Seaga endorses call for wider Commission

Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Edward Seaga (right), chairman of the party, Ryan Peralto and the JLP spokesman on Public Utilities, Russell Hadeed at a press briefing at Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus yesterday. - Norman Grindley

JAMAICA LABOUR Party (JLP) Leader Edward Seaga has endorsed calls from a number of civic and religious groups to put two additional persons on the three-member Commission of Enquiry set up to examine the recent upsurge of violence in western Kingston.

The Office of the Prime Minister informed The Gleaner yesterday that the Commission-ers have received their instruments of appointment and are to begin work shortly.

But the Opposition Leader said the Party had written to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson yesterday proposing that he takes on board the proposal to have another two persons from "civil society" on the controversial Commission.

"I have written to the Prime Minister advising that we are aware of the proposals and indicating to him that it would be good if he could accept the proposal because it would add much needed credibility to the Commission," Mr Seaga told journalists at a press briefing at Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

As currently constituted, Mr. Seaga said, the Commission would not enjoy the full support of the JLP and its supporters.

The Jamaica Council of Churches as well as Concerned Jamaican Citizens -- which includes several civic and religious groups -- have publicly called for the broadening of the Commission to include at least two other non-political persons. This, they argued, would help to create confidence in the work of the Commission.

The JLP plunged the Commission into controversy when it raised concerns about the appointment of the Com-missioners who include former Federal Court of Canada judge Justice Julius Alexander Issac (chairman), sociologist Dr. Hyacinthe Ellis and head of the Church of God in Jamaica the Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown. The Party has been particularly bitter against the appointment of Rev. Dr. Brown, whom it accuses of being a sympathiser of the governing People's National Party (PNP).

"We continue to have reservations. We have very serious reservations concerning one and we have reservations concerning others. But in the spirt of trying to get things going we see the appointment of two additional members of the Commission as a way out," Mr. Seaga said.

But, while the JLP continues to have concerns about the Commission, Mr. Seaga said the party had nevertheless lined up a team of 20 lawyers to represent the interest of residents whose rights were abused during clashes between gunmen and the security forces on July 7 and 8.

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