US stubborn in 'Dudus' extradition pursuit - Golding

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

The Jamaican Government has accused the United States of being headstrong in efforts to resolve the extradition saga involving alleged gunrunner Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said the Government had not taken a definitive position that Coke will not be extradited.

"The matter has become one of significant controversy. The United States government has remained virtually intransigent on the matter ... or intractable or inflexible," Golding said.

The prime minister told Parliament "Government will, without hesitation, facilitate the extradition of any Jamaican citizen wanted to stand trial for extraditable offences once the obligations under the treaty are met."

The Jamaican Government has said that the wiretapping evidence the US has - bolstering allegations against Coke regarding drug trafficking and gunrunning - was obtained illegally and was in breach of the mutual extradition treaty. Golding said his administration would not be signing the request on that basis.

"Christopher Coke is wanted for an alleged crime in the US for which he ought to be tried and the Government of Jamaica, consistent with its obligations under the treaty, will do everything to facilitate his extradition once it is done in accordance with the provisions of the treaty and the laws of our country," the prime minister said.

Central Kingston Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites, who was in a fiery mood, said the issue of wiretapping was a red herring. He urged the Government to reflect on how the treatment of the extradition was marring the image of the country.

daraine.luton@ gleanerjm.com