THE EDITOR, Sir:

I would like to comment on a letter titled, 'Why the silence on Chávez?', which appeared in your newspaper on May 30. The writer was stating that since Venezuela is a trading partner, the Jamaican government should express its position on Mr. Chávez' domestic and foreign policy.

This, sir, would be hypocritical and self-defeating at best. No conscious and politically smart Jamaican would demand that the Jamaican government express openly its opposition to the U.S., England or any European foreign policy. So why ask that of a Latin American country?

Let's examine the issue that caused the writer to want our Government to question Mr. Chávez. Apparently, the RCTV station of Venezuela, a longstanding media outlet, has expressed neo-conservative capitalist views and has been calling for Mr. Chávez's removal from office. This in itself is not bad, but to put forth the overthrow of Mr. Chávez's duly elected government is criminal. This would be criminal in every country that I know. Think what would happen to CNN's licence if it called for the overthrow of the Bush administration.

RCTV of Venezuela, according to public papers in the U.S., was instrumental in the two-week removal of Mr. Chávez from office. This station has accepted funding from the CIA. This is public knowledge. With all this public information on this TV station, how can anyone question a legitimate government denying renewing the broadcast licence?

I am, etc.,

C. HAMILTON

cha24389@yahoo.com

Brooklyn, New York

Via Go-Jamaica