JAMAICA: MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES RETRACTION,

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000439

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT PASS EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE FOR INFO

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (ACADIEUX)
(VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH) WHA/EPSC (MROONEY) (FCORNEILLE)
EEB/ESC/IEC/EPC (MCMANUS)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW
INR/RES (RWARNER)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ECON EFIN EAID SNAR ASEC SOCI ELAB PGOV JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES RETRACTION,
APOLOGIZES FOR REMARKS SUGGESTING TOLERANCE FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT

REF: A. KINGSTON 437

Summary
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1. (U) National Security Minister Dwight Nelson has withdrawn his
May 27 statement before the annual conference of the Jamaican Police
Federation (JPF) that seemed to reflect government tolerance of
police misconduct. The retraction followed two days of criticism
from human rights groups, the opposition People's National Party,
and the diplomatic community.

"I unreservedly apologise..."
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2. (U) In his address to the convention, Nelson had referred to
police shootings as "collateral damage," expressed sympathy for
police facing legal action for official misconduct, and promised
that the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) would provide legal assistance
to officers in such instances. (Reftel A)


3. (U) In his May 30 retraction, however, Nelson was contrite,
noting that his remarks had "...understandably resulted in general
public rebuke. On reflection, my use of the term collateral damage
(sic) was unfortunate and I unreservedly apologise to the Jamaican
people." The minister reaffirmed the GOJ's support for "...the
police in the lawful execution of their duty" and recognized that
those duties placed officers "...at great risk when they are
confronted by vicious criminals and are the target of deadly fire."
However, Nelson reiterated that police officers are trained in and
expected to follow "...clearly established rules governing the use
of force" and that "[b]reaches of those rules are subject to
investigation and the judicial process, including criminal
proceedings."

Comment
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3. (SBU) Nelson, a former trade unionist with no law enforcement
experience, acquired his position in a Cabinet reshuffle just over a
month ago. Post believes that his statements reflected his desire
to ingratiate himself before a hostile audience unhappy with GOJ
backtracking on a promised wage increase. Nelson had likely found
that such populist rhetoric had served him well in the past when
speaking to labor groups, but was unprepared for the public reaction
such comments would make in this venue. His public apology likely
reflects the efforts of Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding and his
administration to quell the controversy and to reassert the GOJ's
commitment to the rule of law.


4. (SBU) Furthermore, the rapid resolution of the controversy and
the GOJ's quick response reflects favorably on the role of the media
and human rights groups such as Jamaicans for Justice in drawing
attention to the statements and holding GOJ accountable. End
Comment.