JLP hits back at PNP over state of emergency

The quarrel over the recent failure to extend the state of emergency is getting hotter.

After the broadside from the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) on Sunday, the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) fired back yesterday with Andrew Holness, chairman of the party's public relations committee, leading the way.

According to Holness, the PNP has put forward several baseless claims since its decision in Parliament not to support the resolution extending the state of emergency for a further 30 days.

Holness charged that the Opposition was being dishonest with its claim that the state of emergency was not the reason for the reduction in murders.

He charged that by its action the PNP has shown that it is not prepared to join the Government in the fight against crime.

"We now cannot take their calls and pronouncements regarding crime with any credibility or seriousness," Holness said.

Holness added: "We are disappointed that the PNP will not support the security forces and the national effort in fighting crime, especially since the PNP has political control over the large majority of garrison communities."

He dismissed the PNP's claim that the reduction in crime in late May and June was due to the use of curfews, cordons and searches by the security forces and not the state of emergency.

"The police, previously and in fact during the last PNP adminis-tration, utilised curfews, joint military/police operations, and cordons and searches as significant tactical policing tools.

"The country will also recall the numerous crime-fighting squads, such as ACID, SACTF (Special Anti-Crime Task Force), Operation Intrepid, Operation Kingfish, etc., that were established with enhanced manpower and resources to fight crime (without success)."

Explanation

Holness challenged the PNP to explain to the country why these strategic and tactical crime-fighting tools have "suddenly become so successful".

"The only thing that has changed in the crime-fighting landscape is the imposition of a state of emergency," Holness said.

The JLP public relations com-mittee chairman, who is also the minister of education, blasted the Opposition for its claim that the Government's rejection of a 15-day extension was a clear sign that it was not really interested in extending the measure.

"If they have violated their own principle, then offering anything less than 30 days was an attempt on their part to save political face at the expense of a national issue," Holness said.

"In any event, the Government was guided by the 30-day request of the security forces, 15 days would not be sufficient," added Holness.