Bahamas must avoid Jamaica's shadow and never let our criminals feel powerful enough to challenge the state

Bahamas must avoid Jamaica's shadow
tribune242 editorial:


JAMAICA'S Prime Minister Bruce Golding narrowly survived a bitter no confidence vote in Jamaica's parliament on Tuesday, while the national security minister vowed that the storming of gang-fortified Tivoli Gardens in search of "Dudas" Coke was only the beginning of an all-out assault on armed gangs that are holding Jamaica hostage.

The Bahamas must be especially on its guard at this time to make certain that the "scorched earth" policy to remove Jamaica's gangs does not allow one or two -- even "Dudas" -- to escape through the net and try to disappear into our own drug underworld.

In taking down Tivoli Gardens, "Dudas" Coke's fortified stronghold, the police seized 47 firearms (handguns and rifles) and almost 10,700 rounds of ammunition. In the siege 73 civilians, one Defence Force officer and two policemen were killed. Coke, wanted in the United States to face drug and gun-running charges, disappeared with some of his key supporters. However, this week, his brother, escorted by the Rev Al Miller, a prominent clergyman in Jamaica, turned himself in to police. He was among a list of 50 gang leaders that the police had asked to surrender. It is understood that more than half of them complied.

Rev Miller commended the police for treating Leighton "Livity " Coke with "extreme professionalism" as he called on Livity's brother "Dudas" -- the cause of Jamaica's present turmoil -- to turn himself in. The reverend reminded "Dudas" that if he valued his life his best chance of saving it was to get to the police first. Dudas' gang world is not limited to Jamaica. He is reputed to be an international dealer with his tentacles stretching far and wide.

According Jamaican police they estimate that more than 200 gangs with 4,000 members are operating across Jamaica.

The worst feature of their existence is that the more powerful ones are closely aligned to Jamaica's two political parties. Tivoli Gardens, for example, is a stronghold supporting Prime Minister Golding with "Dudas" Coke delivering the votes at election time. This constituency-within-a-constituency was created and supported by Mr Golding's predecessor, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga.

This has led this week to Mr Golding's near political demise -- saved only by the two parties voting solidly along party lines, defeating the Opposition's no-confidence motion by two votes. For nine months Mr Golding blocked the US's extradition request for Coke. Eventually after facing tremendous public pressure, the Jamaican government relented, and the court agreed to hear the extradition application. However, in the background, the governing JLP engaged a lobbying firm of lawyers to negotiate the extradition request with the US government.

At first Mr Golding denied having anything to do with this decision. Then three weeks ago, he admitted to parliament that he had in fact approved the hiring of the lobbyists on behalf of his political party, not the Jamaican government.

He apologised to the nation and took full responsibility for his actions.

He has been on the downward slide ever since.

In Tuesday's no-confidence debate the Opposition accused him of deceiving parliament, maintaining that his credibility was irredeemably compromised. In defence a member of his party maintained that the prime minister's contrition and acceptance of responsibility was evidence of the character of a good leader. At the end of the marathon debate the prime minister was saved by two votes.

Now that Government is in control of a well-armed, well-fortified Tivoli Gardens -- one of Jamaica's many gang-controlled constituencies -- it is going after at least four others. The Cabinet has approved anti-gang legislation, which is in the draft stages, to be presented to parliament shortly.

"These gangs," said National Security Minister Dwight Nelson, "are not the little groups of guys standing on the street corner. We are talking about gangs that are organised, that have command structures, with international connections that engage in gun- and drug-running from which they acquire their wealth.

"Our task now," he said, "is to dismantle and destroy these gangs. Our task is to separate them from their communities. Our task is to separate them from their wealth."

Let this be a lesson to the Bahamas. Years ago Sir Etienne Dupuch used to say that the Bahamas always seemed to be walking in Jamaica's downward shadow. Our readers should recall how our own little drug lords were building their communities of loyalty around them, and as a consequence getting too close to some of our politicians -- to such an extent that some of them were openly boasting that they not only expected political protection, but also political favours. We can think of the times that parliament has been lied to, but for some reason members have chosen not to make an issue of it. Many times The Tribune has stood alone pointing out the inconsistencies.

Jamaica's political parties have created the present problem for themselves and their country. In those days politicians seemed to think it the smart way to win elections. They helped build a monster that has now turned on them.

Bahamians must now make certain that our nation steps out of Jamaica's shadow and never let our criminals feel powerful enough to challenge the state.

June 03, 2010

tribune242 editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Politicians should take note from Patrick Manning and Bruce Golding

by Oscar Ramjeet:


Politicians, especially the senior ones who hold high offices like prime ministers or ministers of government, should not live in ivory towers and behave as if they are better than the electorate -- the people who put them in office. They should remember that they work for the people and behave as such and not project the image that they are demigods.

I make the comment because of the situation in Trinidad and Tobago, where outgoing Prime Minister Patrick Manning was humiliated by his own supporters at his PNM party's General Council meeting. He was booed by angry PNM members, who shouted "Manning must go" and, as he was leaving, his vehicle was mobbed by angry party members, which forced officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) to rush to his assistance.

It is unfortunate that a man who served 23 long years as political leader should be chased out from his own party headquarters, Balisier House. Observers pointed out that never in the history of the party did a leader have to leave the headquarters in such a unpleasant manner.

At the General Council meeting, Manning read out his resignation as leader of the PNM, and explained to the meeting that the constitution does not provide for the General Council to appoint a political leader other than through a convention and there is a procedure to be followed. He added that, in the circumstances, he was prepared to stay as Political Leader and as Opposition Leader and appoint senators for that duration. After he said that, the entire General Council hooted, "No. No." and exclaimed that Manning must go immediately

After Manning departed, a motion was passed by the General Council advising the PNM parliamentarians to write to the President informing him that they were supporting Keith Rowley, who was at loggerheads with Manning, to be the Leader of the Opposition.

Earlier, Diego Martin North East Member of Parliament, Colm Imbert, had indicated that he would like to run for leadership of the PNM, but a hostile crowd vigorously rejected his offer stating, "We want Rowley, we don't want anybody else. Rowley is the man. Manning make we lose the election."

Manning was flying high during his last few years as leader of the oil rich country. He ceased to use commercial airlines, but jetted to countries with large entourage and spent tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars in hosting two high powered international conferences last year, which were attended by Queen Elizabeth of England, US President, Barack Obama, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and scores of leaders from the Commonwealth and other parts of the world.

It is said that, in his last couple of years, he was far removed from the people and spent large sums of money in renovating and redecorating the Official Residence of the Prime Minister. Some critics say that they are glad that he only enjoyed the luxuries for a short while, because he had to leave for the new prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

A woman posted this on the website, "It is a shame Manning had to end his reign like that. Ah glad he gone. There is nothing wrong with PNM or UNC, the problem is the picaroon politicians who stood under the PNM and UNC umbrella. Well, now T&T will see how true WOMAN IS BOSS.”

Another said, "What a sad day... shame on the PNM supporters for their uncivilised behaviour, but that is what Patrick encourages, so it has come to haunt him, unfortunately."

Over in Jamaica, Prime Minister Bruce Golding believed that he was the boss of all time and refused to extradite drug lord, Christopher "Dudus” Coke. When he finally decided to do so after mounting pressure, there was and still is chaos, and up to the time of writing more than 75 persons were brutally killed. Now Golding’s own supporters want him to go, and former leader of his Jamaica Labour Party, Edward Seaga, who was also prime minister, said that Golding should resign immediately and added, "I have never known a prime minister to display such a lack of moral rectitude."

It is said when prime ministers are in office for a very long time, they believe they own the country and they do as they please. But Golding only took over from Portia Simpson Miller on September 11, 2007, and is a first term prime minister and should not behave in such an arrogant manner.

May 29, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamas: Lessons to be learned from Jamaica

Lessons to be learned from Jamaica
tribune242 editorial:


THERE ARE many lessons that Bahamians, including politicians, can learn from the alarming situation in Jamaica. It was reported late yesterday that at least 30 persons were killed by that country's well armed criminal element, now challenging the state's attempt to arrest their drug lord "president."

For too long the Jamaican police and the government have turned a blind eye to Jamaica's slums. Known as garrisons they have been taken over by criminal dons, who have turned them into their personal kingdoms.

Everything came crashing down last year when the US government moved to have Dudus Coke extradited to the United States on charges of drug and gun running. For nine months Prime Minister Bruce Golding's government fought off the request, finally capitulating and agreeing that Coke should face a Jamaican court where the charges against him would be evaluated for extradition.

"Dudus" was the don, who delivered the votes for Golding's party from West Kingston, so, it is obvious that he expected his "main man" to protect him in his Tivoli Gardens fiefdom.

"Along the pitted and trash-strewn streets of West Kingston," reported Associated Press yesterday, "residents say Coke is feared for his strong-arm tactics, but also is known for helping out slum dwellers with grocery bills, jobs and school fees.

"Coke solidified his authority by taking charge of punishing thieves and other criminals in the ghettos, where the government has little presence and police rarely, if ever, patrol."

Today Tivoli Gardens is fortified with barricades, protected by gangsters with high powered rifles and supporters carrying placards declaring that "Jesus died for us; we will die for Dudus."

Here is a lesson for our own police force. There should be no area in New Providence or any of our islands where the Royal Bahamas Police Force cannot, or do not enter frequently.

And as for our politicians if they were wise they would be very careful of the company they keep. In the past some of them have had very embarrassing experiences.

We recall the support that our own home grown drug lord had when the Americans sent for him. It was surprising the following "Ninety" Knowles had and who were among those who turned out to protest when he was taken to court for his extradition hearing. Everyone knew of his illegal activities, of his own gangs and his own orders that were executed, yet when the time came to pay the piper, all we heard was how Ninety fed his neighbours, paid the school fees and took care of his community. And so, like Dudus, when the time came his supporters gathered round, and marched to the court. Ninety's generosity had solidified him in their hearts and their community, and despite their proud boast that this is a "God fearing" nation, Ninety was one man who could break the Ten Commandments, yet still demand their loyalty. Today he is all but forgotten in a prison cell in the US.

We also recall how drug dealers under the Pindling administration, rightly or wrongly, considered the PLP their party. They agitated for the day when the PLP would be returned to power so that they could get back to "the trade." As a matter of fact the rumour around Eleuthera during the 2002 election was that as soon as the PLP won, the dealers' fast-boats would be in the water, and they would return to their illicit trade. Fortunately, it did not work out that way. But, it certainly should have taught the politicians a lesson.

What is now happening to Prime Minister Golding in Jamaica should underscore for all what can happen when one plays fast and loose with law breakers.

May 26, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamian history repeats itself in Jamaica

Tribune242 Editorial:


"WE'RE going through very stressful times," a leading Jamaican businessman admitted yesterday as the government of Jamaica and the United States were locked in judicial debate over one of that island's well known "dons" -- "The President of Tivoli", or in real life, Christopher "Dudus" Coke.

Coke controls Tivoli, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding's constituency. There are those who maintain that it is Coke who keeps peace in Tivoli, and if it were not for him Golding would not be where he is today.

The US's request for Dudus' extradition on a long list of gun and drug trafficking charges sent shock waves through Jamaica. For the past three weeks the Jamaican government has refused the request.

Prime Minister Golding is resisting extradition on the grounds that under Jamaican law the acquisition of the evidence against the Tivoli don, which supports the extradition request, violates the provisions of the Interception of Communications Act. And so, at present, the US request cannot go before a Jamaican court until the Attorney General signs the order. Prime Minister Golding says the attorney general has a "duty to protect the constitutional rights of Coke and not extradite him."

Many Jamaicans question the delay. Some say government should get it before the courts and let the courts make the final decision. But until the attorney general signs, nothing moves forward.

In a sharply worded exchange the State Department said the delays in the Coke case, in addition to the temporary suspension in processing of all other pending requests, raised "serious questions" about the Jamaican Government's commitment to combating transnational crime.

There is even talk in Jamaica that the US law enforcement agents could kidnap Coke and put him before a US court. Apparently, there is no clause in the existing extradition treaty between Jamaica and the US to prevent it. But there is certainly precedent for it. In 1992 US agents kidnapped Alvarez Machain, wanted for kidnapping and murder, from his Mexico home and took him to the US.

Also causing further confusion is the sudden suspension last week of the US visa of another leading Jamaican citizen -- Wayne Chen. The Jamaican government claims that his visa has nothing to do with the Coke case, which has started speculation down another path. Mr Chen is still without his visa.

Many Jamaicans worry that they have been without a US ambassador for a year and three months -- "never before in living memory has that happened," said a citizen in pained surprise.

Which takes us back to the ugly eighties in the Bahamas during Ronald Reagan's administration when this nation had no ambassador for two years. And, yes, drugs was the evil nematode at the bottom of it all.

("Nematode", a favourite word of former attorney general Paul Adderley. In one of his flights of verbal fancy on the floor of the House he called a Tribune reporter a "nematode". However, we think the word better suited to the world of crime than to a reporter trying to do an honest job of reporting during a corrupt era).

During that period the Bahamas-US relations were conducted by US Chargé d'Affaires Andrew Antippas. This situation continued for two years until an ambassador was finally appointed. The Pindling government did not approve of Antippas, nor did Antippas approve of what was happening in the Bahamas on the drug scene. On the eventual arrival of the ambassador, Mr Antippas became the Deputy Chief of Mission. However, the Pindling administration made certain that he did not hold that position for long. They made life so difficult for the Antippases that in order to patch up relations the new ambassador -- a non career diplomat -- had to dismiss Mr Antippas so that "good friends who occasionally disagree" could start to mend fences.

But in 1988, Mr Antippas had the last word. He agreed to testify in the trial of Colombian Joe Lehder who had a free pass to Norman's Cay under the Pindling administration. Norman's Cay became the headquarters of Lehder's drug empire. And Andrew Antippas told the story of how he had to advise the US property owners to abandon their properties and leave the island because the US Embassy could no longer give them protection in the Bahamas.

"I testified to all that I had tried to accomplish against Lehder and the Bahamas' unwillingness to cooperate and that really blew a fuse in Nassau," Mr Antippas told the world.

The same fuse is now being blown in Jamaica. Dudus Coke might as well go quietly, as go he will, dragging Jamaica's reputation in the mud behind him.

March 08, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International