Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINGSTON26
2005-01-04 15:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

PM PATTERSON RESPONDS TO SECRETARY'S ARTICLE 98

Tags:  PREL JM MARR OPDC OPRC PGOV XG XH XT KICC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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