US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON1337

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001337 
 
SIPDIS 
 
WHA/CAR (BENT), INL/LP (KBROWN) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KCRM, SNAR, JM 
SUBJECT: PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATION OF JAMAICA CALL FOR 
WIDESPREAD CRIME PROTEST 
 
REF: A. KINGSTON 01258 
     B. POWELL/BENT 5/20 EMAIL 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Ronald Robinson for reasons 1.4 (b) an 
d (d). 
 
1. (C) Protesting against the escalating crime rate, the 
Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) announced on 
Thursday, May 19, their intention to lead a three day 
protest, commencing with a rally at Emancipation Park, 
located a block from the Consular Section in New Kingston, on 
Wednesday, May 25.  Beverly Lopez, President of the PSOJ 
advised Econoff on May 20 that the planned protest is not 
anti-government, but is meant to show that "enough is 
enough."  As part of the event at Emancipation Park, Lopez 
hopes to have each Cabinet member publicly reaffirm their 
support for the rule of law. 
 
2. (C) It was the death of four policemen (Ref A) and that of 
prominent businessmen, Maurice Azan and his stepson Lloyd 
Phang, which spurred the PSOJ and other civic organizations 
such as the Jamaica Exporters' Association and the Jamaica 
Manufacturers' Association into action.  (Note:  On Saturday, 
May 14, Azan and Phang were both killed when heavily armed 
gunmen entered Azan's supermarket in May Pen, Clarendon and 
opened fire. Police state the gunmen escaped with an 
undetermined sum of money.  NAS Law Enforcement Development 
Advisor confirmed the police believe the motive behind the 
killings was extortion. End Note.)  On May 19, the PSOJ 
announced a three-day private sector show of protest against 
the staggering homicide rate to run from May 25 to May 27. 
Plans include an island-wide shutdown of commercial 
activities on May 25.  Flowers will be laid at a newly 
erected memorial at Trafalgar Park in downtown Kingston on 
May 26 and the protest will culminate with a meeting between 
PSOJ members, government officials and Opposition leaders on 
the 27th. 
 
3. (C) Delroy Chuck, Opposition Spokesperson on Justice 
Issues, told Poloff on May 24 that he would not be attending 
the three day event and that he "heard the PSOJ would be 
calling for a State of Emergency."  Chuck stated a state of 
emergency would be sending the wrong signal and that he could 
not support it as it would "negatively affect" tourism.  What 
Jamaica has, Chuck noted is a "failed administration."  "Not 
only is society in a state of anarchy but so is the police 
force and education system."  Further, Chuck stated that the 
protest is definitely a good gesture but "nothing will come 
of it." 
 
4. (C)  Comment:  This show of solidarity is more than 
welcome in a country where the homicide rate has averaged 125 
people per month.  As the PSOJ and other members of society 
have pointed out, however, it will take much more than this 
symbolic gesture to stem the high rate of crime.  Although 
the protest is meant to be a stand against the overall 
homicide and crime rate, it took the death of an affluent 
white Jamaican businessman to spur private sector businesses 
into action.  While it appears the GOJ is unable to win 
public confidence with its anti-crime measures, the private 
sector may now be stepping up to play a more civic-minded 
role.  Post will report further on the PSOJ shutdown and 
rally as the day unfolds.  End comment. 
ROBINSON