Focus on national issues

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE peace talks between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on Thursday, August 16, left many of us with a ray of hope. We thought it might signal the new dawn that we all long for, a diffusion of the tension between these two major leaders, to some extent and ultimately to their respective party supporters. This is what we Jamaicans are crying out for.

It was with deep distress, however, that re read a front page news item in The Gleaner on Tuesday, August 21. The Prime Minister was addressing party supporters at the north west Clarendon constituency conference at Spaldings Primary School. It reported that "the Prime Minister made it clear that the reported financial problems of the Opposition Leader were going to be fodder for the PNP general election campaign".

Added to this was a CVM newscast on Monday, August 20, in which the Attorney-General laced his speech to PNP party supporters with personal attacks on the Leader of the Opposition, similar to that of the Prime Minister.

On this occasion, he was presenting the new nominee for the St. Ann constituency, on the pending retirement of Seymour Mullings. Mr. Editor, does this augur well for PEACE? What was the significance of the peace talks, then? Do our leaders really want peace? Does this show recognition and/or respect for us, the citizens of this country who are crying out for peace and an end to smear political campaigning?

What of the NEW DAWN we ask for? I can only beg of the Leader of the Opposition, NOT to follow suit. Mr. Seaga, please, focus on national issues and offer solutions. We the electorate will do the rest.

I am, etc.,

DISAPPOINTED

St. Catherine

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