THE EDITOR, Sir:
MR. RALPH GONSALVES of St Vincent has just completed a visit to Jamaica. Based on what we observed, it is difficult to ascertain exactly what was the purpose of his visit. Among his calendar of engagements, Mr. Gonsalves surprisingly embarked on a course of action that took him outside of what we consider established protocol would demand.
As unbelievable as it might seem, we have just witnessed here in Jamaica the most unusual spectacle of having a foreign head of government join the fray on the political hustings to address a local political rally of one of the contesting parties and rooting for the victory of that party.
Now quite unlike most other Caribbean countries, Jamaica, over the last generation, has become a most highly polarised and violent society because of tribalised politics. This manifests itself most disturbingly during the highly charged and emotive atmosphere of an election campaign, very often with parties resorting to violence. It is in this atmosphere however, that Prime Minister Gonsalves found it necessary to take to the platform of the PNP, appearing both on television and in print, to lavish praise on its leader and urging Jamaicans to vote for the PNP.
Now whatever the relative merits of these two parties or their leaders, it is not the business of any non-citizen from outside of Jamaica, especially a head of government, to try and influence the outcome of an election in this country. This therefore represents nothing less than rampant meddling in the affairs of our country. For Mr. Gonsalves therefore to be seen as dabbling in our local politics was at worse, a very foolish thing to do and at best, totally lacking in any statesmanship.
I am etc.,
LANCE ROBINSON
lance@jol.com.jm
