JLP's Manatt move OK - Nelson

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson yesterday maintained that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was correct in seeking the assistance of United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in dealing with the extradition request for accused drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Testifying for a third day at the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry, Nelson said the JLP had opted to use the law firm in an attempt to convince US authorities that Jamaican laws were breached in the effort to secure Coke's extradition.

The national security minister had returned to the hot seat on a day when quibbling among lawyers continued to be the dominant feature of the enquiry, which has shown troubling signs that it could be dragged out.

Under cross-examination from K.D. Knight, the attorney representing the People's National Party, Nelson said his support of the JLP's decision was based on "transgressions on (Jamaican) law which formed the basis for the extradition request".

Said Knight: "Having regard to what you now know, are you in agreement with the steps taken by the JLP to employ Manatt, Phelps & Phillips?"

Responded Nelson: "Yes."

Knight: "Seeing that you agreed with the engagement of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, what was the instruction given to the law firm?"

Nelson: "I wouldn't know."

However, the national security minister said the general expectation was that Manatt would have been able to bring to the attention of the US authorities the breaches (to the interception of Communications Act).

Nelson said the JLP had hoped Manatt would have been able to establish with the US that the basis for the extradition request was illegal.

In response to a question on his position on the decision to engage Manatt's services, Nelson said he went with the decision of the Government.

Telephone conversations

Nelson, while stressing that the JLP still had issues with the manner in which Coke's telephone conversations were intercepted and dispatched to the US authorities, dismissed claims that Manatt was brought into the picture to thwart Coke's extradition.

Said Knight: "You knew it was an attempt to thwart the extradition of 'Dudus' Coke?"

Responded Nelson: "No."

Knight: "I am suggesting to you that you were aware of Dudus as the head of the reputed Shower Posse?"

Nelson: "I am aware that there are reports from the police which are the source of intelligence on which I cannot report."

John Vassell, the attorney representing Nelson, objected to Knight's line of questioning.

Asked whether he was aware of Coke's reputation, in the media and the public at large, as being head of the Shower Posse, Nelson said "yes".

Knight also asked Nelson if he recalled the circumstances under which he became aware of the JLP's decision to engage the service of the US law firm.

However, Nelson said he could not recall.

Knight attempted to put Nelson on the spot as he brought the curtains down on his cross-examination of his Senate colleague.

"For the national security of the country, are you in agreement that it was a good thing for (Coke) to be extradited?" Knight asked.

But he did not wait for a response, or an objection to his question.

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com