JAMAICA: PROSPECTIVE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. SAYS GOJ

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000680 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR (JMACK-WILSON) (BALVARADO) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH) L/LEI (CHOLLAND) (AKLUESNER) INR/IAA (GBOHIGAN) INR/RES (RWARNER) JUSTICE FOR OIA (PPETTY) TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW PASS TO CENTRAL AMERICAN CARIBBEAN BASIN COLLECTIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2019 TAGS: PREL CJAN CVIS PGOV PINR ASEC SNAR SOCI OFDP KCRM, JM, XL, BR SUBJECT: JAMAICA: PROSPECTIVE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. SAYS GOJ WILL ACT "POSITIVELY" REGARDING COKE EXTRADITION, REQUESTS USG PATIENCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REF: A. REFTEL A. STATE 85807 (NOTAL) ¶B. B. KINGSTON 655 ¶C. C. KINGSTON 666 ¶D. D. KINGSTON 676 Classified By: CDA ISIAH L. PARNELL, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D) Summary: 1.(C) Audrey Marks, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paymaster (Jamaica) Ltd. and a close advisor to Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding, met with the CDA at Embassy Kingston on September 8, 2009, to deliver a message from the PM regarding the USG's August 26 extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke on drug and weapon trafficking charges. Speaking for the PM, Marks said that the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) would be taking "some" action "soon" against Coke, but urged the USG not to publicly pressure the GOJ into action. Marks also relayed that the GOJ would announce her appointment as Ambassador to the United States in November. End Summary. WILL REACT "POSITIVELY" TO COKE EXTRADITION REQUEST -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Marks relayed that the PM and the GOJ were very concerned about the Coke affair and were committed to acting "positively" to the U.S.'s extradition request, but no timetable was offered. Through Marks, the PM sought clarification as to how "patient" the USG would be in allowing the GOJ time to apprehend and turn Coke over to USG authorities. Marks also relayed the PM's request for USG "logistical support" in Coke's arrest and extradition, while requesting that the USG not apply additional pressure to the PM by publicly demanding prompt action. ¶3. (C) As suggested Reftels, the PM is very concerned about the prospects for social unrest in downtown Kingston once Coke is taken into custody. Marks communicated that the PM was surprised by the extradition request, although the CDA reiterated that the PM had been fully briefed on the impending extradition request by the former U.S. Ambassador several months ago. The PM is committed to good governance and the maintenance of law and order, Marks emphasized, although she admitted that the Coke extradition request had been particularly problematic for the GOJ. ¶4. (C) The CDA stressed to Marks how important it is to the USG that the GOJ observe its treaty obligations and cooperate in Coke's extradition. Normally such extradition requests are executed within two to three weeks of the issuance of a diplomatic note. The CDA emphasized the USG's expectation that the GOJ will not refuse the extradition request on a technicality that had not been cited in similar extradition requests. CDA also noted that the extradition request on an earlier indictment for Mark Clark had not been acted upon. He expressed his hope that inaction would not be the norm for extradition requests. Marks To Be Appointed Ambassador to U.S. -------------- ¶5. (C) Additionally, Marks disclosed that she would be appointed Ambassador to the United States in November 2009. The current ambassador, Anthony Johnson, would be appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Parnell PARNELL