Edward Seaga, Contributor

THE PERIOD of the 1970s is known as the decade in which Jamaica's future reversed itself. Every macro-economic indicator moved in the wrong direction: inflation, fiscal deficit, money supply, international reserves, unemployment and economic growth. This was the opposite to the movement of the previous decade in almost every instance.

While the deterioration of the economy worsened year by year, 1978 was the year in which the plunge was at its worse. The Michael Manley government was split into two factions: the radical left and the moderates. The left, though fewer in number, were more powerful in influence, having captured Manley's covert support.

They wanted to avoid the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme offered to bail out the economy. But this was a lifeline and the government had to accept it. By April-May 1978, prices were skyrocketing as a result of the exchange rate movement mandated by the IMF.

Political outlook

The political outlook of Jamaicans also took a sharp turn away from support of the governing People's National Party (PNP). Political violence worsened. This was the inner city's way of expressing political positions. Rival clashes were creating a nightmare for residents in inner-city communities.

In early January 1978 I returned from a visit abroad. I was greeted with the news that there was dancing and jubilation in the street at Pink Lane. Why would there be street dancing in the day, and why at Pink Lane, a nearby location to the hostile PNP stronghold of Matthews Lane, I asked myself? Hostilities usually forced residents in that area to be as secluded as possible.

Initiative for peace

I was then told that Claudius Massop of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Bucky Marshall, a PNP counterpart to Massop, had come together and decided that there should be peace. This was their own initiative. I made an impromptu public statement. I described the event as a "giant step for a happy New Year", and I was "proud to be the member of parliament for a community whose members had shown such maturity in placing human relationship and brotherhood above political values."

At first, the peace movement was confined to West Kingston. But soon after it spread to other communities, engulfing the city. A peace council was formed and after meetings among warring factions, a peace pact followed. Government responded with some funding for projects. Expectedly, this would be insufficient to meet all needs.

An idea emerged from the group that there should be a peace concert to cement the peace and to raise more funds. To highlight the event, Bob Marley would be needed to head the show. Although there were many other popular local artistes, Bob was the star. Claudius Massop was deputised to go to London to speak with Bob, who had been living in self-imposed exile since he was shot nearly two years earlier in what was an apparent assassination attempt. At that time Marley was touring several countries, performing at sold-out venues. Massop convinced Bob to return home for the show. Marley arrived in Jamaica in February 1978.

Meanwhile, much excitement was developing locally and abroad about the peace concert and the presence of Bob Marley. The idea was given full support by the governing PNP and opposition JLP. It was scheduled for April 22, to mark the 12th anniversary of the visit of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia. Both Prime Minister Michael Manley and I, the Opposition Leader, would be present.

On April 22, 1978, the National Stadium was overflowing with a capacity-plus crowd of more than 30,000, in addition to several hundred seats on the football field for special guests. The admission fee was set at a minimal amount.

As the concert progressed the spirit of a spectacle was building. The earlier acts were performing, each building greater excitement. JLP and PNP supporters sat together in the stands. All were there to share in the greatest reggae concert ever.

Star-studded cast