THE EDITOR, Sir:

I HAVE found it a rather uncanny coincidence that it was on the very day that the chief justice made her ruling that Mr Vaz, who is a United States (US) citizen, was ineligible to sit in the Jamaican Parliament that the IOC was also ruling that the 2004 US Olympic mile relay team was disqualified from keeping its gold medals. The coincidence stretches even further. Those medals are now to be awarded to the Jamaican team.

Despite the protests of the teammates of Marion Jones, the IOC has ruled that at the time of the race, the US team was, by the actions of Jones, disqualified from participating in the race and so the medals must now be awarded to the first qualified team that crossed the line. This is, however, a point that seems to be lost on many of our local commentators.

Cautious about reform

In the court of public opinion, there are those who would like to argue this dual citizenship issue on the basis of the changes that they would like to see in the Constitution. However, in the courts of justice, it has to be argued on what currently exists in the law.

We should also be cautious about approaching constitutional reforms with clouded visions of what is immediate and expedient. It is not inconceivable that trade and other conflicts can arise between Jamaica and even other Commonwealth countries. In our 46th year of Independence, we should now be looking to remove, not add to the possibility of dual citizens in Parliament.

Be loyal

There is absolutely no need to expand any such provisions. Whatever your origin, if you wish to represent this nation at that level, all you are required to do is to demonstrate your loyalty to the nation by renouncing your dual citizenship ahead of your nomination. It is as simple as that. We do not even ask that you be born here.

I am, etc.,

STANLEY REDWOOD

stanley_redwood@yahoo.com

Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth

Via Go-Jamaica