US Vice President George Bush and his wife were delighted to be in Jamaica. The president addressed the Parliament and spoke of the importance of partnership between Jamaica and the US. He also spoke of Jamaica's resilience and the commitment to continue to improve the standard of living.

Published Monday, October 17, 1983

US VICE PRESIDENT BEGINS 3-DAY VISIT…

Bush hails Jamaican democracy

Gleaner Western Bureau:

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, MR GEORGE BUSH, on his first official visit to Jamaica, has noted that the (Jamaican) people “have been steadfast in your commitment to democratic traditions, free elections, representative institutions, and a solidly established two-party system”.

Speaking at a reception minutes after Air Force One, the official presidential jet having touched down at Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, at 1:24 yesterday afternoon, Vice President Bush said “US-Jamaican relations are very close, stemming as they do from long-standing cultural and commercial ties and, even more important, from a shared commitment to democracy and economic freedom.”

He said he was looking forward during his three-day official visit to his talks with the Governor General, Sir Florizel Glasspole; Prime Minister Edward Seaga; the leader of the Opposition and other prominent Jamaicans, to discuss issues of mutual concern. “I’m confident these discussions will strengthen our relations even further” said Mr Bush.

He said earlier that his wife and he were delighted to have had the opportunity to visit the island, noting that “the warmth of your climate, hospitality and friendship are all very well known in the United States”.

Vice President Bush said Jamaicans were graced not only with a land of great beauty, “but with a thriving democracy that serves as an inspiration to all in the Caribbean”.

Noting Jamaica’s celebrations of its 21st-anniversary independence, Mr Bush said: “Like all people, Jamaicans have known difficult times. But your indomitable spirit has enabled you to overcome difficulties and go on to strengthen your democracy and improve your standard of living. We in the United States applaud you.”

And, in his welcome to the US vice president, Prime Minister Edward Seaga commented on Mr Bush’s tireless support of civil rights in his own country. 

In regard to the vice president’s address to Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Seaga said: “We will have another opportunity to express, in a gesture jointly engaged, our countries' commitment to the basic principles which are at the heart of human freedom.”

Seaga said the relationship between Jamaica and the United States was founded “on mutuality of values and interest which go much deeper than any political consideration. Our people both respect, in a fundamental sense, the individual’s right to freedom – to choose whom he would be governed by, to practise his beliefs, to strive for a better life.”

According to Mr Seaga, “It is always good to share with true friends the times that are special; and your country has proven itself to be a true friend of Jamaica, acting with generosity and with responsiveness to our development needs and working to shape policies which offer new opportunities for us, and other countries like ourselves, to achieve stable economies, and thereby a better life for our people.”

Vice President Bush was met at the airport by a party of US and Jamaican officials. Among them were the US Ambassador, Mr William Hewitt, and Mrs Hewitt; the Vice President’s Chief of Staff, Admiral Daniel and Mr Phillip Hughes.

The Jamaican party, which was headed by Prime Minister Seaga and Mrs Seaga, also included the Minister of National Security and Justice, the Hon Winston Spaulding; Minister of Health, the Hon Kenneth Baugh; Minister of State for Tourism, the Hon Dr Marco Brown, and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Hon Basil Buck.

The Opposition was represented by Spokesman on Finance, Mr Seymour Mullings; Senator Clive Dobson, and former Minister of the Public Service, Mr Howard Cooke.

Mr Bush was also introduced to other members of Parliament, the custodes from the County of Cornwall, as well the mayors in that region.

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