THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHAT IS U.S. Ambassador LaGrange Johnson not telling us with regard to the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) where she stated, as reported in your Saturday, June 10 edition, that Jamaica "just falls short" in its ability to access it?
Grant funds of US$450 million are quite attractive at this time, and would tremendously assist the Jamaican economy, and I have no doubt that the Minister of Finance would be happy for it.
But at what policy cost is the Jamaican Government challenged to reach out and grab those funds? While it is said that those are grant funds, they come at a cost.
She explained that the MCA indicators for accessing the money include "ruling justly, investing in their citizen's health and education and encouraging economic freedom."
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
She pointed out that while Jamaica does many of these things well, there are areas where the country can improve, and I agree with that.
Now Jamaica's health care system is one of the most advanced in the world within the limitations of our available resources. So much so that the United States and Britain yearly attract our doctors and nurses to work in their system.
In addition, the quality of our educational system is undeniably superior despite the challenges of a shortage of space and the generous packages offered by the U.S. to many of our most able teachers to work in that country.
On the question of "ruling justly," the quality of our democracy cannot be challenged by anyone, particularly the United States, and on the matter of the encouragement of "economic freedom" there can be no question as to Jamaica's position where the private sector is the engine of growth.
TO QUALIFY FOR GRANTS
She said: "To qualify for the grants, countries like Jamaica need to have good policies that support growth, reduce poverty and make assistance effective." Clearly, Jamaica's policies do just that.
This brings us back to the pressing question of what the U.S. wants from Jamaica and why is the Ambassador urging the private sector to pressure the Government into compliance?
There is no doubt that Ambassador LaGrange Johnson's 'diplomatic speak' was designed to achieve a particular objective which has nothing to do with Jamaica's ability to achieve Mr. Bush's millennium challenge account.
Clearly, the answer lies in what the ambassador is not telling us.
I am, etc.,
CALVIN G. BROWN
nivlac69ja@yahoo.com
Hopewell P.O.
Hanover
