THE EDITOR, Sir:

I SUGGEST that the legal luminaries in our midst take time to consider the law permitting dual citizenship.

This seems to mean that Jamaica does not recognise a statement of renunciation of Jamaican nationality made in America by a Jamaican citizen. Even after taking an oath of allegiance to the United States the person is not regarded as a foreigner and retains all legal rights to a Jamaican passport and the concomitant privileges.

In my layman's view, the present argument concerning certain candidates in St. Ann can be settled only by the Supreme Court; and, under Section 44 of the Constitution, the verdict of this court must be "in accordance with the provisions of any law for the time being in force in Jamaica and subject to any such law, in accordance with any directions given in that behalf by the Chief Justice." Dual citizenship may be such a law.

It might well be that out of the present discussions the conditions concerning dual citizenship will be cleared up and confirmed for the benefit of the hundreds of thousands involved and not just those seeking political power.

The present administration in Jamaica has been actively encou-raging Jamaicans in the United States to apply for American citizenship. Should it now begin to pursue a policy of depriving such persons of important rights? The diaspora deserves a clear statement from the Government, especially now that Minister Buchanan has vowed to play the role of hound dog in the matter.

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

alllerdyce@hotmail.com