EDITORIAL: Wounding law and order

By challenging the extradition proceedings in court, it appears to us that Christopher Coke has acknowledged that he must submit to the jurisdiction of the court and the process of law. The question we would pose to the legal experts is whether Mr Coke has, in fact, waived his right to be served the warrant of arrest by taking this action. But where is Mr Coke? Should the court even entertain this case while he remains in hiding?

The character reference being given to Mr Coke by citizens of Tivoli Gardens and their defiant attitude will amount to nothing. The truth is that as powerful as he is and even though he has been allowed to enjoy a life of immunity in Jamaica, Mr Coke is not above the law. History is replete with examples of reputed drug kingpins whose expensive and exhaustive legal manoeuvres ended with them throwing in the towel. One remembers the notorious Pablo Escobar who was a benefactor and hero to Colombia's poor by building football fields and multi-purpose sports facilities. They also demonstrated for him.

Somebody needs to tell the people of western Kingston that if Christopher Coke is guilty of drug and gunrunning, he is an evil man and should be punished for his crimes. He is no hero, for cocaine destroys people's lives and guns are designed to kill people, and Jamaicans have lived through enough years of grief and bloodshed to understand this.

Jamaica is now hostage

Judging from the images we have seen, things have gone horribly wrong in Tivoli Gardens, and utterances by the national security minister seeking to assure the nation that the security forces are capable of dealing with the situation ring hollow. The discerning public knows that Jamaica is now hostage to the failure of the State to provide security for its citizens by pursuing criminal masterminds and securing convictions. Thugs are in now charge and they have brought the country to the edge of the precipice.

And where is the member of parliament in all of this? One may suggest that he is attending to prime ministerial duties. However, Mr Golding needs to demonstrate that he is capable of leading the country out of the quagmire in which his government has taken this once-proud nation. Appearing in front of a teleprompter with a carefully crafted script is not the end of the matter. The first test of Mr Golding's sincerity and commitment to tearing down garrisons and breaking the link between politics and organised crime is here.

This sorry episode goes to the moral foundations of the Government - the stand-off between western Kingston citizens and the security forces cannot be ignored or side-stepped. It has to be dealt with. To ignore it is to put at risk the lives of innocent people, including children.

This saga of the Dudus' extradition request will long be remembered throughout the world as a symbol of the Jamaica Labour Party's inept governance.

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