Garwin Davis & Pat Roxborough, Staff Reporters
WESTERN BUREAU -
A POWERFUL black American religious group is trying to convince members of the U.S. Congress and locals to back a plan it hopes will reduce crime in Jamaica by funding a gun amnesty and jobs for inner-city youths.
The Nation of Islam (NoI), a Muslim group, is lobbying the Congress's black caucus to help find money which will pay youths United States dollars to turn in their guns.
However, according to Jamaican-born Gary Foster, an administrative assistant to NoI Leader Louis Farrakhan, while the black caucus is excited about the idea, Jamaican authorities have not responded positively.
"Right now I have a bitter taste in my mouth about the Jamaican Government and how they operate," Mr. Foster told The Sunday Gleaner. "They don't get back to people, they don't return calls. I have direct access to the Prime Minister and I have called him, but nothing. Even in the U.S. of A, I set up meetings with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), but either they didn't show up, or they called and cancelled."
When contacted late last month, Delano Franklyn, the Prime Minister's chief advisor, told The Sunday Gleaner he was not familiar with Mr. Foster's plan.
"I am not aware of that initiative," he said.
Several efforts by The Sunday Gleaner to get a response from the JTB proved unsuccessful as telephone calls were either not returned or officials were said to be involved in meetings.
However, Howard Hamilton, Q.C., the Public Defender whose recent proposal to pump $2 billion into the inner city was met with criticism from some sections of the private sector, was ecstatic about the plan.
"I am delighted," Mr. Hamilton said. "This is incredible news. It could not come at a more opportune time because many of the First World nations are recognising the need to devote maximum attention to their inner cities."
With the exception of the US$500 to US$1,000 that will be offered to those who turn in guns, the proposed amnesty, according to Mr. Foster, will work in much the same way as it did in the 1970s under the administration of the ruling People's National Party.
"We will choose a specific day to work with law officers. We will be asking people to bring guns to a specific place where they can pick up the envelopes with the money. No questions asked... complete anonymity," he said.
Mr. Foster, who started canvassing support for the initiative several months ago, said several businessmen and members of the Congress are looking forward to come to Jamaica in January to kick-start the idea, which hopes to result in U.S. cities "adopting" inner cities here.
"This is a tried and proven programme. We are going to see if cities across the United States can adopt inner-city communities - Baltimore adopting Trench Town, Washington D.C. adopting Rema and so on," said Mr. Foster.
Some of the powerful names who will be supporting the initiative, according to Mr. Foster, include Ben Chavis, former president of the National Association of the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).
Charles Rangel, the New York Congressman who staunchly supported President Bill Clinton during his impeachment hearings and John Conyers, the Michigan Congressman, a ranking democrat on the Judicial Committee in the U.S. Congress are also said to be willing to give support.
