Mark Wignall | Those memorandums of understanding

Well, the details of the “memorandum” between Iran and the US have finally come out.  The so-called 14 points. Not a good look for America. It makes the agreement the Obama administration had with Iran look good.  We know Trump is obscenely jealous of Obama.   

We also know that Trump ‘tore up’ the agreement with Iran that the Obama administration negotiated out of pure hatred for President Obama.  

We know Trump has Obama derangement syndrome.  We know Trump is extremely insecure about President Obama because President Obama is smart, intelligent, an amazing speaker, universally loved, and has worldwide respect.  

A plain reading of the 14-point memorandum shows that Iran did quite well. The Iranians went back into being Persians, are very wily, cunning, and played the ‘long’ game and were rewarded.  The Iranians knew that with the US 2026 mid-term election looming, Trump would be most anxious to get a ‘deal’ done. The US$300 billion reconstruction money and the ability to sell oil immediately play well for Iran.  Iran agrees to reopen the strait of Hormuz.   Well, the strait of Hormuz was open before the war.     

Iran is a danger to the world and needs to be dealt with, but Trump’s approach was not the way to do it.   What has been achieved since the shooting began on 27 February?  Last year, the US bombed Iran, and President Trump told the world that Iran’s nuclear capability was demolished. So now, Iran agrees not to acquire a nuclear weapon.  Really? Meanwhile, US military personnel have been killed and injured, thousands of others have been killed or injured, including the school children in Iran, and billions of US dollars have been spent on the war, and all the US achieved was the 14-point memorandum.

JAMAICA-US AGREEMENT  

"As for Jamaica," said my lawyer friend. "I have a lot to share with you about the Third Country Nationals (TCN) agreement that Jamaica entered into with the US regarding Jamaica being a penal colony for individuals who have been ordered removed from the US, but their home countries will not take them back.   But I am still gathering my thoughts.  

"It is bad for Jamaica to agree to be a penal colony for the US. I do have some initial thoughts.  Jamaica is a premier tourist destination.  Brand Jamaica is advertised as coming to Jamaica and our beautiful beaches, spectacular weather, unique geography, great food, warm people, vibrant culture and “no problem mon”.  How does that square with Jamaica being a penal colony or internment camp?  Was the tourist industry consulted?  So far, they have been silent.  Very curious." 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

How very interesting that The Gleaner reported on June 18, the whole idea for Jamaica being a penal colony or internment camp was floated by none other than government Minister Audrey Marks. What was she thinking?  

Speaking of Minister Marks, it has been reported that she is reacquiring an 80 per cent interest in Paymaster in Jamaica, a legal entity she formed and sold a controlling interest to Digicel but is now reacquiring. So as the majority owner, how can she remain a government minister and run Paymaster? It is a conflict of interest.  There is no escape from the fact that it is a conflict of interest. 

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com.