Putting party before country THE EDITOR, Sir: THE CABINET reshuffle may well be described as the Cabinet 'scuffle'. True to form, politics was put above what is best for the country. The desire to satisfy the 'old boys' is what seemingly has motivated the Prime Minister in the latest round of appointments. The fact that one man, albeit the Prime Minister, can unilaterally make key appointments, speaks volumes about our arrangement for self-government. Ministries are divided, expanded or contracted depending on who needs a job or who does not want to give up their jobs. For instance, expediency has forced the Prime Minister to separate the Ministry of National Security and Justice, a position recommended by various groups including the NDM. The Minister of National Security, Mr. K.D. Knight has failed miserably in controlling crime and violence. With a long string of failures trailing behind him, Mr. Knight is now appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Foreign Affairs, an area that requires tact and diplomacy, grace and affability is now headed by one who threatened to kick any who accuses him of corruption. Anthony Hylton, who most people believe was doing a credible job as Minister of Foreign Trade, is now brought back in time to prepare for an election and dumped into the Ministry of Mining and Energy. Again party comes before what is best for the nation at this time. For every action of this government there is an equal benefit for the PNP, its supporters and members. Dr. Peter Philips has now been given the Herculean task of fixing our crime problem, having performed relatively well in his previous Ministries. We are just hoping that Peter the Performer will not bring about measures that will further erode what little rights are left for us as Jamaicans. The way to fight crime is to ensure that people's rights are protected! The more people believing that rights are protected under the Constitution the fewer people that will resort to unlawful means of finding justice. So while I welcome Dr. Philips to his new Ministry, let me personally implore him to find ways of erasing the negative stigma that is attached to the police. The job becomes much easier if that goal can be accomplished, because I believe that less than one per cent of the population are perpetrators of crime and violence. Both the police and the Ministry of National Security have to serve and protect the 99 per cent of us who are law abiding, need to convince that 99 per cent that we can support the police based on their human rights record. Are these appointments made in a bid to reconnect with the people or are they tantamount to the laying of water pipes and fixing of roads in the dead of night during the NE St. Ann by-election? It is shameful and scandalous that the overpowering aim of this government is to retain power at all cost, even to the detriment of the country that we all supposedly love; and this overwhelming need to win the next election defines every action of the government. I am, etc., BARBARA CLARKE NDM Caretaker North East St. Ann
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