Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Jamaica: Gun Battles Kill Over 20

Aired July 11, 2001 - 07:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Another global hot spot is found among the palms and sunshine of Jamaica. Soldiers and police in Kingston are patrolling the streets after several days of gun battles. So far, at least 22 people are dead.

CNN's Susan Candiotti tells us what triggered the violence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On orders of the prime minister, the army joined police in a show of strength throughout the country. But the largest numbers were deployed where the violence was most prevalent: sections of the capital city of Kingston.

Soldiers blocked traffic from the most troubled areas and urged gangs to back down -- the streets of West Kingston nearly deserted for the third day in a row -- areas normally teaming with people quiet, as most businesses remained locked down after looting had occurred.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The atmosphere is painful. It's quite painful (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

CANDIOTTI: At the largest public hospital, 57 gunshot victims treated since Saturday -- 11 of them fatalities.

ERROL BECKFORD, KINGSTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL: It's been traumatic. But I dare say the majority of our staff are trained to cope with traumas of this nature. Many of them have been through experiences like this in the '70s and '80s, although they've advised me that this is the worst yet.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): Gang trouble simmering for months erupted again Saturday during a police weapons search of this Kingston neighborhood. It led to gunfire and death: the government blaming gangs loyal to the opposition; the opposition blaming the police for being too quick to open fire.

(voice-over): At least three police officers and one soldier killed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The violence that erupted here over the past weekend is just foolishness, political greed. CANDIOTTI: Police are advising tourists to stay away from Kingston for now. Popular tourist areas to the north are reported calm.

The battle over political power rages on. And once calm is restored nationwide, the underlying problem remains: how to end decades of violence permanently.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Kingston, Jamaica.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com