Peter Bunting, opposition spokesman on national security, says he remains concerned about the Government's inaction with regard to the extradition request for Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

"It is a matter that remains a major concern to us," said Bunting, adding that Prime Minister Bruce Golding had a responsibility to ensure that Jamaica honours its international obligation.

"Let us remember that the prime minister said West Kingston is a model constituency and that all constituencies should strive to be like it," Bunting said.

According to the People's National Party (PNP) spokesman, if Golding truly believes West Kingston to be a model constituency, then he would endeavour to ensure there is no semblance of protection to persons residing there.

Coke, 40, is wanted in the United States to stand trial for drugs and weapon-trafficking.

Acute interest

Two weeks ago, Bunting said, "The nature of the allegations for which extradition is being sought - conspiracy to smuggle drugs and guns - is such that the matter is of acute interest to the wider international community, which is obligated by international law to act to prohibit these transnational crimes."

Bunting had warned that the Government's "inaction could lead ultimately to Jamaica being labelled and declared a 'rogue state', with lasting adverse implications for our people".

Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne had said there were issues that were being dealt with pertaining to the request for Coke. "In the instant case, there are legal and constitutional issues which are the subject of correspondence between the Jamaican and US authorities, the details of which it would be inappropriate to disclose while these issues are being deliberated," Lightbourne said in a statement to the media two weeks ago.

Coke faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted on the narcotics charge. He also faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the firearms-trafficking charge.