News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mon. Oct. 3, 2011: Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has blamed the Christopher “Dudus” Coke saga for his decision to step aside.
Golding, in an address to the nation Sunday night, said questions over his handling of a US extradition request for a drug kingpin were a key factor in his recent surprise decision to step down.
“The entire episode has affected me deeply and the perceptions that are held by some people have not been dispelled,” Golding said.
He reiterated that he opposed extraditing Coke because the US indictment relied on illegal wiretap evidence.
“It was never about Coke’s guilt or innocence. It was about a breach of our constitution and had it been a person other than Coke it perhaps would never have become the cause celebre that it turned out to be,” Golding added.
The Jamaican government resisted US requests for Coke for nine months before launching an operation to capture him in which scores died.
Coke was extradited in June 2010 and recently pleaded guilty to racketeering charges.
Golding, who has been in office since 2007, is due to step down officially next month after his Jamaica Labour Party chooses a successor. He last night emphasised that the election of a new leader must be conducted in a mature, transparent and dignified manner.
Golding assured that in his remaining weeks in office, he will continue to work hard, while preparing to hand over the leadership to his successor.
An election is constitutionally due by December 2012.
