Foreign missions raise concerns about politically related violence

Mathers

THE BRITISH, Canadian and United States Governments, through their respective missions in Jamaica, yesterday wrote to Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, expressing concerns about the loss of lives resulting from violent clashes between rival supporters of the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

In a letter endorsed by United States Ambassador Sue Cobb and delivered to the two leaders, British High Commissioner Peter Mathers said his Government was urging them to do all in their power to ensure peace.

The British High Commission said that Canadian High Commissioner John Robinson accompanied Mr. Mathers to deliver the message to both Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga.

Neither the Prime Minister nor Opposition Leader, both of whom were on the campaign trail in rural Jamaica yesterday, was reached for comment.

According to a release from the British High Commission, the message to both leaders drew attention to the close interest the British Government was taking in the electoral process presently taking place in Jamaica.

In addition, "the British Government has noted that you have expressed a commitment to making this the most peaceful election in Jamaica's history," said the message. It added: "It is gratifying to know that leaders on opposing sides are determined for the democratic process to be as peaceful as possible.

"However, the British Government notes with concern recent reports of violent clashes between PNP and JLP supporters, some of which have led to loss of life. The British Government urges you to do all in your power to ensure that your supporters follow your example through to election day and beyond."

The pressure for peaceful elections mounted this week as a spate of violence that erupted since Nomination Day, September 30, left several persons dead and numerous others injured.

This led the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) to ask the police to ban political motorcades and rallies in six volatile constituencies, and calls by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC), the Methodist Church in Jamaica and leading hoteliers, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and John Issa, to end the violence. The police have so far responded by imposing dusk-to-dawn curfews in the Kingston Central area, where there have been sporadic outbreaks of gunfire between rival factions.