Game, set and match

The Editor,
Sir:

In the absence of a full explanation given by a government bound by a confidentiality clause in an extradition treaty, it was perfectly understandable that a vigilant media and others would have speculated darkly as to the reasons for delay in the celebrated 'Dudus' extradition case.

But now that Prime Minister Bruce Golding, no longer bound by confidentiality breached by the United States, has risen in Parliament to explain that the US request is based on illegally obtained wiretap evidence, that's it. Game, set and match.

Whatever the merits of the case, no attorney general of Jamaica could be expected to accede to a request in clear violation of Jamaican law.

The US needs to do what Golding has stated: put up (i.e. submit sufficient legally obtained evidence) - or shut up.

Whatever the ramifications - political, economic, local or otherwise - the matter simply can't proceed if the US doesn't do that. End of story.

Get over it. Next case.

I am, etc.,

ERROL W.A. TOWNSHEND

ewat@rogers.com

Ontario, Canada