Why bother with Tivoli enquiry?

Ronald Mason

The members of the Tivoli Gardens commission of enquiry have been named. There are concerns with one commissioner that in the very near future will be resolved. I am confident that the said commissioner will not be seated when the commission is gavelled to order. What is not as certain is the socio-political comedy that will unfold.

We do not, at this stage, know who will give us the catchphrase equivalent to "I do not recall". We will, however, have some person with short-term, selective amnesia. There is a witness just waiting to make a mark on the popular culture of our country.

"Ah nuh mi fire fus." At times, one is tempted to hazard a guess as to who will prove to be that person. This is a pathway fraught with danger. Soldiers will be called as witnesses. Their legendary training and resulting discipline will ensure that one of their officers will be immortalised as Mr "I do not recall".

The terms of reference for the commissioners include the interesting request for enquiring into any contact between Dudus and political operatives during the period before and after the incursion. Just think of the drama to be had from the following fictional exchange between Counsel and Mr X.

Counsel: Mr X, in your capacity as a high-ranking functionary in the Government during the administration in office in 2010, did you have reason to become acquainted with Mr Dudus Coke?

Mr X: No. I have no memory of having met Mr Coke.

Mr X, do you have any memory of Mr Dudus Coke being an operative of your political party?

I have heard, during casual conversation, that Mr Coke, having his base in West Kingston, would be presumed to be a supporter of my party.

Was he a political operative?

I do not understand your use of the term 'political operative'.

I will expand and explain. Did Mr Coke ever make political contribution, in cash or kind, like providing transportation for annual conference, Christmas treats at his expense, but hosted in conjunction with the political party and providing an assurance that there will be no votes or very few votes for the other party in West Kingston? Do you understand now?

Well, I have heard that line, but I have no personal ability to speak to those matters. I hosted and funded my own Christmas treats.

Mr X, are you aware that documents related to the matter of limited circulation were allegedly found in the offices of Mr Coke?

I have no knowledge of that allegation.

You do not know of the documents' existence or you do not know of the documents allegedly being in the control and possession of Mr Coke? Which is it?

I know of neither the existence nor the alleged possession of the documents by Mr Coke.

Then Mr X, can you explain the forensic findings of your fingerprints on the documents?

Mr Chairman, may I have recess to consult with my attorney.

Request granted.

The Tivoli commission of enquiry is going to provide drama, sound bites and very little in terms of who would be found culpable in the deaths of at least 76 civilians. Not even that number of those who lost their lives can be reliably stated.

reliving days of stark terror

The commission will not result in any recommendation for criminal prosecution. It will result in the country being forced to relive the days of stark terror and fear for large numbers of our citizens. It will result in further enlightening the country as to the firepower of the military. We will learn that the JDF has some big weapons. We will also learn that those weapons, turned against civilians, even when they are armed, is not a stand-off between equals. This would lead to an arms escalation or the painful recognition that the JDF will remain as is and not be merged into a national police service. We will hear very little more.

This country is a two-party democracy. It is to be expected that they will both have opportunities to form the government in the future. As such, how can one expect the kind of exposure that will tell the country what really took place? Do you at this point know who paid US$50,000 mentioned in the Manatt enquiry? Will you ever know? That is what happens in a two-party state. By tacit or sometimes explicit collusion, they decide how much we the people learn of the truth.

The commission of enquiry will have sound, fury, sideshow, drama, political theatre and false remorse, but not much of substance. Why bother?

Ronald Mason is an immigration attorney, mediator and talk-show host. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and nationsagenda@gmail.com.