Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

A member of the Scotts Hall Maroons is subdued while another spits white rum over her in an effort to 'clear' her from the spirits which have overcome her. The occasion was last Sunday's 269th anniversary celebration to mark the signing of the peace treaty between the Maroons and the British. -Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

An Eastern Caribbean judge has expressed his willingness to offer general advice to the Maroons as they continue their fight against the Government on the vexing issue of mining in the Cockpit Country.

"Having heard on the news that there was potential conflict between the Maroons and mining interests, I attempted to contact one of the leaders for the purpose of offering general advice," said Anthony Ross, management judge at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, located in St. Lucia, via a phone interview on Wednesday.

"I was sufficiently curious and wanted to speak with the chief of the group to perhaps get an idea as to an understanding of the nature and the scope of the problem and to see whether or not my experience can be of some assistance."

A native of St. Kitts, who read for his law degree in Canada, Judge Ross has over 25 years of experience in the legal system and was one of three lawyers who represented the Aborigines of Aazhoodena, in Canada, before the commission of enquiries concerning a land dispute which resulted in the death of one Dudley George, in 2004.

CONTACT MADE

Pleased with this new development, Colonel Sidney Peddie of the Accompong Maroons has confirmed having preliminary discussions with Judge Ross, who called from St. Lucia on Tuesday.

"He told me he can assist us in Accompong with our complaints up there and he promised to send me facts and other materials on the cases that he handled in Canada for the Indians and he will be sending me that tomorrow (Wednesday)," Colonel Peddie said.

"If what he says is acceptable to the Accompong Council, we will engage him."

The issue over the mining of the Cockpit Country gained national interest late last year when a group of environmentalists discovered the Government planned to allow prospecting in the area. The Maroons, who are arguing that the area is not only home to sacred ancestral grounds, but also the source to many rivers which feed some 40 per cent of western Jamaica, then raised concern.

The Maroons are calling on Jamaicans to join the discussion as they claim they are ready to "go to war" with the Government over the matter.