The Editor, Sir:

It may be a case of the chickens coming home to roost, or simply the result of an Opposition determined to use any means necessary to unseat the incumbent PNP Government from their 17-year control of Gordon House.

Whatever the reason, the latest evidence of what could arguably be called 'poor judgement' on the part of the PNP simply confirms the general consensus that our politicians and their associates cannot be trusted. It is sad yet at the same time comical that the PNP's best defence is to attack all and sundry who may have something negative to say about this issue.

It is amazing that these public officials who purport to be servants of the people see nothing slightly embarrassing with this kind of financial contribution. Attacking the head of the JCC and trying to highlight the fact that he may be aligned to the JLP is certainly pedestrian.

Personal axes to grind

Whether or not the head of the JCC has any personal political axes to grind has nothing to do with the fact that millions of dollars were lodged to a private account by a company contracted by the Government of Jamaica to conduct business on behalf of the people of Jamaica. Surely they must have known that revelation of this information must have been expected to cause Mr. Myers as the head of a civil organisation to certainly comment on the issue.

It seems that this strategy of attack must be the modus operandi, given the recent personal attacks levied on the Contractor General by members of the

House as he was trying to carry out his duties. It is interesting that the actions that lead to the revelation of this latest 'scandal' might even have been illegal. Sadly, the legislation for ensuring transparency and accountability of government agencies, public entities and political parties is currently inadequate or simply non-existent.

While recent public requests for legislation to be implemented to monitor campaign financing are well intentioned, those responsible for passing such legislation appear to be the ones with the most to lose (whether PNP or JLP) so it is unlikely that any anti-corruption legislation will happen anytime soon. The people of this country appear to be between a rock and a very hard place.

It is clear that the voting majority (the disillusioned and uncommitted) have to demand that this issue of accountability, transparency and ethics be on the forefront of both political parties' political campaigns. We Jamaicans are tired of the baseless promises, we are tired of the half-truths, we are tired of the secrets and self-serving behaviour.

Essentially we are tired of 'politicians', what Jamaica needs right now are 'statesmen' and 'stateswomen'.

I am, etc.,

PETER E.T. EDWARDS

University of Delaware