Letter of the day: Questions for Mr Shaw

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am concerned and puzzled by some of opposition spokesman on finance, Audley Shaw's pronouncements. I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a financial whiz, so I would love for him to enlighten me by answering some burning questions that I know other persons have been asking as well.

Was it necessary for Jamaica to enter into a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in light of our current economic situation? If the answer is no, then why did he try to do so when he was finance minister? If the answer is yes, then why does he seem to be constantly demonising the programme and belittling Minister Peter Phillips' efforts to adhere to the terms as they are set out?

I listen with interest to persons who I consider to be far more qualified than I to speak on financial matters, and they seem to think that the road we are currently on, though onerous, is the right one and we should endeavour, as much as possible, to stay the course. Are these persons wrong? Does Mr Shaw know something that they don't? Why will he not help by offering the alternative?

Let me hasten to say that I am not affiliated with any party. I am pro-Jamaica and my dream is to, someday, see the government and opposition working together for the good of Jamaica, and not along party lines.

I learnt as a child that there are four things that come not back, and the spoken word is one of them. People hear what you say, they listen and they remember. If Mr Shaw were ever to become the finance minister again, after his negative announcements and pronouncements about the IMF, would he be willing and able to work with the multilateral agencies and, more importantly, would they be willing to work with him? I am concerned about his constant criticisms because another thing I learnt as a child is to keep your words sweet, because one day you may have to eat them!

J. Thompson

Mandeville

jaqsprat@hotmail.com