Wikileaks will not affect strong ties with U.S. – Vaz

KINGSTON — Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the Governments of Jamaica and the United States (US) continue to enjoy strong relationships, despite postings regarding the administration on the WikiLeaks cables.

“This administration continues to value the strong historical, cultural and economic ties between the people and the Government of Jamaica and the people and Government of the United States of America. We are confident that these ties are more durable than the exigencies of dynamic diplomatic situations,” he said.

Mr. Vaz was responding to questions during post-Cabinet press briefing, held at Jamaica House.

The Minister said that individual diplomatic cases, such as the revocation of the visa (of a Government Minister), have to be dealt with on a specific basis, “but overall, we enjoy and have enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the US and we continue to do so”.

He said the United States Government has categorically stated and made it abundantly clear that those internal cables do not represent the official position of the United States Government, “but merely reflects the opinions of individuals within the Embassy which, most times, could be deemed as speculative in nature”.

Mr. Vaz explained that it is not the intention of the Government of Jamaica to respond to any of those leaks which have been released, based on the position taken from the outset by the United States regarding the cables.

The Minister is encouraging the local newspaper publishing the cables to reveal all the relevant information regarding the cables.

WikiLeaks is an international non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret and classified information from anonymous news sources, news leaks and whistleblowers.

By CHRIS PATTERSON, JIS Reporter