Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINGSTON1325
2007-09-01 16:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

JAMAICA: ELECTION CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP NO. 6

Tags:  PREL PGOV SOCI ECON ASEC CPAS SNAR KCOR JM XL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6457
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #1325/01 2441622
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011622Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5285
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0367
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 001325 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JOE TILGHMAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI ECON ASEC CPAS SNAR KCOR JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: ELECTION CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP NO. 6

REF: KINGSTON 1288 (232000Z AUG 07)

Summary and Analysis
--------------------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 001325

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JOE TILGHMAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI ECON ASEC CPAS SNAR KCOR JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: ELECTION CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP NO. 6

REF: KINGSTON 1288 (232000Z AUG 07)

Summary and Analysis
--------------

1.(SBU) In this sixth round-up of election-related developments:

-- The latest polls show the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
has pulled ahead of Prime Minister (PM) Portia Simpson Miller
(PSM)'s ruling People's National Party (PNP) by a few percentage
points;

-- In advance of the September 3 Election Day, military, police, and
election worker voting completed with only minor glitches;

-- Election-related violence continues, with an ominous up tick in
recent days;

-- The Organization of American States is on the ground to monitor
voting;

-- High voter turn out predicted by the media;

-- Writ filed by People's National Party (PNP) against possible
dual-national candidates;

-- PSM criticized frequently in the media: is Portia losing her
popularity?

2.(SBU) Little or no election-related violence accompanied the
early voting of police, military, and election workers on August 28.
However, since then there has been an ominous up tick of violence
with alleged political motivations. Random incidents involving
grass-roots supporters of the two parties could still escalate out
of control in some areas. A popular radio talk show host has
broadcast a report alleging a plot involving a major killing
designed to influence the general election, to be carried out
sometime before September 3. The report alleges that the PNP would
have rogue police shoot one of the Party's own leading figures, and
then blame the JLP for his/her assassination. A reliable JLP source
subsequently told EmbOff that the Opposition had obtained
confirmation of the report, but would not elaborate.
End Summary and Analysis.

Media Roundup:
Prime Minster's suitability for office questioned;
JLP gains ground in opinion polls
-------------- --------------


3.(SBU) Recent media coverage of PSM indicates her popularity may
be falling in public opinion and within her own party. Rumors
abound that there is a growing rift in the PNP and within the
Cabinet itself. Many of the PNP faithful are no longer clearly
supporting the PM, and are moving in the background to secure their
own futures. A Stone poll for the "Jamaica Gleaner" newspaper shows
the JLP with a 4-point lead, while a Mark Wignall survey for the
"Observer" newspaper gives the JLP a 2-point lead. A Don Anderson
Poll conducted for the "Observer" shows 41.3 percent of voters
planning to support the PNP, with 40.3 percent planning to vote in
favor of the opposition JLP (Note: this poll's margin of error is
three percent, suggesting the race remains too close to call at this
time. End Note.)

Pre-voting of support personnel complete, nationwide vote set for
September 3
-------------- --

4.(SBU) After much ridicule in the media and allegations of dissent
within the PNP, PSM announced that elections would be held on
September 3. Military, police and election workers voted on August
28, and turned out in large numbers. According to newspaper
accounts, early voting showed a turnout rate over 70 percent.
(Note: Early voting turnout is said to be a good indicator of
expected turnout on Election Day; the last time such a high
percentage of voters turned out, it was to vote the JLP out of
power, thus ushering in the current PNP domination of parliament for
18 years. End Note.) While the early voting was not without its
glitches, overall the process went very well. Some workers found
their names were not listed as eligible in the precinct in which
they currently resided, and some election volunteers were not listed
on the rolls for early voting.

Violence limits campaign activities
--------------

5.(SBU) After increased reports of violence, including a JLP
motorcade struck by gunfire the evening of August 29, and based on a
recommendation from the Electoral Commission, on August 31 Police
Commissioner Lucius Thomas banned rallies and motorcades in

KINGSTON 00001325 002 OF 003


Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. Catherine:

(A) On August 29, a convoy of three cars carrying the JLP candidate
for Eastern St. Andrew, Dr. Aubyn Barlett, had been fired upon, with
three persons reportedly wounded.

(B) The next day, JLP officials had claimed that there had been an
organization of attacks against them in the last 24 hours which had
claimed five lives thus far.

6.(SBU) Police and election officials apparently intend to uphold
the ban on activities: both parties have cancelled large rallies
which had been scheduled for Saturday, September 1, in areas of
downtown Kingston (at this hour, it is unclear whether the rallies
may be moved elsewhere).

7.(SBU) In recent days, other violent incidents with alleged
political overtones have included:

-- Several supporters of JLP candidate Laurie Broderick on their way
to a motorcade were blocked and beaten in Bunkers Hill, North
Clarendon;

-- Three JLP workers were shot in separate drive-by shootings in
Canterbury, North West St James on Wednesday, August 29;

-- Two JLP supporters were shot and killed at a bar in Frazer's
Content, West Central St. Catherine owned by a JLP Councilor on
Wednesday night;

-- Police are investigating attacks on PNP supporters near
Christiana in North East Manchester, resulting in one receiving stab
wounds, after the route of a motorcade was blocked;

-- In Western Hanover, JLP candidate Barrington Grey says he was
accosted and threatened by his PNP opponent D.K. Duncan.

Preliminary list of possible JLP-led Cabinet
--------------

8.(U) According to a report in the August 31 "Jamaica Gleaner"
newspaper, a JLP victory on September 3 will usher in a new
administration led by current opposition leader, Bruce Golding, who
will take charge of Defense. The report states Dr. Ken Baugh, who
served as Health Minister under the Edward Seaga Administration of
the 1980s, will be assigned again as Minister of Health. The
portfolio of finance and public service would go to Audley Shaw;
Karl Samuda would take over foreign affairs and foreign trade;
Delroy Chuck will be appointed Minister of Justice, while Dorothy
Lightbourne would preside over legal affairs. Further
responsibilities include:

-- Derrick Smith as Minister of National Security;

-- Edmund Bartlett for Tourism;

-- Dr Horace Chang will take on Housing and Inner City Renewal;

-- Andrew Holness will be appointed Education and Sports Minister;

-- Veteran politician, Pearnel Charles, will take on Transport,
Public Works and disaster preparedness;

-- Dr Christopher Tufton may be appointed to Information,
Agriculture and Environment Minister;

-- Clive Mullings will be assigned Mining, Energy and
Telecommunications;

-- Shirley Williams will be given a job to steer industry, commerce
and investment promotion.

((Note: Samuda, Baugh, Shaw, Chuck, and Smith have served for many
months as the Opposition shadow cabinet for the portfolios outlined
above; their respective designations as ministers thus would come as
no surprise. End Note.))

Dual Citizenship Flap
--------------

9.(SBU) There has been further speculation in the media regarding
candidates with dual citizenship. Twenty minutes after it was
scheduled to begin, the PNP cancelled a planned news conference on
the topic, claiming legal counsel had advised against further public
discussion of the matter. Local media reports that a writ has been
filed in the court system to protest candidates having sworn
allegiance to foreign powers. (Comment: No ruling is expected until
well after the election, and any eventual attempts to disqualify
sitting Members of Parliament probably would involve protracted

KINGSTON 00001325 003 OF 003


court cases. End Comment.)

HEG