Security forces no scapegoat

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I SUGGEST the families of the slain and wounded security officers lay a claim against the Government under the judicial review for misuse of powers resulting in the Government sending out the soldiers and police to war, and now turning on them for following those instructions.

There are tapes, footage and clippings of statements made by the prime minister and minister of defence, and member of parliament instructing the security forces to 'do what has to be done'. This was followed by the minister of national security, who made statements of his own regarding how the security forces should approach west Kingston.

I am now amazed that suddenly, only the citizens of Tivoli Gardens need special attention. The security forces need it too. And I agree with Police Federation chairman Sergeant Raymond Wilson's statement about the need for justice to be balanced. Too many persons are seeking highlights out of this tragic situation and are milking it for what it is worth.

armed with slingshots?

I would like to know what all the naysayers would have the security forces do - enter such a volatile place with empty hands or with slingshots? Would the naysayers be willing to do battle with one of those guys? Some have tried, a few survived to be showing police and soldiers signature wounds resulting from their opposition to Tivoli's tyranny. Even the stout statements of setting up trauma centres for these people is coming out as a joke. I know it can be done and for goodness' sake, it should be; but these people are so resilient that despite the many tortures they have seen and even endured at the hands of their own dons over the years, this is nothing for them.

Garrison citizens are excited by the attention they are now getting and they are basking in it. Lies will be told and unmentionable horrors relayed just to sustain the excitement. These are our people and we know how we are. Why do you think the media plays to them so much? Because when they want a jolting story, boy these people can provide it.

In all the making of scapegoats of the security forces, I do hope the Government does not join in because, for the record, it was the prime minister who sent out the security forces under the pretext of serving an arrest warrant for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. In addition, it was Bruce Golding who declared a state of emergency and, last but not least, the security forces were doing their jobs. It was the people of Tivoli - the same ones wanting sympathy now - who said they would die for a man. It was these very people who started firing first, drawing first blood.

I am, etc.,

J.M. Fletcher

St Andrew