US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON26

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000026 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) 
NSC FOR SHANNON 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD AND J7 (RHANNAN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, JM, MARR, OPDC, OPRC, PGOV, XG, XH, XT, KICC 
SUBJECT: PM PATTERSON RESPONDS TO SECRETARY'S ARTICLE 98 
LETTER 
 
REF: A. KINGSTON 03239 
 
     B. STATE 248109 
     C. KINGSTON 02633 
 
1.  On January 3, Post received by courier a diplomatic note 
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade 
(MFAFT).  The dipnote accompanied a letter from Prime 
Minister P.J. Patterson in response to the Secretary's 
November 22 letter regarding Article 98 (see Refs A and B). 
As the Prime Minister has suggested in the past (see Ref C), 
he expressed confidence that "our countries can find a 
solution which meets both our needs." 
 
See paragraph 3 for complete dipnote text, and paragraph 4 
for complete text of PM Patterson's letter.  Post will send 
the original documents via pouch to WHA/CAR. 
 
2.  Begin text of dipnote: 
 
50/130/77 
 
     The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade 
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States 
of America and with reference to the latter's Note No. 355/04 
of 22 November 2004, has the honour to forward the reply from 
the Most Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica to the US 
Secretary of State. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
     The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of 
Jamaica avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the 
Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its 
highest consideration. 
 
The Embassy of the United States of America 
 
Kingston 
 
December 28, 2004 
 
End text of dipnote. 
 
3.  Begin text of letter: 
 
Office of the Prime Minister 
Jamaica House 
Kingston 
 
10th December 2004 
 
Dear Secretary Powell, 
 
     I thank you for your letter of 22nd November in which 
you addressed an issue of interest to the United States. 
Jamaica also values greatly the long and close relationship 
which it has enjoyed with the United States. 
 
     My Government is fully aware of the United States' 
concerns regarding the International Criminal Court and 
desire to conclude Article 98 agreements with Jamaica and 
other CARICOM Member States.  I note that discussions have 
been held on this subject at both the techincal and political 
levels.  The Government of Jamaica is contineuing to study 
the matter carefully, fully cognizant of the value your 
government places on the conclusion of these agreements. 
Historically, Jamaica's support for the Court goes back to 
the time when our fellow CARICOM Member State, Trinidad and 
Tobago first proposed the idea of an international criminal 
court to deal with drug trafficking offences.  The concept 
has evolved significantly since then but our support has not 
waned. 
 
     However, I do not believe that Jamaica's support for the 
Court poses a major obstacle to resolving the concerns which 
exist.  I am confident that, toghether, our countries can 
find a solution which meets both our needs while maintaining 
levels of cooperation in fields such as disaster 
preparedness, combating drug trafficking and increasing 
security in the region to combat the threat of terrorism. 
The United States has always supported the efforts aimed at 
social and economic development in the Caribbean which we 
welcome and greatly appreciate. 
 
     We look forward to the continuation of our countries 
working closely together in agreas of mutual concern, as we 
strive to create in this hemisphere, and indeed the rest of 
the world, safer and more just societies in which persons can 
achieve sustainable economic advancement, based on the 
collective decision of their people. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
P.J. Patterson 
Prime Minister 
End text of letter. 
TIGHE