CRIME, UNEMPLOYMENT KEY IN ELECTION.

As this newsletter went to press, two veteran political warriors began what could be their final race in Jamaica on Oct. 16, facing off in national elections in the Caribbean nation which is plagued by violent crime and unemployment, reports Reuters:

P.J. Patterson, who took over from legendary Jamaican leader Michael Manley in 1992, seeks to make history by becoming the first prime minister to win three consecutive elections. His People's National Party is aiming for a fourth, consecutive five-year term, which is another potential record. A PNP victory would mark its sixth over the Jamaica Labour Party in 10 elections since Jamaica gained independence from Britain in 1962. Patterson, who is 68 and has said he will not run again, is taking aim at another clear majority in the 60-seat House of Representatives, presenting a slate that includes many of his old guard and 23 new faces;

The PNP currently holds 48 seats to 12 for the JLP. Opposition leader Edward Seaga, 72, who was prime minister from 1980-89, has led his party for the last 28 years. He has been less certain about his future. But prominent politician Bruce Golding, who left the JLP years ago, rejoined the party recently, leading to speculation he is in line to take over the leadership when Seaga steps down;

A poll by the Stone Organization found the PNP's lead thinning to 1.2 percentage points from an earlier 9-point lead over the JLP. The pollsters, who late last week questioned 1,000 of the 1.3 million Jamaicans eligible to vote, called the race a statistical dead heat. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent;

The election campaign has highlighted the key concern of many Jamaicans -- crime. Jamaica, a nation of 2.7 million people, has one of the highest murder rates in the world with an average of three people killed every day. The violence has had a huge negative impact on the country's vital tourism industry. Since campaigning began in earnest in late July, 18 people have been killed in politically related violence, according to police. The PNP included in its economic targets gross domestic product growth of 2% to 4% in the medium term and 6% thereafter as well as reducing unemployment from its current 16% to 10%. Dogged by tough economic conditions for decades -- it had virtually zero GDP growth through the 1990s -- Jamaica must focus more on reducing its national debt, analysts say.

***

Copyright 2002