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<span style="font-weight: bold">News Source: OTGNR - </span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Confirmed : Former General Secreta...ssion (RJR)...</span>
It is still unclear if former General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Karl Samuda will be showing up on Tuesday to give testimony before the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry. Mr. Samuda was summoned on Monday to testify about the authenticity of a press release which was issued by the JLP following a May 2010 retreat in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.The RJR News Centre tried unsuccessfully on Monday night to contact Mr. Samuda to ascertain if he will be at the sitting which is slated to start at 9:30, Tuesday morning.The release in question, restated the JLP's commitment to its leader Bruce Golding.It was reportedly written by Mr. Samuda.However, when attorney K.D. Knight sought to introduce a copy of the release during Monday's sitting of the Manatt Commission, Hugh Small, who is representing Mr. Golding objected.Mr. Small argued that the authenticity of the document would have to be first established. However Mr. Knight was not in agreement and insisted that he continue his cross examination. This did not go down well with Commission Chairman Emil George who at one point threw down his gavel in annoyance.After several verbal exchanges and two adjournments, Mr. George ruled that Mr. Samuda be summoned to appear. Military secretAnd the identity of the head of the Military Intelligence Unit (MIU) will remain a secret.At Monday's sitting of the Manatt/Dudus Enquiry, Chairman Emil George read a letter from the Defence Board which stated that the name of the MIU boss will not be disclosed."Following a meeting of the Defence Board convened this morning by the Prime Minister, I have been directed to advise that it is the view of the Defence Board that the disclosure of the information being sought could severely compromise the operations of the Military Intelligence Unit and the security of the nation,""Accordingly, I have been directed to advise that neither Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cole nor any other members of the Jamaica Defence Force is authorized to disclose the identity of any person currently or previously assigned to the Military Intelligence Unit. Yours sincerely, Diane McIntosh, Secretary to the Defence Board," Mr. George read.During cross examination of the Head of the Jamaica Defence Force Legal Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cole, at last Thursday's sitting, attorney representing the JLP, Frank Phipps, pressed him to reveal the head of the MIU. This drew strong objection from Lieutenant Cole's lawyer, Linton Gordon, who argued that Mr. Phipps was treading on dangerous grounds.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Confirmed : Former General Secreta...ssion (RJR)...</span>
It is still unclear if former General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Karl Samuda will be showing up on Tuesday to give testimony before the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry. Mr. Samuda was summoned on Monday to testify about the authenticity of a press release which was issued by the JLP following a May 2010 retreat in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.The RJR News Centre tried unsuccessfully on Monday night to contact Mr. Samuda to ascertain if he will be at the sitting which is slated to start at 9:30, Tuesday morning.The release in question, restated the JLP's commitment to its leader Bruce Golding.It was reportedly written by Mr. Samuda.However, when attorney K.D. Knight sought to introduce a copy of the release during Monday's sitting of the Manatt Commission, Hugh Small, who is representing Mr. Golding objected.Mr. Small argued that the authenticity of the document would have to be first established. However Mr. Knight was not in agreement and insisted that he continue his cross examination. This did not go down well with Commission Chairman Emil George who at one point threw down his gavel in annoyance.After several verbal exchanges and two adjournments, Mr. George ruled that Mr. Samuda be summoned to appear. Military secretAnd the identity of the head of the Military Intelligence Unit (MIU) will remain a secret.At Monday's sitting of the Manatt/Dudus Enquiry, Chairman Emil George read a letter from the Defence Board which stated that the name of the MIU boss will not be disclosed."Following a meeting of the Defence Board convened this morning by the Prime Minister, I have been directed to advise that it is the view of the Defence Board that the disclosure of the information being sought could severely compromise the operations of the Military Intelligence Unit and the security of the nation,""Accordingly, I have been directed to advise that neither Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cole nor any other members of the Jamaica Defence Force is authorized to disclose the identity of any person currently or previously assigned to the Military Intelligence Unit. Yours sincerely, Diane McIntosh, Secretary to the Defence Board," Mr. George read.During cross examination of the Head of the Jamaica Defence Force Legal Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cole, at last Thursday's sitting, attorney representing the JLP, Frank Phipps, pressed him to reveal the head of the MIU. This drew strong objection from Lieutenant Cole's lawyer, Linton Gordon, who argued that Mr. Phipps was treading on dangerous grounds.