Dear Editor,
The heated discussions continue about the use of Goat Islands in the Chinese logistics hub development plans and Dr Alfred Sangster has come down on the side of the "conservationists".
The PNP, in 1989, when it signed the protected-area agreement, was no doubt a hostage to, or in complete agreement with, the powerful, politically correct socialists within its ranks on the one hand, and the local environmentalists on the other. But the only real chance Jamaica has to make a dent in the poverty crisis is such a large-scale project, preferably using our own inputs as a major factor. The Chinese suggest Goat Islands; we don't have to agree, they don't have to invest here either.
But, assuming all goes as proposed, how can China want to play the stupid colonialist here when the whole world is looking on? Their success here will be a jewel in their crown, as far as mutually beneficial agreements with asset-rich, development-poor, Third World nations are concerned.
I bet that right now some 'deep-pocket' American investors are asking themselves why didn't they think of a logistics hub somewhere in Jamaica.
I don't think this was even a deliberate plan by the Government, originally. It was probably driven by deep economic desperation in a bid to generate some hope for the poor, given the crime rate, sliding dollar and unemployment. The party has been rather low-keyed and appears ambivalent about firmly asserting that this investment could be a game-changer for Jamaica. I believe that this is due to the PNP hierarchy not wanting to 'diss' party stalwarts who signed the 1989 agreement. The time for all that ancestral genuflecting is long over. The crime rate is a stern warning that the poor are about to cause severe civil unrest if things continue the way they are. It was the relentless attacks by the poor Jamaican slaves that brought down slavery; their resistance, though they were heavily outgunned, made the whole thing increasingly unprofitable.
Cathy Brown
cathy291181@yahoo.com
Goat Islands may be Ja's only real chance
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The heated discussions continue about the use of Goat Islands in the Chinese logistics hub development plans and Dr Alfred Sangster has come down on the side of the "conservationists".
The PNP, in 1989, when it signed the protected-area agreement, was no doubt a hostage to, or in complete agreement with, the powerful, politically correct socialists within its ranks on the one hand, and the local environmentalists on the other. But the only real chance Jamaica has to make a dent in the poverty crisis is such a large-scale project, preferably using our own inputs as a major factor. The Chinese suggest Goat Islands; we don't have to agree, they don't have to invest here either.
But, assuming all goes as proposed, how can China want to play the stupid colonialist here when the whole world is looking on? Their success here will be a jewel in their crown, as far as mutually beneficial agreements with asset-rich, development-poor, Third World nations are concerned.
I bet that right now some 'deep-pocket' American investors are asking themselves why didn't they think of a logistics hub somewhere in Jamaica.
I don't think this was even a deliberate plan by the Government, originally. It was probably driven by deep economic desperation in a bid to generate some hope for the poor, given the crime rate, sliding dollar and unemployment. The party has been rather low-keyed and appears ambivalent about firmly asserting that this investment could be a game-changer for Jamaica. I believe that this is due to the PNP hierarchy not wanting to 'diss' party stalwarts who signed the 1989 agreement. The time for all that ancestral genuflecting is long over. The crime rate is a stern warning that the poor are about to cause severe civil unrest if things continue the way they are. It was the relentless attacks by the poor Jamaican slaves that brought down slavery; their resistance, though they were heavily outgunned, made the whole thing increasingly unprofitable.
Cathy Brown
cathy291181@yahoo.com
Goat Islands may be Ja's only real chance
-->