JAMAICA: FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER HESITANT ON EXTRADITION

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000655

SIPDIS, SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JOSLYN MACK-WILSON) (BALVARADO) (VDEPIRRO)
(WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY) (FCORNEILLE)
EEB/ESC/IEC/EPC (MCMANUS)
L/LEI (AKLUESENER)
INR/RES (RWARNER)
JUSTICE FOR OIA (PPETTY)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON CJAN ETRD EAID SNAR AID DEA JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER HESITANT ON EXTRADITION
BUT INTERESTED IN MORE ECONOMIC COOPERATION

REF: STATE 85807 (181409Z AUG 09)(NOTAL)


1. (SBU) Charge', accompanied by EmbOff, paid an introductory
courtesy call on Dr. Kenneth Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, on the morning of
August 28. Charge' requested assistance from Baugh on a recent
dipnote regarding the extradition request for Christopher Coke, a
Jamaican facing drug trafficking and conspiracy charges in the U.S.
(reftel). Baugh was non-committal, stating that he had only
recently returned from Organization of American States (OAS)
meetings in Honduras, but that he would review the request and
proceed accordingly. Baugh recognized the Government of Jamaica
(GOJ)'s responsibilities under regional and international
agreements, but emphasized that GOJ must feel satisfied that the
rule of law and the citizen's due process rights are being upheld
before proceeding. Charge' conveyed the USG's high level of
interest in resolving this matter expeditiously and offered to
provide additional information if needed. Baugh responded that it
is a sensitive issue, and he must ensure that due process is
applied. (Note: Christopher Coke is a wealthy, powerful area leader
for the ruling Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) in the Tivoli Gardens
district of Kingston; the extradition request has generated
considerable publicity. End Note.)


2. (SBU) Baugh acknowledged the long-standing and productive
relationship with the U.S. on extradition and other matters and
explained that Jamaica is looking to intensify economic cooperation
and trade relations. He expressed his concerns about increased
drug-related violence in Jamaica as progress on the Merida
Initiative in Mexico forces suppliers to look for other
transshipment points into the U.S. market. He hopes that funding to
combat narco-trafficking and other criminal activity would soon be
available to Jamaica through the Caribbean Basin Security
Initiative. Baugh also inquired as to the arrival of the new
Ambassador, predicting that she will be well-received in Jamaica.


Comment: Charge' will continue to emphasize the importance of
prompt and positive action on the USG's extradition request with GOJ
officials as appropriate.
PARNELL