ASSAMBA
Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
ALOUN ASSAMBA, Mem-ber of Parliament for south- east St. Ann and Minister of Industry and Tourism, has apologised for statements she made about stacking a civic committee in her constituency with People's National Party (PNP) supporters.
"I would like to apologise for my choice of words in comments I made at the meeting at region three on Sunday, August29, 2004. The way in which my statements were expressed is out of keeping both with my character and beliefs as well as the manner in which I have conducted myself in my constituency since becoming Member of Parliament," Mrs. Assamba said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The Minister said that the comments she made while addressing a constituency meeting, "were plainly wrong." "I do not support, nor practise political tribalism nor victimisation and I now realise that my utterance was incorrect. It reflected a position contrary to that which has always guided my life both in the private and public domain," she said.
MADE A MISTAKE
The south-east St. Ann MP admitted, "I made a mistake which I regret and I do not shirk from offering my apology to the country at large."
At the same time she also encouraged members of the constituency to join the civic committee to work for the development of the entire constituency. "The programmes and projects of the civic committee must benefit all constituents, irrespective of their political affiliation," she said.
Her apology comes a week after her statements sparked criticisms from several persons with the latest reaction from Dorett Campbell, chairman of the Jamaica Council of Churches media commissions.
"I commend the Minister for being truthful, but this public pronouncement is as revealing as it is disturbing. It makes the constant call by our political leaders for unity, in the wake of Jamaica's inter-communal strife, political discord, divisiveness and the violence that results partially from such, sound like a hollow and insincere call," said Mrs. Campbell.