Jackson Condemns Secrecy Over Jamaica-US Deal, Calls for MOU in Parliament

Opposition spokesman on national security Fitz Jackson has taken the Government to task over what he described as a lack of transparency surrounding a bilateral arrangement being pursued with the United States.

Jackson said neither the Opposition nor the wider public had any prior knowledge that the administration was contemplating binding Jamaica to such an agreement. He branded that approach unacceptable, insisting that a memorandum of understanding of this nature ought to be formally tabled in Parliament before commitments are made.

He pressed for clarity on what Jamaica stands to gain from a deal the Government appears ready to implement. "What is Jamaica's interest in this arrangement that is being considered with a disposition to implement?" Jackson asked. "I think not just the Opposition but the country — Jamaica — should be told what Jamaica is set to benefit from from this arrangement being proposed."

The opposition spokesman also raised security concerns, questioning whether the arrangement is tied to protecting Jamaica from risk. "Is there a security risk to Jamaica that is being pursued — protection is being pursued there? Is it so or is it not?" he said, calling for a direct answer rather than speculation.