From: RustyÿBullethole, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Times THURSDAY JANUARY 11 2001
Mowlam approves guns deal
BY GREG HURST
BRITAIN is to allow a shipment of 400 handguns to the
Jamaican police force after a visit by Mo Mowlam, the Cabinet
Office Minister who co-ordinates the Government's anti-drugs
policy.
The shipment was delayed for more than a year amid
concerns at the number of fatal shootings by Jamaica's police,
who killed 140 suspects last year and 151 during 1999. However,
Dr Mowlam said during her visit that the manufacturers could go
ahead with the shipment after she received assurances that Jamaican
police would receive human rights training to capture suspects
without killing them.
She visited Kingston to discuss international co-operation
against drugs trafficking. Jamaica is a trans-shipment point for
drugs from Colombia en route to Europe. One third of all UK cocaine
seizures come through Jamaica or are handled by Jamaicans, according
to the Cabinet Office, although the actual quantity seized is
relatively small.
The handguns and ammunition, ordered by the Jamaica
Constabulary Force in 1999, were blocked by Britain in line with
the Government's ethical foreign policy. P.J. Patterson, Prime
Minister of Jamaica, demanded in September last year that Britain
return the $10,000 deposit for the arms.
Human rights organisations have expressed concern about the
fatal shootings. Jamaica maintained that the figures continued to
fall but that unarmed police would not be sent to fight armed
criminals.
Dr Mowlam also toured downtown Kingston, where she met
local community leaders and staff of aid agencies.
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
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