Please read our previous post for a background to the following:
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, in his Address to the Nation, at 8:30 p.m.:
Informed the nation that he called a Limited State of Emergency in response to reports from the Security Forces re the assault on law and order in Western Kingston, specifically on the four (4) police stations, in Downtown Kingston, that have come under attack by criminal elements.
Nature of the Limited State of Emergency
According to the PM, the Limited State of Emergency will:
1) Limit freedom of movement in Western Kingston
2) Allow the Security Forces to search premises and detain criminal elements
3) Allow people outside Western Kingston to go about their normal business, unimpeded
4) Allow schools outside Western Kingston to be in session on Tuesday, as tomorrow is a public holiday
5) Allow calm to return the the Corporate Area.
The Prime Minister is asking all law-abiding citizens of Jamaica to remain calm.
He reminded the nation that all this is being done so that Jamaica can once again be a land of peace, order and security.
The Opposition Leader, Mrs. Portia Simpson-Miller, has suggested that the Prime Minister allowed things to escalate by not enacting curfews for Western Kingston, immediately when the warrant for Mr. Coke's arrest was authorized.
She has suggested that a Civilian Oversight Authority be appointed to monitor the Limited State of Emergency, so that, the government's powers under the State of Emergency are curtailed.
...Especially those regarding freedom of speech.
NB:
The buses that have been sent to pick up the law-abiding residents of Western Kingston are reportedly empty.
(There is serious doubt that these people would have been able to escape from Western Kingston).
There is reportedly no light (power) in Western Kingston.
Gunfire has reportedly spread to Cross Roads.
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Radio Jamaica, May 23, 2010
2) Prime Minister Bruce Golding's Address to the Nation, Television Jamaica, May 23, 2010
3) Prime Minister Bruce Golding's Address to the Nation, CVM Television, May 23, 2010
