The Editor, Sir:

Those of us who doubted Mrs Simpson Miller's competence and grasp of governmental matters had our doubts confirmed once again yesterday.

In attempting to justify her imposition of the State of Emergency she declared that "as Minister of Defence I have a responsibility to see about the protection of the Jamaican people" in reference to the threat of looting and other crimes.

It is creditable that the PM has the defence of the Jamaican people at heart but could Dr. Phillips please remind her that looting and shooting is not what the Ministry of Defence is about?! Crime is the purview of the Ministry of National Security of which Dr. Phillips is the minister!

The Ministry of Defence has as its major organs the JDF and the Defence Board and the primary concern of that ministry is EXTERNAL security. That is: defence from foreign threats. INTERNAL security is a police matter and hence is the direct remit of the Minister of National Security NOT the Minister of Defence.

While I accept that the JDF has been heavily involved in police-type operations for many years, internal security is still primarily a JCF function.

Similarly, it is clear that a Prime Minister has ultimate respon-sibility for all her ministers and their functions - the real issue here is that she has no appreciation of where the direct responsibilities lie.

It is clear that Mrs. Simpson Miller is ill-advised about her role as Defence Minister and while her concern for security is laudable, her confusion about roles and responsibilities is sad.

I am, etc.,

OWEN K. FERGUSON

owenkferguson@hotmail.com