JDF empowered

SOLDIERS, NOW have the right to search, detain and hold cordons under a new directive issued by Cabinet yesterday.

The directive came in light of the flare-up of violence and the mounting of roadblocks in the Corporate Area yesterday.

In an attempt to come to grips with the situation, Prime Minister Patterson announced that Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers have been given the rights and privileges of the police in conducting their duties.

He also announced that the number of soldiers to be deployed islandwide, will significantly augment the number of police personnel on the ground.

Mr. Patterson, who is also Minister of Defence, explained that the provisions of Section 9 of the Defence Act gave him the right to do so.

"In accordance with the provisions of the Defence Act, the Cabinet has today resolved to sanction the operational use of the Jamaica Defence Force for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety and public order," he told journalists at a hastily called press conference at Jamaica House yesterday.

In a prepared statement, he stated that while any member of the Jamaica Defence Force is acting in pursuance of these directions, each member shall -"while so acting enjoy all such immunities, privileges and protection as are enjoyed by a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force".

The Prime Minister in defending his action said the escalation of violence in Western Kingston "constitutes a challenge to the security forces by gunmen." Without referring to him by name, Mr. Patterson dismissed charges by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga that the violence in the area was politically motivated. "From the events which have unfolded it is clear that the current wave of violence has nothing to do with gangs fighting each other, whether about politics or drugs, but rather with criminal elements who are prepared to shoot and attack members of the security forces," Patterson remarked.

He said the decision to grant soldiers special privileges followed discussions with JDF Chief of Staff, Major General John Simmonds; Commissioner of Police, Francis Forbes, and National Security and Justice Minister, K.D. Knight.

The soldiers will concentrate primarily on the maintenance of cordons and the enforcement of curfews, thereby freeing up the police to "apprehend those engaged in criminal pursuits and to undertake a rigorous search within any area where there is reason to believe illegal weapons and ammunition are held, stored or hidden."

Patterson warned those determined to break the law that the Government would not stand idly by and allow criminal elements to hold the country to ransom. He said no stone would be left unturned "in our determination to stamp out rampant criminality."

Meanwhile, Cabinet, in response to reports that members of the security forces had run out of ammunition when they came under fire on Saturday, and were lacking vital equipment such as bullet-proof vests, has instructed that the necessary financial resources be made immediately available to provide adequately for those areas of operation which need special funding.

The Prime Minister would not be drawn on whether the situation would return to normal today, but said the security forces will be fully deployed to ensure the restoration of law and order everywhere. He reiterated that no part of the country would be off limits to the security forces and dismissed charges that certain communities were targeted because of their political allegiance. He also dismissed claims that the security forces had gone to Tivoli Gardens on any political direction and said no effort was being made by the governing People's National Party to discredit Mr. Seaga. National Security Minister K.D. Knight said efforts were being made to ensure the speedy return of vendors to the Coronation Market. The vendors fled the market on Saturday at the height of the shooting to the safety of Three Miles round-about in the vicinity of the Hunts Bay police station.

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