Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

AFTER PULLING off what has been described as a major coup for Jamaica during Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s visit to the US last week, Audrey Marks, ambassador to the United States (US), has fired back at sceptics and critics who frequently claim that the country’s relationship with the US remains weak.

Under Mark’s direction, Golding was hosted by influential members of a Senate committee, as well as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a move aimed at “advancing bilateral discussions between the two countries”.

“Yesterday (Thursday), I got the Senate to meet with the prime minister,” said Marks.

“It is an important message to send to Jamaica that it is the first time in more than 20 years that a prime minister of Jamaica had been able to meet with officials at this level.”

Buoyed by her success, Marks hit back at cynics who, since she assumed the position of ambassador a year ago, have been suggesting that the Ja-US relationship continues to be tenuous.

“There is absolutely no rift,” declared Marks. “The relation is strong. We are working well together on a number bilateral issues.”

The ambassador suggested that the prime minister’s visit highlighted an unprecedented show of support to Jamaica by the US Congress.

‘just fantastic’

“Last week, the Senate was in recess, and this week, the House was in recess, so to get this (meeting) is just fantastic,” she asserted.

The Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate, which met with Golding, is the lawmaking body that oversees important decisions that affect the hemisphere.

“The committee reviews and considers all diplomatic nominations and international treaties as well as legislation relating to US foreign policies,” Marks said.

The revocation of Mining Minister James Robertson’s US visitor’s visa had served to fuel the speculation about the PM’s US visit.

Marks conceded that diplomatic discomfort had emerged from the request by the United States to extradite accused drug don, Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

“But we (Jamaica and the US) have been approaching our differences in a spirit of goodwill,” she argued.

The ambassador declared that it is past the time for critics and sceptics to get over the so-called Jamaica-US impasse.

“Clearly, there were differences on that matter,” she asserted. “We have passed the extradition matter. This matter was dealt with a year ago. We need to let it go.”

Marks said Jamaica and the US are working on major areas of strategic importance to both countries at this time.

“The US is supportive of our agenda and we are having positive communication as can be seen from the public remarks of the secretary of state,” she added.

Marks has served exactly one full year in office, having officially taken up her post in June 2010.

[email protected]