Nationals want early end to extradition fuss.....

Fearing a major fallout in the relationship between their home country and the United States of America (USA), Jamaican nationals here are demanding a quick resolution to the impasse over the extradition request for reputed Tivoli Gardens don, Christopher "Dudus" Cooke.

Fears of a potential major fall out have heightened among Jamaicans in the Diaspora since last Monday's report by the US State Department which criticised Jamaica's handling of the request and the subsequent response by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who openly defended Coke's rights in Parliament.

Interviews conducted by the Observer here revealed a real sense of frustration and deep desire for a resolution of the matter.

"It's been going on for too long. They should settle it before it is too late," said Leon Saunderson, a bus driver.

Saunderson is fearful that the United States might impose some level of sanctions against Jamaica as a way to force an end to the matter.

Dionne McKoy, a Massachusetts-based healthcare provider argued that: "it will be better for all if this thing is settled soon."

McKoy said that she was fearful that there could be "more serious consequences," for her homeland, should Jamaican authorities fail to resolve the extradition request soon.

Describing the present impasse as holding serious concerns for the future of US, Jamaica relations, Patrick Beckford, who heads the Diaspora board for the North East United States, said that he worries that his country of birth could be designated a rouge state.

"Should this happen we could lose valuable economic and other support," he said noting that his office had been receiving numerous telephone calls, many of themy from Jamaicans in law enforcement here, expressing concern about the matter.

He argued that the Jamaican Government should allow the Courts there to determine or interpret what the Prime Minister refers to as the illegal means used by United States authorities to obtain the information it used in its extradition request.

But not everyone here views the current impasse, as holding dire consequences for the future.

Florida-based attorney Marlon Hill said that he does not think "Jamaica will be punished severely by the US, over the extradition issue."

Hill concedes, however, that "a quick resolution of the matter would be in the best interest of both countries."

He said that he was more concerned about the criticism contained in the State Department's report about failed efforts on the part of the Jamaican Legislature, to complete several pieces of Crime Bill legislation which have been stalled in Jamaica's Parliament.

The Jamaican Attorney urged resolution on those bills as a matter of priority.

Still Basil Grant, a warehouse clerk, like most of his countrymen here, is worried about a serious strain in relationships between the US and his native land.

"A solution must be found soon," he said.