Four weeks after he submitted an application Wayne Chen, Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation, is still awaiting word on whether he will be issued a new US visa.

On March 1, Mr. Chen presented the relevant documents to the US Embassy in Kingston for a new visa. However, checks by RJR News revealed that a response has not been forthcoming. Mr. Chen was thrust into the spotlight last month following the discovery that his visa had been revoked. There was speculation that the cancellation of his visa was connected to the government's refusal to agree to a request from the US to extradite Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher "Dudus" Coke. However, Prime Minister Bruce Golding later denied any such connection. Following diplomatic talks involving Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ken Baugh and officials of the US Embassy, Mr. Chen applied for a new visa. At that time, Mr. Chen said he expected the processing of his application to be hassle-free.