Jun 2010 Financial News

No end to emergency

Jun 22, 2010

Jamaicans can expect to see an extension of the monthlong state of public emergency which is scheduled to end tomorrow.

Cabinet yesterday approved the extension, but will have to seek Parliament's approval today.

Government sources said while Cabinet was firmly persuaded on the way to go, it was still undecided on the length of the extension.

Accordingly, the House of Representatives will be called on today to ratify Cabinet's plans to impose a new timeline.

The House will also seek to expand the geographic zones that will be affected.

For its part, the parliamentary Opposition appears to be keeping its cards close to the chest.

Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Peter Bunting, hinted late yesterday that his side has not yet been won over.

"We'll decide when the Government makes its case," Bunting said in an SMS text message to The Gleaner.

However, there are early indications that many Jamaicans would embrace an extension of the measures and a continuation of military operations not only in Kingston and St Andrew but other crime hotbeds.

There have been ongoing discussions on whether the state of the emergency should be expanded to other areas.

Scholar, activist and sociologist at the University of the West Indies, Professor Barry Chevannes, yesterday endorsed a roll-out of emergency powers into other parishes.

"I would (agree), provided that it is extended to other areas such as Spanish Town and other troubled areas," Chevannes said.

Sharon Hay-Webster, the member of parliament for South Central St Catherine, last month appealed to the Government to implement a state of emergency in volatile zones in St Catherine, including the Old Capital and sections of Portmore.

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Joseph M. Matalon, voiced his support for an extension, saying it must be part of a wider plan to assist the security forces in dismantling the infrastructure of the underworld.

"It is not only in Tivoli Gardens that criminality resides," Matalon argued yesterday.

JFJ says no way

However, human-rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) asserted that it would not support any plan to maintain the emergency platform.

"JFJ is not in favour, as the conditions that brought to rise to the state of emergency, including the attacks on police stations and the barricading of Tivoli Gardens, are gone," said Executive Director Dr Carolyn Gomes.

"I don't see anything that can justify a continuation of the activities, as the police have adequate powers to continue to do the work to bring communities back into the fold of the rule of law," she contended.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in his capacity as head of government, is empowered to declare a state of emergency.

Today, it is he who will have to seek an extension in the Lower House.

The prime minister is required to convince Parliament that the state of emergency is necessary to continue the police-military operations that have had criminals on the run and led to the seizure of dozens of illegal guns and thousands of rounds of ammo.

"I acknowledge that we are not going to satisfy everybody, but one thing is clear: We have to get on top of this crime problem and, believe me, if we do not get on top of this crime problem, it will not be for the lack of trying, and I am prepared to take whatever criticism comes with that," Golding said last week as he urged all Jamaicans to join the fight.

JLP majority should prevail

However, the Government is not expected to have a tough time pushing through the bill with its majority.

Golding effected the state of public emergency, limited to sections of Kingston and St Andrew, on May 23 at 6 p.m.

The prime minister said that based on the advice of the security forces, the action had been taken to ensure public safety.

It was declared following an emergency meeting of the Cabinet on a day when criminals ran amok in sections of the Corporate Area.

The proclamation was expected to remain in force for a period of one month unless extended by the House of Representatives or earlier revoked.


Source:
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica Gleaner
Tuesday June 22, 2010

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100622/lead/lead1.html