica?" Phillips questioned.

It was at this point that Chuck intervened, even before the prime minister could respond. In his response, Golding said: "The diversion of the member is rather not surprising. I think the House will have to prepare itself that it is not the last time that you will have heard from that member with a similar diversion.

"Let me make it quite clear. The Government of Jamaica has not engaged any legal firm, any consultant, any entity whatsoever, in relation to any extradition matter other than to deploy the resources that are available within the Attorney General's Department who has a duty and responsibility to guide the Government on these matters," Golding said. Efforts to reach Brady for comment last night were unsuccessful.

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COMMENTS (20)

josh davis
3/18/2010

just wondering why this lawyer is willing to lose his licence and credibility over this..lol
is he saying he did not read what he was signing ?
a lawyer not reading what he was signing ?
sort this out quick mr.christia cause dem ppl yah tek ppl pikney fe idiot ..LOL

Leanora Holland
3/18/2010

The treaty is on the internet at USGOV.COM. It is a very good and fair treaty. An agreement between friends. There should be no hard feelings because the treaty does not impose any sanction if a request is refused. The relevant pages are 7-14. It was signed I think in 2002 under President GW Bush and I was pleasantly surprised that it done as if both parties are equal partners, sharing information and working together to stomp out the drug trade and international criminal activities.
The treaty is between the Govt of both countries, not the courts and the courts could be involved if the Govt. refer it to them, after the govt agrees, to review and sign off on it.
There is no reprecussions for a refusal which can be for -
1) We don't want to do it
2) It will cause voilence and unrest in the country
3) It will cause political problems in the country
4) The laws of the country were broken to obtain evidence
Read it for yourself so you can argue on the facts. Most of the people, it seems, on both sides, have not read this document.

Elli Deedo
3/17/2010

Gentle people; would the Government be paying so much money out to a foreign law firm, when they have proclaimed they have no resources to refurbish several areas of our IN-FRASTRUCTURE?:) Nurses can only be afforded a bit. All the water Hydrans which are very important are rottened down..Police cannot be afforded Helmets..not as much as propper Booths!!!) Are you Guys saying our Politicians are this Dangerous? can't be trusted. I know they are bad Guys, but how could they do this? well I would not at this time ruled out anything, especially where this Extradition treaty is concerned..It would seems they will do anything to come out the winners, instead of obliterating it: How do we know they have not being paid a large sum, by the Americans to be a Member? Are they just in it for their cooperation to assist in flushing out wrong doers to the Americans Slave Camps?. very difficult to understand, what economic benefit is in it for us. I went to America on a Visit, and my lady Friend who is a American, said to me, we can go for a long ride! I replied , like where? she said any where! so we went out for a good ride; during our journey, we came upon a very Large Prison! this prison consist of a very large agricultural area; Surprisingly! almost all the prisoners who were working in the Boiling Sun heath on this farm were Blacks, this was a surprise to my White girl friend. As we proceeded along the road where this prison is located, we saw a warden leaving work, so my friend had decided to stop and ask him a few questions, at first he was a bit hesitant in answering questions, such as why it's mostly Black prisoners are on the farm? Why are they Chained up as if they are animals? where are they from? he eventually answered with a very angry tone, the Chaining of them is a normal prison procedure! he said , some are Americans, Jamaicans, Africans.. sorry I cannot answer any more of your questions, he said hurridly!!
As he was about to drive off, he extended his very thin neck through the window of his car, and shouted, the browner ones are from Mexico!! We eventually came to the Conclusion that this is a Racist Prison. Our people have no control over which prison they would prefer. If a family of a extradited person have decided to pay a visit; it might take 2-3 flights to get to the Prison.. and if that prison allow's visit is another question!!

Wa Tch
3/17/2010

http://www.fara.gov/docs/5864-Exhibit-AB-20091112-3.pdf
This is the contract

Elli Deedo
3/17/2010

To CM:
No; once the American Government is willing to provide us with the necessary information linking a Character to a crime, such a person will be tried in Jamaica, and the American authorities will be privillaged to the prove of justice. We do not necessarily have to extradite our citizen/ citizens to any special prison in the United states: This procedure also deprive's a person from having contact to his / her Family..Children etc:
Americans who have being incarcerated are given the privillage of visits..they are always able to speak with their Children ect. Jamaicans won't. We cannot suffer the Children because of that which the parents might have done..I must also make it clear that I'am not a supporter of any form of Criminal activities, nor have I ever being incarcerated; I'am just being realistic..I've seen a report in the Jamaica Observer where a group is calling on fathers to contribute more in terms of moral support to their Children.. Can this be done from a Prison Camp in the United States? disregarding the amount which might be extradited there, it's very important for Children to have access to their parents.
These are hu-manitarian issues which must be addressed, they must not be ignored..We the Europeans will continue to undermine United states Imperialist international aggression. They are no perfectionists. We have Prisons in Jamaica. Our people must remain there. America consist of some of the most dangerous characters on the planet Earth, have they being Captured?
The more Black Prisoners American authority have; it make's them more proud in saying, see them here, they are the worse in our Country. They have the highest black prison population in the World..Blacks are always poorly represented in Courts, according to a former White Governor: Jamaicans are no Slaves..Our politicians must back off and respect their Citizens. Their administration have failed propper planning and political intelligence, which have now make us vulnerable to a Revolt..Police being pinned down in Shoot out with Gun Men..Member of another party is seaking political reckognition, by criticizing, instead of expressing his symphaty to the Nation, and try to find a solution to our prblem. Those are the Slums we harbour as politicians. The Americans will always kick over our little dirty Law Pot:

Wilfred Gray
3/17/2010

It what you PNP`pondering on` with nightmares.
If, PNP seh suh: we nuh believe!

Steel User
3/17/2010

K G ur are so right, most of these old world politicians are soo damn corrupt, they dont even care about jamaicans, they just care about making all the money they can, their big shot frenz, and everything else in between, we really need a new party...jsut a shame it wont be formed

3/17/2010

FRANCE.ETC HAD N O`TREATY` AND STILL MUTALLY RESPECTED FRIENDS!
WHY WOULD WE SET UPA AGREMEENT TO HAVE POSSIBLE CONFROTNATIONS, WITH MIGHTY USA OR TO BE OR TO STAND, THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING `BULLIED` OR HAVING SUCH DIVERSIONS,AT INTERVAS?
SOME ARE SAYING,IT IS LIKE WE NUH HAVE `YARD` AGAIN!
JAMAICA!

Wharf Dawg
3/17/2010

TG that is where you are wrong sir. I have seen the contractual letter and it has nothing to do with advising the GOJ.. It pertains to lobbying the US Government on behalf of the Jamaican Govt. Based on what I saw they have had 3 meetings with the US Dept of State on matters concerning treaties. In fact the letter goes as far to have a disclaimer stating that they do not guarantee results.

C M
3/17/2010

To: Elli Deedo:
I would suggest we get out of this treaty, and re-organize ourselves..It is getting us no where.
"Wouldn't that open the flood gates for criminals to commit their crimes and hide out in Jamaica since their would be no extradition treaty" Bad idea.

Elli Deedo
3/17/2010

'I will forcast my views mainly on the formal agreement between my Country and America.. this treaty agreement.
As far as we are made to understand, it's Governed by a series of laws in which it is expected to adhere. According to our Prime Minister, the orchestrators of this doomed treaty, have committed a breach of our Constitution, in order to substantiate their theoretical accusations, against one Mr Coke.
My question to the government, who is privillaged to all information in regards to this treaty. What beneficial result are we expecting as a member of this treaty? 'I'am sure that they have not issued any extraordinary amount of Visas to our Citizens, since we've became a Member.
How have we being reckognized Internationally according to a report which was released by the Americans?: We are reputed to be the largest GANJA-MARIJUANA) exporter in the Carribbean: And all the negatives about us..Our politicians have being viewed as a bunch of illogicals.
I would suggest we get out of this treaty, and re-organize ourselves..It is getting us no where.

T G
3/17/2010

LOL If it was true is would be a good thing. It would be foolish not to take legal advice from experts in the field. As it is the GOJ says it has relied on in-house opinion at the Justice Minster and Attorney General's Shop.
This bit of foolishness by the Comrade Opposition should not bar the GOJ in the future from taking advice if it needs it. Try to get a good rate that is all.
....TG....

tina chambers
3/17/2010

there goes tax payers money...

donny schwartz
3/17/2010

Boy how I long for some REAL journalism in Jamaica. Why the Observer, or any of the other media houses, never get the info from Phillips and follow it up? all it would take is a few phonecalls, emails and searching of the public records available on the Justice Department website. I got more info just surfing the DOJ site this morning. LOL. Sick an tired of the regurgitation, the opinions, the sensational fluff. Whatever happened to HARD news? wah happen to di FACTS? Something is said and everybody tek it as it is and spend days speculating instead of following up the facts. Come on now! do better than that! your readers are not all idiots you know! Except, of course, for those who just BELEIVE everything in black and white or everything that comes from the lips of Peter and Bruce. LOL

mike willy
3/17/2010

The Jamaican Government claimed that the country is broke and has no money, yet the Government has hired an U.S. law firm paying them US$100, 000 per quarter, payable at the beginning of each quarter to fight Mr Coke extradition.
This is a huge cost to the Jamaican taxpayers.

Hope Alive
3/17/2010

Can someone direct me to the website where this information is posted? I would like to read it for myself before I make a comment. Help!

Earl Brown
3/17/2010

US $400,000 per year Mi dey yah a wanda how many hungry belly poor people that could feed or employ more Nurses and pay dem betta, or securities forces to fight the home grown terrorists that dem have inna Jamaica or buy more medical supplies and equipments for hospitals or gives farmers loans to buy seeds and fertilizers or fixed the bad roads dem that a mash up the cars dem or put up roads signs or employ more Teachers and pay dem betta also Doctors or fixed up State run Institutions for Children/Teenagers or more police cars or speed boats for the Coast Gaurd to patrol Jamaican Waters and look for dem gun-running terrorists.

D Ranks
3/17/2010

Whose words are we to take, that of the Opposition or that of the Government? This paper, and the other daily report this item of news, but what is missing is their follow up. Could they, at any time after the Parliamentary walkout, contact the law firms and at least try to get some sort of confirmantion either way. Or, even a no comment. I hope this is in the works, an expose of sorts.

K G
3/17/2010

I believe the JLP are lying. This is the most secretive party I've seen. I'm so sorry I voted for them. Jamaica we need to change the political landscape. We need to create a new party which will not be affiliated with either past or present members of the PNP/JLP.

Wa Tch
3/17/2010

Why is the Govt of Jamaica employing a foreign law firm in relation to treaty matters? Which treaties, which meetings, which contacts are being referred to here.
We need to know. Just as how the Opposition 3 years ago created a "diversion" regarding Trafigura so too has Phillips reagarding this foreign law firm and just as how we wanted to know more then, we want to know more now.
Transparency is what it is all about. Let us know NOW!

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Gov’t denies US law firm hired to fight extradition