The Editor, Sir:

In response to your recent editorial on 'Leadership in a time of crisis', you ended by stating: "The times demand leadership."

What is good leadership though? I wonder if the People's National Party (PNP) was in power now, what would the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) be saying? This is a simple question, very simple.

Despite the point you make about loose and irresponsible statements, I would like to know, really, what part does truthfulness play in good leadership.

Is good leadership inherently JLP or PNP? What is it? What is the confidence that Finance Minister Audley Shaw has in the Jamaican financial sector? In just one year of government, did it just suddenly come about?

Did it come about because the Government has been racking up loan after loan after loan?

Did it come about because taxes were collected more than usual over the last couple of months?

Or was it because of the foundation left securely in place by the previous administration? What is the truth? Really? Is it just words speaking? Is it?

Prime Minister Bruce Golding told, or asked, the United Nations recently to downgrade the rating on countries like Jamaica because we are 'pauperised' and 'beggarly'.

How is it that Jamaica does not feel that it will in no way signi-ficantly be affected by what is happening overseas?

Is it only the price of oil that affects us, Mr Editor?

Where is the truth? Lying lips, always, are an abomination unto the Lord!

I am, etc.,

PETER

petelmatt@yahoo.com