Canada apologises for botched naval exercise

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THE Canadian High Commission has apologised to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for a botched naval exercise in March, which saw live 50-calibre rounds being fired in Jamaican coastal waters by two of that country's naval vessels and the interference with a boat in which former Prime Minister Bruce Golding was travelling. The disclosure came on Tuesday as the JDF sought to clear the air on the incident, which the Canadian media said has caused that country much embarrassment. The vessels, the Goose Bay and the Kingston, were given authorisation to enter Jamaican waters to make port calls in Montego Bay for the purpose of crew rest and recuperation on March 23 and leave on March 26, according to the JDF.