Olintja.com
To public: Any complaints , comments, documents, or private enquiry can be emailed to ComplaintsPraisesInfo@olintja.comThe Blog
The pictures
The documents
The News
October 9, 2009
Conflicts Of Interest Among Parliamentarians
By David P Rowe Esq.
I have raised the issue of Senatorial Conflict of Interest in Jamaica germane to the extradition of Christopher Coke. It has proven to be an emotive topic. At the time of writing the Government of Jamaica has received an Extradition request for Christopher Coke, to which it has not officially acceded. I was invited to comment on the issue in my academic capacity by the BBC and the Breakfast Club a prominent local Jamaican radio talk show.
Most Commonwealth jurisdictions have become very serious about the elimination of parliamentary Conflicts of Interest by legislatively forbidding them. Canada has a Conflicts of Interest Act to "help public officer holders avoid conflicts of interest"
A Conflict of Interest in the Parliamentary situation may be defined as a situation in which parlimentarians have an actual or potential interest that may influence or appear to influence the conduct of their official duties. Earlier this year the Canadian Defence Minister Peter McKay was asked to explain the conflict of interest that arose when he was a director of two family forestry companies while serving in the Federal Canadian Government. McKay resigned these two private directorships because he could not serve " two masters".
In 2007 in the United States President Bush was severely criticized after receiving 2 million dollars in presidential campaign funds from Enron and then changing US energy policy to suit and benefit Enron.
Conflicts of Interest may lead to politicians using their influence to make decisions that compromise the public interest.
In the United Kingdom in April of this year Lady Maddock was barred from participating on the investigative Parliamentary Committee on Standards in Public Life because she is married to a Liberal Democrat MP Sir Alan Beith. The potential conflict, i.e her husband being an MP was considered inappropriate.
Once a Parliamentarian has accepted a retainer from a major US criminal defendant, can he participate in policy discussions in Parliament which may directly concern his client? Should he make public comments concerning the bilateral partner in his client's extradition? It is respectfully submitted that this type of conduct potentially creates a Conflict of Interest which as in the McKay case should lead to resignation from the Parliament, specifically in this case the Jamaican Senate. Which of the two Masters should be served the major criminal defendant or the people of Jamaica?
David P Rowe Esq. is a Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law
--
October 2, 2009.
US- JAMAICA RELATIONS BRITTLE
The recent refusal by the Golding administration to secure the arrest of Dudus Coke is actively destroying
the bi-lateral relationship between the US and Jamaica.
There is a possibility of the United States halting the processing of US visas both immigrant and non-immigrant visas while this crisis continues.That would not be an American over-reaction to what could only be described as very bad behaviour by the Jamaican Government.
Perhaps the the United States AID projects will be severely cut back.The USAID administration of Justice project has poured millions of dollars of direct aid into the Jamaican Government's coffers.This might get the message accross.
Probably an unscheduled visit by a US naval vessell into the port of Kingston might restore our senior legal officers to sanity and some sense of public responsibility.Edward Seaga built an impeccable relationship between the USA and Jamaica.Twenty years after his departure Bruce Golding has destroyed the relationship.There will be no version of the Rockefeller Committee in this
Golding administration.If The US cuts its diplomatic presence in Jamaica, I wonder what impact that would have on Kingston real estate values?
As most foreign affairs professionals will tell you bi-lateral relatinships are easier to destroy than to build.
David P Rowe is a Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law
If you have any issues concerning Olint, you may contact:
Special Agent Kim Pennington (IRS)- 321-441-2669
Special Agent Ronald Ramos (IRS)- 321-441-2685 ; 407-575-5735
Special Agent Kelly Pennington (DEA)- 407-333-7000 ; 407-509-4680