PM PATTERSON RESPONDS TO SECRETARY'S ARTICLE 98

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000026 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) NSC FOR SHANNON SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD AND J7 (RHANNAN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL JM MARR OPDC OPRC PGOV XG XH XT KICC SUBJECT: PM PATTERSON RESPONDS TO SECRETARY'S ARTICLE 98 LETTER REF: A. KINGSTON 03239 ¶B. STATE 248109 ¶C. KINGSTON 02633 ¶1. On January 3, Post received by courier a diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT). The dipnote accompanied a letter from Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in response to the Secretary's November 22 letter regarding Article 98 (see Refs A and B). As the Prime Minister has suggested in the past (see Ref C), he expressed confidence that "our countries can find a solution which meets both our needs." See paragraph 3 for complete dipnote text, and paragraph 4 for complete text of PM Patterson's letter. Post will send the original documents via pouch to WHA/CAR. ¶2. Begin text of dipnote: 50/130/77 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and with reference to the latter's Note No. 355/04 of 22 November 2004, has the honour to forward the reply from the Most Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica to the US Secretary of State. SIPDIS The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. The Embassy of the United States of America Kingston December 28, 2004 End text of dipnote. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Office of the Prime Minister Jamaica House Kingston 10th December 2004 Dear Secretary Powell, I thank you for your letter of 22nd November in which you addressed an issue of interest to the United States. Jamaica also values greatly the long and close relationship which it has enjoyed with the United States. My Government is fully aware of the United States' concerns regarding the International Criminal Court and desire to conclude Article 98 agreements with Jamaica and other CARICOM Member States. I note that discussions have been held on this subject at both the techincal and political levels. The Government of Jamaica is contineuing to study the matter carefully, fully cognizant of the value your government places on the conclusion of these agreements. Historically, Jamaica's support for the Court goes back to the time when our fellow CARICOM Member State, Trinidad and Tobago first proposed the idea of an international criminal court to deal with drug trafficking offences. The concept has evolved significantly since then but our support has not waned. However, I do not believe that Jamaica's support for the Court poses a major obstacle to resolving the concerns which exist. I am confident that, toghether, our countries can find a solution which meets both our needs while maintaining levels of cooperation in fields such as disaster preparedness, combating drug trafficking and increasing security in the region to combat the threat of terrorism. The United States has always supported the efforts aimed at social and economic development in the Caribbean which we welcome and greatly appreciate. We look forward to the continuation of our countries working closely together in agreas of mutual concern, as we strive to create in this hemisphere, and indeed the rest of the world, safer and more just societies in which persons can achieve sustainable economic advancement, based on the collective decision of their people. Yours sincerely, P.J. Patterson Prime Minister End text of letter. TIGHE