September 9, 1994

The Right Honourable P.J. Patterson
Prime Minister of Jamaica
Office of the Prime Minister, Jamaica House
Kingston, Jamaica

Dear Mr. Prime Minister

AS A Jamaican citizen, I am writing this open letter to you to express my profound concern about the decision of the Jamaican Government to facilitate and support the United States in the invasion of Haiti.

Jamaica like many of its Caribbean neighbours still bears the scars and legacy of centuries of inhumane slavery and colonialism.

Jamaica has already done a humanitarian service in allowing Haitian refugees to find safe haven on an American ship docked in Jamaican waters, and can still offer further humanitarian assistance.

Haiti is already suffering from an invasion in the form of an economic embargo which has destroyed lives and institutions. Why should Jamaica be a participant or facilitator in inflicting more punishment on the people of this impoverished island nation?

An invasion can only add to the existing misery of the Haitian people; it cannot restore democracy, for there is nothing to restore. The Haitian people have existed under a culture of military dictatorship ­ a culture that did not change with the election of Aristide.

Mr. Prime Minister, we, as Jamaicans, cannot afford to permit our military personnel to endanger their lives for the restoration of a man who has demonstrated during his first year in office that he is more interested in retribution than democratic principles. Moreover, he does not now have the support of a large segment of the Haitian population. What the Haitian people need most at this time is not a military invasion but rather a massive infusion of economic aid, a comprehensive programme of education, universal healthcare and social services. Such assistance would be welcomed both by the military leaders as well as the Haitian people and could form the basis for the development of democracy in Haiti.

INVASION

If the U.S. believes an invasion is the only remedy to the situation in Haiti, then President Clinton ought to insist on getting the support of the former perpetrators of colonialism such as France, Great Britain, Spain and others and not the support of the former poor, black and weak colonial victims such as Jamaica and her Caribbean neighbours. Jamaica must not allow herself to be used by the U.S. as a cushion and a scapegoat to relieve the U.S. from some of the public criticism that will follow from a military invasion of Haiti by a rich, white and most powerful country. Haiti is certainly no threat to the security of the U.S. nor Jamaica. The Democratic Congress of the U.S. is divided on the issue of invasion. The Republicans are opposed to it, and the American people are divided.

Mr. Prime Minister, has the Jamaican Parliament and the people of Jamaica been consulted?

I implore you not to commit our Jamaican military personnel to any phase of the invasion of the Haitian people. It is better to withdraw now than to have regrets later.

Jamaica would be better served by deploying these military personnel to keep the peace and to combat the criminal elements in Jamaica ­many of whom developed their criminal expertise and acquired their weapons while they were in foreign.

There are many Jamaicans living abroad who are anxious to return to their homeland but are literally afraid to do so because of the "criminal dictators" in Jamaica who are preying upon the lives and properties of decent law-abiding Jamaican citizens.

Sincerely,
Donald G. Morgan
President, Jamaica Volunteers Association, Inc.

Office of the Prime Minister
Jamaica House, Kingston
October 4, 1994

Dear Mr. Morgan,

YOUR LETTER of September 9, 1994, raised a number of concerns regarding Jamaica's participation in the intervention in Haiti, to which I will respond.

Let me first congratulate you on the keen interest which you evidently take in issues involving and affecting your homeland. The constructive contribution of Jamaicans, both here and overseas, to the realisation of the ideals of our nation and the advancement of our people is always welcome.

The actions of the Jamaican Government do not "facilitate and support the United States in the invasion of Haiti." Jamaica will participate in a multi-national operation in Haiti along with at least fourteen other sovereign states. This is in pursuance of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 940, which represents the mandate of the international community to take decisive action to restore the legitimate democratic government of Haiti.

Jamaica, with the rest of the international community, has from the very beginning strongly condemned the abrogation of the democratic process in Haiti and has refused to recognise the illegal military regime which seized power.

Jamaica has been integrally involved from the outset in diplomatic initiatives aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the situation in Haiti. We considered such participation unequivocal in the discharge of our duty as a responsible member of the international community. Our actions were born of genuine concern for the welfare of the people of a sister nation.

HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES

Thus, as you have indeed acknowledged, Jamaica has sought to assist in every way possible in humanitarian activities in order to lessen the suffering of the Haitian people.

Our decision to support the planned intervention in Haiti reflects our commitment to seeing the restoration of Constitutional Government in Haiti. We believe that the best hope for the advancement and well-being of the Haitian people can only be achieved where the will of the majority can be expressed through democratic government.

In this, I do not share your view that "there is nothing to restore" in Haiti. Jamaica is committed to restoring the hope of the Haitian people for a better future through democratic government, in an atmosphere of peace, stability and respect for human rights.

The Jamaican people look forward to the early restoration of democracy in Haiti and the safe return of our men who will have served with dedication.