THE EDITOR, Sir:I WAS appalled at news about the visit of embattled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Jamaica. Why is Jamaica hosting Aristide at such a time as this? Is Jamaica prepared for the worldwide media attention that will be associated with his visit? Will this do more harm than good?
I have been monitoring closely the newspaper reports about the arrival of Haitians in Portland, and I was pleased that the Jamaican Government welcomed the refugees. Some of the Jamaicans I spoke to here were of the opinion that Jamaica has problems providing for its own let alone the scores of refugees that will put an extra strain on the economy.
The article by Dr. Stephen Vasciannie entitled "Hospitable, not hostile, to Haitians" two weeks ago added a new dimension to the debate as it relates to international law and humanitarianism. The Haitian refugees are indeed our neighbours and sending them back would be akin to issuing death sentences. Many of these refugees fled Haitian because of the social and political unrest linked directly or indirectly to the activities of Aristide.
While Aristide enjoys Jamaican hospitality, will he be willing to meet with the refugees? It would be foolish for us to turn a blind eye to the past. He was deemed to be "ungrateful" by the Central African Republic, and there are no signs that he has been rehabilitated.
Jamaica is in close proximity to Haiti, could it be that he hand-picked Jamaica because of its strategic location?
I am, etc,
ADRIAN BROWN
aebrown4@eng.usf.edu
Tampa, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
