Prime Minister Bruce Golding is denying claims that the US State Department has put a freeze on Jamaica's effort to appoint a new ambassador to the United States.

The government wants to change the Ambassador to the United States, but a source has told RJR News the impasse between the two countries over the extradition of Christopher "Dudus" Coke has stalled the exercise. Audrey Marks, Chief Executive Officer of Paymaster is being tapped as Jamaica's new Ambassador to the US to replace Anthony Johnson. But it is understood that the US is stalling on accepting the new nominee because of the strained relations between the two countries over the delay in the extradition of Christopher Coke. However, the Prime Minister has dismissed those claims. "I don't think the "Dudus" affair will affect Ms. Marks' appointment to Washington," said Mr. Golding. He also rubbished claims that he is afraid to take out Mr. Johnson and replace him with Ms. Marks. "That's absolutely not true," he said. Audrey Marks. RJR News's source has however cast the Prime Minister's assertions aside. The source claims that there are worries that if Mr. Johnson is moved before Ms. Marks is accepted as Jamaica's top diplomat in Washington the US government could apply diplomatic pressure by delaying or rejecting a new ambassador from Jamaica as part of efforts to get the government to accede to its request for the extradition of Mr. Coke.    Ms. Marks was asked about being tapped as the new ambassador to Washington and whether or not the extradition involving Christopher Coke will affect her chances. "For me to comment on that would be pure speculation ... it two speculation in one," was her response.