The strike came in the 66th minute and was Johnson’s second for Jamaica after scoring a header against Argentina in February.

Jamaica has called up ten overseas players to in the Reggae Boyz squad for their friendly international.  Ryan Johnson was called up to the national team and is a Striker for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Up next for the Reggae Boyz: A match against Peru on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

The dilapidated home is currently being rented, and the government has not had any luck reaching the owner, who is believed to be living in the United States, said Laleta Davis-Mattis, a spokeswoman for the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

The government has asked a judge for permission to buy the property, which is estimated to be worth $38,000. The money would be set aside and given to the owner if she appears, Davis-Mattis said.

It is unclear how much the repairs would cost, but State Minister Robert Montague said in a statement issued Tuesday that the government pledged $35,000 for the project.

A committee is trying to determine whether the structure is Garvey’s original home, although officials are certain that Garvey grew up on the property where the home is located, Davis-Mattis said.

The trust also wants to identify other sites in the neighborhood that were significant in Garvey’s life and create a walking tour, she said.

Garvey was born in 1887 in northern St. Ann Parish, Jamaica’s largest district. He moved to the United States in 1916 and led one of the largest black organizations in history, the Universal Negro Improvement Association. He also survived an assassination attempt.

Garvey died in London in 1940 and was buried in Kingston, Jamaica.

From the start, Jamaica controlled the early exchanges and took the lead in the 8th minute as a shot from Kavin Bryan deflected to Richards, who then hit a shot into the box. The attack continued at the 20th minute, Richards had a close shot that went over the crossbar.

Trinidad and Tobago equalized in the 27th when Devon Jorsling side-footed home Keon Daniel’s cross from the left.   Austin converted a penalty in the 31st to restore Jamaica’s lead after forward Bryan was fouled in the area. And Bryan scored Jamaica’s third when he leaped high to meet a floated cross from the right with a well-timed header in the 53rd.

Jamaica ended the game with 10 men, when Austin was sent off in the 80th minute after a foul on Kendall Jagdeosingh, but Russell Latapy’s Soca Warriors could not take advantage of their extra man.

The starting line-up for Jamaica included four (4) Major League Soccer (MLS) players — Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy), Shavar Thomas (Kansas City Wizards), Ryan Johnson (San Jose Earthquakes and Dane Richards (New York Red Bulls).

The Hon. Peter Bunting, (right) Member of Parliament for Central Manchester in Jamaica and General Secretary for the Opposition PNP in Jamaica receives the Glasspole Cooke Award for Achievement at the 26th Annual Jamaica National Movement Awards & Dinner in New York City. Others in photo are L-R Horace Thomas president of JNM and Desmond Clarke, vice-president. Mr Bunting was the keynote speaker at this year's gala last Saturday in Queens, NY. While here, Mr Bunting connected with hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans on his short trip, undertaking a grueling schedule of press interviews with Diaspora media in New York City, South Florida, Atlanta, New Jersey, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

General Secretary of the People’s National Party – Honorable Peter Bunting was the keynote speaker at 26th annual awards dinner dance of the Jamaica National Movement – The event took place on Saturday, July 17, 2010 in Queens, New York.   CaribPress caught up with this multifaceted politician and businessman via telephone, and we are pleased to share his insights on the dynamic situation with the “Dudus Affair”, as well as his assessment of the impact of the global economic downturn on his constituents.

CPress: In your opinion, what are the lessons learned on handling this dynamic situation with the “Dudus Affair” from a government standpoint?

Hon. PB: Well, I think first of all there was absolutely inappropriate, improper and in my opinion, corrupt interference in the law enforcement process.

We received thousands of extradition requests from the United States every year and they are handled in a particular way.  First of all, they are dealt with in secret, so the subject of the extradition is not tipped off until the warrant of arrest is being executed.  They are usually not subjected to the political interference; they are handled by the officers of the justice department or our attorney generals or director of public prosecution departments or by our police officers.  Politicians should really stay away from interfering in this process.  It has caused a great deal of mistrust with the political officials involved, the prime minister, the minister of justice and the minister of national security.  It has, I think, tainted Jamaica’s image internationally.  We appear to be a country that governs by the rule of law, but operate based on a country that was very good for business if you were in organized crime.

CPress: What are you hearing from your constituents in Central Manchester on the challenges they are facing?

Hon. PB: The main concern is the recession.  We have been impacted by the global recession.  Particularly the reduction in demand for commodities such as aluminum and that has caused the closure of two processing plants in our area, which were major employers.  Therefore, that has really hit the economy of our constituencies.  Unemployment is a big issue now.  While the entire country is in a recession, we are probably in a deeper recession because of the specific impact on the bauxite and our industry.  As I said, we do not have tourism and the economic diversification like some of the other parishes.

CaribPress: Tell our Readers about the parish that you represent.

Honorable Peter Bunting: I represent Central Manchester, which is the Central Southern part of Jamaica.  My constituents are on a 2,000 feet high plateau.  It is quite cool and that’s probably why it was named Manchester after the English kind of weather we have there most of the time.  It’s where most of the bauxite, mining and processing have taken place in Jamaica.  And it also is the home of Northern Caribbean University, one of the three primary universities in Jamaica.  Manchester is not typically considered a tourist destination, but it is a very popular place for returning residents.  It is real pretty, cool, low crime and quite a pleasant environment for living.  We have one of the oldest golf courses in the hemisphere that was built in the 19th century [Manchester Golf Club was founded in 1868 and is the first golf course in the Caribbean].  So, there are a few interesting features to the community. 

CPress: You have a very multifaceted career as a mechanical engineer and businessman.  How did you make the transition to government and politics?

Hon. PB: I have always been drawn to politics.  My father was not involved in politics at an electoral level.  But he was always fascinated and involved with it at some level.  I think he always talked to me about politicians and public service and those he admired.  So I think from an early age, as young as a teen-ager, I started going to political meetings.  It was a time of very charismatic leadership in Jamaica – Michael Manley was the prime minister.  He was really very inspirational and charismatic.  I had the opportunity to be exposed to Michael Manley.  After coming back from University, at one point I actually worked for him.  And that was inevitable my entry into the representation of politics.  “It was my exposure to then Prime Minister Michael Manley (and leader of the people’s national party) that transitioned what was an interest into a commitment to be a part of the political process.  Prime Minister Michael Manley was a mentor for me.”

CPress: What is the latest on the situation, specifically the violence that was ongoing in West Kingston?

Hon. PB: First I must tell you that as the opposition spokesman on national security, I was really in the vanguard of the group of opposition and civil society organization that brought pressure on the government.  You would recall for nine months they [the government] equivocated and attempted to frustrate the extradition request for Christopher “Dudus” Coke.  We really led the charge and were joined by the umbrella group of churches and many of the private sector organizations and NGO’s.  In fact – in the end – calling for Prime Minister Bruce Golding to resign for having put his individual interest, this alleged drug lord who had close ties to the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) and to the prime minister’s own constituency, for putting his interest ahead of the rest of the nation.  I have been one of the most strident voices in parliament and in public pressuring the government, when the prime minister finally capitulated and signed the authority to proceed with the extradition and end the operation at Tivoli and subsequent apprehension and extradition of Coke.

What we have now seen in the ensuing 6-7 weeks is a dramatic reduction in murder and crime rate generally in Jamaica, particularly in the murder rate.  In June the murder rate was down by 30 percent.  In July, month to date, it is down by over 50 percent.  That is obvious that Coke, The Shower Posse and their headquarters in Tivoli Gardens was a substantial center of influence for organized crime in Jamaica.  The operation and removal of Coke and the operation to degrade the capacity for violence in Tivoli Gardens has really had a beneficial effect across the entire country.

CPress: How do you describe the mood of the country today?

Hon. PB: I would say the country is at a crossroads, a watershed period.  The mood is hopeful.  There is a sense of assertiveness of the broader civil society to hold the government accountable and to raise the bar for accountability by our leaders.  I think there is a momentum in that direction.  And if that sustains, I think the term outlook would be great for Jamaica overall.

CPress: How do you define your responsibilities with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ)?

Hon. PB: We really are responsible for supervising the electoral system in Jamaica.  Jamaica historically had some challenges to do with the elections and confrontation during election time.  During the late 1970’s, an agreement was arrived at by two parties to form the commission to really work towards a more perfect electoral system.  And it has made tremendous advances over the last three decades – To the point where we are looked at as a standard electoral organization in the Central American and Caribbean region.  We are often used to provide technical advice to some of the other organizations.

CPress: What major issues or current issues is the commission working on?

Hon. PB: The major issue that we are working on is political party financing and the elements related with political party financing.  Looking at campaign financing, looking at disclosure, looking at whether there should be term limits, state funding to some degree – These are the issues that we are dealing with now.

CPress: If you were advising a young person just starting out in his or her career, what advice would you offer?

Hon. PB: I would tell them to try and do work that they are passionate about.  Then it never will feel like work.  It will be like you are being paid to do something which you would do for free.

CPress: What obstacles have you faced or do you expect to face in your career?

Hon. PB: I have been very fortunate and have had many opportunities for leadership at a relatively young age. I have had challenges, but nothing that would stand out as being an obstacle.  I have been successful at all the electoral contests that I have participated in.  I have been fairly successful in all my business ventures. I know there have been challenges and roadblocks along the way, but nothing so significant.

CPress: What’s next for Hon. Peter Bunting?

Hon. PB: Right now I am the Executive Officer for the party [People’s National Party].  I run the party on a day-to-day basis.  I run the party secretarial.  I am in charge of political organization.  Therefore, my next major goal is to prepare the party for the upcoming general election, which is due in another two years.  They will be on an election alert.  There was a poll done a month or two ago that shows our party [People’s National Party] ahead of the government quite substantially, leading 2:1 actually.  We have to hold a steady course and make sure that the things we are doing right are continued and shape up on those that need improving.

There was once a Garrison Don named Christopher Coke.
Some called him “Dudus” and that was no joke.
Others called him the “President”
But it was quite evident
That this was not a man to provoke.

Dudus and his Shower Posse ruled Tivoli
With political largesse from the JLP
But why wait every 5 years to get paid
When there is money from drug smuggling to be made?
Pork barrel politics paled in comparison to this new entity!

Unable to stop the illicit drug appetite within its borders,
The US sent the Jamaican government an extradition order.
“Please serve Dudus this warrant
As to DEA it seems quite apparent
That his activities will lead to more murders.”

Prime Minister Bruce Golding was astonished.
How could President Barack Obama admonish
A friend of America,
This beautiful island of Jamaica?
Was this payback for Usain Bolt’s first place finish?

“Where is the evidence?” Attorney General Lightbourne asked.
“Confidential informant Constable “John Doe” must be unmasked.
If illegal wiretaps were the source
Under Jamaican law you know of course
These charges won’t past muster or last.”

Scared for his political life, Golding panicked
A special envoy to the US was handpicked
Senator Ronald Robinson went and met
With lawyers Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, but yet
Was told that the charges would stick.

The PNP got wind of the scheme.
Peter Phillips stood up in parliament and gleaned.
The documents in his possession
Were worthy of a JLP confession
But bare-faced Golding fought back and screamed.

“The government has nothing to hide
And we will always abide.”
So said Golding with thunder
But his lies proved to be a blunder
When Manatt did not go along for the ride.

Not surprising, Golding apologized to the nation.
He claimed the party had over-stepped its intentions.
Jamaicans were to believe his new set of lies.
No wonder this man is despised
By even those who voted for him in the last election.

The government decided to honor the extradition request.
Not before tipping off Dudus at his nest.
While Dudus did flee,
The government to his lawyers did plea,
“Could you please bring him in without duress?”

The people of Tivoli were in an uproar
“Leave our Robin Hood alone!” they implored.
“Tivoli is one of the safest communities…..
Well if you are not PNP.
We are willing to die to settle the score!”

Dudus didn’t show up at the police station,
So a State of Emergency was declared in West Kingston.
The government declared: “We’ll send the police and the military
To rid our communities of home-grown thuggery
Sadly it took international embarrassment to get this determination.

The Chief Architect of Garrisons finally weighed in.
Edward Seaga was quite chagrined
Golding’s lack of political savvy
Had irreparably damaged his credibility.
“Let my people go!” he chimed in.

UWI had definitely lowered its stock,
By giving Mass Eddie a Fellow’s frock.
He had caused the nation so much pain.
What would be his final refrain?
To teach “How to be a Don Block by Block?”

The police and soldiers did engage the Tivoli gunmen.
They were willing to die for Dudus by the dozens
With roadblocks rigged with propane tanks
The security forces were temporarily out-flanked.
When it was over 73 citizens perished in the end.

Still there was no Dudus to be found.
He had given them the slip and gone underground.
But other criminals turned themselves in
Giving the security forces a minor win.
Downtown at night, there was nary a sound.

After one month of searching the break finally came.
Intermediary extraordinaire Reverend Al Miller was in the game.
He claimed to be dropping Dudus at the US Embassy
As the “President” had concerns about his safety.
Dudus in drag……what a shame!

Unlike his father’s, Dudus’ extradition did not end in death
JLP politicians now a fret!
PNP’s Portia Simpson told her comrades not to gloat
As her party uses these same kinds of people to turn out the vote.
We surely have not heard the end of this, I bet.

This shameful episode in Jamaica’s politics is a sad commentary
But could be turned into a moral victory.
If we really love our nation,
Then let’s summon the inclination
To kick out these lying, corrupt politicians and put them in the penitentiary.

Please view past articles at: http://themcintyrereport.com

Writers note: A very dear friend of mine, Andrene Bonner, has published her first book entitled Olympic Gardens.  For those who are nostalgic about Jamaica in the 1960s or just curious about another culture, this award-winning book will make you laugh and cry.  Please contact Ms. Bonner at: Andrene Bonner 32 North 7^th Avenue Suite 1N Mount Vernon, NY 10550 Tel.:  914-668-5836 Email:  abwrites2@aol.com Blog:  http://andrenebonner.wordpress.com

Hurricane Catrina from ISS, March 26, 2004 by Earth Observations Lab, Johsnon space Center

In a press briefing teleconference on Tuesday, Michelle Bernier-Toth, Director of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, said June 1st is the first day of the Hurricane Season.  As part of hurricane preparedness, the U.S. Department of State wants all citizens to “Know before they go”.

“We want to make sure first and foremost, that US citizens have the information they need before they make travel plans so they can be better informed to make decisions and preparations, should they find themselves in an area affected by a hurricane,” said Ms. Bernier-Toth.

The 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30.  Among the highest priorities of the U.S. Department of State is the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas.  Every year, the possibility of hurricanes threatens the welfare of U.S. citizens living or vacationing in parts of Mexico, Central America, and in the Caribbean.

Know before you Go

Prior to departure, Americans should register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website.  Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known and will make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of emergency.  While Consular Officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers should always be aware that when they are abroad, local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.  It is important to follow local authorities’ instructions concerning security and evacuation; failure to do so has cost people their lives.

Americans traveling during the hurricane season should monitor local radio and other sources of information, such as the National Hurricane Center, to stay aware of any weather developments in the area.  Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation.  Travelers should maintain close contact with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency.

Preceding the press briefing teleconference, and in line with U.S. President Barack Obama’s direction that federal agencies prepare for the hurricane season, there was an annual workshop with the Department of State, other U.S. government, and foreign embassy officials responsible for responding to hurricanes overseas.  Consular officers from U.S. embassies and consulates in Grenada, Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas participated via video conferencing.

Participants discussed the 2010 hurricane forecast, past lessons learned, current response plans, and how to most effectively alert U.S. citizens abroad of any hurricane threat through social media and web 2.0 technologies.   More information regarding hurricane preparedness is available at www.travel.state.gov.

Meiling was formally trained in fashion design at Lucie Clayton School of Design in London, England in the 1960s but has been sewing with the help of her mother’s instruction since childhood.  Upon her graduating from Clayton, Meiling moved back to Trinidad & Tobago in the early 1970s where she opened her first showroom in a retrofitted garage.  From here, Meiling developed her signature style in elaborating natural fabrics, as well as gracing the runway with her precedent-setting shows, making her a visionary in the Caribbean fashion world and the global fashion scene.  At the start of her career, Meiling began making a name in both fashion design and fashion shows with her still-talked-about 1976 runway show that featured Macaws.  Seven years later Meiling began working with costume designer Peter Minshall on costumes for the Trinidadian Carnival.  This reputation led to her eventual participation in the costume design for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia and the commission from Absolut Vodka to design the uniforms for one of their bars.

Further developing her interest in working with natural fabrics, Meiling launched a Resort line that draws upon traditional garments from around the world comprised of embroidered white linens and loose-fitting designs in 1996.  More recently, Meiling raised the bar higher yet with her 2002 fashion show entitled, “Meiling: The Private Collection,” where guests were invited into the designer’s Port of Spain home in Trinidad to witness the spectacle.  This distinct and highly developed style has been a common thread throughout Meiling’s work, which is reflected in everything she designs from her costumes and wardrobe to her fashion shows, photo shoots and even the somewhat eerie, voodoo inspired flash imagery on her website.  With such success in her career, Caribbean Fashion Week finally recognized Meiling for her unparalleled creativity with the honorary award of Grand Master of Fashion Design in 2008.  In that same year, Meiling worked with local Trinidadian boutique, Micles, to create a line at a lower price-point called MSQUARED, which again placed Meiling among the first to participate trend that many have now followed in the fashion world.

In addition to designing for her 2010 line, the Resort line and MSQUARED, Meiling is most recently experimenting in yet another direction.  This year Meiling has created Meiling’s Model Bootcamp, which is a five-day intensive training for runway models.  Spawning from the dozens of aspiring models requesting to participate in one of Meiling’s legendary fashion shows, Meiling was moved to create a resource for the “many young men and women who have no clue what it takes to be a model; whether physically, mentally, or even emotionally” that call upon her daily.  Meiling’s Model Bootcamp is designed to instruct models the ins and outs of runway shows, where they will learn behind-the-scenes information from industry professionals and get a chance to walk in one of Meiling’s upcoming fashion shows.

In the span of Meiling’s thirty-something year career, she has pulled from her Trinidadian roots, her European training and the ubiquitous Western fashion influences to develop a style unlike any in the Caribbean, placing her among the trend-setting renegades of the global fashion sphere. Meiling’s current study, “the secret life of plants,” is true to her style in design, and the powdered earth tones are well suited with the natural fabrics she has been working with.  Her recent exploration of the colors and patterns of decaying and preserved flowers is right on time with the color palate of the world’s fashion designers creating looks that are progressive yet classic, cutting edge yet timeless with designs subtly mimicking the listlessness of the dried ruffles of flower petals and leaves.

The Meiling line is available in Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Thomas USVI, Martinique, and is available for viewing at www.meilinginc.com

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua  _ All-rounder Darren Sammy hit 58 not out off 24 balls Monday but South Africa held off a late West Indies surge to score a 17-run victory in the second one-day cricket international at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Jamaica beats US in cricket

LAUDERHILL, Fla.  _ The United States lost to Jamaica by 19 runs and Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by seven wickets on Sunday in a Twenty20 doubleheader.

Sri Lanka bounced back after losing to New Zealand by 29 runs Saturday in the first major cricket international played on U.S. soil. Nuwan Kulasekara played a key role in Sri Lanka’s resurgence, claiming three wickets for four runs at Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium.

The Florida series was the brainchild of U.S. Cricket chief executive Don Lockerbie as part of the Destination USA program, a strategic partnership between USA Cricket and New Zealand Cricket.

U.S. captain Steve Massiah had a fighting knock of 49 runs, but it wasn’t enough as Jamaica skipper Tamar Lambert smashed 19 from 12 balls and Wavell Hinds had 16 from 9.

The reversal by Prime Minister Bruce Golding came after mounting public discontent over his opposition to sending Christopher “Dudus” Coke to the U.S., a stand that raised questions about the reputed drug kingpin’s ties to the governing party.

The move also set up the challenge of arresting Coke, who allegedly controls a band of gunmen in the capital’s barricaded Tivoli Gardens area. The U.S. Justice Department lists Coke as one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords.

As rumors of the government’s decision spread before the official announcement, the streets of downtown Kingston emptied as businesses and government agencies closed early out of fear of violence.

But Coke’s lawyer, Tom Tavares-Finson, said there would be no violence on his client’s insistence. He said Coke was prepared to fight extradition in court.

“For eight months the attorney general took a position based that there was not sufficient evidence to proceed. We’re putting together a legal team to approach the courts as soon as possible,” Tavares-Finson said.

Golding did not indicate how long it would take before security forces moved on Coke.

Coke has ties of loyalty to the Jamaica Labor Party and holds significant sway over the west Kingston area represented in parliament by Golding, who stonewalled the extradition request for months with claims that the U.S. indictment relied on illegal wiretap evidence.

In a nationally televised address Monday night, Golding said his party had become improperly involved in the dispute and expressed remorse for his handling of the case.

“This matter of the extradition has consumed too much of our energies and attention and has led to a virtual paralysis that must be broken,” he said. “The minister of justice, in consideration of all the factors, will sign the authorization for the extradition process to commence.”

The prime minister’s handling of the case, in particular his authorization of a U.S. firm to lobby Washington to drop the request, provoked an outcry that threatened his political career. With opposition parties and public sector groups calling for his resignation, the governing party vouched for him following a high-level conference over the weekend.

Golding’s opposition to the extradition strained relations with the United States, which questioned the Caribbean island’s reliability as an ally in the fight against trafficking in a State Department report earlier this year.

Coke represents a Jamaican tradition of “community dons” with ties to political parties that dates back to the 1970s, when political factions provided arms to gangs that helped rally votes during elections.

Coke’s father was Lester Lloyd Coke, better known as Jim Brown, a leader of the Shower Posse during the 1980s cocaine wars. U.S. prosecutors say Christopher Coke took over the organization after his father died in a 1991 prison fire while awaiting extradition to the United States.

Under the younger Coke’s direction, Shower Posse members have sold marijuana and crack cocaine in the New York area and elsewhere and funneled profits back to him, U.S. authorities allege. He faces life in prison if convicted on charges filed against him in New York.

Illustration of Jamaica to Extradite Dudus

Police commissioner Owen Ellington says officers are monitoring the situation and there is no threat to public safety.

West Kingston community leader Christopher “Dudus” Coke is wanted by the U.S. on weapons and drug trafficking charges. Observers say any attempt to arrest the politically connected Coke inside his barricaded neighborhood could spark violence.

Local media say the government has denied signing extradition papers.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has touched off a public outcry by opposing Coke’s extradition.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been under fire since he acknowledged this week that he authorized a lobbying firm to help the government contest the extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who presides over a barricaded neighborhood in the west Kingston area that Golding represents in parliament.

Golding has not yet publicly addressed the outcry. The leadership of his Jamaica Labor Party called an emergency meeting for Sunday in the resort city of Ocho Rios to discuss its biggest political crisis since Golding was elected in 2007.

“He is calm and in good spirits and has the full support of the Cabinet,” Information Minister Daryl Vaz said after the Cabinet meeting at Golding’s office.

At the heart of the outcry is the appearance that Golding is helping a man described by the U.S. Justice Department as one of the world’s most dangerous drug kingpins. Coke, 41, is wanted in New York on charges he smuggled drugs and guns between the two countries as leader of the notorious “Shower Posse” gang.

The calls for Golding to resign have come from opposition parties, civic groups and hundreds of islanders who have expressed outrage on Facebook and other social networking sites.

“I think there is growing grounds that he no longer has the moral authority to lead the country,” said Peter Bunting, a national security spokesman for the main opposition party, the People’s National Party.

The human rights group Jamaicans for Justice said Golding should quit because he has abused citizens’ trust and hurt the country’s international standing.

“We can no longer turn a blind eye to the nexus of politics and criminality and the deception and moral degradation that this engenders. To do so risks the capture of our democracy by criminal elements and would fail Jamaica, our children and history,” the group said in a statement.

Gang leaders in Jamaica have loose allegiances to both major parties dating to the 1970s, when political factions provided guns to intimidate elections rivals.

Since the U.S. revealed an indictment of Coke last August, Golding has led opposition to the extradition request, claiming evidence was illegally obtained. His stance has strained relations with Washington, which earlier this year questioned Jamaica’s reliability as an ally in the fight against drug trafficking.

It became a full-blown scandal on the Caribbean island of 2.8 million people after Golding told parliament Tuesday that he authorized his party to pursue a lobbying contract with the Los Angeles-based firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. Golding, who denied any government role in the contract, said he acted in his capacity as party chief, not prime minister.

Golding said the $50,000 paid to the law firm came from party donors and not Coke.

Coke is accused of leading a gang that sold marijuana and crack cocaine in New York and elsewhere and funneled profits and weapons back to his stronghold in the Tivoli Gardens neighborhood of Kingston, a city with one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere.

A

Information Minister Daryl Vaz says the legislation allows the government to create the Casino Gaming Commission to grant licenses.

He said Saturday that the island’s deputy governor-general signed the bill this week because Gov. General Sir Patrick Allen was on vacation.

Allen is a former leader of a Seventh-day Adventist Church and opposed the bill.

Jamaica currently has a few hundred slot machines at hotels in Kingston and tourist areas.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said that companies seeking a gambling license need to invest a minimum of $1.5 billion and build a hotel with at least 2,000 rooms.

Two U.S. runners won events _ Michael Rodgers in the men’s 200 and Ginnie Powell in the women’s 100 hurdles. Joanne Cuddihy of Ireland captured the women’s 400.

Campbell-Brown finished in 11.02 seconds for her first win in the 100 this season. Japan’s Chisato Fukushima was second in 11.27 while Australia’s Melissa Breen was third in 11.47.

Campbell-Brown, the 200 winner in Beijing and Athens, had to make up ground to finish comfortably ahead of Fukushima.

“I didn’t get the start I wanted,” Campbell-Brown said. “I didn’t execute the way I wanted but am happy to get the win. It’s always good to come back to Osaka.”

Frater was timed in his victory in the 100 in 10:24.

Rodgers won the 200 in 20.55 and was 0.11 seconds ahead of Canada’s Jared Connaughton. Cuddihy’s time in the 400 was 52.15. She beat Jamaica’s Clora Williams by 0.78 seconds. Powell took the 100 hurdles in 12.76.

In the last match on Saturday, May 8^th at Qwest Field, the LA Galaxy continued their march up the Western Conference with a convincing win, 4-0 against the Seattle Sounders.  LA went to Seattle where they had never won at Qwest Field.  Indeed, they shocked the 37,000 fans who came to watch their beloved Sounders.

For the first 20 minutes into the game, Seattle was aggressive and they had the fans behind them.  They seemed to have better possessions and scoring opportunities, but did not take advantage.  All four players who scored for the Galaxy recorded their first goal of the season.

The Galaxy took the lead in the 2nd minute.  Galaxy Forward Jovan Kirovski took a cross ball from Michael Stephens and blazed a right foot cross pass veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller.  Kirvoski made his first start of the season.

Although the Galaxy were in front, they should not be happy with how the 1st half went. They were off to a slow start, but brought their ‘A’ game in the 2nd half.  The Galaxy  came out with a lot more confidence and scored 3 goals.

Galaxy Defender Omar Gonzalez header off the cross bar and in the box on the 52nd minute was his 2nd career goal, with an assist to Landon Donovan.

The Galaxy got on the board again in the 57^th minute, with a diving header into the box by Defended Todd Dunivant.

Finally, Galaxy ‘skipper’ Landon Donovan scored in the 67th minute on an Edson Buddle cross-pass to the Sounder’s box.

For the 1st month of the season, it was all Buddle, now the Galaxy have scoring from the back-line — Jovan Kirovski (FWD), Omar Gonzalez (DEF), Todd Dunivant (DEF).

Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made a season-high seven saves in the game for LA and now has six clean sheets in eight games thus far in the season.

Colorado Rapids Wednesday, May 5th:

Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena made three changes to the team that defeated Colorado 1-0 on Wednesday night, bringing in Bryan Jordan, Jovan Kirovski and Chris Klein for their first starts of the season. They replaced A.J. DeLaGarza, who missed the game because of back spasms, Juninho and Alan Gordon.

Next up for the Galaxy:

The game kicks off at 7:30pm Saturday night (May 15th )  against Toronto FC at The Home Depot Center, Carson, California .