THE EDITOR, Sir:

On October 17 last, you published a letter that I had submitted from Atlanta, (I am presently visiting Jamaica) entitled 'Alliances to boost diaspora role'. That letter suggested that our two living former Prime Ministers be urged to link arms (along with a prominent representative of the private sector) to launch an appeal to the overseas Jamaican communities for investment for capital development in Jamaica.

I had hoped that by now both these distinguished retirees would have been able to cross the divide that has strangled our national development, given their long struggle to assert the paramountcy of their respective party over the nation building that demands the support of the entire nation.

Statesmanlike-step

While I am heartened by the few individuals who emailed me in support, I have not heard from either Mr. Patterson or Mr. Seaga as to whether they are prepared to take this statesmanlike-step to aid our nation in this attempt at self-help. I am convinced that a union at this level would be welcomed, not only by the overseas communities, but also by those at home in search of answers to our social and economic decline in recent years.

What I am proposing is that the overseas communities be assured that any programme requiring a sustained flow of funds which they may want to invest in a programme for capital development in Jamaica should be used, NOT to support any partisan development. Instead, funds should be put in place to support the development of skills in the population at home.

One reason for our turmoil at home is the overloading of people in the few urban areas that promise employment opportunities but without the resources to accommodate this overload.

We need to develop other areas to entice a spreading out of the population. To do this, we have to instal new infrastructures in rural areas and erect training centres to teach technical skills so that people can seek to become entrepreneurs instead of searching for employment in areas that are saturated or are transient.

The details of such a programme are already blueprinted. Naturally, discussion is essential. I stand ready to do so, if invited. If not, then let history record the attempt.

Until December 10 I am available to discuss the idea. I may be reached at the e-mail address below.

I am, etc.,

ALLAN ALBERGA

chunkie58@hotmail.com

174 Trinity Avenue

Atlanta, Ga

Via Go-Jamaica