From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Please reconsider, PM
Monday, March 08, 2010
Dear Editor,
This is an open letter to Prime Minister Bruce Golding
Your public utterances on the matter of Dudus Coke vs the United States might be evoking congratulations from your close supporters, but trust me, Mr Prime Minister, the word on the street is that the reason you will not permit Dudus' extradition is because you fear him.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"But the problem is that the majority of Jamaicans are more afraid of what the United States may do to us than what Dudus might do to you, so we are respectfully asking you to reconsider your decision not to have him extradited. Because if you believe that Dudus is not guilty of the charges brought against him, why not let him go and face his accusers, and since he is so important to you and your government, provide him with the best lawyers you can pay for."
&
"Mr Golding, we have an economy in shambles, we have people murdering people like dogs every day. We might just have a devastating earthquake soon and the hurricane season is near. When all this happens, the first country we will ask for help is America."
_____
Ken Spencer
PO Box 537
Kingston 8
Showing posts with label Kingston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kingston. Show all posts
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
JO - CANCELLED US VISAS FOR SIZZLA, BEENIE, BOUNTY, MAVADO, AIDONIA - WHO NEXT?
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Cancelled US visas for Sizzla, Beenie, Bounty, Mavado, Aidonia — Who next?
Monday Musings
with Yasmin
Monday, April 05, 2010
The recent cancellation of US visas of the abovementioned artistes (except for Sizzla, in whose case the cancellation was not recent, as the visa was revoked in 1998) sent shock waves throughout and outside of the music fraternity, as many wonder who will be the next victim.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"At first glance it seems to have been done in an almost callous way and this is surely cause for concern. An email advisory was sent to all the airlines who carry passengers to the US with the instructions not to board the artistes as their visas were in the process of being revoked. The artistes themselves claim they had no knowledge that that such a move was afoot and the US embassy, as expected, has no comment, as this is a matter between them and the individual artiste."
"However, is this to be seen as an advisory, pending some investigation on the embassy's part and at the end of the day a second advisory will be issued to countermand the first?"
"(T)he visas of four of the top dancehall acts were "in the process of being revoked"."
"The artistes had both their work permits and the visitor's visa revoked and the fact is that most artistes use the US as a hub. Without a visitor's visa they are now unable to use Miami as a connection port into other parts of the world. Artistes, like it or not, also have entourages and numerous persons to take care of. These artistes are among the top earners and shutting them down will certainly affect more than just them and their immediate families."
"Many are asking why and why now? It is felt that the stand-off between Washington and Kingston is playing a role in this unfolding saga."
&
"According to Roberts, in all his 17 years of managing Beenie Man, he has never had a visa issue with the US government. "We have always had our work permits renewed without any problems," he emphasised.
And, as the artistes grapple with the way forward, Beenie Man has already released a visa song which will no doubt strike a responsive chord with all and sundry."
Jamaica Observer
Cancelled US visas for Sizzla, Beenie, Bounty, Mavado, Aidonia — Who next?
Monday Musings
with Yasmin
Monday, April 05, 2010
The recent cancellation of US visas of the abovementioned artistes (except for Sizzla, in whose case the cancellation was not recent, as the visa was revoked in 1998) sent shock waves throughout and outside of the music fraternity, as many wonder who will be the next victim.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"At first glance it seems to have been done in an almost callous way and this is surely cause for concern. An email advisory was sent to all the airlines who carry passengers to the US with the instructions not to board the artistes as their visas were in the process of being revoked. The artistes themselves claim they had no knowledge that that such a move was afoot and the US embassy, as expected, has no comment, as this is a matter between them and the individual artiste."
"However, is this to be seen as an advisory, pending some investigation on the embassy's part and at the end of the day a second advisory will be issued to countermand the first?"
"(T)he visas of four of the top dancehall acts were "in the process of being revoked"."
"The artistes had both their work permits and the visitor's visa revoked and the fact is that most artistes use the US as a hub. Without a visitor's visa they are now unable to use Miami as a connection port into other parts of the world. Artistes, like it or not, also have entourages and numerous persons to take care of. These artistes are among the top earners and shutting them down will certainly affect more than just them and their immediate families."
"Many are asking why and why now? It is felt that the stand-off between Washington and Kingston is playing a role in this unfolding saga."
&
"According to Roberts, in all his 17 years of managing Beenie Man, he has never had a visa issue with the US government. "We have always had our work permits renewed without any problems," he emphasised.
And, as the artistes grapple with the way forward, Beenie Man has already released a visa song which will no doubt strike a responsive chord with all and sundry."
JO - Aftermath of the Dudus extradition
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Aftermath of the Dudus extradition
Mark Wignall
Sunday, March 07, 2010
A week or so after the extradition, downtown Kingston, effectively void of its 'protector', has become one vast no-man's land. The outburst of violence began at the moment his extradition was announced.
Read the whole scenario here.
Snippet(s):
"As it appears, there is some evidence that gunmen with notional attachments to the PNP have been teaming up with those in the forefront; various spokespersons in the PNP have been calling for an islandwide state of emergency. Meanwhile, the information minister has dismissed the idea that the prime minister has formally requested the Americans to send in the Marines."
_____
observemark@gmail.com
Jamaica Observer
Aftermath of the Dudus extradition
Mark Wignall
Sunday, March 07, 2010
A week or so after the extradition, downtown Kingston, effectively void of its 'protector', has become one vast no-man's land. The outburst of violence began at the moment his extradition was announced.
Read the whole scenario here.
Snippet(s):
"As it appears, there is some evidence that gunmen with notional attachments to the PNP have been teaming up with those in the forefront; various spokespersons in the PNP have been calling for an islandwide state of emergency. Meanwhile, the information minister has dismissed the idea that the prime minister has formally requested the Americans to send in the Marines."
_____
observemark@gmail.com
Saturday, April 10, 2010
JG - Easter tragedy - Two die in boat mishap
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Easter tragedy - Two die in boat mishap
Published: Sunday April 4, 2010
A fun-filled Easter boat ride ended in tragedy yesterday evening with two persons dead and several others hospitalised.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The police said late yesterday evening a marine patrol vessel was in the vicinity of Lime Cay where the boat capsized. The marine police rushed to the passengers' rescue but were too late to save one man and a woman."
Jamaica Gleaner
Easter tragedy - Two die in boat mishap
Published: Sunday April 4, 2010
A fun-filled Easter boat ride ended in tragedy yesterday evening with two persons dead and several others hospitalised.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The police said late yesterday evening a marine patrol vessel was in the vicinity of Lime Cay where the boat capsized. The marine police rushed to the passengers' rescue but were too late to save one man and a woman."
JG - Whose rights are protected?
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Whose rights are protected?
Published: Sunday March 7, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
The Editor,
Sir:
A most interesting situation has occurred with the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition case. The prime minister has loudly declared that Jamaicans have "constitutional rights that do not end at Liguanea". The method of attaining evidence against Coke, we are told, was illegal, and it is on these grounds that the extradition has not been granted. How interesting!
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"Was the Constitution being upheld when you had as many as four members of parliament sitting in the legislature illegally on account of the fact that they had sworn allegiance to a foreign power?"
_____
I am, etc.,
CANUTE SHAW
scanshaw@gmail.com
Kingston 5
Jamaica Gleaner
Whose rights are protected?
Published: Sunday March 7, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
The Editor,
Sir:
A most interesting situation has occurred with the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition case. The prime minister has loudly declared that Jamaicans have "constitutional rights that do not end at Liguanea". The method of attaining evidence against Coke, we are told, was illegal, and it is on these grounds that the extradition has not been granted. How interesting!
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"Was the Constitution being upheld when you had as many as four members of parliament sitting in the legislature illegally on account of the fact that they had sworn allegiance to a foreign power?"
_____
I am, etc.,
CANUTE SHAW
scanshaw@gmail.com
Kingston 5
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
JO - J’cans give US dirt on Dudus. 5 prominent locals on US list of informants.
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Oberver
J’cans give US dirt on Dudus
5 prominent locals on US list of informants
Sunday, March 07, 2010
FIVE well-known Jamaicans are among a number of witnesses whose statements the United States Government intends to use against Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, the diminutive and powerful Western Kingston don who has strong family and business connections in the constituency of Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Highly placed authoritative sources have told the Sunday Observer that included in the five are three well-known underworld figures — one a convict deportee, another an accused against whom no convictions have been secured so far, and the third an individual currently residing in the US at the pleasure of that country’s federal prison system."
"The sources also say that both have been granted residency status in the United States in exchange for information against Coke, and at least two of the three are those referred to as co-conspirators in the indictment filed by American authorities against Coke."
"Christopher Michael Coke, aka ‘Michael Christopher Coke’; ‘Paul Christopher Scott’; ‘Presi’; ‘General’; ‘President’; ‘Dudus’ and ‘Shortman’ was indicted on two counts — conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic in firearms.
According to the indictment filed in the US District Court Southern District of New York, Coke and others known and unknown, “unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with each other to violate the narcotics laws of the United States” in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.
The alleged acts, the US said, were committed “from at least in or about 1994, up to and including in or about October 2007”.
The indictment also accused Coke and others of unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly distributing and possessing with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of marijuana, and five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine in violation of Sections 812, 841(a) (1), and 841(b) (1) (A) of Title 21, United States Code.
The indictment also accuses Coke of illegally importing guns into Jamaica “via a wharf located adjacent to Tivoli Gardens” and outlines telephone conversations the US authorities say were conducted between Coke and a number of unnamed coconspirators regarding the shipment of guns and narcotics.
The Jamaican Government’s handling of the Americans’ extradition request for Coke, submitted last August, has soured relations between both countries in recent months."
"Last Monday, in its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Washington questioned Kingston’s commitment to law enforcement co-operation and blasted the Golding administration for procrastinating on the request."
"The United States Embassy in Kingston is located in Liguanea."
&
"On September 17 last year, two days after US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly labelled Jamaica a “major illicit drug-producing country”, a highly placed US source told the Sunday Observer that Washington would begin cancelling the visas of highprofile Jamaicans.
“There is one thing that Jamaicans love more than their country, and it’s their US visa, and America knows that,” the source said at the time."
Jamaica Oberver
J’cans give US dirt on Dudus
5 prominent locals on US list of informants
Sunday, March 07, 2010
FIVE well-known Jamaicans are among a number of witnesses whose statements the United States Government intends to use against Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, the diminutive and powerful Western Kingston don who has strong family and business connections in the constituency of Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Highly placed authoritative sources have told the Sunday Observer that included in the five are three well-known underworld figures — one a convict deportee, another an accused against whom no convictions have been secured so far, and the third an individual currently residing in the US at the pleasure of that country’s federal prison system."
"The sources also say that both have been granted residency status in the United States in exchange for information against Coke, and at least two of the three are those referred to as co-conspirators in the indictment filed by American authorities against Coke."
"Christopher Michael Coke, aka ‘Michael Christopher Coke’; ‘Paul Christopher Scott’; ‘Presi’; ‘General’; ‘President’; ‘Dudus’ and ‘Shortman’ was indicted on two counts — conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic in firearms.
According to the indictment filed in the US District Court Southern District of New York, Coke and others known and unknown, “unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with each other to violate the narcotics laws of the United States” in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.
The alleged acts, the US said, were committed “from at least in or about 1994, up to and including in or about October 2007”.
The indictment also accused Coke and others of unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly distributing and possessing with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of marijuana, and five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine in violation of Sections 812, 841(a) (1), and 841(b) (1) (A) of Title 21, United States Code.
The indictment also accuses Coke of illegally importing guns into Jamaica “via a wharf located adjacent to Tivoli Gardens” and outlines telephone conversations the US authorities say were conducted between Coke and a number of unnamed coconspirators regarding the shipment of guns and narcotics.
The Jamaican Government’s handling of the Americans’ extradition request for Coke, submitted last August, has soured relations between both countries in recent months."
"Last Monday, in its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Washington questioned Kingston’s commitment to law enforcement co-operation and blasted the Golding administration for procrastinating on the request."
"The United States Embassy in Kingston is located in Liguanea."
&
"On September 17 last year, two days after US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly labelled Jamaica a “major illicit drug-producing country”, a highly placed US source told the Sunday Observer that Washington would begin cancelling the visas of highprofile Jamaicans.
“There is one thing that Jamaicans love more than their country, and it’s their US visa, and America knows that,” the source said at the time."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
JO - Second indictment against Dudus?
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Second indictment against Dudus?
Sunday, March 07, 2010
THE American Government has prepared a second indictment against Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, a highly placed source in Washington has told the Sunday Observer.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The US has accused Coke of drug- and gun-trafficking.
A diplomatic joust has developed between Kingston and Washington over the extradition request filed last August but which has not yet been processed for hearing in a Jamaican court."
&
"(L)ast Monday, the US State Department, in a scathing International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, questioned Jamaica's commitment to law enforcement co-operation and accused the Golding administration of unprecedented delays, unexplained disclosure of law enforcement information to the press, and unfounded allegations questioning the US' compliance with the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and Jamaican law."
Jamaica Observer
Second indictment against Dudus?
Sunday, March 07, 2010
THE American Government has prepared a second indictment against Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, a highly placed source in Washington has told the Sunday Observer.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The US has accused Coke of drug- and gun-trafficking.
A diplomatic joust has developed between Kingston and Washington over the extradition request filed last August but which has not yet been processed for hearing in a Jamaican court."
&
"(L)ast Monday, the US State Department, in a scathing International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, questioned Jamaica's commitment to law enforcement co-operation and accused the Golding administration of unprecedented delays, unexplained disclosure of law enforcement information to the press, and unfounded allegations questioning the US' compliance with the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and Jamaican law."
Friday, March 26, 2010
JO - 'Jamaican couples want Haitian children too'
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
'Jamaican couples want Haitian children too'
BY INGRID BROWN Sunday Observer senior reporter browni@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, January 24, 2010
AMERICAN couples are apparently not the only ones lining up to adopt Haitian orphans, thousands of whom are without a home following the deadly January 12 earthquake which flattened sections of the country.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Wealthy Jamaicans, many of them unable to have their own children, also seem poised to join that race if a channel should open up to allow them a quick and smooth transition into parenthood."
"Dr William Aiken, consulting urologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, said he is aware of some Jamaican couples who are willing to adopt Haitian orphans if given the opportunity."
"While many will argue that Jamaica has its fair share of orphans to be adopted, Aiken insists that this is easier said than done. He told the Sunday Observer that there is a lot of bureaucracy and red tape which make it a long and tedious process for Jamaican children to be adopted."
&
"Tens of thousands of Haitian children are believed to have been orphaned by the earthquake, according to reports from aid groups on the ground in Haiti. But officials have not yet been able to provide a number. However, even before the deadly magnitude-7.0 earthquake, Haiti -- one of the world's poorest countries -- was awash in orphans, with 380,000 children living in orphanages or group homes, the United Nations Children's Fund reported on its website.
Some of the children, it said, lost their parents in previous disasters, including four tropical storms or hurricanes that killed about 800 people in 2008, deadly storms in 2005 and 2004, and massive floods almost every other year since 2000. Others were abandoned amid the Caribbean nation's long-running political strife, which has led thousands to seek asylum in the US -- without their children -- or by parents who were simply too poor to care for them."
Jamaica Observer
'Jamaican couples want Haitian children too'
BY INGRID BROWN Sunday Observer senior reporter browni@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, January 24, 2010
AMERICAN couples are apparently not the only ones lining up to adopt Haitian orphans, thousands of whom are without a home following the deadly January 12 earthquake which flattened sections of the country.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Wealthy Jamaicans, many of them unable to have their own children, also seem poised to join that race if a channel should open up to allow them a quick and smooth transition into parenthood."
"Dr William Aiken, consulting urologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, said he is aware of some Jamaican couples who are willing to adopt Haitian orphans if given the opportunity."
"While many will argue that Jamaica has its fair share of orphans to be adopted, Aiken insists that this is easier said than done. He told the Sunday Observer that there is a lot of bureaucracy and red tape which make it a long and tedious process for Jamaican children to be adopted."
&
"Tens of thousands of Haitian children are believed to have been orphaned by the earthquake, according to reports from aid groups on the ground in Haiti. But officials have not yet been able to provide a number. However, even before the deadly magnitude-7.0 earthquake, Haiti -- one of the world's poorest countries -- was awash in orphans, with 380,000 children living in orphanages or group homes, the United Nations Children's Fund reported on its website.
Some of the children, it said, lost their parents in previous disasters, including four tropical storms or hurricanes that killed about 800 people in 2008, deadly storms in 2005 and 2004, and massive floods almost every other year since 2000. Others were abandoned amid the Caribbean nation's long-running political strife, which has led thousands to seek asylum in the US -- without their children -- or by parents who were simply too poor to care for them."
Monday, February 8, 2010
JG - DSP questioned in gun probe
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
DSP questioned in gun probe
Published: Sunday February 7, 2010
A PROMINENT deputy superintendent (DSP) of police was interrogated yesterday for more than eight hours by senior detectives probing last Thursday's massive gun and ammunition find in the Munster Road community of eastern St Andrew.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"A senior a government official, as well as the police High Command, have confirmed that the DSP was taken into custody. Up to news time last night, he was still being questioned. There are allegations that he was picked up after his home was searched by his colleagues."
&
"Over 11,000 assorted rounds of ammunition and at least 19 guns, believed to have been stolen from the police armoury on Elletson Road, Kingston, were found at a home on Munster Road. A police sergeant who was assigned to the armoury was nabbed at the scene."
Jamaica Gleaner
DSP questioned in gun probe
Published: Sunday February 7, 2010
A PROMINENT deputy superintendent (DSP) of police was interrogated yesterday for more than eight hours by senior detectives probing last Thursday's massive gun and ammunition find in the Munster Road community of eastern St Andrew.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"A senior a government official, as well as the police High Command, have confirmed that the DSP was taken into custody. Up to news time last night, he was still being questioned. There are allegations that he was picked up after his home was searched by his colleagues."
&
"Over 11,000 assorted rounds of ammunition and at least 19 guns, believed to have been stolen from the police armoury on Elletson Road, Kingston, were found at a home on Munster Road. A police sergeant who was assigned to the armoury was nabbed at the scene."
Sunday, September 13, 2009
AP -Jamaican police storm airliner to capture gunman
From my archive of press clippings:
AP
Jamaican police storm airliner to capture gunman
By HOWARD CAMPBELL, Associated Press Writer
Howard Campbell, Associated Press Writer – Mon Apr 20, 4:22 pm ET
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A disoriented young man with a gun forced his way past security and barged onto a jetliner destined for Cuba, taking the crew hostage, firing a bullet that grazed the co-pilot's face and demanding to be flown off the island, witnesses and police said Monday.
AP
Jamaican police storm airliner to capture gunman
By HOWARD CAMPBELL, Associated Press Writer
Howard Campbell, Associated Press Writer – Mon Apr 20, 4:22 pm ET
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A disoriented young man with a gun forced his way past security and barged onto a jetliner destined for Cuba, taking the crew hostage, firing a bullet that grazed the co-pilot's face and demanding to be flown off the island, witnesses and police said Monday.
Read the whole article here.
___
Associated Press writers Mike Melia in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
JG - The 'art' of diplomacy
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
The 'art' of diplomacy
published: Sunday June 29, 2008
Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
LEFT: Ambassador Madge Barrett peruses one of Ambassador Portocarero's pieces.
CENTRE: Joaquin Portocarero (right), one of the organisers of the Kingston On The Edge Urban Festival, coaxed dad, Herman Portocarero, Belgian ambassador to Jamaica, to show off his own art at an exhibition at Oakton Park.
RIGHT: Cindy Breakspeare-Bent (left) and Lois Lake-Sherwood, two of the island's more fashionable women, show us their glam once again at the exhibition. Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Who knew? That's the question a few persons were left asking after they viewed some of the artwork presented by Belgian Ambassador, Herman Portocarero. The ambassador hosted his first exhibition at the Jamaica Guild of Artists headquarters in Oakton Park.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Gleaner
The 'art' of diplomacy
published: Sunday June 29, 2008
Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
LEFT: Ambassador Madge Barrett peruses one of Ambassador Portocarero's pieces.
CENTRE: Joaquin Portocarero (right), one of the organisers of the Kingston On The Edge Urban Festival, coaxed dad, Herman Portocarero, Belgian ambassador to Jamaica, to show off his own art at an exhibition at Oakton Park.
RIGHT: Cindy Breakspeare-Bent (left) and Lois Lake-Sherwood, two of the island's more fashionable women, show us their glam once again at the exhibition. Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Who knew? That's the question a few persons were left asking after they viewed some of the artwork presented by Belgian Ambassador, Herman Portocarero. The ambassador hosted his first exhibition at the Jamaica Guild of Artists headquarters in Oakton Park.
Read the whole article here.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
JO - Locals afraid too
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Locals afraid too
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dear Editor,
Re the letter of June 24 about overseas Jamaicans being afraid to visit, I share the sentiments. I am not Jamaican, but I did live there for two years and returned recently for a short visit. I talked to old friends and made many new ones. One thing in common that everyone was telling me was that they were afraid of their neighbourhood and I was not to walk about.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"It was like that when I lived in Kingston a couple of years ago. You knew where not to go, but me being foreign I ended up in some of the do-not-go places. On my recent visit, I quickly learnt that places "not to go" have grown."
&
"(I)t is your fellow countrymen who are still living in Jamaica who are afraid of their own country and where it is heading. I do wish some day that all Jamaicans who are abroad have the option to return to their homeland to boost its economy and wealth."
__________
P Rozee
p_rozee@hotmail.com
Jamaica Observer
Locals afraid too
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dear Editor,
Re the letter of June 24 about overseas Jamaicans being afraid to visit, I share the sentiments. I am not Jamaican, but I did live there for two years and returned recently for a short visit. I talked to old friends and made many new ones. One thing in common that everyone was telling me was that they were afraid of their neighbourhood and I was not to walk about.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"It was like that when I lived in Kingston a couple of years ago. You knew where not to go, but me being foreign I ended up in some of the do-not-go places. On my recent visit, I quickly learnt that places "not to go" have grown."
&
"(I)t is your fellow countrymen who are still living in Jamaica who are afraid of their own country and where it is heading. I do wish some day that all Jamaicans who are abroad have the option to return to their homeland to boost its economy and wealth."
__________
P Rozee
p_rozee@hotmail.com
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
JO - Garrisons
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Garrisons
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dear Editor,
I wish to endorse recent suggestions by former PNP MP Miss Heather Robinson and NDM general secretary Mike Williams for the current leaders of the JLP and PNP to walk away from their respective "garrison" seats.
Read the whole letter here.
__________
Peter Townsend
NDM
Kingston
Jamaica Observer
Garrisons
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dear Editor,
I wish to endorse recent suggestions by former PNP MP Miss Heather Robinson and NDM general secretary Mike Williams for the current leaders of the JLP and PNP to walk away from their respective "garrison" seats.
Read the whole letter here.
__________
Peter Townsend
NDM
Kingston
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
JO - Banks are indeed rationing US dollars
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Banks are indeed rationing US dollars
BY KIMONE THOMPSON Senior reporter
Special Coverage Unit specialcoverageunit@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Restrictions of varying degrees on the sale of US dollars do appear to be in effect at some of the major commercial banks in Kingston, despite a declaration by Bank of Jamaica governor, Derick Latibeaudiere, to the contrary.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Observer
Banks are indeed rationing US dollars
BY KIMONE THOMPSON Senior reporter
Special Coverage Unit specialcoverageunit@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Restrictions of varying degrees on the sale of US dollars do appear to be in effect at some of the major commercial banks in Kingston, despite a declaration by Bank of Jamaica governor, Derick Latibeaudiere, to the contrary.
Read the whole article here.
Friday, March 20, 2009
JO - Dabdoub going back to court. Wants to verify Vaz's citizenship.
Jamaica Observer
Dabdoub going back to court
Wants to verify Vaz's citizenship
BY ERICA VIRTUE Sunday Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Abe Dabdoub, whose legal action in 2007 led to the disqualification of Daryl Vaz as the Portland Western member of parliament, said he will be heading to the courts again on Monday to ascertain the veracity of Vaz's citizenship.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Dabdoub, who lost the seat to Vaz in the September 2007 general elections, asked Director of Elections Orette Fisher if he had ascertained whether Vaz is now a Jamaican citizen.
VAZ... went to US Embassy in Kingston in April 2008 to start the process of renouncing his American citizenship
Dabdoub's query was in reference to Vaz's much-publicised act of going to the US Embassy in Kingston to start the process of renouncing his American citizenship in April 2008.
Vaz took the action after Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, on reviewing an election petition brought by Dabdoub, ruled that Vaz was not qualified to sit in the Parliament because he held dual citizenship at the time of the elections."
&
"Dabdoub, a former member of the JLP, signalled that he did not believe that Vaz had renounced his US citizenship."
Dabdoub going back to court
Wants to verify Vaz's citizenship
BY ERICA VIRTUE Sunday Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Abe Dabdoub, whose legal action in 2007 led to the disqualification of Daryl Vaz as the Portland Western member of parliament, said he will be heading to the courts again on Monday to ascertain the veracity of Vaz's citizenship.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Dabdoub, who lost the seat to Vaz in the September 2007 general elections, asked Director of Elections Orette Fisher if he had ascertained whether Vaz is now a Jamaican citizen.
VAZ... went to US Embassy in Kingston in April 2008 to start the process of renouncing his American citizenship
Dabdoub's query was in reference to Vaz's much-publicised act of going to the US Embassy in Kingston to start the process of renouncing his American citizenship in April 2008.
Vaz took the action after Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, on reviewing an election petition brought by Dabdoub, ruled that Vaz was not qualified to sit in the Parliament because he held dual citizenship at the time of the elections."
&
"Dabdoub, a former member of the JLP, signalled that he did not believe that Vaz had renounced his US citizenship."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
JO - Air Jamaica needs to explain Miami route cut
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Air Jamaica needs to explain Miami route cut
Thursday, January 29, 2009
We have to believe that the decision by Air Jamaica, the national airline, to drop its Miami route, among others, was based on very strong financial reasons.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Over time, Miami became the heart and soul of Air Jamaica. For convenience, it is hard to beat. Jamaicans needing to do business and shopping in Miami, a little over an hour away, and return home the same day, depended on those flights."
&
"Miami has become for Jamaicans, "Kingston 21", a virtual extension of Kingston and St Andrew, because of the many nationals living in Florida and the heavy traffic between the two gateways."
Jamaica Observer
Air Jamaica needs to explain Miami route cut
Thursday, January 29, 2009
We have to believe that the decision by Air Jamaica, the national airline, to drop its Miami route, among others, was based on very strong financial reasons.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Over time, Miami became the heart and soul of Air Jamaica. For convenience, it is hard to beat. Jamaicans needing to do business and shopping in Miami, a little over an hour away, and return home the same day, depended on those flights."
&
"Miami has become for Jamaicans, "Kingston 21", a virtual extension of Kingston and St Andrew, because of the many nationals living in Florida and the heavy traffic between the two gateways."
Friday, March 6, 2009
JG - Security and human rights
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Security and human rights
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
File
These men from Tivoli Gardens are forced to lie in a marl pit during an operation by the security forces in the west Kingston community in 2005.
Don Robotham, Contributor
Jamaica is at a crossroads. In the month of May the murder rate increased by about 100 per cent. This is an unprecedented rate of increase. If this continues unabated an already murderous society will come close to the point of collapse.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"It takes about a year to prepare a legally viable case against persons charged for murder and other offences under the law.
After this considerable period has elapsed and the case eventually comes to trial, convictions cannot be secured.
The reason is that the witnesses collapse."
Jamaica Gleaner
Security and human rights
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
File
These men from Tivoli Gardens are forced to lie in a marl pit during an operation by the security forces in the west Kingston community in 2005.
Don Robotham, Contributor
Jamaica is at a crossroads. In the month of May the murder rate increased by about 100 per cent. This is an unprecedented rate of increase. If this continues unabated an already murderous society will come close to the point of collapse.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"It takes about a year to prepare a legally viable case against persons charged for murder and other offences under the law.
After this considerable period has elapsed and the case eventually comes to trial, convictions cannot be secured.
The reason is that the witnesses collapse."
Thursday, March 5, 2009
JG - Prospects for a truth commission
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Prospects for a truth commission
published: Sunday July 20, 2008
Dr Jermaine McCalpin, Contributor
Nicole Walters (right), a resident of Westmoreland whose relative was shot and killed by the police in 2007, wipes away tears while addressing members of the media at Jamaicans for Justice press briefing in Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. The calls by some Jamaicans for reconciliation must address concerns about justice. - File
The clarion calls for a Jamaican truth commission must not go unheeded for much longer. I fully support a truth commission in Jamaica but with significant caveats. When we talk of a truth commission we need to be clear what it is and what are its expected consequences.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Simply (at least definition-wise), a truth commission is an official but non-judicial body that is established often by an act of government to probe a pattern of violence, atrocities and other happenings in a country within a specific time frame with an end to suggest ways to deal with the past that places emphasis on non-repetition, justice and historical accuracy.
A Jamaican truth commission would join the list of over 33 truth commissions that have been established around the world since 1974 (the most recent being in Timor-L'este that conducted its work from 2002-present)."
Jamaica Gleaner
Prospects for a truth commission
published: Sunday July 20, 2008
Dr Jermaine McCalpin, Contributor
Nicole Walters (right), a resident of Westmoreland whose relative was shot and killed by the police in 2007, wipes away tears while addressing members of the media at Jamaicans for Justice press briefing in Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. The calls by some Jamaicans for reconciliation must address concerns about justice. - File
The clarion calls for a Jamaican truth commission must not go unheeded for much longer. I fully support a truth commission in Jamaica but with significant caveats. When we talk of a truth commission we need to be clear what it is and what are its expected consequences.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Simply (at least definition-wise), a truth commission is an official but non-judicial body that is established often by an act of government to probe a pattern of violence, atrocities and other happenings in a country within a specific time frame with an end to suggest ways to deal with the past that places emphasis on non-repetition, justice and historical accuracy.
A Jamaican truth commission would join the list of over 33 truth commissions that have been established around the world since 1974 (the most recent being in Timor-L'este that conducted its work from 2002-present)."
Friday, February 27, 2009
JO -Law-abiding citizens want guns
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Law-abiding citizens want guns
Wignall's World
Mark Wignall
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In the mid-1970s when Jamaica was number 10 on the list of the most murderous countries in the world, it used to be said of persons who were shot dead by gunmen that they 'were at the wrong place at the wrong time'. Then the 'terrorist gunman' with his high-powered rifle was introduced by the politics of the times and just as 1980 was ushered in, it seemed that all hell had broken loose.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In the election campaign of that year there were certain areas like Olympic Gardens and most of the Kingston West Police Division (Arnett Gardens, Matthews Lane, Fletchers Land, Denham Town, Jones Town, Tivoli Gardens) that were off limits to all sensible people.
If you were in any political garrison that you did not belong to after 6:00 pm or were travelling across political boundaries, your chances of being shot dead were increased significantly.
If you lived in any of those areas, you would be fodder for the political marauders as they carried out their murderous raids in the hours before daybreak.
When they came, men, women, children and the dogs were all fair targets."
"While most who left in the times prior to the 1960s and on the cusp of Independence did so because Jamaica was seen as having nothing to offer them economically, many of those who travelled to foreign shores in the 1970s and after named security concerns as one of the main reasons for leaving their homeland.
In 2008 those personal and national security concerns are very much a part of our daily diet.
We live, sleep and eat the fear that if the high prices don't get us, the gunman will."
"At present only business persons who have applied for and met the stringent requirements are in possession of legally held firearms.
Elected politicians travel with security details while we who supported them and voted for them in the hope of us building a better and safer Jamaica are forced to face the criminal gunman empty-handed."
&
"The criminal gunman knows that no witnesses will come forward, so he has about a 90% chance of making it to the next killing.
In this scenario the state has failed to protect us, continues to fail us and when our elected officials speak, it is mainly to sell us another fairy tale about our safety.
I say to the state, give us guns to protect ourselves because the mechanisms which exist to do so are patently not working."
Jamaica Observer
Law-abiding citizens want guns
Wignall's World
Mark Wignall
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In the mid-1970s when Jamaica was number 10 on the list of the most murderous countries in the world, it used to be said of persons who were shot dead by gunmen that they 'were at the wrong place at the wrong time'. Then the 'terrorist gunman' with his high-powered rifle was introduced by the politics of the times and just as 1980 was ushered in, it seemed that all hell had broken loose.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In the election campaign of that year there were certain areas like Olympic Gardens and most of the Kingston West Police Division (Arnett Gardens, Matthews Lane, Fletchers Land, Denham Town, Jones Town, Tivoli Gardens) that were off limits to all sensible people.
If you were in any political garrison that you did not belong to after 6:00 pm or were travelling across political boundaries, your chances of being shot dead were increased significantly.
If you lived in any of those areas, you would be fodder for the political marauders as they carried out their murderous raids in the hours before daybreak.
When they came, men, women, children and the dogs were all fair targets."
"While most who left in the times prior to the 1960s and on the cusp of Independence did so because Jamaica was seen as having nothing to offer them economically, many of those who travelled to foreign shores in the 1970s and after named security concerns as one of the main reasons for leaving their homeland.
In 2008 those personal and national security concerns are very much a part of our daily diet.
We live, sleep and eat the fear that if the high prices don't get us, the gunman will."
"At present only business persons who have applied for and met the stringent requirements are in possession of legally held firearms.
Elected politicians travel with security details while we who supported them and voted for them in the hope of us building a better and safer Jamaica are forced to face the criminal gunman empty-handed."
&
"The criminal gunman knows that no witnesses will come forward, so he has about a 90% chance of making it to the next killing.
In this scenario the state has failed to protect us, continues to fail us and when our elected officials speak, it is mainly to sell us another fairy tale about our safety.
I say to the state, give us guns to protect ourselves because the mechanisms which exist to do so are patently not working."
JG - Airports swamped by drug couriers
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Airports swamped by drug couriers
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
Local narcotics police are expressing concern about what they have described as a breakdown in the security system at the country's two international airports, especially the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Gleaner
Airports swamped by drug couriers
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
Local narcotics police are expressing concern about what they have described as a breakdown in the security system at the country's two international airports, especially the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Read the whole article here.
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