EDITORIAL - Time to move on

Information that criminal gangs are regrouping in western Kingston comes as no surprise because, notwithstanding the recent successes of the security forces, they have suggested that thousands of guns and ammunition are still in illegal hands. We must do everything possible to prevent their re-emergence.

These are difficult days for our country and citizens must play their part by telling what they know. In the meantime, the security forces should employ every available technology to assist them in intelligence-gathering. In that vein, we welcome the recent gifts, including mobile police stations, donated by the British High Commission. We hope these will go a far way in assisting the police in doing their job.

There is still a great deal of disquiet over the prime minister's handling of the Christopher Coke extradition request and what is seen as his failings as a leader. The Opposition People's National Party's (PNP) no-confidence motion failed. While a vote of no confidence is a healthy democratic proposition, for it to have been successful the PNP would have had to convince government members either to abstain or vote with them. This did not happen and after a blistering debate the motion was defeated 30-28. However, the Opposition has continued to call into question Mr Golding's moral authority to lead the nation, even to the extent of boycotting the recent CARICOM conference in Montego Bay.

Resume bipartisan talks

The Opposition made an important statement during the no-confidence debate: that they would not sit idly by and allow Jamaica's good name to be sullied. The point was well made and we believe it is time to move on, for it can serve no good to further weaken the Government at this critical stage when the initiatives to revive the economy and fight crime are reaping results.

It is time for the Opposition and Government to resume bipartisan talks on national security, so that we can get through this difficult time with as little pain as possible. The only way we can tackle the difficult problems that confront our country is through national consensus. Earlier this year, we congratulated the Opposition spokesman on finance, Dr Omar Davies, for his endorsement of some of the Government's initiatives, and we thought this signalled a new era of cooperation.

We know this may have been wishful thinking because the nature of our two-party politics has never been one that embraces collaboration. It is built to stall. There has never been an innate desire for our political parties to work together. Instead, political interests are always placed above the national interest. Call it a marriage of convenience if you will, but we suggest that it is time for a new mantra: country first, party second.

In the aftermath of the Tivoli Gardens incursion, there have been far fewer murders and for the first time in years many are beginning to feel that we are close to collaring the monster of crime. But this is no time for complacency because we cannot allow criminals to gain ascendancy once more.

An uneasy nation wants to believe that our political leaders have a shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous country.

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