'DUDUS' HASN'T ASKED FOR DEAL WITH US GOVERNMENT, SAY LAWYERS

Embattled Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has not
instructed his legal team to strike a deal with the United States,
Don Foote, one of the lawyers representing Coke, said yesterday.

United States officials also steered clear of entertaining
suggestions that Coke may waive his rights to an extradition hearing
and head straight to New York for trial.

Attorneys representing Coke have said they were having conversations
with United States diplomats in Kingston with a view to finding a
peaceful resolution to a months-long impasse.

Acting Public Affairs Officer Rebecca Park, acting communication
manager at the US Embassy in St Andrew, told The Gleaner/Power 106
News yesterday that although there was a meeting on Sunday night,
none took place yesterday.

Paul Beswick, another of Coke's lawyers, met with the charge
d'affaires on Sunday evening but details of the meeting were not
disclosed. Foote said a meeting should have taken place yesterday but
Park said she was unsure "on what basis that statement was made".

"I can confirm that no meeting has taken place with Mr Foote or any
other attorney as of this morning," Park said.

Coke has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of drug and weapon
trafficking. Dorothy Lightbourne, Jamaica's justice minister, has
issued an authority to proceed with an extradition hearing against him.

However, thugs loyal to Coke have barricaded sections of the city and
have declared war on the security forces which are trying to arrest him.