The Editor, Sir:

I am surprised that one of your columnists in The Sunday's Gleaner could pooh pooh the idea of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition sitting down at Vale Royal or anywhere else to discuss the state of the country and exchange ideas on that issue.

Maybe too many Jamaicans are inured to the state of the nation where violence, murder, mayhem, corruption, and public service ineffectiveness have put our systems and values and credibility under tremendous pressures from forces WITHIN the society that would disrupt and destroy hard-won gains.

It is a sign of maturity on the part of both constitutionally provide for officers to put the nation's health before petty politics. One should remember that that was the genius of Norman Washington Manley when he said " I take up Jamaica's case - not PNP case; not JLP case but Jamaica's case".

I say that all right-thinking citizens of Jamaica, who put that country FIRST should applaud whatever effort both the PM and the Leader of the Opposition make for our benefit.

I am, etc.,

MIDDLETON WILSON

middletonwilson@bellsouth.net

Miami, Fl.

Via Go-Jamaica