To Opposition Leader Perry Christie: Get your "political operatives" under control

Christie urged to control party's 'political operatives'

tribune242 ediorial


IN THIS column yesterday we briefly discussed the dangers of politicians using "persons known to the police" to participate in public demonstrations and civil unrest.

We wrote that "one only has to look at what eventually happened to politicians in Jamaica who played this game too long. Edward Seaga is a case in point."

Although Seaga represented Jamaica's west Kingston constituency - stronghold to a powerful drug gang - it was Prime Minister Bruce Golding who inherited this precinct from him, eventually getting into political hot water at home, and difficulties with the United States when his government balked at extraditing a drug lord who had supported his party's elections over the years.

"The prime minister, Bruce Golding, had good reason to stall when the United States requested the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke on drug and gun charges last August, " wrote The Economist in its May 27 edition last year. "The Shower Posse gang Mr Coke allegedly runs--so named for showering its foes with bullets--is based in Mr Golding's own constituency in Tivoli Gardens, in the west of Kingston, Jamaica's capital. The gang's weapons are of military calibre and it has the loyalty of local residents. Any attempt to apprehend Mr Coke would surely cause widespread violence."

Mr Golding stalled as long as he could while relations deteriorated between Jamaica and the US. Eventually he was forced to send troops into tightly guarded Tivoli to flush Coke out. However, Coke had already fled, but not before 47 persons were dead, many others injured and at least 260 arrested -- most of them Coke supporters.

It was claimed that Coke's Shower Posse were paying troublemakers more than $1,000 a day to create diversions to distract the police. Eventually Coke was arrested and is now in a federal prison in the US awaiting trial.

Although Golding denied any connection with the drug lord, he eventually had to admit that his party had indeed retained a legal team to lobby president Obama to drop the charges against him.

Connections with such undesirables is deep-rooted in Jamaican society.

The dons had close ties to Jamaica's two major political parties and were believed to fund many political campaigns. They were noted for their "get-out-the-vote" operations at election time. Coke could be counted on to deliver Tivoli to Seaga, then later to Golding's Jamaica Labour Party. Elections in Jamaica are noted for their violence, often ending in death.

It's not surprising that over the years crime escalated in Jamaica -- too many criminals were politically protected.

What has taken place in parliament square these past few weeks to entice demonstrators to create a perception of large crowds is not the first time for the Bahamas. It has happened often. However, this is the first time that the payment of these persons -- many well known to the police-- is being openly discussed.

It is dangerous. It should be stopped immediately. Just as paid protesters have been demanding payment this week, they will soon be demanding protection from police as crime continues to escalate.

If some of Magistrate Hercules' tales from the past during the Pindling regime are to be believed this interference with the law is nothing new.

Opposition Leader Perry Christie has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with this practice. We suggest he go further and get his "political operatives" under control. Washing his hands like Pilate from the stench is not good enough -- firm action is needed.

March 23, 2011

tribune242 ediorial

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