The Dudus affair

THE United States White House and State Department declined yesterday to confirm or deny reports out of Washington that a career diplomat has been identified as ambassador-designate to Kingston.

But impeccable Observer sources insisted that the person had been identified, though not announced, and that a career diplomat was deemed to be more desirable than a political appointee, in the frosty environment caused by the stand-off over Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

"A career diplomat has the requisite skill to manoeuvre in a situation where there is disagreement with a foreign government. They are almost always deployed to trouble spots," the Observer source said.

"By appointing a career foreign service officer, the Obama administration also avoids the long delay that could be involved with Congressional approval of a political appointee," another knowledgeable source said.

The US was still playing its cards close to chest on the appointment of an ambassador to Kingston to succeed Brenda LaGrange who ended her tour of duty a lengthy 16 months ago.

There have been suggestions -- denied by the US -- that the non-appointment of a replacement was linked to US unhappiness over the Jamaican Government's refusal to hand over Coke, the Tivoli Gardens strongman, who is wanted in the States on alleged gun-and drug-trafficking charges.

 

 

'Dudus' extradition process to begin

Jamaica Observer

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding last night announced that Justice Minister and Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne will sign the authorisation for the extradition process to begin against West Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke who is wanted in the United States for alleged gun- and drug-trafficking between Jamaica and that country.

The Jamaican Government's handling of the Americans' extradition request for Coke, submitted last August, has soured relations between both countries in recent months.

But in a solemn address to the nation last night Golding maintained that the Government has never refused the request for Coke's extradition, but simply wanted additional information from the US to enable the justice minister to issue the authorisation in compliance with the terms of the treaty.

Golding said the opinion of eminent constitutional lawyer Dr Lloyd Barnett was sought and he advised that the issues were not sufficiently settled in law, therefore the attorney general should seek a declaration from the Court before exercising her authority.