What is the motive?
published: Thursday | March 18, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I'M APPALLED that the Government of Jamaica has decided to host ousted Haitian PM Aristide! Once again we see a Government acting senselessly within its own agenda. What then is the motive for having Mr Aristide and his family here, hosted in a grand style at a Jamaican Great House with all the luxury and armed security for as long as 10 weeks, and at what cost?

If PM Patterson wanted to extend a hand of friendship, he should've done so in his own private capacity as a citizen and entertained the ousted leader at his own expense. Is Mr Patterson hoping to help return Mr Aristide to power when he was so violently rejected by the majority of his own people fed up with his failed plans and policies? Mr Aristide was an incompetent leader who accomplished almost nothing in his many years in office. He was rejected by his people for failure, nothing more. And now that Haiti has suspended diplomatic relations over Aristide's visit, what's next? Aristide's visit is not only a major distraction, but an insult to the integrity and common sense of the Jamaican electorate!

Frankly I'm beginning to think birds of a feather do flock together, perhaps it's time for change in Jamaica as well.

I am, etc.,

P. CHIN

chin_p@yahoo.com Canada

Toronto, Canada

Via Go-Jamaica