THE EDITOR, Sir:

I THINK this whole diaspora conference is a load of poppycock because it serves no purpose. It is just an opportunity for taking photo for the newspapers.

If people who are in power for many years can't make the country better, then how people without power will do better for the people at this present moment? It is idiotic to talk about the future when our people are suffering currently. It is also idiotic to talk about future leaders when we have present leaders to do the job. There is no need to have this conference because Jamaicans will always send back money to their loved ones.

What would make sense is when the Government organise a seven-day conference on the crime problem killing Jamaica. The Government should invite Jamaica's former ministers of national security, the present minister, all former commissioners of police, the present commissioner, a few pastors, a few professors, a few doctors to the conference. It (the Government) should then invite the former mayor of New York, also the present one, a high official from the New York Police Department, a member of the Scotland Yard police in the United Kingdom and a high official from the Toronto Police at a round-table discussion.

During the first two days of the conference, the former and present ministers of national security and the commissioners of police should talk frankly and openly about why they failed without pointing finger or playing the blame game. The rest of the panel should just listen and take note.

Suggestions

The third and fourth day would be for the pastors, doctors and professors to give their input and make suggestions on how certain things could help to cut the crime rate in Jamaica. The fifth and sixth day is for the international guests to share their expertise on how they reduce crime in their countries and make recommendation on how Jamaica should address the problem. On the final day, the prime minister and the opposition leader would address the panel.

In my humble opinion, that would be a better conference.

I am, etc.,

Hero Scott

Helsinki

herocarlito@yahoo.com