Dear Editor,

Like Sunday’s newspapers, the Observer of Monday, March 8 was inundated with articles and letters regarding Prime Minister Golding’s recent stated position in Parliament on the “extradition affair”. In addition to the bold editorial, the political cartoon of the same date depicting that “affair” was not just amusing, but also instructive. The letters to the editor on this topic have been both interesting and instructive. They somewhat represent a reasonable sample of Jamaicans. The pulse I “feel” from this cross-section of the articles, and especially the letters, suggests themes of anti-imperialism, anti-American hegemony and bullying as well as themes for an early solution to the problem.

This current affair is not an easy one. It appears that the Government of Jamaica is at war with the government of America. This theme is so clearly reflected in the illustration of the doctor bird and the eagle in an article published in the Observer and written by Barbara Gloudon in the past week. Regardless of what one might say, Mr Golding took a bold step in Parliament as he advanced the defiance of the JLP’s government position on this particular extradition issue. If this is a war of sorts with an external power, we should face it as one and not repeat the errors of the 1970s.

It is my thinking, Mr Editor, that such a position – that is, fighting the individual case, can be embellished by “enveloping” that issue in the general case of the extradition treaty. We accept the fact that all citizens should be protected by the law. If the extradition treaty infringes on our law and law-making process, if the extradition treaty is imperfect, then the call should be for re-negotiation. Then the approach of the individual case can be used to begin the process of challenging the “imperfect” nature of that treaty.

If this can be done, the prime minister therefore must realise that he has taken an open anti-imperialist stance and there can be no turning back. But it means even looking at some major issues that are affecting the country in a negative manner. He should do the same for the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO and any other of the international regimes that have kept and are still keeping developing countries such as Jamaica in a state of arrested development. This full assertion of sovereignty and the freedom to think and express oneself must not be compromised by neither internal nor external forces. This means that a common ground must be embraced and we must face this anti-imperialist battle as one country.

The prime minister must now find a way to seek internal and external support for his new “crusade” against imperialism – nationally, regionally and internationally. The 1970s is still fresh in many minds; and today’s issues of crime, violence, export of drugs and import of guns are fruits of the bitter seeds that were sown in the 1970s. Little Nut Miller’s interview in GQ magazine and the book Born Fi dead are just a few sources that make the allegation of CIA in Jamaica during the 1970s and the rise of the Shower Posse as an outcome of that old relation. Last night I was watching ex-wrestler, Jessie “The Body” Ventura, on CNN speaking on his latest book. He mentioned the role of the US in the Iran-contra drug and gun-running affair and the Noriega case, among other things, indicting the US on many irregular charges. Ventura charged that the US is impure and is probably responsible for some of the crises in the world, including some of the things it wants people to be extradited for. These were very strong statements from the ex-wrestler in his worldwide interview.

This is indeed a complex issue, though there are calls for an early resolution, it appears that it will be a protracted struggle. We must never repeat the errors of the 1970s regarding making alliance with foreign powers to create violence and destabilise our beloved country. Our ancestors fought against the odds. Out of the plantation system they created free spaces that captured the minds of slaves and ex-slaves as they built a national society by removing foreign control of the imagination of the Jamaican people. Their legacy of a united force that defeated colonialism must never be forgotten. The laws of the world (international treaties) are lopsided. Developed by major powers, they aim to maintain their hegemony. The Abeng has been sounded, the drums have been rolled, the bell is tolling and we are waiting for the trumpet to be sounded. The resistance has begun and it appears that there is no turning back. We must seek a common ground and put our shoulders to the wheel. We must remember that the same “knife that stick sheep, stick goat”.

Louis EA Moyston

Kingston 8

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