The Editor, Sir:

Most ordinary Jamaicans have high hopes for Mr MacMillan to make a success of his new ministerial post that has traditionally been a political graveyard for most of his predecessors. The difference he brings to the job is that he is not a politician per se but a well rounded security professional who would have to be coerced severely into allowing politics to win in the contest of 'politics versus national security'. We hope he will be able to inject the political will into his other colleagues to do what is to be done.

We have to get to the root causes scientifically, quickly and objectively. If it turns out that the garrison phenomenon is among them let us develop the socio-political will to deal with it decisively and allow national security to triumph over politics. This crime problem has to be dealt with because it threatens not only the lives of citizens but the total economic stability and survival of Jamaica's democracy and has the potential of bringing down the Government.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL SPENCE

micspen2@hotmail.com

Liguanea,Kingston 6