TEXT OF PM SEAGA'S APRIL 8 SPEECH ON NARCOTICS AND VOGEL TESTIMONY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: April 11, 1988
• Content Type: CABLE

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
UNCLASSIFIED
00 RUEAIIB
ZNR UUUUU ZOC STATE ZZH
STU3214
00 RUEHC
DE RUEHKG #3643/01 1022043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
0 112043Z APR 88
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2620
BT
UNCLAS KINGSTON 03643
E.O.: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR US JM
SUBJECT: TEXT OF PM SEAGA'S APRIL 8 SPEECH ON
NARCOTICS AND VOGEL TESTIMONY
THE TEXT OF PRIME MINISTER SEAGA'S APR 8 SPEECH TO
THE NATION ON GOJ'S DETERMINATION TO FIGHT NARCOTICS
AND HIS REFUTATION OF ALLEGATIONS IN THE APR 5
CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY BY CONVICTED NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKER MICHAEL VOGEL FOLLOWS BELOW. BEGIN TEXT:
A. GOOD EVENING. THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA SOME 3
OR MORE YEARS AGO, TOOK A POSITIVE POLICY DECISION TO
WIPE OUT DANGEROUS DRUGS IN JAMAICA. NEEDLESS TO SAY,
AT THE TIME, BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY INCIDENCE OF GANJA-
GROWING IN JAMAICA, THIS WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ACT
OF POLITICAL SUICIDE BECAUSE OF THE OUTPOURING OF
REACTION FROM ALL QUARTERS WHICH WOULD RESULT WITH
IMPACT ON OUR POLITICAL POPULARITY. NEVERTHELESS, WE
TOOK STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY REGARDLESS OF THE
NEGATIVE POLITICAL RESULTS BECAUSE OF WHAT WE
CONSIDERED WAS NECESSARY TO BE DONE TO SAVE THE
COUNTRY FROM THE FATE OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN THIS REGION
WHERE DRUG BARONS WERE VIRTUALLY CORRUPTING THEIR WAY TO
POWER AND ESTABLISHING CONTROL OVER THE VITAL AREAS OF
NATURAL LIFE. TAKING THIS UNPOPULAR DECISION WAS ONLY
ONE MORE SUCH TOUGH DECISION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS
TAKEN IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST WHETHER DEALING WITH
PROGRAMMES TO REBUILD THE ECONOMY OR TO CURB
INDISCIPLINE.
B. FOR A GOOD TIME WE WERE THE LONE VOICE CRYING OUT
AGAINST THE THREAT OF DANGEROUS DRUGS TO NATIONAL
HEALTH AND NATIONAL INTEGRITY. THAT IS NO LONGER SO.
BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE NOW JOINED IN A
COMMON OBJECTIVE TO WIPE OUT THE THREAT OF DANGEROUS
DRUGS TO OUR SOCIETY. THIS, OF COURSE, HAS NOT MADE
THE DRUG BARONS HAPPY. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY
THOUGHT THEY COULD PLAY OFF ONE PARTY AGAINST THE OTHER
AND ENDEAVOURED TO DO SO. OUR CAMPAIGN, AIDED BY THE
SUPPORT OF THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE
UNITED STATES AND IN KEEPING WITH OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDEN
THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON DRUG TRAFFICKING HAS
HAD AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON BOTH THE CULTIVATION AND
TRADING OF GANJA. THE LEVEL OF ERADICATION OF THE
CROP HAS BEEN GROWING YEARLY, WITH THE RESULT THAT
LAST YEAR THREE-QUARTERS OF THE CROP WAS WIPED OUT.
UNCLASSIFIED
OCA
I NCOM I STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
UNCLASS IF 1ED
88 8532980 SUO
PAGE 002 NC 8532980
TOR: 112120Z APR 88 KINGST 03643
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEW METHODS TO BE USED THIS YEAR
WILL ENSURE EVEN GREATER SUCCESS AND WILL FURTHER
CLOSE THE LOOP HOLES WHICH EXIST IN TRANSPORTATION OF
DANGEROUS DRUGS FROM OUR SHORES WHETHER FROM STOCKS OF
GANJA WHICH STILL EXIST OR FROM TRANSHIPMENT OF DRUGS
THROUGH JAMAICA FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. THE FIGHT
AGAINST COCAINE WHICH IS A GROWING PROBLEM IS EQUALLY
BEING INTENSIFIED IN OUR DETERMINATION TO WIPE OUT
DANGEROUS DRUGS BEFORE DANGEROUS DRUGS WIPE US OUT.
C. I SAID EARLIER THAT THIS HAS DISPLEASED THE
NETWORK OF DRUG DEALERS AND BARONS, JAMAICANS AND
FOREIGNERS, WHOSE VAST INCOMES HAVE BEEN THREATENED
AND WHOSE ATTEMPTS HAVE NOW BEEN FRUSTRATED TO USE
CORRUPTION TO GAIN POLITICAL INFLUENCE LEADING TO THE
KIND OF TAKEOVER OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM WHICH HAS
HAPPENED TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.
SOME OF THE PRINCIPALS IN THIS NETWORK ARE BEHIND
BARS IN JAMAICA AND THE U.S., OR FACING TRIAL.
OTHERS ARE ON THE RUN. STILL OTHERS ARE FIGHTING
BACK USING THE ENORMOUS WEALTH AND INFLUENCE WHICH
THEY ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE. AS THE LEADER OF A
COUNTRY WHICH HAS TAKEN THE COURAGEOUS, AND AT
FIRST UNPOPULAR DECISION TO WIPE OUT THE CULTIVATION
AND TRAFFICKING OF DANGEROUS DRUGS, I AM ESPECIALLY
VULNERABLE TO VICIOUS RETALIATION OF THIS NETWORK OF
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
D. JAMAICA, WITH THE COMMITMENT AND DEDICATIION OF THE
TEAMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BACKED BY THE POLICIE
OF THE POLITICAL DIRECTORATE, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY
COLLEAGUES, HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE U.S. DRUG
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO BE SINGULARLY SUCCESSFUL IN ITS
FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING. AS THE LEADER OF THE
GOVERNMENT TAKING THIS STRONG STAND, I HAVE BEEN
SUBJECTED TO THREATS ON MY LIFE BY DRUG BARONS, THE
FIRST OF WHICH I REPORTED PUBLICLY 2-1/2 YEARS AGO.
SINCE THEN THE THREATS HAVE GONE AS FAR AS TO INCLUDE
THE KIDNAPPING OF MY LITTLE SON. THESE ARE ALL
MATTERS OF RECORD, KNOWN TO THE SECURITY FORCES.
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 KINGSTON 03643
E.O.: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR US JM
SUBJECT: TEXT OF PM SEAGA'S APRIL 8 SPEECH ON
BECAUSE MY STYLE OF LEADERSHIP IS NOT TO AVOID
PROBLEMS BUT TO CONFRONT THEM, I AM ACCUSTOMED TO
RECEIVING THREATS. HOWEVER, THREATS FROM THIS SOURCE
ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, AS THE ASSASSINATION OF
HIGH OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT IN COLOMBIA INCLUDING
JUDGES. WHO WERE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE WAR AGAINST
DRUG TRAFFICKING, REPEATEDLY AND CHILLINGLY TELL US.
E. IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT I WISH TO DEAL WITH THE
STATEMENT MADE RECENTLY BY A MICHAEL VOGEL, A
CONVICTED DRUG DEALER. VOGEL WAS_IN_.1_986_CONV_ICTED
04_12-DRUG-RELATED-RZFidEg-WHTCH INCLUDED_CONSPII4CY,
ROSSESSION AND POSSESSION WITH INTENTION TO 0ISTRIDUTE
MP-IdUaiA AND-COCAINE AND OPERATINd-A-CONTINUING
CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE=HEZWAS=SENTENGE9-70 25 YEARS.
IN-J.S-XE-STIMONY TO A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE FOREI
ELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE_UNITED-STATES, VOGEL
'SOGGESTED THAT?I-OWN-PROPERTY IN CAYMAN AND FURTHER
---
SUGGESTED THAT DRUG MONEY WAS SENT FROM JAMAICA WHICH
HE STATES WAS TOLD TO HIM IN A BAR IN CAYMAN. IT IS,
OF COURSE, A MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN THAT RUMOURS IN
A BAR ARE GIVEN THE DIGNITY OF TESTIMONY IN A
COMMITTEE ON THE U.S. SENATE. NONETHELESS, SINCE THE
BAR RUMOUR HAS BEEN AIRED LET ME REPEAT AGAIN WHAT I
UNCLASSIFIED
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
NCLASSIF1ED
88 8532980 SUO
PAGE 003 NC 8532980
TOR: 112120Z APR 88 KINGST 03643
HAVE SAID ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THAT I OWN NO PROPERTY
OR ASSETS IN CAYMAN. I HAVE ALREADY FULLY ESTABLISHED
MY COMMITMENT TO JAMAICA'S FUTURE IN THE MOST CONVINCING
MANNER BY INVESTING IN A PROJECT THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO
ALL.
F. IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT VOGEL IS AN ACCOMPLICE OF
ONE LEIGH RICH. RICH WAS, AT THE REQUEST OF THE U.S.
AUTHORITIES TAKEN OFF A PLANE BY THE JAMAICAN
AUTHORITIES IN MONTEGO BAY IN 1986 AND HANDED OVER TO
A U.S. MARSHALL WHO TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. RICH WAS
LATER INDICTED AND CONVICTED. IN HIS TRIAL HE
VEHEMENTLY PROTESTED THE ACTION OF THE JAMAICAN
GOVERNMENT. HIS ACCOMPLICE, VOGEL, IS THE MAN WHO
HAS NOW GIVEN HEARSAY TESTIMONY TO MALIGN THE HEAD OF
GOVERNMENT IN JAMAICA AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE
SAME SMEAR TACTICS I HAVE BEEN, A DELIBERATE PLOY TO
WEAKEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE FORCE.
G. THE GOVERNMENT HAS REACTED PROMPTLY TO THESE
DEVELOPMENTS BY ISSUING THROUGH THE DEPUTY PRIME
MINISTER AND THE MINSTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, A STRONG
PROTEST. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE STATE
DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED BY ISSUING A STRONG
DENUNCIATION OF VOGEL'S TESTIMONY AS "AT BEST HEARSAY"
AND "COMPLETELY UNSUBSTANTIATED". THIS RESPONSE WAS
ALREADY BROADCAST TONIGHT.
H. THE CLEAR MESSAGE FROM ALL OF THIS IS THAT WE ARE
TO EXPECT RETALIATION WHICH SEEKS EITHER TO ATTACK OR
INTIMIDATE OR MALIGN THOSE OF US WHO ARE IN THE
FOREFRONT OF THE CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE DANGEROUS
DRUGS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. I HAVE REPEATEDLY WARNED
OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE POWERFUL DRUG BARONS WERE
CAPABLE OF DAMAGING WHOLE GOVERNMENTS BY TAKING LIFE
OR SMEARING REPUTATIONS IN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO TAKE SUCH
CONTROL AS IS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THEIR ACTIVITIES TO
CONTINUE UNHINDERED. WE HAVE SEEN THE POWER STRUGGLE
GOING ON IN COLOMBIA AND THE FRIGHTENING SPECTACLE OF
WHAT IS TRANSPIRING THERE MUST NOT ESCAPE US. IF IN
JAMAICA WE BECOME FEARFUL EITHER OF ATTACKS ON OUR LIVE
OR REPUTATIONS, WE WILL FALL INTO THE SAME STATE OF
WEAKNESS WHICH LEAVES THE OPENINGS NECESSARY FOR THE
DRUG BARONS TO ESTABLISH THEIR POWER BASE.
I. WHILE THE STATEMENT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS
WELCOMED, I DO NOT INTEND TO LEAVE ANY STONE UNTURNED.
HENCE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS REQUESTED APPROVAL FOR ITS
LAWYERS TO QUESTION VOGEL AS TO THE VERACITY OF HIS
TESTIMONY.
J. THE COUNTRY CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE FIGHT
AGAINST DANGEROUS DRUGS WILL CONTINUE UNDETERRED AS
RELENTLESSLY AS EVER. INDEED, THE MORE SO NOW THAT
THERE IS A NEED NOT ONLY TO FIGHT BUT TO FIGHT BACK.
EITHER WE TAKE HOLD OF THE MENACE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS
IN OUR SOCIETY OR IT WILL TAKE HOLD OF US. THE
SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN IN JAMAICA WHICH IS IN THE
FOREFRONT OF ALL SUCH CAMPAIGNS IN THIS REGION, WILL
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 KINGSTON 03643
E.O.: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAP US JM
SUBJECT: TEXT OF PM SEAGA'S APRIL 8 SPEECH ON
GO ON UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS COMPLETLY WIPED OUT.
LET THAT BE A CLEAR MESSAGE FROM THIS GOVERNMENT.
OUR COMMITMENT, INDEED, IS NOW STRONGER AND MORE
RESOLUTE THAN BEFORE TO ENSURE THAT JAMAICA DOES
UNCLASSIFIED
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3
UNCLASSIFIED
88 8632980 SUO
PAGE 004 NC 8532980
TOR: 112120Z APR 88 KINGST 03643
NOT SLIDE BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN IT WAS FOR DRUG
DEALERS A HAVEN, BUT RATHER THAT THE SUCCESS OF OUR
' EFFORTS WILL GROW TO INSURE THAT IT BECOMES THEIR
HELL.
SOTIRHOS
END OF MESSAGE UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP90M00005R000700050011-3