PM Bruce Golding Admits to Lobbying for Jamaican Don "Dudus" Against Extradition to US

Who is the Prime Minister of Jamaica? Bruce Golding or Christopher "Dudus" Coke? It is a shame the Prime Golding has chosen to lobby for a known criminal than stand up for the best interests of his country. Golding admitted on Tuesday that he had sanctioned the hiring of US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby Washington for a favorable outcome in the contentious 'Dudus' extradition drama, according to the Jamaica Observer. His actions have sparked widespread outrage and many are calling for his resignation. Private sector and trade-union leaders have decried his actions.

I have heard of governments intervening in cases involving their citizens in other countries, but never to fight for a known criminal. "Dudus" is a member of the Jamaica Labor Party's stronghold of West Kingston and he is wanted in the U.S. on gun and drug charges. Golding has been strongly resisting the attempt to extradite Coke because he claims the wire-tap evidence gathered by U.S. authorities was illegally obtained. Hey, what kind of dirt does "Dudus" have on Bruce Golding and the JLP? To make matters worst, Golding vehemently lied in Parliament on March 16 when Opposition MP Dr. Peter Phillips first questioned whether the Government had retained the law firm to lobby Washington on treaty issues. His credibility and stature have been greatly reduced by this confession.

“I sanctioned the initiative, knowing that such interventions have in the past proven to be of considerable value in dealing with issues involving the governments of both countries. I made it clear, however, that this was an initiative to be undertaken by the Party, not by or on behalf of the government,” Golding said yesterday.

“A payment of US$49,892.62 was made to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on September 18th 2009. These funds were sourced from financial contributors to the Party. Rumors and speculation carried in the media that these funds were provided by Christopher Coke are completely false as the Party is fully aware of the source of these funds,” he added.

Prime Minister Golding further insisted that there was “absolutely nothing illegally or surreptitious” about what had been done, arguing that the engagement of lobbyists to act on behalf of foreign governments, political parties or corporations is a well-known practice in the United States governed by law. Source: Caribbean 360

So, despite all the social and economic woes confronting Jamaica, Prime Minister Golding would rather spend nearly $50,000 of JLP's money to lobby for this man, but would turn his back on a poor person in the streets of Kingston. One has to wonder why he kept the involvement of the Jamaica Labor Party in this matter a secret until earlier this week. Even some JLP parliamentarians blasted him for not being forthright about his involvement earlier. It's time to throw Christopher "Dudus" Coke under a bus. He does not have Jamaica's best interests at heart. If Golding continues to stick up for this drug lord, then the calls for his resignation are warranted. Not only does Jamaica has a PR problem with its high crime and murder rates, but now it has a legal problem and Prime Minister Golding is jeopardizing his country's relationship with the United States. It's time for the British government and Queen Elizabeth II to pay Jamaica a visit.

UPDATE#1:  PM Bruce Golding spoke to the nation Monday night and offered an apology for his behavior and the actions that led to this controversy. He also said Dudus will be extradited to the United States. Here's a shout-out to Opposition Leader Portia Simpson - Miller, "shut the hell up! This mess started under your watch." "You shoulder some of the blame." She has the nerve to talk about the JLP's contempt and disrespect for the Jamaican people. Hello, every time she opens her mouth nothing good or intelligent comes out. Still, what does Dudus have on these people? Bruce Golding's apology shouldn't signal the end to this controversy. He must prove that will work to improve the astronomical crime rates, among other ills confronting such a small island.