The Editor, Sir:

Watching 20/20 on the ABC network on Friday night, I was pleasantly surprised to see the President's daughter and UNICEF representative Jenna Bush talking and playing games with needy children in St. Catherine, Clarendon and Kingston. She also talked with, consoled and encouraged some HIV-infected Jamaican women. I was impressed with Jenna's humility and genuine sensitivity towards the children and women with whom she came into contact.

Unfortunately, a harsher and less pleasant aspect of Jamaica was shown to television viewers across the U.S. when Jenna, Diane Sawyer and the 20/20 camera crew ventured into a dangerous inner-city community one night.

However, the intent of Ms. Bush was a noble one in that she wanted to get a first-hand view of the harsh conditions under which the people with whom she had interacted lived. The most glaring message from the 20/20 programme is that poverty is a socially destructive force that breeds all manner of negative consequences, including HIV-AIDS, and that far too much poverty exists in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK A. GALLIMORE

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica