)
—
P.J's Book 1•4,644„, .1.1 -4,44,.
Oscar Wilde speaks of Thought and Language as the instrument of the artist.
WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK YOU WILL SEE BOTH OF THESE
ELEMENTS EXEMPLIFIED BRILLIANTLY
IT GIVES US AN INSIGHT INTO THE MIND OF A MAN WHOSE
VISION AND POLITICAL SAGACITY HAS BEEN MOST
INFLUENTIAL IN MAINTAING A BALANCE IN JAMAICAN AND
CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS OVERE A MOST TURBU4NT PERIOD.
THE LAST 2 DECADES HAVE WITNESSED seikn CATACLYSMIC
CHANGES IN THIS WORLD SUCH AS THE FALL OF THE SOVIET
EMPIRE — The abolition of the Berlin Wall-THE formation of multinational
blocks-The effects of globalization etc.
Each of these changes has brought about directly or otherwise significant
changes not only to the substance of governance in our small countries but in
the style and application of our forms of governance.
Throughout all this period Mr.P.J.Patterson (P J) to all and sundry as been
Prime Minister of Jamaica .He has been in the very center of the storm and
been acknowledged generally as well as by his colleagues as a leading
statesman.
From this vantage point the etters in this book assiduously collected reveal a
consistency of ideas whether his audience is on the home front as to the
U.W.I.,the House of Parliament or abroad as to the United Nations- the
Caricom Heads of Government in Thinidad-Hotel investorsin the Bahamas
or elsewhere.One can always discover a distinctive strain of regional support
and critical analysis.
The selected speeches in this book lays the foundation of legitimacy of one
who has been in the very eye of the storm and who delivers with force and
eloquence the personal experience of one who is not merely a theoretician
or idle spectator.
Not only has Mr.Patterson been Prime Minister of Jamaica for over 20 years
he has been acknowledged by his colleague ministers throughout the region
as our leading spokesman in international affairs.
His manner has never been that of the charismatic leader but that of a quiet
self-effacing leader whose delivery is rather that of one seeking cooperation
han that of confrontation. He is a visionary and an original thinker as shown
in those of his letters dealing with the relationship between small states and
larger bodies.His views on globalization reveals much thought and
experience pointing out its benefits as well as its dangers.
His fundamental views on social justice aare seen in his addresses to the
United Nations asa well as his firm and consistent advocacy for the
a
2
administration of Justice in the Caribbean Court of Appeal or his address in
Rome at the World Food Trade Summit in Rome.
P.J has been careful tto observe the change over the years in the relationship
in leadership style between 1 eadership and lead brought about by the rapid
strides of informatioin and education.where the community share equally the
knowledge and information which used to be the preserves of central
leadership.He has consequently wwith great charm and sublety adjusted his
style to that of inclusion rather exclusion/He encourages dialogue and
criticism rather than the dictatorial approach.His is the method And style of
invitation to participation.
This book is a revelation of his views and his style.
As a historical reference it fulfills a great need especially in a country of
few publication and short memories where facts are often outweighed by
fiction and where fantasy seems to override the truths of history. In fact
very little effort ig rilke'to record the events and features of our time.in
matters of public concern.
As a triumph of historical value it does not so much detail the biography as
iidemonstrates through the careful selection of Mr. Paattersaon,s own words
the problems,events and the actual situations along with the whys and
wherefores of governmental approach and the very processes of thought
determining govemment;s action.
As a result or should I say ,nevertheless the book has fulfilled a great need
and Provided an accurate profile of aan outstanding and commited
Caribbean leader whose wisdom and political sagacity has enabled him
tolide within the storm of turbulence and change experienced by a small
ship.He has weathered the changing tides of international relationships at the
same time as he has taken great pains to cover domestic needs such as
housing and land ownership.It reveals a man whose unswerdving
commitment to egalitarianism and social justice haave placic e him in the
pantheon of those who have enabled us at home or abroad to hold high
Jamaica's flag'
To understand P.J's unswerving commitment to Caribbean regionalism
listen to his address to Parliament on June 1st 1944 "A crisis in any
Caribbean country must be of concern to all of us in Jamaica.Where there is
a regional problem we simply cannot leave the responsibility of finding
solutions to others within the hemisphere and not include ourselves. .The
urgency of addressing the present situation and the crisis in Haiti summons
3
us to make a meaningful contribution in the discharge of regional
responsibility"
In another passage in his address to Parliament on June 22 1999 where he
stated after a firm and logical argument for the establishment of the
Caribbean Court of Appeal these inspiring words of a truly national
leader,"A proper sense of sovereign self-respect dictates that we cannot
remain at best a burdensome appendage to what in reality is an external
system or obstacle to Caribbean jurisprudence.In the life of every nation
there are moments when we must come face to face with our destinyJna
sense we must subscribe to our own articles of faith and take our own
destiny in our own hands .Today our mission to our nation and to our
Caribbean brothers and sisters compel us to make a leap of faith to have a
particular rendezvous with history.The establishment of a Caribbean Court
of Justice represents one of those defining moments which will determine
our ability as a nation and region to take our destiny into our own hands.
11
In his "Live and Direct" address to overseas residents in Canada on June
1999 you will find matters probably of particular interest to you.It reveals
not only a candid outline of the good and the not so good aspects of
Jamaican life at that moment but that the dialogue and community
participation was the mainspring of many decisions.This was markedly so in
dealing with such topics as crime,education,agriculture ,cultural
developmentand other important aspects.The result of these discussions was
the implementation of substantial changes in the policy of govemment.This
was of the very essence of P.Js participation with the community.
Much praise should be given to the editor Senator Delano Franklyn for his
careful and methodical selection of the material.It illustrates both the
thoughts and the style of an outstanding leader.
I strongly recommend this book,"A Jamaican Voice In Caribbeasn and
World Politics not only as a valuable reference book and source of
information butr as evaluating our own progress over the turbulent years
through the storm of history and assisting us to lay a safe course for the
future.
