'Go forward with faith and
TODAY WE celebrate our 41st anniversary of Independence.
For the most part, on that momentus occasion on August 6, 1962, Jamaicans saw themselves as joint partners in the fervour to take their country forward. It was a moment of joy, exultation and excitement. We saw Independence as a challenging but highly progressive move for our country. The expectations immediately made us realise that there had to be a new dynamism.
We need not be ashamed at our progress to date. I thank God that to this day - despite our struggles and setbacks, despite wars and rumours of war, despite droughts and hurricanes, despite economic distress - we have been achievers and in some instances, conquerors in the world.
In so many areas of development Jamaica has made a mark on the world scene to the envy of other nations. In sports, music, international relations, medicine, education, agriculture we have made our name.
It is not enough to identify and harp on our problems but we have to make up our minds to solve them.
Today we stand on the threshold of a new dimension in our upward and forward movement. We have fashioned our laws to accommodate greater changes in our society. We are restructuring our community development programme to effect changes and to improve the living standards of our people.
Let us go forward with faith and commitment for the good of all.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL
SIR HOWARD COOKE
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'Let us renew
our awareness
to build Jamaica'
FORTY ONE years ago, we witnessed the birth of Independent Jamaica.
The prominence of our country worldwide belies our small size. We can take justifiable satisfaction in the international recognition we have achieved in a number of areas, most notably in music and in sports. We enjoy a wonderful reputation as an exciting place to visit, as much for the natural beauty of our land as for the vitality and self-assuredness of our people... a people confident in ourselves and our place in the world.
Here at home, we must bring all our resources to bear in order to meet the new levels of productive performance the world economy demands.
As we look ahead, I am heartened by a growing acknowledgement of the need to restore decency, decorum and mutual respect in the way we relate to each other. We are also experiencing a new spirit of co-operation in a significant section of our society, a willingness to approach our problems by engaging in a dialogue and a meaningful exchange of views. In this way we can best harness the creative energy of all our people in the task of nation-building.
We have taken steps to seal that independence through strategic alliances with our brothers and sisters in CARICOM.
Let us renew our determination to build the Jamaica which our founders envisioned a nation that is harmonious, peaceful and prosperous.
PRIME MINISTER
P.J. PATTERSON
A time to reflect
on the depth of our own nationalism
AS WE celebrate another Independence Day on August 6, we should reflect that independence has a different meaning for different people in Jamaica. Primarily, this is because only a relatively small number of people are alive today who were at a stage of maturity at the time when the struggle for independence was in force, some 40 years ago. As a result, few remember the nature and purpose of the struggle.
The question of Jamaican sovereignty has still not been put to bed. It is beginning to surface again as the movement for deeper regional integration moves into sharper focus. The debate is now taking on emotional overtones as many see integration of the English-speaking Caribbean as an emotional goal which will tie together the collective heritage of Caribbean people.
Jamaica has the population size, land mass and the resources which would be the envy of many countries. We are strategically located next to the world's richest market place which is in itself an abundant resource. With these assets we can still make it on our own, once we rid ourselves of the wrong policies which stand in the way of progress and have caused us to falter.
In standing independently on our own ambitions, it must never be thought that we are rejecting integration with our sisters and brothers of the Caribbean. It is not that we love them less, but that we love Jamaica more!
This Independence Day is a time to reflect on the depth of our own nationalism and to resolve with a renewed commitment to uplift Jamaica and put Jamaica first.
OPPOSITION LEADER
EDWARD SEAGA
