THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM struggling to comprehend some of the positions being taken on the Haitian situation. Am I to understand the Jamaican Opposition, for example, to be legitimizing the brutal chain of events that led to the exile of deposed President Aristide and the subsequent installation of a non-elected Government?
Suppose the JLP forms the government someday and they are refused access to those international facilities that would enable them to rule effectively. Are we to conclude from their pronouncements on the Haitian situation that a disgruntled faction of the nation would then have their endorsement to effect a regime change through violence and mayhem?
And could foreign assistance be sought to enforce the exile of whomever they choose to be Prime Minister? Where would he want to be sent? And could Haiti offer to host him temporarily should he feel the need to return to the Caribbean?
It appears to me that democracy is rapidly becoming an outdated principle. This century has dawned with a new dispensation. Since the Year 2000, might has become exclusively right. Military strength and monetary influence have replaced the will of the majority and the dictates of the ballots.
The Haitian context is too close to home for us to ignore. This has indeed been a dangerous precedent and the Opposition should know only too well that 'cock mouth kill cock.'
I am etc,
STANLEY REDWOOD
stanley_redwood@
yahoo.com
Via Go-Jamaica
