The Editor, Sir:

Please tell us why there is a problem about land in Zimbabwe before you assume on our behalf that Jamaicans will not welcome the President of a nation.

One of our historians (Douglas Hall) observed there are Two Jamaicas. I believe the issue of Zimbabwe is one on which Jamaica remains divided up to now. I ask myself and you why would a people with Nanny of the Maroons, Paul Bogle and Sam Sharpe as National Heroes, not welcome the Rt. Hon. Robert Mugabe?

Our national heroes fought for land and other rights that some Jamaicans now sit back in their air-conditioned offices and take for granted while other Jamaicans continue to struggle and fight for survival.

Fight of the oppressed

It appears that when oppressed people fight for their rights, those who have power to exploit or interests to protect, always cry "erosion of democracy, rigging of elections and attacks on the free press." The cries of the powerful are usually followed by schemes that cause "economic and social ruin." The "collapse of agriculture ... inflation ... food shortages and hunger ..." of which you speak are familiar to many of us who remember the attempts made by the Hon. Michael Manley to build a self-reliant Jamaica in the 1970's.

Do you remember how the Jamaican people greeted President Fidel Castro when he attended the funeral of the late Hon. Michael Manley? It seemed and sounded like a standing ovation.

Do you remember how the Jamaican people responded when the great Winnie Mandela graced our shores?

What I know of Jamaicans allows me to believe that many will welcome President Mugabe.

I am, etc.,

LORNA WALKER

brayqn@yahoo.co.uk.