Cablegate: Jamaica: Prospective Ambassador to U.S. Says Goj

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #0680 2512054
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 082054Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8054
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0117
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0621
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 2430
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000680

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JMACK-WILSON) (BALVARADO) (VDEPIRRO)
(WSMITH)
L/LEI (CHOLLAND) (AKLUESNER)
INR/IAA (GBOHIGAN)
INR/RES (RWARNER)
JUSTICE FOR OIA (PPETTY)
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW
PASS TO CENTRAL AMERICAN CARIBBEAN BASIN COLLECTIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2019
TAGS: PREL CJAN CVIS PGOV PINR ASEC SNAR SOCI OFDP
KCRM, JM, XL, BR
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: PROSPECTIVE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. SAYS GOJ
WILL ACT "POSITIVELY" REGARDING COKE EXTRADITION, REQUESTS
USG PATIENCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

REF: A. REFTEL A. STATE 85807 (NOTAL)
B. B. KINGSTON 655
C. C. KINGSTON 666
D. D. KINGSTON 676

Classified By: CDA ISIAH L. PARNELL, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)

Summary:

1.(C) Audrey Marks, the founder and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Paymaster (Jamaica) Ltd. and a close advisor to
Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding, met with the CDA at
Embassy Kingston
on September 8, 2009, to deliver a message from the PM
regarding the USG's August 26 extradition request for
Christopher "Dudus" Coke on drug and weapon trafficking
charges. Speaking for the PM, Marks said that the Government
of Jamaica (GOJ) would be taking "some" action "soon" against
Coke, but urged the USG not to publicly pressure the GOJ into
action. Marks also relayed that the GOJ would announce her
appointment as Ambassador to the
United States in November. End Summary.

WILL REACT "POSITIVELY" TO COKE EXTRADITION REQUEST
--------------------------------------------- ------
2. (C) Marks relayed that the PM and the GOJ were very
concerned about the Coke affair and were committed to acting
"positively" to the U.S.'s extradition request, but no
timetable was offered. Through Marks, the PM sought
clarification as to how "patient" the USG would be in
allowing the GOJ time to apprehend and turn Coke over to USG
authorities. Marks also relayed the PM's request for USG
"logistical support" in Coke's arrest and extradition, while
requesting that the USG not apply additional pressure to the
PM by publicly demanding prompt action.

3. (C) As suggested Reftels, the PM is very concerned about
the prospects for social unrest in downtown Kingston once
Coke is taken into custody. Marks communicated that the PM
was surprised by the extradition request, although the CDA
reiterated that the PM had been fully briefed on the
impending extradition request by the former U.S. Ambassador
several months ago. The PM is committed to good governance
and the maintenance of law and order, Marks emphasized,
although she admitted that the Coke extradition request had
been particularly problematic for the GOJ.

4. (C) The CDA stressed to Marks how important it is to the
USG that the GOJ observe its treaty obligations and cooperate
in Coke's extradition. Normally such extradition requests are
executed within two to three weeks of the issuance of a
diplomatic note. The CDA emphasized the USG's expectation
that the GOJ will not refuse the extradition request on a
technicality that had not been cited in similar extradition
requests. CDA also noted that the extradition request on an
earlier indictment for Mark Clark had not been acted upon.
He expressed his hope that inaction would not be the norm for
extradition requests.

Marks To Be Appointed Ambassador to U.S.
---------------------------------------
5. (C) Additionally, Marks disclosed that she would be
appointed Ambassador to the United States in November 2009.
The current ambassador, Anthony Johnson, would be appointed
High
Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Parnell
PARNELL

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