Vaz willing to renounce US citizenship, bear arms for Jamaica

[PennyWise]

Vaz willing to renounce US citizenship, bear arms for Jamaica
Paul Henry
Thursday, January 10, 2008


DARYL Vaz said yesterday that he would be willing to renounce his United States citizenship and bear arms for Jamaica should war break out between both countries.

Vaz made the solemn proclamation on day two of his cross examination from Attorney Gayle Nelson, who is representing the People's National Party's Abe Dabdoub in his bid to have Vaz disqualified as the MP for West Portland, on grounds that he had sworn allegiance to the US.

Yesterday said Vaz 'yes' when asked if he was aware that his obligation as a US citizen compelled him to not bear arms against or conspire to overthrow the US.

Asked if he was aware that he was also under obligation to not bear arms against Jamaica, Vaz replied, "I think so."

"Are you aware that you would be in a difficult place in the event that war broke out between Jamaica and the United States?" Gayle asked.
"I was born in Jamaica, lived in Jamaica and is also a US citizen by virtue of my mother. My loyalty is to Jamaica - the land of my birth," Vaz answered.

Gayle asked: "In the event of a war between Jamaica and the United States would you be willing to bear arms against the US?" to which Vaz answered, ". I would be willing to give up my (US) citizenship for the land of my birth."

"But you are not willing to give up your US citizenship to become a member of parliament of Jamaica?" Gayle lashed back.
Vaz' attorney quickly objected to the question, noting that it was "argumentative", was not a proper question and "designed for "tomorrow's (today's) headline in the media".
Chief Justice Zaila McCalla agreed.

Dabdoub, who began his bid to have Vaz disqualified following his defeat in the September 3, 2007 general elections, is asking the court to name him the duly elected representative of the constituency.


http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20080109T230000-0500_131237_OBS_VAZ_WILLING_TO_RENOUNCE_US_CITIZENSHIP__BEAR_ARMS_FOR_J_CA.asp

[Ordie]

Does Jamaica allow for dual citizenship? Most Latin American and Carribbean allow for dual citizenship on the premise of facilitating trade and investment.

The US does not recognize dual citizenship, but it does not preclude other countries from doing so. This issue comes up every four years during a sporting event (Olympics, World Cup) where participants who are not able to participate, seek another country to represent. (i.e. Mike Piazza, Italian Baseball Team)

The current president of the Dominican Republic is a dual citizen with the United States.

[Lambert58]

Somehow the great war between the US and Jamaica seems a bit unlikely.

[Invisigoth]

When is Jamaica going to war with the U.S.? And more importantly, who is Vaz?

[Shadowstorm]

Same here, I never heard of this person before and how did Jamaica became U.S interest to go to war with. Did I sleep thru something or what.

[PennyWise]

Same here, I never of this person before and how did Jamaica became U.S interest to go to war with. Did I sleep thru something or what.

I was thinking the same thing. I personally think he just wants to bring attention to himself.

[-Church-]

LOL say who now ?

[Ordie]

Same here, I never of this person before and how did Jamaica became U.S interest to go to war with. Did I sleep thru something or what.

It's local politics.

A politician is mudslinging another politician for the status of his nationality.

Yet no one cares about the dual citizenship status of the Jamaican Football (Soccer) team in previous World Cup matches.

[budgie]

Somehow the great war between the US and Jamaica seems a bit unlikely.


War between Jamaica and anyone seems unlikely....unless it's over the cricket.

[Mu-Meson]

The only thing I could come up with was if it was a new front on the war on drugs. Go Jamaica!

[Limeyfellow]

Maybe he could team up with former Governer and wrestler Jesse Ventura with his revolution planning to take over the country and the plenty of other creepy people.

[wilhelm]

"I was born in Jamaica, lived in Jamaica. My loyalty is to Jamaica - the land of my birth," Vaz answered.

There's an airport down the road. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.....

[socom6]

Uhh I think I have to chime in here since I live in the island and know whats going down. Also that news report is misleading and makes Vaz looks like he's against the US when in truth thats not the case by a wide margin.

Ok what is happening here as Ordie correctly pointed out is local politics. The present new center right Government the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) had won the elections last Sept over the left of center Peoples National Party (PNP) by 33 to 27 seats... barely enough to have a working majority. The JLP by the way has always been a key ally of the Western Alliance and a good friend to the United States as its founder had stated after WW2 that the JLP is with the US and the West. While the PNP has traditionally been a leftist party with big links to Socialist International and the Non aligned Movement.

Now because the JLP barely has a majority the opposition PNP sees a opportunity to upset the new government by bringing up the issue of dual citizenship, which nobody really noticed or had a problem with until now.

The guy that wants Vaz's seat sued in court that Vaz's dual citizenship excluded him by law to represent the people of Western Portland even though Vaz was duly elected by the people. This fool Abe Dabdoub brought something thats written in the constitution that states anyone who serves a foreign power by means of citizenship to that power cannot represent the people, yep its written by law. Dabdoub won the suit and Vaz have to relinquish his seat. But Dabdoub wanted the seat to be handed to him just like that and he was not elected as the MP there, he was sorely disappointed when the Supreme Court Justice made a rule that a by election should be held so the people may decide who they want and time was given to Darryl Vaz to start the process to relinquish his US citizenship.

The funny thing is the PNP is biting off more than they can chew. By forcing the present new government's hand a snap election can be called at a moments notice and they will be smashed. The PNP in government had been one of the most CORRUPT rulers this country have ever seen in its life time. They have been in power for 18 years all because the then leader of the opposition JLP was unelectable, the PNP knew this and became haughty and proud, taking the people for granted and doing as they pleased. Right now the JLP govt. is working hard to fix legacy issues left over from the nasty scandal ridden PNP regime and they are doing the best they can.

For years people with dual citizenship has run for seats in parliament in BOTH parties with no problems. Yet the PNP because of political expediency has brought it to the fore but they will be sorry they did because the Prime Minister Bruce Golding has hinted that he will not stand idle and let someone who wasnt elected by the people be handed a seat freely. The PNP isnt ready for any new elections.

Interesting times on the jamrock, we see how it goes.

[WarDancer]

Sooo, whats the latest news on the Jamaican bobsled team??