THE EDITOR, Sir:

The World Cup gaffe as reported in Monday's Gleaner about the playing of the Taiwanese National Anthem at the opening ceremony for a China-financed stadium forebodes some of the glitches and goofs that the tourna-ment could hold.

But Grenada surely had it coming.

The Eastern Caribbean country, under the Keith Mitchell adminis-tration, has played a dangerous game in allowing itself to become a pawn in the rift between Taiwan and mainland China.

The Grenadian Government had severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan two years ago, but not before accepting four loans from that country's Export-Import Bank.

Then it switched its allegiance to the People's Republic of China, wooed by their willingness to bankroll major infrastructural projects, including a US$40 million gift to build Queen's Park to host World Cup matches in April. Now Taiwan's suing for their money.

Grenada's incestuous relation-ship has come back to bite them in the butt. Money, like strong drink, persuades convincingly. And Grenada's vote, in any matter concerning China and Taiwan, is virtually bought.

China has launched a massive campaign to extend its influence across the globe, doling out billions of dollars throughout Africa and the Caribbean to satisfy its hunger for fuel to maintain the booming economy and deepen its power in the wider political sphere.

Perhaps Jamaica, too, has been bought in the second coming of the 'Liberator' - no, not Jesus - Hugo Chávez.

Cricket World Cup naysayers are predicting the tournament will be a colossal disaster - hopefully Jamaica won't catch Grenada's flu.

Grenada's blunder proves all proverbs are not eternal truths - for he who pays the piper does not always call the tune.

I am, etc.,

A.A. WRIGHT

Kingston