By Garwin Davis, Assistant News EditorTHE JAMAICA Labour Party's (JLP) decision to end its co-operation with the Government and to pursue a course that would bring down the regime could lead to unnecessary disruption, sector leaders have cautioned.
They, however, note that remarks made on Wednesday at a press conference by the JLP leader, where he stressed that "non-co-operation does not mean confrontation", were more than welcome, as the country could ill-afford any form of social unrest at this time.
"It was a very good move on the part of Mr. Seaga, to clarify his remarks," said Josef Forstmayr, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA). "His comments could easily have been interpreted as a plan by the JLP to unseat the Government by whatever means. This, in itself, would have been sending a dangerous signal. The Opposition is well within its right to oppose bad policies implemented by Government, but must do so within the law."
Mark Kerr-Jarrett, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce agreed. "I think the whole series of events have been very unfortunate," he said. "Frankly it should not be a case of whose fault it is. It should be about Jamaica... about nation-building. The Prime Minister, in his acceptance speech following the election, said there should be no hint of corruption or any form of arrogance in his Government. We, as a nation, must ensure he abides by that."
In another reaction, Herbert Lewis, president of the Jamaica Employers Federation, said he hasn't yet taken a position on the JLP's latest stance, noting that the JEF would be making a statement shortly.
The Jamaica Manufacturers Associa-tion (JMA), which previously had refrained from commenting on the controversy involving the Finance Minister, has changed its tune.
The association remarked yesterday that the Minister was out of line in accusing JEF members of theft, noting that his remarks were an indictment of business people in general.
Dr. Davies, at a People's National Party (PNP) constituency conference last week, said the JEF was not in a position to criticise the Government for increasing the salaries of parliamentarians, saying among its members were people who had stolen from financial institutions.
Ken Jones, secretary-general of the Farquharson Institute, said that he was not surprised at Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's defence of Dr. Davies, adding that the administration's contempt for the people of the country never ceased to amaze him.
PM JABS AT FARQUHARSON INSTITUTE
The Prime Minister, in a not-so-subtle broadside of the Farquharson Institute which had called for the resignation of Dr. Davies following his controversial remarks regarding public spending decisions on critical projects prior to last year's general election, on Monday questioned the viability of the organisation.
"The Farquharson Institute has come to me about matters relating to the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) and Attorney-General's office," he said. "I have always responded to them.
"I think, however, with the calls which you get from time to time you also have to weigh motives ... you also have to weigh influences. I think Mussolini was heard to have asked, how many troops has the Pope? In this case you have to ask the question, what is their membership?... to whom do they speak? ... who do they represent? I certainly am prepared to respond to any reasonable criticism and concern."
