IN THE turbulence and stridency of Jamaican politics, Mr. P.J. Patterson, as Prime Minister, has been able on most occasions to lower the rhetoric by the simple expedient of being courteous and gentlemanly in dealing with friends and adversaries alike. This has returned a degree of civility to the thrust and parry of a political system too polarised between party allegiances. Even those who do not support Mr. Patterson's policies and feel he has been too aloof in dealing with corruption, negligence and incompetence in his administration have commended him for his contribution to civilised debate at home and abroad.
This feature of his legacy has again been demonstrated in his farewell speech to
colleagues at the Commonwealth Summit held in Malta. Despite his disagreement with other Commonwealth nations, notably the United Kingdom, over a move to expel Robert Mugabe from the Commonwealth club, Mr. Patterson expressed confidence in the Commonwealth of Nations as a moral force for advancing democracy, good governance and poverty alleviation.
In saying goodbye to his fellow heads of Government he particularly emphasised the importance of the Commonwealth to Caribbean countries, especially in helping them integrate into the global economy. On the personal level, he thanked President Olesugun Obasanjo of Nigeria, outgoing Commonwealth chairman, for his leadership, and paid tribute to Mr. Don McKinnon, Secretary General, for the role he has played in promoting technical cooperation with Third World nations. The Secretary General and the conference Chairman, Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, both expressed appreciation for Mr. Patterson's outstanding contribution to the Commonwealth throughout his political career.
And with an appropriate show of humility, Mr. Patterson, perhaps referring to his legacy in Jamaica, ended his farewell speech by expressing the hope that he had not only occupied the crease but had been able to make some contribution to the scoreboard. This has certainly been so in the area of dignity and decorum, qualities which he demonstrated elegantly in Malta, and which have served to enhance Jamaica's image on the world stage.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
