J’cans open up about soldiers going to Haiti

Some Jamaicans have expressed apprehension of the likelihood of Jamaican soldiers being sent to Haiti to perform peace-keeping operations.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness last August said that Jamaica is prepared to deploy troops to Haiti as part of a multinational response to deteriorating security conditions in the French-speaking island.

The Associated Press paints a grim picture, reporting bloodthirsty gangs attempting to storm Haiti's international airport, engaging in a deadly dance with law enforcement and soldiers.

With over 4,000 inmates set loose by marauding gangsters, fear grips the hearts of Jamaicans, who worry about a potential influx of refugees and armed thugs seeking sanctuary just a stone's throw away.

But as tensions simmer in Haiti, Jamaicans appear to be torn between duty to a sister nation and self-preservation of its troops. Some have even questioned why Jamaica, a country with a serious crime problem, would take up the task of seeking to help fix Haiti's problem while the country's rot.

"If they can't maintain peace in Jamaica, how can they restore it in a country overrun by gangs?" a Kingston resident responded after being asked by this newspaper about the issue of Jamaica deploying troops to Haiti.

Another respondent expressed concerns about the Jamaican authorities appearing determined to send troops to Haiti despite the country being unable to bring its crime problems under control.

"You haffi clean your yaad first before you go people house go clean. We have so much problems in Jamaica already, we should fix Jamaica first," one man said.

Instead, there were suggestions to utilise soldiers for border protection.

"It easier for the refugees and even criminals to get into Jamaica than soldiers getting over and I don't know why. Our borders are not protected and we see that because dem always coming through Winnifred Beach in Portland. A up there dem should send soldiers," one concerned citizen said.

But not all dissent is against the idea. "If it helps our revenue and our troops aren't coerced into it, then why not lend a hand?" remarked a resident.

"Sometimes Jamaica finds itself in need, and other countries assist us. If we can reciprocate that, we should," the resident said.