Can we talk?

• PM wants more info on Robertson issue
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Prime Minister Bruce Golding has instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr Kenneth Baugh to hold talks with United States Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater on the revocation of former Mining Minister James Robertson's visitor's visa to that country.

The disclosure, which was made by Information Minister Daryl Vaz on Wednesday, bore glimpses of the ill-fated US-Jamaica talks during the diplomatic imbroglio a year and a half ago, involving the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke,

"The prime minister, who was officially informed last Friday, May 20, has instructed the foreign affairs minister to meet with the US ambassador to seek further information and particulars in relation to this matter," Vaz told journalists at the post-Cabinet press briefing.

But the embattled Robertson did not await the outcome of the pending talks. He resigned at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, fuelling speculation that he was asked to resign.

Vaz admitted Cabinet members were shaken by Robertson's resignation as head of a ministry that faces some tough questions, arising from a damning 609-page report from Contractor General Greg Christie.

exploiting its powers

He said James' demise was tough to absorb regardless of the positions of Cabinet members, who had also discussed the possibility of the US exploiting its powers.

"When something like this happens, over which you have no control, obviously, you are forced to act immediately because you have a responsibility and the Government has a responsibility and, of course, this is a special ministry, especially at a time like this," said Vaz.

"With the prime minister taking that onto himself does not mean for one minute that it is a long-term decision, but must be seen as a proactive move to ensure that the Government functions to the optimum," he added.

Vaz conceded that the Cabinet had discussed that it would have been untenable for Robertson to continue as a senior Government minister without his US visa.

"That was something that was considered at length, and the revocation of a visa to the United States makes your position as a minister of Government almost untenable," said Vaz.

Vaz suggested that it goes without saying that the revocation of the visa of a Government minister prevents free movement in carrying out ministerial responsibilities.

"The issuance of all visas is a right of a sovereign nation and the privilege of a visa holder," stressed Vaz.