PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson, returned home from a two-week working vacation last night, to an enthusiastic welcome by scores of party supporters at the Norman Manley International Airport.
In a brief statement to the press on his arrival he said Cabinet would meet today for a full discussion on crime and violence.
The meeting of Government ministers will be a precursor to a series of consultations with various groups, including a meeting slated for Friday with private sector leaders who, over the past week have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's inability to stem the crime wave sweeping the country.
"The fight against crime cannot be won by any single person or any group in isolation," the Prime Minister said as he stressed the government's own concerns about the crime problem.
He insisted that the fight would have to be won with the country acting together.
According to Mr. Patterson, the fight against crime must transcend places of residence, income levels and social status. He acknowledged however that the Government and security forces had a special responsibility in the battle against crime "from which we cannot and will not resile".
Later he told the supporters who had massed at the airport more than an hour before his arrival singing party songs, waving banners and dancing to mento tunes, that the government alone could not make the economy or social services work in the nation's interest.
He said also that after his rounds of meetings with the various groups he would be addressing them soon. Senior Cabinet colleagues as well as the heads of the police force and army were on hand to welcome the Prime Minister.
In the photo above, PM adresses party supporters.
