Poor budget presentation by PSM – Wiki

Courtesy Wikileaks

This message is sensitive but unclassified, please handle
accordingly. 

¶1. (U) Summary: Each year, the budget debates captivate
Jamaicans as each party presents its vision for the country,
thinly veiled as a presentation of the budget for the fiscal
year.  With elections due to be called by October 2007, this
year was expected to be particularly grandiose.  The
opposition Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) emphasized job creation
under the slogan "Is it time for a change?" while the ruling
People's National Party (PNP) made generous promises without
specifying how they would be financed.  End summary. 

---------------------------
Opposition on the Offensive
--------------------------- 

¶2. (U) The leader of the opposition Jamaica Labor Party,
Bruce Golding, set out a budget that was designed as an
election manifesto.  It showed a clear grasp of the key
challenges facing the country, but more importantly spoke
directly to the urban and rural poor, a group that the JLP
has failed to capture in the past. 

¶3. (U) Golding made much use of Jamaican patois, a common
tactic among politicians looking to appeal to the poor
demographic.  Typically, the JLP is seen as the party of the
middle-class intelligentsia, less populist than the ruling
People's National Party.  Knowing that he has their vote
secured, Golding wanted to move beyond this constituency.  In
a similar vein, he quoted several times from the Bible and
popular song lyrics, employing a trademark tactic of Prime
Minister Portia Simpson Miller (PSM). 

¶4. (U) Golding's speech also hammered the record of the PNP,
which has been in power for 18 years.  He drew a grim picture
of life under PNP rule, noting that in the ten years from
1997, Jamaica had grown by a total of only 9.6 percent - only
Haiti has suffered a more anemic rate.  He mocked the
official government statistics claiming that the unemployment
rate in Jamaica was below 10 percent.  "If you define healthy
people as those who don't have polio, then you can declare
almost everyone in Jamaica to be healthy," he said,
referencing the government statisticians who count at least
one hour per week of work to be "employed." 

¶5. (U) He used unemployment to segue into the major theme of
his speech: job creation.  Under this rubric, he touched on
the need for a revitalized agency to aggressively pursue
foreign investment, an emphasis on education and training
(specifically calling for an abolition of secondary school
fees), and a specific national development plan similar to
one developed by JLP eminence grise Edward Seaga in the late
1960s, which set specific targets for investment in each of
the 14 parishes in Jamaica. 

¶6. (U) Being a tour d'horizon of Jamaica, however, the speech
was short on details of how his measures would be
implemented, and in some areas presented a danger of
contradiction.  For example, Golding noted Jamaica's debt
burden and its pervasive crime, both of which stifle growth.
But in the same speech he called for eliminating hospital
fees for diagnostic services, abolishing secondary school
fees, and injecting increased funds into the police force.
Less clear was how he intended to fund such measures without
the fiscal deficit skyrocketing.  His proposal to mechanize
the ailing sugar industry to make it more efficient, also,
conveniently neglected to address the issue of how such
technology would displace thousands of workers on rural
plantations. 

¶7. (U) As a piece of pre-election rhetoric, however, Golding
achieved his objective.  Repeating what is sure to be the
JLP's slogan on the campaign trail, "Is it time for a
change?", Golding thrilled supporters in the gallery of
Parliament. 

-----------------------
Portia Rallies the Poor
----------------------- 

¶8. (U) Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, by contrast,
presented a poorly prepared, reactive budget.  As expected,
it has been characterized in the media as a "bag of goodies"
budget that was designed to woo voters with promises of
handouts and benefits, without offering any new tax measures
to pay for them.  It lacked a cohesive framework and vision,
instead merely listing items that would be offered to the
electorate. 

¶9. (U) Chief among these, and the one most closely 

KINGSTON 00000705  002 OF 002 

scrutinized in the days since her presentation, is the
abolition of all hospital fees for persons up to the age of
¶18.  It became obvious, however, that her flagship
announcement had been hastily prepared after Golding's
speech.  In a post-speech press conference, PSM was unable to
explain which fees would be exempted, or any other details of
the measure.  The next day, the Permanent Secretary from the
Ministry of Health, Grace Allen-Young, admitted on national
radio that she had received the directive to abolish hospital
fees after Golding's speech. 

¶10. (U) That was not PSM's only treat, however.  She also
promised: 

-- an increase in the National Housing Trust loan ceiling for
the poor; 

-- the establishment of a new children's hospital in western
Jamaica; 

-- a JMD 2 billion (USD 30 million) subsidy for housing for
sugar workers; 

-- the extension of the "Highway 2000" toll road project; 

-- the construction of a convention center in Montego Bay
that even Ministry of Finance officials conceded would lose
approximately USD 1 million per year; and, 

-- the amendment of regulations that would allow more
retirees to qualify for a state pension. 

There were no new tax regimes proposed. 

¶11. (SBU) PSM's promises, if they materialize, will carry
enormous fiscal implications.  A Ministry of Finance
official, Courtney Williams (protect), confirmed that few of
the promises ) most notably the hospital fees ) had been
factored into the actual budget, and thus there would have to
be a revision of the estimate of the fiscal deficit.  He also
admitted that he was "expecting a call at any moment" from
International Monetary Fund officials, who had recently met
with him to discuss the country's deficit.  He noted wryly
that he was not looking forward to that call. 

¶12. (SBU) Nevertheless, PSM will have satisfied her core
supporters - the poor - with her flamboyant populist style
and lavish promises.  She also made much use of the pronoun
"I" in an apparent attempt to separate herself from the
party, which has become increasingly fractured and embattled
(Post will report septel on PNP divisions).  Media analysts
have noted that to win the election, PSM must make a clear
distinction between herself (new and different) and the party
(old, arrogant, and predictable). 

-------
Comment
------- 

¶13. (SBU) This year's budget debate can best be seen as the
two parties' early election manifestos.  Both contained
promises of assistance and relief for the poor, whose votes
will be the key to victory.  Sadly, however, the budgets bear
no resemblance to reality, which will be revealed after the
elections.  It seems that, this year at least, Jamaica is living up 
to its characterization by a former U.S. Ambassador,
 who noted that "Jamaicans applaud announcements, not implementation."
Johnson

Jamaica: Fertile Soil for Terrorism?

Courtesy Wikileaks

REF: 09 KINGSTON 521; 09 KINGSTON 964; 09 KINGSTON 303; KINGSTON 3 
09 KINGSTON 1024 

CLASSIFIED BY: Isiah Parnell, CDA; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) 

Summary 

¶1.  (C) Jamaica has a significant penchant for violence, frequently 
gang related, and often exported to the United States, Canada, and 
the United Kingdom.  Some perpetrators appear to be in search of 
the sense of security and strength offered by gang membership, or 
perhaps to fill the void of an absent father figure in a society in 
which the family structure is fluid and marriage rates are low. 
Although not widely known, Jamaicans have been involved in some of 
the worst or potentially devastating acts of terrorism of the last 
decade.  In 2008, The Economist listed Jamaica as the "most 
murderous country in the world," while concluding in a 2009 article 
that the nation has an "unfixable" crime problem (Reftel A and B). 
Although Jamaica's nascent Muslim population is small and largely 
peaceful, these conditions could be fertile ground for the types of 
Islamist extremism that has thrived in other countries.  The recent 
return of extremist Jamaican-born cleric Sheikh el-Faisal raises 
serious concerns regarding the propensity for Islamist extremism in 
the Caribbean at the hands of Jamaican born nationals.  End 
Summary. 

Jamaican-Born Terrorism A Rising Concern 

¶2. (SBU) Although Jamaicans have not been widely seen as potential 
perpetrators of terrorist activity, developments over the last 
decade indicate that a surprising number have had links to 
high-profile events.  After serving in the U.S. Army and working as 
a contractor in Iraq, Jamaican-born U.S. resident Kevin Brown 
returned here to find that his mother had been the victim of an 
unsolved murder.  As a result, Brown reportedly grew increasingly 
withdrawn and in April 2008, attempted to board a flight from 
Orlando, Florida to Montego Bay, Jamaica with bomb-making materials 
in his luggage.  Although Brown was not Muslim, he reportedly 
wanted to show friends how to build explosives similar to those he 
had seen in Iraq.  Brown was sentenced to three years probation. 

¶3. (S) In April 2009, Jamaican Stephen Fray bypassed security while 
concealing a handgun and entered a Canadian (CanJet) charter flight 
at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (Reftel C).  Frey 
held  one hundred and sixty passengers and the crew hostage while 
the plane was at the gate.  At twenty two years old, Fray was 
sentenced to a maximum of twenty years in prison.  Fray may have 
been Muslim and it appears he visited a mosque on Jamaica's North 
Coast.  These incidents are reminders of security weaknesses for a 
country whose biggest industry is tourism and to which more than 80 
percent of visitors are from the U.S. and Canada. 

Jamaican Shoe Bomber 

 ¶4. (S/NF) In December 2001, Richard Reid, a Briton of Jamaican 
descent, attempted to detonate an explosive in his shoe aboard 
American Airlines Flight 63  from Paris to Miami.  Born to an 

English mother and an absent Jamaican father who spent nearly 
twenty years in prison for car theft, Reid had dropped out of high 
school at sixteen and had turned to a life of petty crime.  While 
in prison, Reid embraced the teachings of radical Islam, and later 
honed his extremist beliefs at England's Brixton Mosque (NOTE: 
Brixton Mosque has been linked to several Islamist extremist 
figures, including Jamaican extremist cleric Sheikh el-Faisal.  The 
mosque officially condemns terrorism, but has been targeted by 
extremists in recruitment efforts.  End Note).  Reid then turned to 
the more extreme Finsbury Park mosque, well-known for its radical 
preaching and the significant number of suspected terrorists who 
have worshipped there.  He later traveled to Pakistan and 
Afghanistan, and since has been linked to some of the most 
notorious terrorist cells in Europe.  Reid has been sentenced to 
life in prison in the United States. 

Jamaican D.C. Sniper 

¶5. (S/NF) In October 2002, Jamaican-born Lee Boyd Malvo terrorized 
the Washington D.C. area in the sniper-style killing spree that 
took the lives of ten people during a three-week period..  Malvo, 
who grew up without a father and was periodically abandoned by his 
mother, eventually moved to the U.S. in violation of immigration 
law.  He is presumed to have met his sniper accomplice, John 
Muhammad, in Antigua, and the two later developed a bond while 
living in a homeless shelter in Bellingham, Washington, where 
Muhammad became a father figure in Malvo's life.  Muhammad, a 
former member of the U.S. Army who taught Malvo how to shoot, is 
thought to have motivated the murders.  After being convicted, 
Muhammad was executed by lethal injection in 2009.  Malvo was 
sentenced to life in prison at the age of eighteen.  Although these 
events were not linked to Islamist extremism, Muhammad was a 
convert to the Nation of Islam. (NOTE:  Malvo and his mother were 
detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in December 
2001 for being illegally present in the U.S.  They were released a 
month later pending a deportation hearing.  It was during this time 
that Malvo caught up with Muhammad.  The two are also suspected of 
fatal shootings in Alabama, Arizona and Louisiana, which occurred 
before the D.C. shootings.  End Note). 

Jamaican London Metro Bomber 

¶6. (S/NF) Suicide-bomber Germaine Lindsay was a Jamaican-born 
British resident who moved to the UK when he was five.  After 
converting to Islam and leading what many would later call a quiet 
life, his beliefs became more radical over time, culminating in his 
participation in the London bombings on July 7, 2005 at the age of 
nineteen.  Lindsay was killed in the terrorist attack.  (NOTE: Less 
is known about Lindsay's motivation, but many suspect he had been 
radicalized by fellow suicide-bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan, eleven 
years his elder.  End Note.) 

Prisons And Deportees - Extremism Export? 

¶7. (S/NF) Islamist extremism is known to attract young, disaffected 
single men who are not necessarily from Muslim nations.  Jamaica's 
marriage rate is low and the unemployment rate is officially twelve 
percent, although unofficially thought to be much higher.  The 

country's organized crime dons are notorious for recruiting and 
arming members from the ranks of poor young men looking for the 
identity and protection offered by allegiance to a gang.  Given the 
right motivation, it is conceivable that Jamaica's disaffected 
youth could be swayed towards organized crime of a different nature 
through the teachings of radical Islam.  The proportionally high 
number of Jamaicans in U.S. prisons could also be exposed to 
radical Islamist teachings, as was Richard Reid in the UK.  Many 
Jamaican criminals serving time in prisons abroad are eventually 
deported back to Jamaica, and under the right conditions this could 
create a dangerous flow of individuals with extremist attitudes. 

The New Preacher In Town 

¶8. (S/NF) The January 2010 return of Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal, aka 
Trevor William Forest, to his Jamaican homeland creates a potential 
new catalyst for the call to radical Islam (Reftel D and E). 
Having spent four years in a British prison for advocating  the 
murder of Americans, Israelis, and Hindus, el-Faisal has recently 
been suspected of recruiting suicide bombers to stage a terrorist 
attack during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.  Having led a 
mosque attended by convicted terrorists in London, he was deported 
in 2007 from the UK to Jamaica where he continued preaching 
violence against non-Muslims.  In 2008,  the Jamaican Islamic 
Council banned el-Faisal from preaching  in the country's mosques, 
although he was welcomed to attend.  Undeterred, el-Faisal set out 
to build a mosque in 2008 with money secured from unnamed overseas 
sources.  (NOTE: el-Faisal's Jamaican business partner was 
convicted in the U.S. and sentenced to nearly thirteen years in 
prison for cocaine distribution and sexual assault.  The majority 
of cases from the U.S. Marshals Service Jamaica field office 
concern fugitives wanted for drug trafficking and violent crime. 
Gang dons in Jamaican are often exceptionally wealthy as a result 
of ill-gotten gains related to organized crime and drug 
trafficking).  El-Faisal later moved to East Africa to continue 
preaching before being deported from Kenya in January 2010. 
El-Faisal currently is back in Jamaica and is likely to continue 
his advocacy of violence against non-Muslims, having recently told 
the press he considers jihad self-defense. 

Analysis and Conclusion 

¶9. (S/NF) With easy access to drug money, networks  of gang members 
throughout  U.S. and British prisons, thousands of disaffected 
youth, a high number of U.S. tourists, and less than robust 
security, Jamaica potentially presents fertile ground for those who 
might commit  acts of violence in the name of Islamist extremism. 
This likelihood has increased  with the return of el-Faisal to 
Jamaica as a potentially motivating catalyst.  Jamaica's proximity 
to, and large expatriate populations in, the U.S., Canada, and the 
UK underscore the need to ensure that Islamist extremism  does not 
grow in a nation struggling to control its staggering crime rate. 
While Jamaica does have legislation to address terrorism, nobody to 
date has been prosecuted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 
(Note: Stephen Fray was prosecuted for firearms offenses), and the 
country is largely unprepared to address a real threat.  The 
Ministry of National Security has established an special unit to 
collect information on Islamic extremism, but the weak appears to 
be having trained law enforcement entity to able react rapidly to 
actionable intelligence and to effectively prosecute an 
anti-terrorism case in the courts.  A societal trend of young men 
who are quick to resort to acts of violence, and a history of high 

profile terrorist operations perpetrated by individuals with 
Jamaican roots, should raise concerns and awareness that history 
could repeat itself.   End Analysis and Conclusion.

JAMAICAN FINANCE MINISTER NOT READY TO QUIT (YET

Courtesy Wikileaks

 

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001423 

SIPDIS 

SIPDIS 

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (MCISAAC) 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2016 
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV PINR PREL JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICAN FINANCE MINISTER NOT READY TO QUIT (YET) 

Classified By: Ambassador Brenda Johnson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 

¶1. (C) Summary: Minister of Finance and Planning Omar Davies 
will not/not resign just yet, despite widespread media 
reports last week indicating that Davies was preparing to 
leave the cabinet, his Parliamentary seat, and 
representational politics.  Embassy contacts had confirmed 
that his rumored departure was true, and were surprised when 
Davies announced that he would remain.  One contact believes 
that this is merely a delay to give time to find a successor, 
and to take the PNP through an impending general election 
without disruption.  His replacement is likely to be one of 
two businessmen: Richard Byles or Peter Bunting.  End summary. 

¶2. (U) Widespread media reports last week indicated that 
longstanding Minister of Finance and Planning Omar Davies was 
preparing to resign from the cabinet, his Parliamentary seat, 
and from politics.  Many expected Davies to make the 
announcement when he met with constituents on Saturday, 15 
July.  Instead, Davies was returned unopposed as the 
candidate for the St. Andrew South constituency, and he 
announced that he had no intention of resigning his 
Ministership.  He did note, however, that he would cease his 
People's National Party (PNP) duties as a Regional Chairman 
in order to devote more time to solving the crime problems 
that are plaguing his community. 

¶3. (C) Two Embassy contacts - both of whom are close to 
Davies - noted on July 14 that the rumors that Davies would 
step down as Minister were true, and both were surprised by 
the sudden reversal at Saturday's meeting.  One source, who 
worked on the Davies campaign for PNP leader, claimed that 
new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Davies were at 
odds over spending: Davies has been known for his tight 
fiscal policy and spending restraint, while Simpson Miller 
has built her political career on social spending.  The other 
contact claimed that the crime and violence in his community 
were the driving factors behind his rumored departure.  He 
also remains convinced that Davies' departure as Minister is 
simply being delayed until after the General Election (which 
appears likely before October). 

¶4. (C) According to PNP activists, there are currently two 
likely replacements being suggested privately as successors 
to Davies at the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MFP): 
Richard Byles and Peter Bunting.  Byles is a former socialist 
who has been "born again."  He has accumulated large 
shareholdings as the CEO of Pan Jamaica Investments, and also 
serves as CEO of the Life of Jamaica Insurance Company, 
Chairman of Pan Caribbean Financial Services, Director of Red 
Stripe, and Chairman of the National Water Commission.  Byles 
holds a degree in Economics from the University of the West 
Indies, and a Masters degree in National Development from the 
University of Bradford, England.  Most think that he has the 
technical expertise to run the Ministry in the Davies mold - 
running large primary surpluses as a way to reduce the 
country's crippling debt burden.  Bunting is a partner in the 
investment firm Dehring, Bunting and Golding.  He has been a 
staunch supporter of Davies for many years, and the PNP has 
always been a party that rewards loyalty.  Nevertheless, he 
is less well regarded because Byles has the stronger academic 
background, and is closer to Prime Minister Simpson Miller. 

¶5. (C) Comment: Rumors have persisted for a long time that 
Davies wishes to leave, but he is clearly concerned about his 
legacy and wishes to groom the incoming replacement.  Post 
expects that whoever is selected will join MFP in some 
capacity - likely as Minister of State - so that Davies can 
shepherd him into his role.  Contacts also indicated that PNP 
heavyweights such as Foreign Minister Hylton prevailed upon 
Davies to remain both as Finance Minister and as Regional PNP 
Chairman, to avoid any semblance of disunity in a PNP that 
has been rocked by crises recently.  In any event, spending 
is almost certain to increase as a result of impending 
elections, as well as Simpson Miller's natural propensity 
towards assisting the poor.  It seems that Davies wishes to 
ensure that the careful work he has done over the past decade 
to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio, and to improve Jamaica's 
standing with the international financial community, is not 
threatened after he steps down.  End comment.

USA applying the pressure on Jamaica from many angles !!

Its now all coming together and the Bruce Golding administration seems set to implode with these very carefully timed planned releases. I will try to tie together various reports which seems to show that something is brewing and its all about to get worst for some people. I just hope this will not push the country back into recession.

Lets start with this observer headline and the link is attached.

Rich Jamaican businessman under US probe

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/US-wants-info-on-Ja-billionaire

Well after that headline we decided to do a little digging and wrote a post which many will find interesting, take a close look at the links presented in this article for some clues.

http://investforlife.wordpress.com/page/2/

Read carefully you will find a treasure trove of information presented above in the links, there are public records.

I missed out this one check this link on  page 2 at the bottom, look  the email re bank record and look where the funds are going (Post 943)

http://www.olintja.com/blog/defaultacrchive.aspx

There was another report in June 2010 again carried by the Jamaica observer

Another rich J’can under US probe

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Another-rich-J-can-under-US-probe_7726628

We really are wondering how this will all end up at the end of the day and what does this means for Jamaica and Jamaicans. The timing of these wikileaks accident or part of the plan, you decide.

Then we have the   Dr Chris  Walker letter to the USA Senate, this one even implicated in a minor way the leader of the ruling party, read it here. Check out the names that have been called.

http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/summit.shtml

Now  go back and read the article that was printed today by the Observer  titled

Britain, Canada to move against Robertson — US official

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Britain–Canada-to-move-against-Robertson—US-official_8905781

 

Then there was this letter which kicked off this  entire Manatt Affair which recently ended, the final report is set to be released soon.

http://blog.gfbcproductions.biz/2010/05/16/the-dudus-letter-seet-deh/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olint ! Prosecuted in the USA and not Jamaica !!

 

 

 

Olint a Caribbean Ponzi scheme which was started in Jamaica , bilking thousands of Jamaicans, yet justice could only have been received in the USA.  Read about the founder, how the scheme worked and its subsequent collapse.

Ponzi_Paper-May_Draft-2

 

 

 

 

 

Who had money in Olint – exposed

Go here for a wealth of information.

Check out page 21 at the bottom of the page. Note there are 38 pages in the archive you have to click twice on each page for it to be load. What’s here appears to be the entire client listing, see if our favorite minister or any other minister is listed here. Also presented is account number and balances.

 

http://www.olintja.com/blog/defaultacrchive.aspx

USA wary of former PNP Energy Minister PP ? Wiki

Courtesy Wikileaks

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000542 

SIPDIS 

SIPDIS 

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2016 
TAGS: PGOV KCOR PINR JM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MARCH 15 MEETING WITH PRIME 
MINISTER-ELECT PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER 

REF: A. KINGSTON 0402 
     ¶B. POWELL/BENT 3/14/06 E-MAIL 

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas C. Tighe.  Reasons 1.4(b) 
 and (d). 

------- 
Summary 
------- 

¶1. (C) On March 15, the Ambassador called on a visibly weary 
Portia Simpson Miller (PSM), at Jamaica House.  Minister of 
Commerce, Science, Technology, and Energy Phillip Paulwell 
and former Foreign Trade Minister Tony Hylton were also 
present.  In their first formal meeting since the latter's 
triumph in the February 25 PNP election to determine a 
successor to outgoing Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, they 
discussed the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), the 
importance of education and the success in Jamaica of the 
President's Centers for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT) 
program.  The Ambassador encouraged Simpson Miller to select 
the best individuals possible for her Cabinet, but was 
constrained in how candid she could be about our concerns 
about corruption by the presence of the highly suspect 
Paulwell.  (We are nevertheless confident that the message 
registered, as Hylton subsequently asked the Canadians, 
disingenuously in our view, whether the Ambassador was trying 
to signal concern.)  Simpson extended a verbal invitation to 
the Secretary to attend the March 30 ceremony marking her 
assumption of the premiership. End Summary. 

------------------------------------ 
Meeting the Prime Minister-designate 
------------------------------------ 

¶2. (SBU) On March 15, the Ambassador called on a 
tired-looking Portia Simpson Miller, at Jamaica House.  In 
their first formal meeting since the latter's triumph in the 
February 25 Peoples National Party (PNP) election to 
determine a successor to outgoing Prime Minister P.J. 
Patterson (Ref A), Simpson Miller was joined by Phillip 
Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science, Technology, and 
Energy, and Ambassador Tony Hylton, a former Minister of 
Trade;  DCM and Pol/EconCouns (notetaker) accompanied the 
Ambassador. 

------------------------ 
Interest in MCA and CETT 
------------------------ 

¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador began by reiterating her 
congratulations on Simpson Miller's victory, and expressed a 
desire to work closely with the GOJ on issues of mutual 
concern, including counternarcotics efforts, and cooperating 
where possible to ensure proper security for the 2007 Cricket 
World Cup.  Noting the budget constraints imposed by U.S. 
commitments in the Middle East and elsewhere, the Ambassador 
nevertheless outlined the potential benefits to Jamaica of 
participation in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).  She 
also briefly described the Centers for Excellence in Teacher 
Training (CETT) Program, having recently visited two 
participating CETT schools, and encouraged the PM-elect to 
identify an appropriate member of her team for follow-up on 
both MCA and CETT.  Simpson Miller expressed keen interest in 
both programs, explaining that she intended to "hit the 
ground running" upon taking office.  On the spot, she 
directed Paulwell, Hylton, and Rosalee Hammond (whom she 
described as a policy advisor) to follow up with the Embassy 
for more information. 

----------------- 
Cabinet Selection 
----------------- 

¶4. (C) The Ambassador also encouraged Simpson Miller to 
select the best individuals available to serve in her 
Cabinet, and noted that her selections were eagerly 
anticipated - and would be closely watched - domestically and 
abroad.  As if anticipating the Ambassador's unspecified 
concerns about Paulwell (and with Paulwell seated next to the 
Ambassador), Simpson Miller specifically stated that she had 
not yet decided who would be her Minister of National 
Security.  (Note:  Per Ref B, on March 13, the Ambassador and 
British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell met to discuss 
mutual concerns over the possible inclusion of Paulwell in 
the new Cabinet, and how best to raise the issue with Simpson 

Miller in their respective meetings.  Cresswell, who met with 
Simpson Miller later on March 14, subsequently briefed the 
Ambassador.  Paulwell and Hylton also sat in on that meeting, 
he said, which similarly limited what he could say with 
Paulwell present.  End note.) 

---------------- 
Early Elections? 
---------------- 

¶5. (C) Simpson Miller indicated that she would not make 
wholesale changes until winning a popular mandate in a 
general election.  She implied but did not specifically state 
that she would call early elections, noting that she did not 
want "campaigning" to mar the March-April 2007 Cricket World 
Cup, and that she could not effect a number of Cabinet 
changes she hoped to make without an electoral mandate. 
Simpson Miller implied on several occasions that she would 
like to replace more ministers than was politically 
expedient, or possible.  (Note:  Unlike in the U.S. system, 
where a president can draw Cabinet officers from politics, 
the private sector, academia, or almost anywhere else, in 
Jamaica members of Cabinet must be sitting members of the 
legislature, either as elected MPs or as appointed senators. 
End note.)  Whereas her campaign slogan was "Team Portia", 
Simpson Miller emphasized that she intends to govern 
inclusively as "Team Jamaica," and to continue her campaign 
practice of not answering some critics' vitriolic political 
attacks in kind. Clearly with an eye on the general 
elections, she said she planned to spend as much time as her 
governing responsibilities allowed reaching out to Jamaicans 
on "street corners and rural areas," and that she would 
require her ministers to maintain a more visible public 
presence in the exercise of their portfolios. 

--------------------------- 
Invitation to the Secretary 
--------------------------- 

¶6. (SBU) Noting that the Secretary recently attended 
presidential inaugurations in Liberia and Chile, Simpson 
Miller specifically extended a verbal invitation to the 
Secretary to attend her swearing-in ceremony in Kingston on 

SIPDIS 
March 30.  (Paulwell added that specifics on the ceremony 
would soon be forthcoming from the Foreign Ministry.  As of 
March 17, however, we have heard nothing further.  In 
response to a call from the DCM, MFA Permanent Secretary said 
that he, too, was awaiting guidance on the nature and scope 
of the ceremony.)  The Ambassador replied that she would 
convey word of the invitation to the Department. 

-------------------------------------- 
A Simpson Miller Rival Awaits His Fate 
-------------------------------------- 

¶7. (C) Meanwhile, current Minister of National Security Peter 
Phillips, who lost to Simpson Miller on February 25 and whose 
campaign had been sharply critical of the eventual victor, 
requested to meet with a member of the Embassy Country Team 
on March 16.  Apparently wishing to convey a message, he told 
the officer that he has had no contact with Simpson Miller or 
her team about whether or not he will be asked to serve in 
her Cabinet.  Phillips was the second-largest vote-getter on 
February 25, and still commands considerable support and 
respect within the party.  If asked, Phillips continued, he 
would agree to remain in his current post, or assume either 
the Finance Ministry or Foreign Affairs/Foreign Trade 
portfolio.  None of the other ministries interested him, he 
said, and if none is offered, he will simply become a 
back-bencher in Parliament. 

------- 
Comment 
------- 

¶8. (C) Having sewn up the contest to succeed Patterson, 
Simpson Miller is now well along in that hectic transitional 
phase from second-tier minister to the top job.  Paulwell's 
presence at the meeting signaled his importance to Simpson 
Miller and, potentially, his influence in her government. 
Unfortunately, it also limited the candor with which the 
Ambassador could address the corruption issue during the 
meeting.  That said, though her message was couched in terms 
of the importance of selecting the "best" individuals for 
Cabinet, we believe that Simpson Miller, Paulwell, and Hylton 
clearly understood it.  Canadian DCM Brian Burton told DCM 

March 16 that Hylton had visited his boss, Canadian High 
Commissioner Claudio Valle, earlier that day to ask Valle 
whether the U.S. Ambassador and the British High Commissioner 
had intended to convey a message to Simpson Miller. 
According to Burton, Valle, who knows Simpson Miller well 
from two previous tours in Jamaica and who planned to have a 
one-on-one conversation with her about corruption concerns, 
responded frankly to Hylton's inquiry.  Valle bluntly 
confirmed to Hylton that the Canadian, U.S. and U.K. missions 
are indeed concerned about Paulwell's reputed illicit 
activities and associations, and by the possibility that he 
(or others like him who supported Simpson Miller's campaign) 
could hold sensitive positions, or wield influence, in her 
government. Burton added that Hylton did not seem surprised 
by Valle's remarks.

Unsavoury character supporting PSM ? – Wiki

Who was the USA concerned about that was influential and a strong supporter of the PNP.

Courtesy Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000230 

SIPDIS 

SIPDIS 

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2016 
TAGS: PGOV KCRM PINR JM
SUBJECT: "A TWO-HORSE RACE":  PHILLIPS AIDE HANDICAPS 
FEBRUARY 25 INTERNAL PNP ELECTION TO SUCCEED PM PATTERSON 

REF: 05 KINGSTON 458 

Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson.  Reasons 1.4(b) and 
(d). 

------- 
Summary 
------- 

¶1. (C) On January 30, a close confidant of National Security 
Minister Peter Phillips discussed the campaigns of Phillips, 
Local Government, Community and Sport Minister Portia Simpson 
Miller, Finance Minister Omar Davies, and former Water and 
Housing Minister Karl Blythe to succeed P.J. Patterson as 
party leader and prime minister.  With the internal PNP 
election set for February 25, our contact was confident that 
Phillips has sewn up sufficient backing among the 4000 voting 
PNP delegates, and locked in the support of a majority of the 
PNP's parliamentary group.  He echoed frequent criticisms of 
Simpson Miller that she is ill-prepared to be prime minister, 
faulted Davies for running his campaign badly, and dismissed 
Blythe as standing no chance.  Our contact also judged it 
unlikely that significant violence would erupt surrounding 
the February 25 election, and he expressed concern at several 
unsavory political operatives with Simpson Miller's campaign. 
 Many PNP-ers fault Patterson for not having sewn up the 
succession issue more cleanly and quietly.  End Summary. 

¶2. (C) On January 30, XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect), a senior aide 
to, and confidant of, National Security Minister Peter 
Phillips, discussed with DCM and P/ECouns the state of play 
leading up to the February 25 Peoples National Party (PNP) 
internal election.  The PNP election is being held to 
determine which of four senior PNP officials -- Phillips; 
Minister of Local Government, Community and Sport Portia 
Simpson Miller; Finance Minister Omar Davies; or former PNP 
minister Karl Blythe -- will succeed P.J. Patterson as party 
president and as prime minister. 

----------------------------- 
Phillips Confident of Victory 
----------------------------- 

¶3. (C) Noting that the winning candidate need only secure a 
plurality among approximately 4000 PNP delegates authorized 
to vote on February 25, XXXXXXXXXXXX said that after more than 
two years of nationwide campaigning and quiet, grassroots political organizational work, Phillips has received firm 
commitments of support from perhaps 1500 delegates - far 
more, he maintained, than any of the other candidates.  He 
readily acknowledged that Simpson Miller enjoys nationwide 
personal popularity far in excess of Phillips or the other 
candidates, but emphasized that February 25 will be a contest 
among voting PNP delegates only, while adding that Phillips 
enjoys the backing of a majority of PNP Members of 
Parliament.  In a sly aside, XXXXXXXXXXXX observed that Phillips 
"believes he has the support of the U.S. Embassy."  DCM 
agreed that we have worked closely with Phillips on security 
and law enforcement issues, and appreciated both the 
Minister's pragmatism and his willingness to cooperate in 
matters of mutual concern.  DCM added, however, that we have 
also worked well - if less closely given their respective 
current portfolios - with Simpson Miller and Davies. 

¶4. (C) In XXXXXXXXXXXX's estimation, Phillips and Portia Simpson 
Miller are the only viable candidates.  "It's a two-horse 
race," he enthused.  Like many of her critics, XXXXXXXXXXXX 
opined that Simpson Miller lacks the substance to be prime 
minister.  (Note:  On February 2, Simpson Miller reportedly 
pulled out of a four-way, nationally televised debate between 
the four PNP candidates, citing previous commitments and 
uncertainties about the firmness of the date.  Not 
surprisingly, her critics were quick to point to her 
withdrawal as evidence that Simpson Miller was afraid to risk 
facing her opponents in such a forum.  End note.) 
Furthermore, said XXXXXXXXXXXX, key PNP leaders and supporters 
would refuse to back Simpson Miller even if she were to 
prevail among the delegates.  He listed Foreign Minister K.D. 
Knight, who has declared his support for Phillips and who 
clashed memorably and profanely with Simpson Miller in 
Parliament in 2005, as particularly opposed to Simpson 
Miller, with the influential Education Minister, Sharon 
Hay-Webster, similarly disposed.  Reminded that Simpson 
Miller is easily the most popular politician of either party 
with the masses, XXXXXXXXXXXX, without disputing the point, 
replied that "they don't necessarily want to see one of their 
own up there" as prime minister. 

------------------- 

Corruption Concerns 
------------------- 

¶5. (C) Perhaps for effect, XXXXXXXXXXXX professed concern about 
support for Simpson Miller's campaign from notably 
unscrupulous figures such as Paul Burke, a 1970's-era 
radical-turned-businessman and backroom PNP operative. 
XXXXXXXXXXXX described Burke as being politically savvy and 
intellectually gifted, and therefore of great use to Simpson 
Miller's campaign.  At the same time, he said, given Burke's 
past shady dealings and associations, Burke had attached 
himself to Simpson Miller's campaign because he is able to 
exercise greater influence with her, and because he hopes to 
benefit from a Simpson Miller victory.  Minister of Commerce, 
Science, Technology, and Energy Phillip Paulwell is another 
PNP "politician with a past" who is backing Simpson Miller, 
said XXXXXXXXXXXX.  (Note:  Paulwell, reportedly a longtime 
associate of and close collaborator with Burke, was a rising 
political star until 2001, when he approved a USD 4 million 
loan to a private telecom company known to be in financial 
trouble, and which subsequently collapsed.  End note.) 

---------------------------------------- 
Davies and Blythe:  XXXXXXXXXXXX's Also-Rans 
---------------------------------------- 

¶6. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX was entirely dismissive of Karl Blythe's 
low-profile campaign, saying that Phillips had won over key 
delegates from under Blythe's nose, in Blythe's own home 
constituency. He characterized Blythe as erratic and 
unpredictable, and observed that he seemed to be in the race 
"because of ego."  (Note:  Blythe was forced to resign as 
Water and Housing Minister in 2002 after he was found to have 
acted improperly in supervising a low-income housing grant 
program.  End note.)  Though more respectful of Finance 
Minister Omar Davies and his "Campaign for Prosperity", 
XXXXXXXXXXXX said that Davies has run his campaign badly thus 
far, causing private sector donors to lose faith and reduce 
considerably their funding for his effort.  According to 
XXXXXXXXXXXX, Patterson persuaded Davies to enter the race to 
provide a more promising (and palatable) alternative than 
Blythe to Phillips and Simpson Miller, and because Patterson 
harbors long-standing grudges against both Phillips and 
Simpson Miller.  Patterson, he explained, has never forgotten 
that it was Phillips who conveyed then-Prime Minister Michael 
Manley's 1991 request for Patterson's resignation as Finance 
Minister after Patterson was found to have improperly waived 
fuel import duties for a PNP crony who was also the local 
manager for a multinational petroleum company.  As for 
Simpson Miller, she earned Patterson's ire by daring to run 
(unsuccessfully, as it turned out) against him to succeed 
Manley in 1992, and by frequently missing or arriving late to 
Cabinet meetings over the years, which Patterson viewed as a 
lack of respect for his authority. 

------------------------------------ 
PNP:  Unity or Internecine Violence? 
------------------------------------ 

¶7. (C) Asked to assess prospects for electoral violence 
(among supporters of the various PNP candidates) around the 
February 25 election date, XXXXXXXXXXXX conceded the possibility 
of localized incidents.  He downplayed the likelihood of 
widespread violence, however, saying that he expected the 
party to unite - however grudgingly - behind the winner. 
Patterson has publicly declared his intention to turn over 
the reins to a successor by April.  Publicly and behind the 
scenes, he will do everything he can to resolve any disputes 
among the contenders or between the factions to preserve 
party unity for the next elections, which are due by October 
¶2007.  Moreover, XXXXXXXXXXXX continued, most PNP supporters also understand that, regardless of who succeeds Patterson in 
February, that individual will need the backing of a unified 
party to prevail over the JLP's Bruce Golding in the general 
election.  Given any government's control of resources, he 
said, PNP loyalists can be expected to circle wagons behind 
their party's leader rather than face the prospect of being 
voted out of office. 

------- 
Comment 
------- 

¶8. (C) We had the distinct impression that XXXXXXXXXXXX's 
willingness to discuss the campaign suited his boss. 
Notwithstanding his close affiliation with Phillips, however, 
XXXXXXXXXXXX's reflections offer useful insights into the 
internal PNP maneuvering to succeed Patterson.  XXXXXXXXXXXX's 
assessment that Phillips and Simpson Miller are the two most 

likely victors on February 25 tracks with what we are hearing 
elsewhere, publicly and privately.  That said, we note that 
Blythe has already surprised most observers when, in February 
2005 (Ref B), he easily outpolled Simpson Miller and Phillips 
in the race for one of the four PNP vice-presidencies.  For 
his part, Davies is both respected and reviled for, 
respectively, his adroit handling of the GOJ's tricky 
financial situation, and for whatever economic discomfort 
Jamaicans attribute to his policies.  The Finance Minister's 
Achilles heel in the race might also be the perception among 
some in his party (including delegates) that, unlike Phillips 
and Simpson Miller, he has not sufficiently paid his dues by 
moving through a succession of PNP positions over the years. 
Jamaican politics are not for the faint-hearted or for the 
pure, and all four candidates doubtless have their skeletons. 
 That said, the involvement of Paul Burke, Danhai Williams, 
Kenneth "Skeng Don" Black, and their ilk with the Simpson 
Miller campaign - or indeed any other - is cause for some 
concern. 

¶9. (C) Comment (cont'd):  The JLP, with its long history of 
fractiousness, underwent a particularly messy and very public 
leadership succession struggle in 2004-2005, while the PNP 
has always prided itself on its ability to resolve its 
differences internally.  After 14 years in office, Patterson 
is stepping down having become Jamaica's most successful 
politician by winning the past four general elections. 
Still, his refusal or failure to sew up the succession issue 
more cleanly has already led to what some party faithful 
consider an unseemly battle, with four prominent PNP 
candidates publicly enumerating each others' faults and 
failures before a national audience.  XXXXXXXXXXXX may well be 
correct in predicting that PNP's need for unity will prevail 
over the possibility of violence in the run-up to, or 
following, the February 25 party election.  We certainly hope 
so, as PNP supporters from whichever camp presumably would 
not want to give undecided voters reason to prefer the PNP in 
the general elections, which must be held by October 2007. 
Given what is at stake later this month, however - leadership 
of the PNP and the country leading into general elections, 
and with the PNP having formed the government since 1989 - 
the possibility that one or another faction's supporters will 
be dissatisfied with the outcome, and willing to cause 
trouble, cannot be dismissed. 

¶10.  (SBU) Further developments in the PNP succession saga 
will unfold in the coming days.  All four PNP candidates had 
agreed to square off in a one-off, nationally televised 
debate on February 7, which would have forced them more 
clearly to define themselves vis-a-vis their opponents. 
Simpson Miller's "unavailability", if true, could reasonably 
be interpreted as evidence that she does not wish to risk 
embarrassment, but organizational questions surrounding the 
event (unrelated to her participation) have also cast doubt 
as to whether the debate will come off.  Either way, one or 
more of the weaker candidates may well withdraw at some point 
before February 25 after negotiating with one of the stronger 
camps to support their candidate...for a price. 
JOHNSON

Audrey pleads Jamaica case to USA – Wiki

Courtesy Wikileaks

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000680 

SIPDIS 

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JMACK-WILSON) (BALVARADO) (VDEPIRRO) 
(WSMITH) 
L/LEI (CHOLLAND) (AKLUESNER) 
INR/IAA (GBOHIGAN) 
INR/RES (RWARNER) 
JUSTICE FOR OIA (PPETTY) 
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW 
PASS TO CENTRAL AMERICAN CARIBBEAN BASIN COLLECTIVE 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2019 
TAGS: PREL CJAN CVIS PGOV PINR ASEC SNAR SOCI OFDP
KCRM, JM, XL, BR 
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: PROSPECTIVE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. SAYS GOJ 
WILL ACT "POSITIVELY" REGARDING COKE EXTRADITION, REQUESTS 
USG PATIENCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

REF: A. REFTEL A. STATE 85807 (NOTAL) 
     ¶B. B. KINGSTON 655 
     ¶C. C. KINGSTON 666 
     ¶D. D. KINGSTON 676 

Classified By: CDA ISIAH L. PARNELL, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D) 

Summary: 

1.(C) Audrey Marks, the founder and Chief Executive Officer 
(CEO) of Paymaster (Jamaica) Ltd. and a close advisor to 
Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding, met with the CDA at 
Embassy Kingston 
on September 8, 2009, to deliver a message from the PM 
regarding the USG's August 26 extradition request for 
Christopher "Dudus" Coke on drug and weapon trafficking 
charges. Speaking for the PM, Marks said that the Government 
of Jamaica (GOJ) would be taking "some" action "soon" against 
Coke, but urged the USG not to publicly pressure the GOJ into 
action. Marks also relayed that the GOJ would announce her 
appointment as Ambassador to the 
United States in November. End Summary. 

WILL REACT "POSITIVELY" TO COKE EXTRADITION REQUEST 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
¶2. (C) Marks relayed that the PM and the GOJ were very 
concerned about the Coke affair and were committed to acting 
"positively" to the U.S.'s extradition request, but no 
timetable was offered. Through Marks, the PM sought 
clarification as to how "patient" the USG would be in 
allowing the GOJ time to apprehend and turn Coke over to USG 
authorities. Marks also relayed the PM's request for USG 
"logistical support" in Coke's arrest and extradition, while 
requesting that the USG not apply additional pressure to the 
PM by publicly demanding prompt action. 

¶3. (C) As suggested Reftels, the PM is very concerned about 
the prospects for social unrest in downtown Kingston once 
Coke is taken into custody. Marks communicated that the PM 
was surprised by the extradition request, although the CDA 
reiterated that the PM had been fully briefed on the 
impending extradition request by the former U.S. Ambassador 
several months ago. The PM is committed to good governance 
and the maintenance of law and order, Marks emphasized, 
although she admitted that the Coke extradition request had 
been particularly problematic for the GOJ. 

¶4. (C) The CDA stressed to Marks how important it is to the 
USG that the GOJ observe its treaty obligations and cooperate 
in Coke's extradition. Normally such extradition requests are 
executed within two to three weeks of the issuance of a 
diplomatic note. The CDA emphasized the USG's expectation 
that the GOJ will not refuse the extradition request on a 
technicality that had not been cited in similar extradition 
requests.  CDA also noted that the extradition request on an 
earlier indictment for Mark Clark had not been acted upon. 
He expressed his hope that inaction would not be the norm for 
extradition requests. 

Marks To Be Appointed Ambassador to U.S. 
--------------------------------------- 
¶5. (C) Additionally, Marks disclosed that she would be 
appointed Ambassador to the United States in November 2009. 
The current ambassador, Anthony Johnson, would be appointed 
High 
Commissioner to the United Kingdom. 
Parnell 
PARNELL

 

 

Crime and Corruption in Jamaica – Wiki

Courtesy Wikileaks

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001462 

SIPDIS 

SIPDIS 

STATE FOR WHA/CAR - JOE TILGHMAN 
STATE DS/DSS,DS/IP/WHA,DS/IP/TA 
TREASURY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - SARA GRAY 
JUSTICE FOR OPDAT - ROBERT LIPMAN 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI SNAR PHUM ASEC KCOR KCRM KJUS
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: CRIME AND CORRUPTION CHALLENGES FACING 
THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER BRUCE GOLDING 

REF: A. KINGSTON 1445 (201732Z SEP 07)(NOTAL) 

     ¶B. 06 KINGSTON 2021 (121230Z OCT 06)(NOTAL) 

Classified By: Charge' James T. Heg, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 

 Overview and Conclusion 
------------------------- 

1.(C)  This second of several cables outlining challenges 
facing the new Government of Prime Minister (PM) Bruce 
Golding's Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) focuses on the 
deep-seated problems of crime and corruption.  During his 
electoral campaign and in his inaugural address, Golding 
promised his government would have the political will to 
tackle crime, violence, and corruption.  These assertions now 
will be tested severely: 

(A) with murders up an alarming 17 percent thus far in 2007, 
Jamaica looks set once again to top the charts as the world's 
homicide capital; 

(B) with his government facing a USD 260 million current year 
deficit and a debt-to-GDP ratio approaching 140 percent 
(Reftel A), it is unknown how Golding can keep his promise to 
bring the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) up to full 
strength (8,500), and meet the promise of the previous 
administration to grant police officers a 40 hour work week; 

(C) after 18 years in power, the outgoing senior officials of 
the People's National Party (PNP) would be likely targets of 
any corruption investigations-- the PM thus can expect little 
cooperation from the PNP Opposition in Parliament, where his 
own ruling JLP enjoys only a narrow majority; whether Golding 
will be able to muster sufficient support to pass legislation 
needed to accomplish his anti-corruption goals remains 
unclear. 
End Overview and Conclusion. 

Crime and Violence 
------------------ 

2.(SBU) In his inaugural address, PM Golding promised to make 
the reduction of crime a priority of his government.  His 
stated goal is to create a country where "Jamaicans can feel 
safe and secure."  Golding has taken the reins three-quarters 
of the way through a year in which Jamaica looks to again top 
the charts as the murder capital of the world.  In 2006, the 
Jamaica Constabulary Force was able to reduce the murder rate 
by nearly 10 percent but crime statistics released on 
September 16, indicate that murders for 2007 are up by 17 
percent over 2006 numbers.  Of note is that there are twice 
as many reported gang-related murders this year vis-Q-vis the 
same time last year, and island wide the clearance rate 
remains a low 34 percent.  (Note: Clearance rates in the 
Kingston Area are only 31 percent).  For other violent crimes 
it is a mixed bag, shootings are up 13 percent over last 
year, but the categories of rape, sexual abuse of children, 
and robbery all show decreases, -1 percent, -6 percent, and 
-27 percent, respectively.  (Note:  Jamaica was recently 
cited in a UN/World Bank report as having the third worst 
incidence of rape in the world). 

3.(SBU) On September 19, the new Minister of National 
Security, Derrick Smith, announced a reinvigoration of "hot 
spot" policing and increased use of check points and traffic 
stops in troubled neighborhoods to quell the murder rate. 
This is a strategy that current Deputy Commissioner of 
Police, Mark Shields has been urging the government to adopt 
for months.  It appears that recent headline articles about 
August being the third bloodiest month this year have gotten 
Minister Smith's attention. 

4.(C) In addition to being under-staffed and under-paid, the 
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is known to be rife with 
corruption.  In its last months in office, the previous 
government began a strategic review of the JCF, the third 
such review to occur in the last five years.  It appears that 
Golding's new Minister of National Security will continue 
this review.  Even if the review is as comprehensive and 
honest as promised, it remains to be seen whether the Golding 

government will have the muscle to push forward the 
legislative changes required to enable the imposition of a 
rational personnel system, with adequate provisions to 
discipline and remove underperforming and corrupt cops from 
the force.   Because many senior leaders within the JCF, 
including its Commissioner, have been identified by sources 
as corrupt, in reality, without a complete housecleaning of 
the JCF leadership, no real change will occur. 

5.(C) In a September 19 meeting between NAS Director and 
Senior Ministry of National Security officials, the Special 
Advisor on Policy, Anne-Marie Barnes, indicated that the new 
Minister holds a dim view of Senior leadership within the JCF 
and said she anticipates efforts to change the leadership 
from the top down.  This will not be an easy task for the 
Police Services Commission, which is the legal entity 
responsible for the hiring, disciplining, and firing of 
senior police officers.  Commission board members have 
indicated on numerous occasions that they hoped to Q&retire 
in the public interestQ8 senior members of the JCF, to 
include Commissioner Thomas.  However, recent court rulings 
have declared that retirement in the public interest is 
beyond the mandate of the PSC, thus effectively tying its 
hands.  How Minister Smith now plans to remove corrupt and 
ineffective leadership seems unclear.  Given the lucrative 
parallel income stream that most senior members enjoy, it 
appears highly unlikely that they would opt to voluntarily 
resign from the JCF. 

6.(SBU) In addition, how Golding will keep his promise to 
bring the Jamaica Constabulary Force up to full strength 
(8,500), and meet the promise of the previous administration 
to grant police officers a 40 hour work week, when his 
government is already facing a J$ 18 billion current year 
deficit (USD 260 million) is unknown. 

Corruption 
---------- 

7.(U) Golding also promised to make "transparency and 
accountability in government and the elimination of 
corruption a priority."  According to Golding a "new 
framework" for good governance is at the "top of our agenda." 
 To do so, Golding proposed several specific initiatives, 
which all require legislative and some constitutional changes: 

-- Imposition of criminal sanctions for violations of 
government contracting rules and procedures; 

-- Creation of a Special Prosecutor to investigate and 
prosecute corruption; and, 

-- Passage of legislation to protect whistleblowers, and 
enable the removal of public officials guilty of "misconduct, 
corruption, abuse of authority, or betrayal of public trust." 

8.(SBU) There already exists a grab bag of toothless 
organizations to combat corruption in Jamaica-- the 
Contractor General, which is the government watchdog on 
public contracting, and the Commission for the Prevention of 
Corruption, a sub-organ for the Ministry of Justice, to name 
two.  Neither of these organizations has its own independent 
budget, nor does either have adequate staff or investigative 
resources.  As was evident in the Trafigura scandal, which 
broke in the fall of 2006 (Reftel B), the Contractor General 
can make headlines, but is unable to do more.  The Commission 
for the Prevention of Corruption's main task seems to be the 
collection of financial disclosure statements from public 
officials.  However, once collected, the statements are kept 
confidential; for example, the Financial Investigative 

SIPDIS 
Division's requests for review of these documents to verify 
"reported income" versus what it has uncovered in 
money-laundering investigations are categorically refused. 

9.(C) To remediate the problem and give anti-corruption 
efforts teeth, Golding's new government has already begun 
exploring a long-standing JLP promise to establish a special 
prosecutor for anti-corruption.  According to the JSP former 
Shadow Minister, now Speaker of the House, Delroy Chuck, 

ideally this prosecutor would have to be independent of the 
Office of the Public Prosecutor.  The current head of the 
Office of the Public Prosecutor has stated that setting up an 
independent Special Prosecutor is not possible without 
constitutional change, and he seems thoroughly opposed to the 
notion, probably believing that such an entity would reduce 
his office's power.  His view regarding the need for 
constitutional change is shared by senior leadership within 
the Ministry of National Security, whose opinions may also be 
colored by the fact that creation of such a prosecutor would 
dilute the Ministry's control over a key national security 
matter. 

10.(SBU) After 18 years in power, the outgoing senior PNP 
government officials are likely targets of any corruption 
investigations.  Golding thus can expect little cooperation 
from PNP opposition members, while his ruling JLP enjoys only 
a narrow parliamentary majority.  Whether Golding will be 
able to muster sufficient parliamentary support to pass the 
necessary legislation to accomplish his anti-corruption goals 
remains unclear.  Without outside financial assistance, the 
Jamaican Government is unlikely to have the financial 
resources necessary to provide budgets for these 
organizations to fund quality vetted investigative staff. 

11.(C) Golding's own party leadership and the JLP's political 
supporters are not without their own bad apples.  The new 
Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime 
Minister, James Robertson, is involved in unspecified 
criminal activity, according to the local UK High Commission. 
  In addition, Christopher Coke, a known drug don, has been a 
financial backer of the JLP.  Golding has told us privately 
that he wants to isolate and remove tainted individuals from 
involvement in the JLP.  However, to do so, he needs more 
than just rumors.  He has approached the Embassy in the past 
for information on suspect individuals.  How the USG would be 
able to assist Golding with evidence of wrongdoing on the 
part of party members and/or supporters bears consideration. 

12.(SBU) According to a recent report by the Jamaican Justice 
System Reform Project, even if the Special Prosecutor's 
office is established, it would have difficulty moving cases 
through the Jamaican Judicial system: a broken institution 
with clogged dockets, inadequate infrastructure, overburdened 
and underperforming judges, and an inability to seat juries 
and protect witnesses. 

13.(SBU) Conclusion:  Golding understands that the missing 
piece is not necessarily resources; it is political will. 
During his campaign as well as in his inaugural address, he 
promised that his government would have the political will to 
tackle crime, violence, and corruption.  These assertions now 
will be tested severely.  End Conclusion.