The Editor, Sir:

It is important to emphasise that any extradition request from the United Sates (US) to Jamaica must show a "reasonable case" that the suspect has committed an offence in the US.

For example, there is at present a case going on between the US and the United Kingdom to try one Gary McKinnon for what is described as the biggest military computer hacking of all time by the breaking into of the Pentagon's network, I say no more.

More information

With regard to Jamaica, the Government which received the extradition request for 'Dudus' Coke in August has so far only responded with a request for more information about the gun and drug trafficking charge against him by the US, as any good government would, and should not be rushed into any decision by anyone or any political party in Jamaica to extradite him to the US without good proof. Even then, if he committed such crime without leaving Jamaica to do so, he should be charged and tried in Jamaica, before any consideration is given to extradite him to the US.

My advice to the People's National Party (PNP) and its spokesman on national security, Peter Bunting, is: "Be careful what you wish for, for this man Mr Coke". We have some sayings in Jamaica, 'same knife that sticks sheep sticks goat' and 'cock mouth kill cock'!

Every government has a responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens from any external force. The PNP has been criticising this JLP government for putting Jamaica into what it calls a stand-off with the US over this man, simply to score political points.

Let the law take its course in this case and don't try to score political points with the rights of Jamaican citizens.

I am, etc.,

COTTRELL HYATT

Cottrellhyatt@yahoo.co.uk

London