HUMAN rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the Opposition Peoples National Party (PNP) have expressed sadness at the deaths of two policemen who were killed by gunmen this morning.

The lawmen a police sergeant and a constable were killed and six of their colleagues injured last night when they were attacked while they attempted to protect citizens in Mountain View.

The lawlessness displayed in some areas and by some persons since the announcement that the extradition request for Christopher Dudus Coke would be signed is utterly deplorable and cannot be tolerated in a free and democratic society, the JFJ said. It has resulted in severe breaches of the rights of other citizens and has been an assault on the rule of law. These lawless activities have culminated in the brazen assault on police and police stations in sections of the Corporate Area and severe disruption of the lives of many thousands of persons.

And Opposition Spokesman on National Security Peter Bunting has strongly condemned the attacks, which also left one police station razed and others firebombed.

The police have exercised restraint and, in some cases, have been heroic in their response to this concerted assault on the state and its citizens. Now is the time for all people of goodwill to support the security forces in their lawful response to the criminal organisations, Bunting said in a news release.

Meanwhile, the JFJ said the limited State of Emergency declared appears to have been necessary to support the restoration of order but must be supported by the required regulations spelling out the limits of the emergency powers and the areas of its application.

It must also be removed as soon as the situation is under control, the JFJ said.

The group also commended the professionalism and restraint displayed thus far by the police.

The JFJ said it hopes the police can bring the situation under control in short order and with minimal further loss of life and injury.

Christopher 'Dudus' Coke is not one of those flashy dons who one sees at every dance or nightclub 'flossing' with bottles of high-priced liquor and scores of scantily dressed girls in his entourage.

Unlike other dons, such as the late William 'Willie Haggart' Moore, Dudus will party quietly, and most times, you won't even know that he is at the dance.

He is also not one of those dons who crave the attention of the media while flaunting power.

You would not find him following in the footsteps of the incarcerated Donald 'Zekes' Phipps, who would pose for the television cameras and boast about what he had done or would be doing.

"You know that I don't talk to the media," is the stock response from Dudus on the few occasions journalists have been able to get close enough to ask him questions.

But none of the numerous dons, strongmen or area leaders Jamaica has produced has wielded the influence of Coke - a man people call 'Shortman', 'Presi', 'Bossy', or just plain 'Dudus'.

business success

A successful businessman, the company, Incomparable Enterprise, for which he was director up to December 2002, received millions of dollars in state contracts annually. His other company, Presidential Click, stages the biggest weekly street dance - 'Passa Passa'- in Jamaica, plus what is now a dancehall calendar event,'Champions In Action'.

Coke, according to key police sources, manages a network of criminal associates across the island, the Caribbean, North America and the United Kingdom.

Dudus is benefactor to many persons who depend on him to send their children to school, buy food and, most important, settle disputes beyond Jamaican borders.

But the United States authorities say a big portion of the wealth Dudus spends so freely comes from the illegal drug trade, while

many of the guns on the streets of Jamaica are brought here through his criminal network.

"Dudus runs the most sophisticated drug ring in Jamaica," a senior cop told The Sunday Gleaner, although he could offer no explanation as to why local police had not arrested and charged him in connection with any major crime.

"Dem man deh big and have links on both sides of the political fence, even though you know him support the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party)," said a rookie cop who entered the force with the bright idea that he could be the one to arrest and prosecute some of the island's crime kingpins.

"The senior man them already tell me say some man bigger than me, so all if me see Dudus with a spliff (ganja cigarette), me fi just mek him gwaan," added the rookie.

power of the man

That is an indication of the power of the man, and if there was any lingering questions about the reach of Dudus - who is wanted in the United States to answer gun and drug charges - those should have disappeared in the past few days.

The extradition request for Dudus is threatening to put an end to the political life of a prime minister, has already caused the resignation of a government senator, and has led to questions about the credibility of an administration that came to power with great expectations less than three years ago.

In addition, it has reduced commerce in downtown Kingston to a fraction of its regular performance, forced the army to call out the National Reserve, and caused the police to engage in planning an information strategy that has never before been seen by or commandeered the full attention of the entire nation.

If that were not enough, the spin-off from the extradition request has led the US to issue a travel alert for Jamaica, caused Britain and Canada to issue travel advisories for their nationals, and has the international media flooding Jamaica with calls for information.

While widespread rumour has it that CIA operatives have flooded Jamaica on account of the Coke issue, The Sunday Gleaner can confirm that international law-enforcement agencies and national-security partners have been keeping a close watch on the Dudus drama.

outside plea?

The Member of Parliament for West Kingston - the home base of Dudus - Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has appealed to the residents of Tivoli Gardens to remain calm and allow the extradition request to go through the courts.

However, the appeal, delivered from the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, sounded more like an outsider pleading for cooperation rather than the man in charge of the constituency.

Of note, Golding did not say to the residents, 'Remove the many fortified blockades that you have erected!, an order that if issued by Dudus, would take place in minutes.

Hundreds of residents of West Kingston took to the streets last week to voice their support for Dudus and, while some joined the crowd out of fear that they would be targeted if they did not participate, many were out because of a genuine love for the 'President'.

"After God, then Dudus," read one placard. "Jesus died for us so we will die for Dudus," read another, and these were not idle sentiments.

The police are hoping that lawyers representing Coke will convince him to turn himself in and if that does not work, the security forces are adamant that they will arrest him. But as that drama plays out, an entire nation holds its collective breath as one man holds a country hostage.

http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/Blotter/ht_christopher_coke_indictment_100524.pdf?SITE=ABCNEWS

Opposition leader, Portia Simpson Miller yesterday urged Prime Minister Bruce Golding to establish a civilian oversight committee to monitor the State of Piublic Emergency, at the same time offering her support.

In a letter to Golding, she said that the People's National Party (PNP) had taken note of the declaration of a State of Public Emergency in Kingston and St Andrew, but noted the party's alarm "that no curfew was imposed in any of those areas while breaches of the public order were allowed to escalate". This took place in certain communities with targeted criminal groups taking the attack to the security forces.

"We note also that powers that are exercisable under a state of pubic emergency are extremely wide and therefore it is of the utmost importance that the public be advised as to the regulations that are intended to be promulgated. It would be of public interest as to whether the full range of those powers is to be employed and whether, for example, media communication and freedom of speech are to be affected.

"I would urge that a civilian oversight mechanism be established to monitor the application of the emergency powers by the security forces. Should you accept this suggestion I stand ready to consult with you regarding any other proposal and the composition of the oversight body.

"I would urge that the State of Public Emergency be rescinded once the immediate threat to public security has been removed."

SUMMERFEST Productions, the organisers of Reggae Sumfest, has named R&B star Chris Brown as one of the foreign acts on the line-up for this year's festival.

 

In a press release, the organisers also welcomed Red Stripe who returns as main sponsor of Reggae Sumfest, after a hiatus.

The brand now joins a growing list of sponsors which includes Digicel, Iberostar, JTB, and Wisynco, for the 18th staging of the country's premier reggae festival.

Also scheduled to perform are Reggae heavyweights Shaggy, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley and Queen Ifrica. Sumfest, which prides itself as "the greatest Reggae show on earth", kicks off with a beach party on July 18 and continues at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, on July 22-24.

International R&B and pop star Chris Brown, emerged on the scene in 2005 and quickly rose to stardom with his self-titled debut album. With the release of Graffiti, his third album, the 20-year-old singer-songwriter enters his prime as a widely accomplished multi-platinum artiste. Chris is set to thrill the audiences and make history with his first Reggae Sumfest performance.

The release also stated that some of Jamaica's top artistes have been confirmed for the event, among them Jah Cure, Elephant Man, I-Octane, Konshens, Stacious, Chino, Tessanne Chin, Gramps Morgan and Tifa.

A dumb-founded Jamaican nation remained transfixed to radio and television sets yesterday as marauding gunmen openly challenged security forces for control of the streets of downtown Kingston.

With the tension still running high at nightfall, police counted two of their numbers shot and one civilian dead, casualties of the gunmen's determined stance against the capture of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

In an advisory, the Kingston Public Hospital said it would only be taking emergency cases after gunshots rang out in the vicinity.

There were signs that Coke was digging in, with supporters extending and expanding the barricades erected in West Kingston since Monday night when Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that extradition proceedings against him could begin.

The heavily armed gunmen appeared to be on the offensive, torching one police station and keeping lawmen pinned down throughout the day at three others.

In a clear signal they wanted to minimise potential casualties, police invited law-abiding residents of Tivoli Gardens and adjoining Denham Town to leave the communities via Industrial Terrace. But buses provided by the security forces to take the residents to an unnamed location, remained empty. It was not immediately certain if the residents were staying of their own accord or if they were being coerced to stay.

Rumours multiplied throughout the day that the violence would spread beyond West Kingston, causing many citizens to leave downtown Kingston or avoid it altogether.

In one incident late evening, police quickly crushed an attempt to mount a roadblock along Red Hills Road, northwest of the capital, exchanging gunfire with men who quickly fled.

"We tried to clear the roadblock and they fired on us but we have managed to clear the area and calm has returned," said head of crime for the St Andrew North Police Division, Deputy Superintendent Altermoth 'Parra' Campbell..

Earlier in the day, Observer news teams met upon roadblock after roadblock in downtown sections of the capital city and heard gunshots in the distance. But it was unclear who were firing. Roadblocks turned up as far as Heroes Circle near Fletcher's Land near Manchester Square.

"Reports so far are that one civilian was shot and killed and two police officers injured," cops later told the Observer. "At this time, the reports are that at least four police stations have come under attack from gunmen," the police said.

A station in Hannah Town was torched while the Darling Street, Fletcher's Land and Denham Town police stations came under heavy gunfire.

But police could not confirm reports that a police vehicle was also stolen by the gunmen and also that electricity in sections of West Kingston was turned off.

The cops were said to have been forced to beat a hasty retreat when gunmen stole the vehicle with a police radio inside it at Slipe Pen Road in the vicinity of the *lo** Bank. The gunmen reportedly sprayed the vehicle with high-powered assault rifles and drove away the car when the occupants fled.

"The man them out on the road crazy, we have to be watching. The situation has reached a serious state," said one man who spoke for a group of frightened looking residents.

Meanwhile the Police Federation blasted the criminal activities as an attack against the State.

"The mettle and resilience of our police officers are being tested by resourceful criminal elements who have declared war on our security forces," said Sergeant Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Police Federation.

"We are asking our members to take all necessary precautions in the face of blatant threats against their lives and their environs," Wilson urged.

"Whilst we have sworn to protect every member of the Jamaican society we must ensure self-preservation, as this is the only way we will be able to execute our duties timely and professionally. I am pleading with every responsible law-abiding Jamaican to support us; this fight is for all of us," said Wilson

The Constabulary Communication Network is reporting that two policemen were killed and six others shot and injured during a shootout with gunmen on Mountain View Avenue, Kingston 2 last night.

The identities of the dead cops have not been released.

One of them was a sergeant from the Motorized Patrol Division and the other a member of the East Kingston Division.

Its reported that about 11:30 last night, a woman turned up at the Rockfort Police Station and reported that she had been shot while driving along Mountain View Avenue.

She also told officers that another motorist had been attacked by armed men.
The police from the East Kingston Division went to help the motorist when they came under sustained gunfire.

During the gunfire two of the men were hit.

Other cops who went to rescue their colleagues were also fired at, resulting in six of them being shot.

The situation was eventually brought under control and the injured policemen taken to hospital where the two died.

Two others have been discharged while four remain hospitalized in stable condition.

Meanwhile a strong police/military presence is now along Mountain View Avenue and motorists are being advised to be extremely cautious.

Another cop was injured in a shootout in Hannah Town yesterday

In the meantime a second civilian casualty has now been reported.

Reinforcements imported to aid in 'Dudus' battle

Reporters told to leave - 'get it right, or else'

MEN SWEATING as if they were working on construction sites muscled their way through sections of west Kingston this morning, reinforcing barricades to keep out the security forces.

From one end of the city, vehicles rolled up to the blockages regularly, unloading passengers.

But these are no ordinary commuters. They are men who, neighbouring residents say, are being imported to strengthen an army of militants who are preparing to defend alleged gang boss Christopher 'Dudus' Coke with their lives.

As the early-morning sunlight hit shrubs and tombs in the nearby May Pen Cemetery, a few women, some with toddlers on their backs, made their way from behind the blockades, leaving Tivoli Gardens for safety.

The west Kingston enclave has been preparing for a battle with the security forces since Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne signed an authority for extradition proceedings against Coke, their don.

Men have mounted sandbags to fortify their positions and, in some instances, have filled old refrigerators with sand, a sign they are preparing for a street war. Several large tyres have been transported into the community by truck.

leave dudus, leave tivoli

This morning, an elderly woman who was walking towards one of the blockades protested that she has been forced to endure life in Tivoli Gardens without water and frequent interruptions in power supply.

"Why dem nuh leave di big man alone. After we caah go a fi dem country go weh we want," she said, in a verbal attack on the United States which has requested that Coke be extradited to face gun- and drug-trafficking charges.

As our news team looked on, men adjusting the blockade sent stern warnings that no cameras were welcome.

"Get it right or else a unnu wi a go tun pon next," a man warned as insurgents passed a contingent of journalists on a section of Spanish Town Road.

Another group of men travelling in motor cars instructed that the press "leave".

Just before noon today, the Jamaica Constabulary Force said the barricading of the Tivoli Gardens community was "an act of cowardice on the part of selfish criminal elements, mainly Coke".

"These criminals are not to be confused with the decent, law-abiding citizens of Tivoli Gardens who want to get on with their lives as free citizens in a peaceful community and country," the police added.

The police have asked that Coke hand himself over to the nearest police station for the warrant of arrest to be executed.

A man is now in police custody after he was caught looting a wholesale establishment on Molynes Road in St Andrew early this morning.

The Observer roving team went to the location and spoke to the distraught proprietor, Apple Wu, who said the thieves cleaned out the wholesale.

"They took cologne, roll on, cigarettes, phone cards, money, hair products, beer cooking oil and peas," Wu told the Observer.

Police say they held the man after he returned to finish looting the store about 5.:30 am.

"I got a call from my security that a lot of police was at my place.When I reached they arrested one man. I don't know what I am going to do," Wu said.

Inside the wholesale half empty shelves and broken bottles told the tale of the looting that took place only hours before.

COMMISSIONER of Police Owen Ellington wants his personnel to take quick and decisive action to defend themselves against attacks by gunmen attempting to prevent the arrest of reputed Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Ellington was speaking after two policemen were killed and six injured in a shootout with gunmen on Mountain View Avenue, St Andrew last night.

Do not hesitate to respond quickly and take decisive action when attacked by these criminals as it is now patently clear that they are hellbent on causing mayhem in the society by their calculated, vile and cold actions against police personnel. Police personnel have the full backing of the High Command to any response to protect themselves, their colleagues and the law abiding citizens of Jamaica, said Ellington while touring police positions today.

He expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the personnel killed and injured last night.

The loss of these two officers and the injury to the six, while difficult to deal with will only serve as a rallying call for the police to remain strong, committed and firm as we continue to encounter brazen criminals, he said.

Jamaica's image took a battering in the foreign press last week, as events surrounding the United States extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, attracted international attention. The deadly barricades thrown up around Tivoli Gardens, and the issuing of a US travel alert, gave the developmemnts front page billing in major American newspapers and television networks, triggering fears of a fallout in the tourism industry. Here is a sampling of the reports:

Jamaica slum controlled by alleged drug kingpin in standoff with police over extradition to US, says Fox News

 

"In a gritty slum, they are preparing for war. They are building barricades of junked cars and sandbags, making Molotov c**ktails and pitching barbed wire over power lines.They are waiting for the police, who they believe will come for Christopher "Dudus" Coke, a 5-foot-4-inch neighbourhood boss that the US Justice Department calls one of the world's most dangerous drug lords. Kingston has been jittery since Prime Minister Bruce Golding this week reversed his long-standing refusal to extradite Coke to the United States on drugs and arms-trafficking charges," Fox News reported an AP story on Saturday.

US warns of possible civil unrest in Jamaica, Yahoo News reports an AFP story

 

"The US State Department warned Friday of the threat of civil unrest in Jamaica amid reports that criminal gangs were massing in Kingston and the military was mobilising.

In a travel warning, the State Department urged US citizens to weigh the risks of traveling to and within the Kingston metropolitan area.

"The possibility exists for violence and/or civil unrest in the Greater Kingston Metropolitan area," AFP quoted the State Department in a story carried Saturday.

US issues travel alert for Jamaica - CNN

 

The respected Cable News Network's (CNN) report on Jamaica was also based on the travel advisory.

Slum standoff in Jamaica over don's US extradition, says the Seattle Times

 

The Seattle Times' story was the same one written by AP reporter David McFadden which was picked up by Fox News. The story was datelined Kingston.

In the meantime, a number of law-abiding citizens of this Caribbean country have been avoiding downtown Kingston because of the fear of an outbreak of violence over the pending extradition of Coke, who is wanted by the US to answer arms and drug trafficking charges.

The police on Friday appealed to Coke's lawyer, Don Foote to bring him in to allow the extradition process to begin, but he is yet to act on the instructions of the police.

POLICE and gunmen were this morning engaged in a gunfight along Red Hills Road as members of garrison communities loyal to powerful Kingston don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke joined the fray of civil unrest in his support.

Assault rifle and shotgun blasts rang out along the normally busy thoroughfare of Red Hills Road from Sunday afternoon and continued this morning.

Rogue elements have erected blockades in the vicinity of Karl Samuda Boulevard near the community known as 'Common'.

More blockages were erected in the vicinity of Park Lane and the Emmanuel Gospel Assembly. Police said thugs chased away jerk chicken vendors and used their jerk pans to erect roadblocks. Tyres were also burnt in the streets.

The communities of Park Lane and Common are fiercely loyal to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party and are the main support bases of Industry Minister Karl Samuda's North Central St Andrew constituency.

"They blocked the road and the police went there to clear it. They fired on the police and the shooting lasted for some time," head of crime for the St Andrew North Police Division, Deputy Superintendent Altermoth 'Parra' Campbell told the Observer.

None of the officers were hurt in the incident.

Cops and gunmen also traded bullets along Mannings Hill Road at a roadblock in the vicinity of Clifton Boulevard.

Police have since cleared that blockage and a tense calm remains in the area.

POLICE are reporting that the Cross Roads police station was attacked by a band of thugs early this morning.

The cops say about ten men armed with assault rifles and handguns attacked the station about 3:30 am. The attack lasted for about 10 minutes but no police officer was injured.

This is the second time in two years that the Cross Roads Police station has been attacked by armed thugs. In January 2008 armed thugs peppered the station with bullets and murdered District Constable Canute Brown.

The thugs were angered that police had cut down the brother of reputed Tivoli Gardens don, Christopher 'Chris Royal' Coke and a man identified only as 'Jello' and launched an assault against the security forces which ended with three cops being killed and another shot and injured.

Police also reported that the civil unrest had spread to the old capital of Spanish Town in St Catherine as thugs have blocked the road in the vicinity of Brunswick Avenue.

Five cops shot and stranded at school

Motorists asked to avoid Mountain View Avenue

JamaicaObserver.com

Monday, May 24, 2010

 

POLICE are trying to rescue five colleagues suffering from gunshot wounds who are stranded on the grounds of Excelsior High School along Mountain View Avenue in St Andrew.

However the rescue has been stalled by gunmen with whom police are currently engaged in a shootout.

Police are asking motorists to avoid travelling on Mountain View Avenue.

Mountain View Police Station was threatened with an attack earlier this week.

The Observer has also received unconfirmed reports of an attack on Spanish

BRUCE GOLDING, prime minister of Jamaica, shares an intriguing relationship with Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the 'President' of Tivoli Gardens.

The power-sharing framework between the man who formally represents the West Kingston constituency in which Tivoli Gardens is located, and the man who really runs the place, is just as fascinating.

The word from well-placed political sources is that Golding and Dudus are not particularly close.

More than a generation separates them.

While Golding revels in the political limelight, Dudus shirks it.

Why then would Golding sacrifice his political career for a man with whom he is not a particularly close friend?

A Sunday Gleaner probe reveals that Coke was instrumental in Golding's election as member of parliament (MP) for Western Kingston after he was elected leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in 2005.

Golding's predecessor, Edward Seaga, retired from active politics that year after serving as MP since 1962.

golding needed seat

The JLP in 2005 had found itself mired in a similar predicament to the People's National Party in 1993, when a seat had to be found for Dr Omar Davies after Hugh Small quit as finance minister.

Similarly, a seat had to be found for Golding to enable him to legitimately assume the position of leader of the JLP.

Golding wanted to go back to the Central St Catherine seat he held between 1983 and 1997.

However, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange was ensconced there, since she defeated Golding on the JLP ticket in 1997, when he ran for the National Democratic Movement that he had formed a year and a half earlier.

An idea took shape in the leadership rank of the JLP.

Grange would be relocated to West Kingston, a constituency with which she was intimately related.

She was even closer to Seaga, her political mentor, considered to be an integral part of Tivoli Gardens.

In the early years, Grange grew in that constituency.

She was introduced to politics by Seaga and remained close to the 'West', as it was commonly called.

But there was one major hurdle: Grange's planned transfer to West Kingston was vetoed by Dudus.

dudus says no to mckenzie

There was another former Seaga loyalist and Tivoli Gardens resident who harboured hopes of representing West Kingston.

Desmond McKenzie was the long-time counsellor for that powerful division.

But the powerful 'President' would have nothing to do with McKenzie, and he too was bypassed.

Furthermore, McKenzie had no strong seat to give to Golding in exchange for West Kingston.

In reward for his dedication to West Kingston and the JLP, McKenzie got the job as mayor of Kingston, as well as that of a government senator.

The new JLP leader wanted to formally take over as opposition leader, but the obstacles would not be moved.

Dudus favoured another JLP stalwart, Tom Tavares-Finson, who had shown an interest in the seat.

But he, too, did not have a seat to exchange for West Kingston.

Many of those who are close to Dudus say he abhors politics and avoids politicians, since his brother, Mark 'Jah T' Coke, and then his father, Lloyd 'Jim Brown' Coke, died tragically in 1992.

They say the grief-stricken young man had always harboured a strong belief that politics had claimed the life of his father and brother.

So when he took over as leader of Tivoli, Dudus distanced himself from the political leadership in the community.

But Coke quickly learned of the unbreakable connections between politics and Tivoli Gardens, frequently referred to as the pulse of the JLP.

Tivoli Gardens' fierce altercations with members of the security forces created a wild Wild West imagery that refuses to go away.

The community's involvement in politics was so entrenched that it was dubbed in recent years, after one of its fierce confrontations with members of the security forces, "the mother of all, garrisons", by Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, before he was appointed commissioner of police under the Golding administration.

shifts between jlp, pnp

Western Kingston, a dreadfully deprived community in the past, shifted from the JLP to the PNP in electoral contests between 1944 and 1962.

Although powerful JLP leaders, including Alexander Bustamante and Hugh Shearer, held the seat at different times, they retreated at the end of their first political tenure, leaving the PNP to claim victory.

Seaga went to West Kingston in 1959 and changed electoral unpredictability to predictability.

He contested his first general election in 1962 and, since then, the JLP has not lost the seat.

Operating in a heavily political atmosphere, Dudus maintained his phantom-like imagery in the shadows of his 'Presidential suite' in the heart of Tivoli Gardens and wielded influence over the political life of West Kingston.

Fast-forward to 2005. Seaga, who had built an indomitable political force in Western Kingston for the JLP, was bowing out of politics.

He was still revered in the west.

Many JLP supporters in Tivoli Gardens thought it was time for Seaga to step aside, but none wanted him to be disrespected.

It was desirable that Seaga give his blessing to his successor.

But the relationship between Seaga and Golding had soured since 1995 when many felt that Golding betrayed his leader by siding with a group of dissidents who had moved to displace Seaga.

Golding could not represent Western Kingston in Parliament without the blessing of the two men.

no losers

Dudus hammered out an arrangement to ensure that there were no losers.

Golding would be installed as the next JLP candidate for West Kingston (a shoo-in for member of parliament), while the retired Seaga remained a powerful influential figure in Tivoli Gardens.

Golding finally got a strong seat that would secure his position as the opposition leader in the House of Representatives.

He rushed to Gordon House to challenge former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who told him in a humorous exchange that he was too eager (to become prime minister).

Word out of the JLP is that Golding has been able to wield more influence over the entire country than he has been able to in the small geographical community that is Tivoli Gardens.

Dudus remains the supreme leader in the area; Seaga comfortably rules the powerful football fraternity there, while Golding is the member of parliament, which 'gives' Dudus his place in Parliament.

Additionally, Coke has been able to maintain the 'order' in the community.

So, while no losers emerged from the 2005 arrangements, the big winner was Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Golding may not be Coke's best pal, but he is certainly indebted to him in a big way.

unbelievable

 As Per Macka Diamond:HOW OLD ARE THEY NOW: Is Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Shaggy, Macka Diamond and Lady Saw too old for Dancehall?

-- Edited by *~*~Sweet Applezz*~*~ on Saturday 22nd of May 2010 08:04:48 AM

A photograph purporting to show a 55ft snake found in a forest in China has become an internet sensation.

It was originally posted in a thread on the website of the Peoples Daily, the official Communist Party newspaper in China.

The thread claimed the snake was one of two enormous boas found by workers clearing forest for a new road outside Guping city, Jiangxi province.

They apparently woke up the sleeping snakes during attempts to bulldoze a huge mound of earth.

On the third dig, the operator found there was *lo** amongst the soil, and with a further dig, a dying snake appeared, said the post.

At the same time, another gold coloured giant boa appeared with its mouth wide open. The driver was paralysed with fear, while the other workers ran for their lives.

By the time the workers came back, the wounded boa had died, while the other snake had disappeared. The bulldozer operator was so sick that he couldnt even stand up.

The post claimed that the digger driver was so traumatised that he suffered a heart attack on his way to hospital and later died.

The dead snake was 55ft (16.7m) long, weighed 300kg and was estimated to be 140 years old, according to the post.

Singjay reported to have been personally requested

www.iriewaiters.com , Staff Reporter

Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffiths says his artiste feels honoured, as he has been requested to perform at the birthday party of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga next weekend at Devon House, St Andrew.

"Mavado was invited to Edward Seaga's birthday party. Actually Olivia Grange called and said that Mr Seaga personally requested for Mavado to come and sing at his 80th birthday party," Jones-Griffiths told Us.

"It was very surprising to us. It is a great honour and we will be there for sure. There will be a lot of dignitaries there, so it is a good place for him to show that there is a good side to him," he added.

However, Jones-Griffiths was quick to make it clear that Mavado was not affiliated with any political party and he does not want the performance to be linked to that either.

At the event, he said Mavado should be singing On The Rock. In addition, he said there will be performances by the Dragonnaires, Jimmy Cliff and Etana.

We tried to get in contact with Mr Seaga on several occasions yesterday but was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Jones-Griffiths said Mavado has "been working on a whole heap of new songs." He said the artiste recently did a remix of Wayne Marshall's song, My Heart. He has also done work with DASECA and Sean Kingston.

In recent times, Mavado also made headlines when he appeared in Drake's music video for Find Your Loving that was shot in Jamaica. After the video premiered, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett warned local acts to be careful about the way they portray Jamaica.

More pics here

 

ROADBLOCKS reaching as far as Heroes Circle were set up in Kingston this morning, and police came under fire as they tried to clear the debris.

At the Admiral Town Police Station on Slipe Pen Road, cops said they were on high alert, following attacks on cops from that station who tried to help clear the roadblocks.

The Observer news team is unable to get to the Denham Town Police Station which serves the Tivoli Gardens community because of roadblocks along Spanish Town Road.

The sound of gunshots can, however, be heard from the Observer's location near the St Andrew Technical High School.

The area has been tense since Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced last week that the process had been started to facilitate the extradition of Tivoli Gardens Don Christopher Dudus Coke.

Since then, Tivoli and Denham Town residents have mounted roadblocks barricading their communities from the police who need to enter to serve an arrest warrant on Coke.

POLICE have had to evacuate Hannah Town police station after the building came under sustained attack by gunmen.

Personnel had to be evacuated by a rescue unit after they ran out of bullets and the station set ablaze.

A policeman has also been shot and injured.

"Nothing has been put in place, heads have to roll because plans were not put in place. We were not made ready," said one 'concerned officer' from the Kingston West Police Division who who spoke to the Observer on condition of

Police vehicle SAC 203691 has been captured by gun
men (they now have access to police radio)

USTREAM LINK: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jamaipanese#utm_campaign=twitter.com&utm_source=3770806&utm_medium=social

-- Edited by Dagga16 on Sunday 23rd of May 2010 05:54:32 PM

-- Edited by jubalson on Thursday 20th of May 2010 09:49:27 AM

-- Edited by hyperactive sound on Sunday 23rd of May 2010 06:22:24 PM

HMM I WAH KNOW

MARKET vendors and grocers did brisk business in downtown Kingston yesterday, despite mounting tension over the United States' extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke who is wanted in that country on drug- and gun-running charges.

The economic hub of the capital city has been uneasy since last Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Bruce Golding that an authority to proceed with the extradition of Coke would be signed by Justice Minister and Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne.

 

The usual congestion on Orange Street in downtown Kingston was noticeably reduced yesterday as tension mounted surrounding the extradition of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher Dudus Coke. (Photos: Bryan Cummings) 1/6

"But nothing not going on today man, everything all right; you don't see the market full same way," said one vendor who was selling ground provision from a handcart inside the Coronation Market. He was standing a few metres from where residents of Tivoli Gardens had mounted a metal blockade on a road leading into that community, which serves as Coke's base.

The vendor, who was placing cuts of water melon into a shopping bag for a female customer, said the percentage of customer turn-out at the Coronation Market was in its "high eighties".

"You know some people are going to be afraid to come out, but everybody know how town run. People just a try get what them want and move," the vendor continued.

The customer agreed.

"People who know the place will chance it and come town, but not everybody," the woman said. "Monday is holiday, so you know them (police) not going to come for 'Dudus' until 'bout Tuesday, plus people have to get them food for the holiday."

A fruit vendor, who did not wish to be named, said he had received phone calls from several of his regular customers enquiring about safety in the area.

"My people them a call me from morning, and I have been telling them that nothing is going on. Most of them come buy what they need and leave already," the man said.

Asked about his own safety, he replied: "Me? No man not troubling me, after is not me them a war with."

Outside the market, on Spanish Town Road and Darling Street, vendors shouted the prices of their goods into megaphones, as traffic snarled.

One vendor, who was selling red peas along Spanish Town Road, utilised the looming tension around the extradition affair into his sales pitch.

"Come get yuh rice and peas, only $50 a pound. Anything can happen a town today, get it now and mind yu have to run leave it," he sang, sparking laughter from passers-by.

But while the areas close to the market were almost as busy as usual, not that many shoppers were observed at other shopping areas further away, such as at Beckford, King, Orange, and Princess streets.

Most store owners in these locations told the Sunday Observer yesterday that business was not as brisk as usual.

"Customers are here; not in the numbers that we would like though," said one storeowner on Orange Street, who asked not to be named.

"It was almost expected, really. We knew this was going to happen, but we still had to be here for our customers," the businessman said.

Another store operator on Orange Street joked about the tension. "I wouldn't mind if the people them just come buy and stock up their homes for the entire week, 'cause nobody know how town is going to stay next week," he said.

A policeman stationed at Hannah Town in west Kingston, Jamaica has has been shot as criminals seek to prevent the arrest as alleged crime lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. 

The cop has been taken to the Kingston Public Hospital. 

In the meantime the police high command has confirmed that is removing the cops from the Hannnah Town Police Station to the Admiral Town Police Station. 

A policeman stationed at the Hannah Town in west Kingston, Jamaica has has been shot as resident seek to prevent the arrest as alleged crime lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke

Chris Johnson is the sixth NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards.

But how would the 2009 NFL rushing champion fare on a running track, without a helmet and pads, against Usain Bolt, the

We might never know...

The Tennessee Titans running back said Monday as he cleaned out his locker that he recently learned that a potential race against the Jamaican Olympian isn't going to happen -- at least, not at a distance less than 100 meters, where Bolt holds the world record.

"We got word two days ago. He don't want to do it. He only wants to run the 100, he don't want to run the 50," Johnson said. "He said the only way he'll do it is if he runs the 100."

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Monday that according to sources, representatives for the Titans running back and Bolt had spent recent days trying to set up a race between the two men to determine who really is the world's fastest human.

According to sources, the hangup seemed to be the length of the race. Johnson wanted the race to be 60 yards or less, while Bolt wanted it to be longer.

Read

-- Edited by MZJ on Saturday 9th of January 2010 02:56:09 PM

-- Edited by MZJ on Saturday 9th of January 2010 02:58:16 PM

DANVERS, Mass. Police said a cleaning man was taken to a hospital after being sucked into a machine at a sausage-making company in Danvers. The accident happened Thursday night as the man was cleaning the vacuum-type machine that is used to season the meat at DiLigui Sausage Co. Police said the man's head and shoulders became stuck in the machine after it somehow activated while being cleaned.

Lt. Carole Germano told The Salem News that the man whose name was not released was freed from the machine and showed no obvious sign of trauma, but was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/23/man-sucked-into-sausage-m_n_586373.html

The Commissioner of Police in Jamaica, Owen Ellington, says a planned approach is being taken to the resolution of the impasse created by the extradition request for Christopher Dudus Coke.

Ellington says the main effort at executing the arrest warrant will be directed from the Police High Command and all police formations will be advised of their required levels of participation, when and if necessary.

The High Command is also reminding members of the force to refrain from commenting publicly on the matter, while the security forces pursue a unified and professional approach to a resolution.

The Commissioners statement was transmitted to members of the Constabulary Force, the Island Special Constabulary Force and the rural police last night.

The Police High Command is also reporting that it has uncovered some very sinister plans by gunmen in Tivoli Gardens, who are seeking to block the security forces from entering the community.

According to the police, gunmen have placed tyres atop the roof of several high-rise buildings in Tivoli Gardens and are also storing gasoline nearby.

The police believe the intention is to start massive fires on top of these buildings to ward off helicopters.

However, in an attempt at a peaceful resolution, the Police High Command says it has written to a number of attorneys who they believe to be part of Mr Cokes defense team.

The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre understands that in those letters the police have proposed that Dudus turn himself in, on the condition that bail will be granted.

Dudus is wanted in the United States on guns and drugs charges.

A noticeable feature of last Thursday's demonstration in support of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke was that the majority of protestors were women. In what was obviously a well-organised effort, the women -- most dressed in white T-shirts -- were very vocal in their praise of Coke's benevolence and firmly told the authorities to leave him alone. A female protestor displays on her T-shirt her message, and that of her colleagues, to the Jamaican authorities. A large crowd of mostly women protest in support of Tivoli Gardens don Christopher Dudus Coke in West Kingston last Thursday. A female protestor displays on her T-shirt her message, and that of her colleagues, to the Jamaican authorities. 1/2 They were prepared, they said, to die for the man who the United States Government has accused of trafficking in guns and drugs and for whom the Americans submitted an extradition request in August 2009. The authority to proceed with that request was signed last Tuesday by the Jamaican Government which spent the past nine months squabbling with the US over the matter, in the process damaging diplomatic relations between Kingston and Washington. The political fallout, however, appears to be of little consequence to the women of West Kingston who seem more concerned with the fact that Coke has been a benefactor for many years, a man who, they said, ensures their safety, is mainly responsible for sending their children to school and putting food on their tables. "Leave 'Dudus' alone. Him a law-abiding citizen," many of them shouted as they assembled outside the Denham Town Police Station from where they marched to other sections of downtown Kingston, holding aloft placards and dismissing a claim by the police that thugs in Tivoli had seized people's cellular phones and were holding some persons hostage. But despite the fervour of the demonstrators, skeptics believe that many of them were participating against their will, arguing that anyone who failed to protest would be disciplined. That view was partially confirmed by women from inner-city communities who admitted in interviews with the Sunday Observer last week that they often come under pressure from those who wield considerable power. "My man used to be a gunman. Police killed him a few years ago and me never surprise, because him did a gwaan too bad," one woman from the South St Andrew community of Arnett Gardens said in an interview. The slain man was a kind of second-tier don who commanded respect in his area. "Police did raid the house and never find him the first time, and before dem lef, dem tell me say me fi prepare fi him funeral because dem muss kill him. A few weeks after that them shoot him," she told the Sunday Observer. The woman confessed that she was forced to keep her mouth shut about irregular activities that her man undertook, including drug-pushing and gun-running. She would prepare his meals, wash his clothes, look after the child she had with him and two others she bore from a prior relationship. Sexual favours, she said, were a regular requirement, although sometimes she would place a virtual wall between them if physical abuse set in. "Sometime him woulda beat mi and mi woulda just leave the house and go up a mi mother. So him nuh get nuh sex," she explained. "When him wait a few days and see things look too bad, him come back fe me and start apologise, so him stop beat me after a time, because him know seh me wi starve him and nuh give him nutten a night-time. But apart from dat, him tek care a all a we." Another woman from a West St Andrew community said that women often supported dons and area leaders as they had to comply with the wishes of rough characters, who would often abuse them if they failed to do as they are told. "Me did have a man who beat me every day. Right now, him haffi run weh from round here, because them say him kill a man from the area," the woman told the Sunday Observer. "The amount a gun whey me see in a dis ya place from mi live ya, me nuh think say police and soldier have all a dem," she added. "The man dem naw really trouble you, because you live inna the area. Is only when up dey so a fight gainst dung dey so, that them will shoot dem one another," she said, pointing to the areas to which she referred. "When I see them with guns, it's like a normal, everyday thing, but is some a dem same guy dey who support we and mek we feel good, send the pickney dem go a school, gi wi money fi do we hair and nail and protect we," she said. Other women with whom the Sunday Observer spoke confirmed that a strategy used by their communities to protect gunmen was for women and children to go out into the streets when police and soldiers raid an area. The idea, they said, is to prevent the law enforcers from shooting at gunmen as they would be less inclined to fire once women and children are in the way. "When times tough wid we, is the same man dem go a road go rob so that we can eat food too," one woman from a Central Kingston community said. "We inna de ghetto nuh get nuh ratings from the people who live a Norbrook, Beverly Hills and Cherry Gardens. Dem think seh nobody good nuh come from the ghetto. We cyaan get nuh good work, and so if di man dem inna we area start do some juggling fe help we, everybody from outside just a come dung pon we so." That mindset, as well as last Thursday's pro-Coke demonstration are not surprising to Anthony Harriott, professor of Political Sociology and head of the Department of Government and the Institute of Criminal Justice and Security at the University of the West Indies. According to Professor Harriott, women will always benefit from the work of dons and area leaders if their agreement is kept. "The one yesterday (Thursday) was special in that it is a garrison relationship," Harriott said in an interview Friday. "The women would have enumerated those benefits, being safe from rapists, etc. Plus there are other traditional benefits like free light, etc, so there are tangible benefits. "The politics of the day would explain yesterday. It is a communal thing and there is a common identity -- one benefits simply by being a member of the group," he argued. "There are privileges and obligations, one of which is to protect," added Harriott. "If the don makes money and doesn't let off, then the contract is broken. As long as the don upholds his end, there will not be a problem." One woman from the South West St Andrew constituency, represented in Parliament by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, echoed similar sentiments. Play your role and co-operate, she argued, and you will get support when the time comes. "Inna this area we feel safe, because man from outside and even dem whey live ya cyaan come in and rape we," she said. "If any rape a gwaan, a when we go out a road and man try a thing. "Up ya so nuh come een like a place like over Seaview (Gardens) where them don't have no don in charge and everybody do as them like. Up ya so we have a one man who run things and when anybody bruk the rules, we report him and the boss deal wid him. "We haffi support all a man like that because him a do what the Government naa do fi wi," she said. The source of the don's benevolence is never an issue, as when the women are asked where they believe he gets all his money in order that he can help so many people and do so many things, the answers are usually: "Me no business wid that, boss"; "Den you nuh see seh him have him wholesale and him truck and taxi dem"; and "Him mek nuff money offa him business dem." Only one woman with whom the Sunday Observer spoke admitted that the dons' funds were derived from the trade in illegal drugs and guns, and even then she sought to downplay its significance. "Lickle a dat gwaan, but dem man dey nuh mek much money offa dem things dey," said the woman who lives in Spanish Town. "A because some a dem man dey run good business mek dem can support the woman dem so," she added.

Marouane Chamakh Completes Move To Arsenal

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Moroccan international striker Marouane Chamakh has joined the Gunners on a long-term contract.

Chamakh (26), who joins Arsenal from French side Bordeaux, made a total of 293 appearances, scoring 79 goals during his eight years with Les Girondins.

In the 2008/09 league campaign, Chamakh scored 14 goals, helping Bordeaux win the French League title, thus ending Lyon's seven-year domination of Ligue 1. The Moroccan striker's fine form continued last season, playing an integral role in helping Bordeaux reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they finished above both Bayern Munich and Juventus in the Group Stages. 

Born and raised in France, but playing international football for Morocco through his parentage, Chamakh has made 53 appearances for the north African country, scoring 27 goals, and was part of the side which reached the Final of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: "We are delighted that Marouane Chamakh has joined us. He is a player we have admired for some time now and I know he will provide our squad with great quality. Chamakh has proved he is a great player with his performances for Bordeaux and Morocco in recent seasons and we're all looking forward to him joining us.

"Chamakh is a striker of real quality and has all the attributes suited to come to England and do very well. He is also a fighter, not only a good football player, but a fighter as well. He is very good in the air and also a good team player. He is a great addition to our squad."

After completing his move to the Gunners, Chamakh said: "This is a dream come true and a great joy to be joining Arsenal. My goal was always to play in the Premier League and Arsenal was the choice of my heart.

"Without any hesitation, Arsenal was my preferred club. The team and history of Arsenal, they make me dream. My goal was to join Arsenal out of the all the English clubs because it is a club that makes me dream and I have been a fan since I was a child.

"I'm very excited about playing at Emirates Stadium in front of the Arsenal supporters. I have heard many great things about the stadium and I cannot wait to be playing there in an Arsenal shirt.

"I will give my best to this Club, the Club that I used to support. We have many great players at Arsenal and I will be giving everything to help the team win trophies next season."

Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive of Arsenal Football Club added: "Arsène has been following the progress of Marouane Chamakh for some time and has identified him as a player that will add significant strength to our squad. We're delighted that Marouane has chosen Arsenal ahead of the many other clubs that were interested in him."

Chamakh, who will wear the number 29 shirt for Arsenal, will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training in July.

-- Edited by IWALLACE12 at 21:42, 2007-12-09

-- Edited by IWALLACE12 at 21:58, 2007-12-09

Thugs from several areas aligned to the People's National Party (PNP) have joined forces with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) stronghold of Tivoli Gardens to assist in their fight against the security forces.

THE STAR has learnt that some thugs from Matthews Lane, Rema, Hannah Town and Jones Town are now helping the men from Denham Town and Tivoli, areas that previously were their political enemies.

Reports are that not only are the PNP thugs willing to allow the JLP men passage through their communities if necessary, but they have also taken up arms in preparation of an expected fight against the security forces.

special invite

Asked how this was possible, one PNP gangster who was contacted said, "A di president wi a talk bout eno, a dem man dem seh money ova war, so him set certain link weh no normal man couldn't mek happen."

He continued, "Mi know yu grow up hear seh Tivoli man and Matthews Lane man a nuh fren but now dem man deh all a come a wi dance and a get special invite ... So everybody love di vibes and now dat babylon a pressure bossy dem willing fi help."

It is also claimed that men from Tivoli Gardens had offered their support and assistance when the now incarcerated Donald 'Zekes' Phipps was held by the police so now this is just a way of returning the favour.

$100,000

It is said that some of the men called into the area have also been paid. They are reported to be offered as much as $100,000 before being distributed with a weapon.

"Money all run pon some a di man dem weh come in and sign in fi dem gun," another thug claimed.

Efforts to get a comment yesterday from PNP officials were unsuccessful. Calls to some persons went unanswered while others declined to comment.

A senior officer from the Kingston Western police said although they have heard of this they are not able to confirm if it is true.

"We know things are not like they once were and men who were once at odds are now linking so it is not surprising. We have heard the talks but can't say this is how it is right now, it is something we will be looking into," the senior officer said.

I was born in Puerto Rico and i'm sure others here maybe were too so jus a warning:



The commonwealth of Puerto Rico will be reissuing all birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, and invalidating the old certificates so that new, more secure versions can be issued.

Until July 1, all Puerto Rico birth certificates will remain valid.

Puerto Rico-born citizens living in the states and territories will be able to request and receive their new birth certificates through a simple process by mail. The fee is $5, but it will be waived for people over 60 as well as veterans.

For more information on the new law and how to request a new birth certificate, visit www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates.

Puerto Rico enacted the new law in 2009 to strengthen the issuance and usage of birth certificates in order to combat fraud and protect the identities and credit of people born in Puerto Rico. The new law was based on collaboration with the federal government to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports, Social Security benefits and other services.


Source:
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/puerto-rico-born-must-get-new-birth-certificates-1.773306

rated 3.67 by 6 people [?]

Vybz Kartel and the Portmore Empire will be performing at a show in Freeport, Bahamas today.

 

Deejay Popcaan, and newcomer Vanessa Bling will also share the stage with him where they are expected to perform the ultra-popular Clarks hit, which is #1 on the Reggae Mediaguide charts for the second consecutive weeks, proving it is the hottest dancehall single in the USA.
The deejay will embark on a one week tour of England later this year, plus he already has confirmed dates in August for shows in Trinidad. He topped the HYPE TV charts for two consecutive weeks with Slow Motion, and his Beg You a Touch continues to have a grip of the #1 spot on the Jamaica Music Countdown charts. He also released a new single called No Man this week. You can listen to it below.

Milito Brace Leads Inter To European Glory

The Dutch master was bettered by his pupil Saturday when Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan strolled to a comfortable 2-0 victory in the Champions League final over a weak Bayern Munich team coached by his one-time boss Louis van Gaal.

Argentina's Diego Milito scored twice as Inter Milan squeezed the life out of a hesitant Bayern team to end a 45-year wait for its third title.

The victory might also signal Mourinho's exit from Inter. After the game, he said it was "more probable that I'll go than stay." He is tipped to take over at Real Madrid, where Saturday's final was played.

The Argentina striker Milito scored in the 35th and 70th minutes at the Bernabeu Stadium to add the title to Inter's triumphs back in 1964 and '65.

The merited victory - Inter dominated the game - meant that Inter coach Jose Mourinho completed the triple triumphs of the Champions League and domestic league and cup successes and became only the third coach to win the title with two different clubs. Mourinho is tipped to be thinking of moving on to another club.

Mourinho, who won it with FC Porto in 2004, out-thought Bayern coach Louis van Gaal, the man he worked for while they were at Barcelona. This time the pupil was the master as Mourinho relied on his solid defense to snuff out the threat of Bayern's Arjen Robben and expertly won the game on the counter-attack.

Milito's two goals were taken with style and he had great support from attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder and defensive midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti, the Inter captain who collected the trophy in his 700th appearance for the club.

"This is really emotional. The team played a perfect game. It's unbelievable for me to be able to relive the emotions I experienced so many years ago," said Inter president Massimo Moratti, whose father Angelo ran the club when it won the titles in the 1960s.

The loss meant that Bayern missed out on the treble, having also won the domestic league and cups.

"We were not good enough to impose our game," Van Gaal said. "Inter only reacted but they still won deservedly. The timing of the goals was decisive. The players learned today that it comes down to small details.

"I still have the feeling that we could have won. There were no great difference. We attacked, Inter defended. but you have to be in great shape to beat Inter and we were not today. I still think Inter merited the win."

Franz Beckenbauer, honorary president of Bayern, said Inter deserved its victory."Bayern did not have its day. We had a few moments at the start of the second half but that was not enough," he said. "They made fewer mistakes."

Goalkeeper Joerg Butt agreed: "They deserved to win. They defended very well. We never found our game and could not get past their defense. They have great strikers."

After the final whistle, Mourinho walked onto the field and was congratulated by his players in a low key celebration by his standards. In the past he has been known to race across the pitch to celebrate some of his most famous victories, infuriating opposing supporters.

Before the medal ceremony, he left his Inter players and walked over to the Bayern camp, hugging van Gaal as he had promised at the news conference on the eve of the final.

Although Bayern had chances early in the second half, Inter's defense was rock solid as it has been all through the competition, especially when it knocked defending champion Barcelona out in the semifinal.

The triumph was also a big one for Mourinho amid speculation that he might walk out on Inter and move to Real Madrid, the club that plays at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The first half was a tale of the contrasting fortunes of two Dutchmen.

Bayern's Arjen Robben, left rolling on the ground after three solid tackles by Inter defenders in the first 13 minutes, earned himself three shooting chances but couldn't recreate the accurate strikes that eliminated Fiorentina and Manchester United.

Inter's Wesley Sneijder, by contrast, forced Bayern 'keeper Joerg Butt into a punching save and set up the first half strike by Milito.

From a huge kick upfield by Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Milito headed the ball on to Sneijder who returned it immediately with a superbly accurate pass through the Bayern defense. Milito held off a defender before firing past the 'keeper from 12 meters, sparking wild celebrations among the Inter fans at the other end of the stadium.

It should have been 2-0 just before halftime when Sneijder and Milito combined again. This time the Argentina striker put the Dutchman clear but his shot was blocked by Butt.

In a fast-moving sequence in the opening minute of the second half, Bayern almost equalized and then went close to falling 2-0 behind.

Bayern opened up the Inter defense and Hamit Altintop presented Thomas Mueller with a clear shooting chance only for the 20-year-old striker to see his shot bounce off the 'keeper's legs.

"Not the better but the more effective team won," said Bayern captain Marc van Bommel. "Had Mueller scored, it may have been different. These are decisive moments. But no reproaches, Mueller has socred so many goals this season."

Inter survived that scare to break out at the other end. Milito burst down the left and crossed to Goran Pandev, whose left-footed lob was acrobatically finger-tipped over the bar by Butt.

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar matched that when Robben's shot from the corner of the area appeared to be curling inside the far post but the Brazilian dived to push it away.

It was a crucial save as Inter broke out to score a second which effectively killed off the game.

Samuel Eto'o's pass found Milito on the left and the striker twisted past Daniel van Buyten before firing inside the far post in front of the Inter fans.