British High Commissioner Discusses COKE Extradition Request

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000705 SIPDIS AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PASS TO AMEMBASSY GRENADA E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/09/25 TAGS: CJAN PREL PGOV SNAR SOCI ECON ASEC KCOR KCRM JM XL SUBJECT: British High Commissioner Discusses COKE Extradition Request with Prime Minister Golding REF: STATE 85807; KINGSTON 655; KINGSTON 666; KINGSTON 676 KINGSTON 680; KINGSTON 697; KINGSTON 701 CLASSIFIED BY: I.L. Parnell, Charge, State, Kingston; REASON: 1.4(A), (D) ¶1. (C) British High Commissioner (HC) Jeremy Cresswell requested a meeting with CDA Parnell to discuss the High Commissioner's recent discussion with Prime Minister Golding. The High Commissioner noted that he took the opportunity to tell the Prime Minister of his government's high interest in the timely resolution of the USG's extradition request. He was surprised that the Prime Minister did not tell him that the extradition case was not of interest to the HC and allowed him to state the HC's expectation regarding the importance of GOJ adherence to signed agreements between two states. He said that the PM told him that the GOJ had provided an initial response to the extradition request and that it was now up to the USG to respond. The PM did not say that a USG response would result in a prompt extradition. ¶2. (C) Comment: The High Commissioner has expressed a strong interest in this case since the extradition request hit the press and has let the GOJ know that its response to the request is of high interest to the High Commission. Given that the PM is now claiming that the GOJ awaits a response from the USG, it is very important that a response to its 18 September diplomatic note be forwarded as soon as possible. ¶3. (C) We look forward to a request of a draft response for Embassy review and comment. Parnell