A framework for moving forward

The Editor, Sir:

I was forcibly struck by the letter penned by Lloyd A. Cooke in Saturday's Gleaner recommending that we pray for Bruce Golding. Struck because the points he made so closely resemble those that have been in my head for the past several days.

I believe the primary motive driving Mr Golding's fight against the extradition was the expected confrontation in west Kingston and elsewhere that has caused all the problems we have had in the last week. He faced, in my view, the dilemma that he couldn't tell the country this. So he and his party/government had to find every other excuse.

Having made this 'intervention' error, it only went downhill from there, but he subsequently did the right thing - criticisms of his telegraphing the upcoming arrest was neither here nor there since 'Dudus' has contacts in the security forces and the political directorate; he stopped the stonewalling by both himself and Dorothy Lightbourne. What he did took a lot of courage!

Moving forward

Based on this perspective, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and the details are irrelevant if, and only if, Bruce Golding:

Takes steps to cleanse his party from corruption and links to criminals.

Removes all protection from criminals in business, politics and the community.

Ensures thorough investigation of breaches of rights by the security forces and have reports published and those responsible punished in relation to the current operations.

Continues the cleaning up of the security forces.

Keeps his hands along with Audley Shaw on the economy. Things are still being held together economically! That is the reality.

Never again misrepresents the facts to the Jamaican people. Never.

Meets with a group of serious Christian men for prayer and pastoral counsel at least once weekly, as he seeks guidance from the One who says: "Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it. Except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." The prime minister needs a renewal of the faith he perhaps knew in the past.

Henceforth acts always according to the rules of good governance and with a clear conscience.

This should be the framework going forward in designing and implementing his government's plans.

If the prime minister is not prepared to do this, then he is not sorry and should resign along with all those who gave him their wholehearted support.

I am, etc.,

OMAR KENYATA

Kingston 20