Jeremy Cresswell, new British High Commissioner.
Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
THE RECENT bomb attacks on London by four men, including a son of Jamaican soil, has not fazed Jeremy Cresswell is the new British High Commissioner to Jamaica.
According to Mr. Cresswell, all countries could produce persons with the potential to be terrorists.
The high commissioner agrees that terrorism is a potential threat to all countries. Some places are more directly threatened than others, he reiterated, adding that many of those who lost their lives in the July 7 London bombings were from other countries.
He said as a Londoner, he would be saddened if the country had to change its policies because of terrorism.
In that regard, does he foresee any moves on his government's part to introduce tougher immigration policies so that Jamaicans' entry into Britain would now be more difficult?
VISA ENTRY CRITERIA
Mr. Cresswell said he is not aware of any plans to change the current visa entry criteria but countries, including Jamaica, will be looking to see if their entry procedures are appropriate to face the challenge of terrorism.
However, on the question of the tendency by foreigners - including Britons - to assume the worse when Jamaica is mentioned in a negative light, the High Commissioner said, "I would not be too sensitive about that: We all have to question why people want to do such acts. We have to question why several young men brought up in Britain, did what they did. There are more questions directed at ourselves than outside."
The 56-year-old career diplomat entered the foreign service fresh out of university and had extensive experience in Europe. He replaces Peter Mathers who recently completed a three-year tour of duty and his last posting was as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Cresswell said he chose a career in the diplomatic service out of an interest in international politics, plus, he needed a job after university and he tested the waters to see what would happen. "Thirty years later, I'm still here. I greatly enjoy it and I wouldn't be doing it otherwise," he said.
He describes the Jamaica posting as the high point of his career as it represents his first time as the head of a British mission.
Although not his first time to the island, Mr. Cresswell has no prior working experience within the Caribbean region. As a European specialist, he regards this move as a positive change - and rightly so. Jamaica is the second largest mission outside of Washington D.C. in this hemisphere. He is looking forward to it.
A FRIENDLY COUNTRY
"My first impressions of the island are positive. This is a friendly country and I have met the Prime Minister and Governor-General," Mr. Cresswell told The Sunday Gleaner. He will serve a four-year term in what is a competitive environment.
As far as British-Jamaica relationships are concerned, Mr. Cresswell said both countries do a great deal together, covering a range of issues and he will make sure those projects are carried on.
"Our relationship is a close one that goes back many years. Most Jamaicans have family in the United Kingdom and that is very valuable to us. I have to be honest in my job and the basis for serious discussion is already there."
During the next four years in Jamaica, Mr. Cresswell is looking forward to running an effective and friendly high commission, while getting to know the country. He lists among the advantages of his job, getting to know other countries and access to a range of persons a tourist would not have. The disadvantages have to do with not seeing family and friends as frequently as one should. Family relationships have to be intense and good quality time is a premium when you meet.
Keeping friendships warm has been made much easier now with the modern methods of communication such as daily emails and cheaper travel.
In the diplomatic service, staff have to compete for jobs through the application process and there is a board selection. "We have to persuade the board that we are the best for a particular job," he said in response to The Sunday Gleaner's question.
So, having heard about Jamaica's high crime problem, was he deterred?
TAKE TO TASK
"I thought that the range of things we do with Jamaica is extremely interesting. It's a value to the United Kingdom, it presents a challenge to me coming with a strong European background. I will be looking at other things I have not done before but I am positive and will look at issues and ask questions.
Does he have a particular mandate from Prime Minister Tony Blair?
"The message from the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is to consider the wide agenda and the importance of the relationship between both countries and the high commission will be the delivery point for that," he said.
Regarding the assistance to Jamaica's constabulary force and our crime-fighting efforts, through personnel from Britain, Mr. Cresswell holds the view that it's in both countries, mutual interest "to fight organised crime and the international drugs trade. So we are looking to see how we can work together."
"Ultimately, what happens here is your responsibility. Mark Shields is now seconded to the Jamaica Constabulary Force so that makes him a Jamaican officer now. If he is able to bring experience and an angle which helps Jamaica's fight against crime, we welcome that very much," said the high commissioner.
