THE HIGH PRICE OF JAMAICA’S FOREIGN AFFAIR
NEW YORK, NY. Monday, January 13, 2020 – Hello again
folks. A new day, a new week and with that comes heightened concerns about
USA/JAM relations, coupled with much of the earth-shaking underfoot in the
wider Caribbean region.
You will recall breaking news during the last quarter (Q4)
of last year that the US State Department has revoked the travel privileges of
two key politicians, with more in the works. And you will recall that, in this
same space, I wrote that the ‘noise’ was somewhat muted because of the visa
cancellation/revocation had affected both major political parties.
That dynamic seemed to have limited the gravy train from
going off the rails. In other words, both major political parties have nothing
to gain by pointing the accusatory finger! Not only that, but ranking members
of both parties were fingered by a State Department, mired in its on filth!
And then, when you context that against the deafening
silence from the leadership of both political parties, you are left at the
the mercy of the rumor mill and the conspiracy theorists, driving it/them!
God help us!
In God, we trust!
So, I find it quite coincidental that a second, former
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agent (retired), was in the news last
week, saying that Jamaica’s crime and corruption conundrum can be arrested and
contained if the law enforcement culture is changed.
Big statement from Special Agent (SA) Jonathan Lacey who
grew up in Manchester and now runs his own security firm in Massachusetts.
He is of the view that there needs to be greater trust
between law enforcement personnel and the public. Conclusion: The relationship
is toxic!
While prepping for my radio program last week, I got not one
but two calls, confirming that Federal Marshals were on the ground in Jamaica,
patrolling the streets, in broad daylight, but as much as their targets are
known, their silver bangles are useless, unless the documents authorizing such
use is signed by the relevant authorities.
We also know that a third person, the wife of one of the
ranking politicians, also had her visa revoked and that too, made screaming
headlines in the media on the island.
VISAS don’t vote, people do…! And that’s a fact.
Why is the USA doing this, is the question I posed to the
former John Jay College professor, Basil Wilson, who admitted that the approach
is, ‘unusual.’
If Mike Pompeo and the State Department have a case, why the
delay. Why the suspense? If a crime is committed, then bring the perpetrators
to justice, and rightly so!
SA Wilfred Rattigan (retired), knows a thing or two about
the agency’s procedures and protocols, but he too, is not saying much. One of
my sources who just returned from vacationing on the island confirmed seeing
the marshals with his own two eyes! And because he lives and works in
Washington, DC, I have no reason to doubt him.
What is however troubling is one of the ‘theories’ makings
the rounds and it has to do with Jamaica’s relationship with China and Cuba!
Are you kidding me?
As a sovereign state, albeit a mendicant one, Jamaica is not
allowed to choose her foreign friends and helpmate(s) without the unfriendly
rebuke of an over-reaching, meddling ‘Uncle Sam,’ or so it seems!
If the growing economic footprint of China in the region, in
general and Jamaica, in particular, is worrying to the USA and its Commander in
Chief, so be it, but it’s unfair to want to exact revenge on little Jamaica for
deciding who she goes to bed with!
Growing up in rural Jamaica many moons ago, you often hear
the older folks talking and musing about ‘putting (all) you eggs in one
basket,’ the same way the foolish man reportedly built his house on the sand!
I want to think that the prime minister owes the nation an
explanation because this is bigger than ‘foreign relations’ and more so, in a
a year with so much talk of general elections!
I thank you,
You have the floor..!
--end--
Comments
Post a Comment