THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE a growing concern over the many voices expressing their total disgust at the USA's position on attacking Iraq and wonder if they have stopped to take the following into consideration:
We are many thousands of miles removed from the situation, yet there are two outstanding men, much closer and with first-hand knowledge that we constantly ignore and who have had no influence on our thinking and our conclusions:
The first one is Mr. St. Aubin Hill, the new CEO of NCB, Jamaican born and bred. He lived in Kuwait for over 10 years and had first-hand knowledge of Mr. Saddam Hussein. He had to escape with his family when Kuwait was attacked. Mr. Hill classified Hussein as a Hitler and there is no doubt in his mind, again from first-hand knowledge, that America is correct in what they are doing. Could he, who was there, be so wrong and we so right?
Jamaica has honoured Mr. Colin Powell and held him up as a man of honour and integrity. What has happened to those feelings we had for this man? If he is a man of honour and integrity how could he be advising President Bush in something so terrible? If he is the man we held him up to be and America's actions are so wrong, he would stand against them. Could Mr. Powell be so wrong and we so right?
For many years, we have considered America a friend of Jamaica. We want to go and visit them, and we want them to come and visit us. A true friend always supports, always stands behind, always is willing to give the benefit of the doubt in times of stress. Have we thought that at this time America might really need such a friend? Do we have any idea what it meant to America when we reached out in a symbolic way after the last Iraq war and 9/11? Do we have any idea the hurt that many Americans are feeling now - that so many Jamaicans who are really not in the know - are being so outspoken and in our own Jamaican term 'dissing' them?
I make a call on the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, the editors, the columnists, the talk-show hosts and the general public to consider whether two sons of Jamaica, who we are very proud of should be totally disregarded as we go headlong into destroying what has been a wonderful friendship between Jamaica and America.
I am, etc.,
ROBERT E. LEVY CD
4 Lanark Drive,
Kingston 8
