Derrick A. Scott, Gleaner Writer
Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (centre), the new senior adviser with consulting group GoodWorks International (GWI), chats with GWI president, Carl Masters (left), and GWI chairman Andrew Young, just minutes before he was introduced to the public in his new position at a reception in his honour on Tuesday at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C. - PHOTO BY DERRICK SCOTT
Washington D.C.
FORMER PRIME Minister P.J. Patterson says he will be standing clear of any negotiations with the Jamaican Government in his new role as an adviser with an international consulting group.
Mr. Patterson, who was officially introduced as Senior Adviser to GoodWorks International (GWI) during a reception held in his honour at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, stressed that there were some matters in which he would not be involved.
"I don't want to have anything to do with lobbying or negotiations or representing anybody when it comes to matters pertaining to the Government of Jamaica and its people," Mr. Patterson told an audience of ambassadors, congressmen and other dignitaries.
"Anything that the (Jamaican) Government asks me to do I will do pro bono, but if I ever see an investment or the opportunity of promoting some aspect for development of Jamaica I will not hesitate to do so."
He added: "To the extent that one can invite others to share the news that all of you in this room know so well and, with great respect to all my Caribbean colleagues, 'there ain't no nicer place than JA."
GWI has its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The company offers services to corporations including market access, political risk management and transactional negotiation.
GWI, which has offices in Washington D.C., New York, Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola and Côte d'Ivorie, seeks to involve the private sector in human development.
WHAT BETTER FORUM
In introducing Mr. Patterson, GWI chairman Ambassador Andrew Young said: "What better forum to utilise the wisdom, the experience and the energy of a senior statesman with the kind of credibility and insight and, without taking anything away from Jamaica, to launch him with us where he doesn't have to go back to worry about a Parliamentary vote and he doesn't have to think about a budget, but his mind can soar (and) he can do his writing."
Ambassador Young added: "There is no place in the world where P.J. Patterson is not known and respected. I learned this when I was at the UN. If I wanted to get anything done, I had to ask a Jamaican's advice because everybody respected Jamaica in the Group of 77."
