Impose same restrictions
published: Monday | October 31, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT WAS brought to my attention that the Cayman Islands Government has decided to impose visa restrictions on Jamaicans travelling to their country. Now, since when does the Cayman Islands Government think they have enough clout on the world scene to charge Jamaicans US$102 to travel to their small dot on the world map? This is coming from a country that thrives on Jamaicans migrating to work in their country. What's even more insulting is that they request a police record and take two weeks to make a decision on the visa application, a feat that is not even undertaken by the mighty US Embassy or British High Commission. It seems to me that the Cayman Islands Government is telling Jamaicans to stay away.

It pains my heart to know that this is the type of treatment that Jamaicans are getting on the international scene. Let me remind you that one should feel privileged to be a Jamaican. We are renowned worldwide for our cultural diversity and heritage among other things. It's rather unfortunate that the country is in such a state that people have to migrate in search of better opportunities than those available at home. But it seems to me that countries like the Cayman Islands and Bahamas seem to think that this is their cue to undermine us and what will our Government do about it? Will they act on the behalf of Jamaica and restore our national pride or will diplomacy once again be our downfall?

I personally think that the government should impose the same visa restrictions on those countries that offend us.

I am, etc.,

OLIVER DALEY

olidae_ja@hotmail.com

London

Via Go-Jamaica