Take politics out of JDF removal talks

The Editor, Sir:

While many of us love to discuss politics with 'a colour bias', there are some issues which should never have such colourings. The issue of the moving of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters is one such issue.

Note the following:

1 The move was proposed by the JDF. In fact, it seems that they urgently want it to happen. It seems to me that they have needed the move for more than three years.

2 It is inappropriate for any entity to criticise the move publicly without having an understanding of the reasons why the JDF thinks it is an important and long overdue move.

3 The infrastructural weaknesses of the current base should not be made public since criminals watch the news too. So how exactly would 'Joe Public' expect to have a 'public discussion' on the issue? That would help politics but it would not help the security of the JDF, or the safety of the city of Kingston.

4 Kingston Wharves has been trying to evict Tinson Pen Aerodrome operators for years. Has any journalist been keen enough to ponder how the new 'Tinson Pen' aerodrome (which has also been proposed for relocation to Caymanas) would be situated with respect to the new JDF headquarters?

Let us not forget that Up Park Camp is a military base, not a keepsake or political toy. If the public needs answers from the JDF, I say journalists need to lean more aggressively towards the voices of those trained and experienced officers at its helm.

Quite frankly, neither the ruling party nor the Opposition should expect to have the strongest say.

With the help of the media, this country must move to a level of political maturity that allows us to make quicker and better decisions. We must stop trying to create additional (political) red tape to hinder the people who are supposed to actively protect this nation against criminal activity.

I am, etc.,

TARIK KIDDOE

zawdie@yahoo.com