DRUG LORDS COULD 'RUIN' JAMAICA

The Jamaican Minister of National Security and Justice, Dr Peter Phillips
has claimed that the survival of Jamaica could be called into question if
his government cannot curb the power of drug barons in the country.

Reports say that Jamaica is bleeding to death with more than 1,100 murders
recorded last year and 100 tonnes of cocaine trans-shipped to western markets.

Dr Peter Philips told Tim Sebastian for BBC HARDtalk that the government is
putting a new strategy in place to try and tackle drug related murders, but
the process would be slow.

"There is no instant solution, there is no magic wand but we have tried to
outline a strategy forward," he said.

"It's going to take time, resources and will, but we dare not fail because
if we do, the survival of the country is going to be brought into question."

A Question Of Strength

Dr Phillips went on to deny rumours that the Jamaican Government does not
have the will or the strength to break the drug lords power, arguing that
Jamaica will follow the example set by the Bahamas.

The number of murders in the Bahamas has fallen by 50% since June 2001
following a government round up of drug lords.

The Jamaican Government has also been criticised over the alleged close
connection between politicians and drug barons.

In April 2001, the Jamaican Finance Minister Omar Davies and two cabinet
colleagues were seen mourning at the funeral of Willie "Haggart" Moore, an
infamous gangster.

Police Links

Dr Phillips claimed that drug gangs can no longer depend on political
protection from politicians at the highest level of government.

However he did admit that there are probably some "residual connections"
left over from when political and drug ties were strong in the 1970s.

"If you asked me whether or not there are elements within the police force
that may be compromised I would say I believe there would be," he said.

"If you asked me whether or not within the political system as a whole
there may be persons who have links that are too close or which may be
compromised, I'd say the probability exists."

Dr Phillips also defended the Jamaican police force over its so called
trigger happy attitude.

In the year 2000, 140 people were killed by Jamaican police, the highest
ratio of police killings reported anywhere in the world.

"Minimal Force"

Dr Phillips called for the police force to be better trained to deal with
armed criminals and ensure "the use of force is minimal".

He also launched an attack on a report by the international human rights
organisation, Amnesty International which accused the Jamaican police force
of abusing human rights.

"Amnesty has developed a particular view of the police force," he said.

"It would be far from me to suggest that everything is perfect regarding
the application of force but on the other side we have numbers of police
who are subject to direct attacks."