Dear Editor,
This is an open letter to former Prime Minister P J Patterson:
This is to express the view that, while I can offer to applaud some aspects of P J Patterson's clarification statement in response to the British Prime Minister David Cameron's refusal to apologise for the period of African enslavement by the British in their Caribbean territories, I cannot accept Patterson's demand that Cameron delivers an apology, when he already stated his regret and remorse about the matter, and requested that we should forgive each other and move on as friends.
His significant cash grant for the infrastructural development of the British Caribbean region which amounted to £360 million, along with an additional £25 million for the replacement of Jamaica's old dilapidated prisons with a new facility can be taken as sound gestures toward the incremental payment of reparation.
What Paterson is seeking to do is to put the British prime minister into an awkward position to become liable for the full unconditional payment of reparation.
In the circumstances, why can't Cameron's voiced regret to the Jamaican Parliament on the matter of the British enslavement of Africans and pledge of a hefty sum of money, while asking for our forgiveness as friends, be taken as an act of reconciliation in the form of reparation for which the British Government will have the power to monitor for accountability on behalf of the real affected people whom we still have in our midst as a result of slavery.
This will be in keeping with the provisions which were set forth in my reparation report requirement for such incremental grants to be applied and monitored consistently.
We must also see that the British Monarchy also sent Her Royal Highness Princess Ann immediately thereafter to somewhat endorse Prime Minister Cameron's visit and to re-enforce their friendly relations.
I hope that this letter of clarification will be publicised and help to allay the public's antagonism over the matter of what Cameron said or did, and how to allow the competent and sincere Government representatives and the National Commission on Reparations to carry out their diligent work on the matter in peace and quiet rectitude.
Allan B L Martin
Director
Marcus Garvey Foundation of Jamaica
Kingston 5
No apology needed, PJ
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This is an open letter to former Prime Minister P J Patterson:
This is to express the view that, while I can offer to applaud some aspects of P J Patterson's clarification statement in response to the British Prime Minister David Cameron's refusal to apologise for the period of African enslavement by the British in their Caribbean territories, I cannot accept Patterson's demand that Cameron delivers an apology, when he already stated his regret and remorse about the matter, and requested that we should forgive each other and move on as friends.
His significant cash grant for the infrastructural development of the British Caribbean region which amounted to £360 million, along with an additional £25 million for the replacement of Jamaica's old dilapidated prisons with a new facility can be taken as sound gestures toward the incremental payment of reparation.
What Paterson is seeking to do is to put the British prime minister into an awkward position to become liable for the full unconditional payment of reparation.
In the circumstances, why can't Cameron's voiced regret to the Jamaican Parliament on the matter of the British enslavement of Africans and pledge of a hefty sum of money, while asking for our forgiveness as friends, be taken as an act of reconciliation in the form of reparation for which the British Government will have the power to monitor for accountability on behalf of the real affected people whom we still have in our midst as a result of slavery.
This will be in keeping with the provisions which were set forth in my reparation report requirement for such incremental grants to be applied and monitored consistently.
We must also see that the British Monarchy also sent Her Royal Highness Princess Ann immediately thereafter to somewhat endorse Prime Minister Cameron's visit and to re-enforce their friendly relations.
I hope that this letter of clarification will be publicised and help to allay the public's antagonism over the matter of what Cameron said or did, and how to allow the competent and sincere Government representatives and the National Commission on Reparations to carry out their diligent work on the matter in peace and quiet rectitude.
Allan B L Martin
Director
Marcus Garvey Foundation of Jamaica
Kingston 5
No apology needed, PJ
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