Stronger Ja-Britain ties to top Blair visit talks

Blair, left, and Patterson

WAYS to strengthen co-operation between Jamaica and Britain are likely to be high on the agenda when British Prime Minister Tony Blair meets with Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson today.

The British Prime Minister is due in the island for a short visit at a time when there are already strong links between both countries.

In the area of poverty reduction, Britain has provided support to the island through the Jamaica Urban Poverty Project, which was instituted in 1997 and runs through to 2003. The project is aimed at improving the living conditions for inner-city residents.

The British Government also continues to give much support to the local education system. Among the initiatives through which this support is given is the Jamaica All-Age Schools Project (2000-2003). This initiative provides funding for the upgrading of teaching and school management in rural all-age schools. It emphasises in-service teacher training, literacy and community involvement.

Through the Commonwealth Initiative (1998 -2003), the portion of the country's debt which is forgiven by Britain is used to improve the infrastructure and materials of poor schools across the country.

Mr. Blair, accompanied by his wife Cherie, is on a three-nation Caribbean and Latin American tour. After meeting with Mr. Patterson for bilateral talks, he will have discussions with CARICOM leaders at Jamaica House. Among other issues expected to be discussed between Mr. Blair and Mr. Patterson is Britain's continuing support for the local police force, in the face of the island's high crime rate.

Help

Britain has been providing help to the local police force, through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Reform and Modernisation programme (2000-2004). This initiative provides British funding and technical expertise to help the transformation of the JCF to a more community, service-oriented and intelligence-driven Force.

Other areas in which Britain is providing help to Jamaica are tourism and penal reform. The Jamaica Tourism Challenge Fund (2001-4) provides support for partnerships between the public and private sectors to bring the benefits of tourism to the wider community, particularly the poor. Through the Community Service Enhancement Project (2000-3), Britain has also been working with the Jamaican Government to establish a system for the use of non-custodial sentencing for first-time minor offenders, particularly young people.

Following his meetings with Prime Minister Patterson and CARICOM leaders, Mr. Blair will attend the final of the Prince's Cup football match among inner-city communities at Sabina Park today and present the winner with the trophy. The Prince's Cup is a five-a-side football competition to promote peace throughout inner-city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew.

Mrs. Blair, a renowned lawyer, is to visit the Fort Augusta women's prison as well as meet with members of the Jamaica Bar Association.

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