Racquel Smith (left), project manager, Canadian Foundation for the Americas, speaks with Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right) after the opening ceremony of the Third Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston. Also in photo is Earl Jarrett, general manager, Jamaica National Building Society. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday promised Jamaicans living abroad that he would be seeking to honour his Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) commitment to amend the Constitution to make provisions for the impeachment of politicians with criminal associations.

Addressing the audience at yesterday's opening of the Third Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, Golding acknowledged that while political tribalism had been somewhat curtailed, it remained a serious driver of crime.

"Anybody who gets up and comes to this or any other podium and seeks to deny that politics has not made its own contribution to the crime that we are having, that somebody is not being honest," Golding told hundreds of delegates attending the diaspora conference.

The JLP had outlined the promise in its manifesto, during the lead-up to the September 2007 general election, as a measure aimed at transforming political garrisons, but had failed to address the issue until now.

Public pressure

The administration has been facing public pressure to curb the constantly growing crime wave, in large part spurred by communities known as political garrisons. Nearly 800 people have been murdered since January.

"I want to give the assurance that we are still intent on honouring (the promise) that we were going to enact into law certain provisions of the political code of conduct as part of the provision to dismantling political garrisons," he continued.

Under the amendment to the Constitution, the political ombudsman would be required to monitor the conduct and activities of politicians, especially in garrison constituencies, and report to Parliament. He would also be required to refer any matter to the director of public prosecutions.

Golding added that a transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was to come soon, following a publication of the strategic review of the force. He warned that the fight against crime was going to require tough police efforts but said the Government was also looking at how appropriately the JCF was exercising its authority in response to the level of threat posed by criminals.

Proceed very carefully

"Here we are going to proceed very carefully and very deliberately," Golding said. "A state response to crime is not something that is laid down in a textbook and is applicable to every situation. One size does not fit all."

He said the response to crime would therefore need to be calibrated to be appropriate to the kind of crime the nation faces.

The more than 600 delegates in attendance at the Jamaican Diaspora Conference yesterday listen to an address from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr Kenneth Baugh. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer