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Patterson Ends 48-Year Political Journey in Five. by Dwight

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Page 2 THE DATI..Y OBSERVE� Friday, Mareh 31, 2006. www.jamaicaobserver.com ... EWS Patterson ends 48-year political BY DWIGHT BELLANFANTE multi-lateral institutions including the contributing to the longest run in Observer staffreporter ·united Nations (UN), wishing to benefit government of any political party in from his considerable experience as an Jamaica's history - 17 years - by his approximately 4:50 pm yesterday, international negotiator. PNP, now in the latter stages of a fourth ercival James Patterson handed in The brief resignation ceremony was term. Ms letter of resignation to also witnessed by incoming prime But the election victories belie what Governor-General Professor Kenneth minister, Portia Simpson Miller and her has at times been a tenuous period of Hall at a brief ceremony in the King's husband Errald Miller; three Caribbean governance, marked by a number of House drawing room, symbolically prime ministers- Trinidad and Tobago's challenges including low economic marking the end of a long political Patrick Manning; Owen Arthur of growth; the meltdown of the financial Patterson books journey, including 14 years as prime Barbados; Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent sector in the mid-90s; a monstrous crime hit stores minister of Jamaica. and the Grenadines, and Chief Minister and violence problem marked by The resignation paved the way for Michael Misick of the Turks and Caicos; unchecked murders; declining values and history to unfold, coming 10 minutes former Governor-General, Sir Howard attitudes societally; questionable issues The communications unit of before the ceremony to swear-in the Cooke; and Rhema Hall, wife of the related - to a lack of governmental the Office of the Prime country 's first woman prime minister in present governor-general. accountability; and latterly a serious Minister on Wednesday Portia Lucretia Simpson Miller. Patterson's resignation also brought to energy crisis caused by massive world oil When the moment came, Patterson a close an unprecedented period as price increases. launched two books, entitled seemed the man Jamaica had come to Jamaica's longest serving prime minister At the same time, Patterson has The Transforming Landscape know - calm, poised, certain he had with 14 years unbroken service and 25 presided over massive investment in of Jamaica and PJ Patterson made the decision he wanted to make years in Parliament, during which he held infrastructure including quantum in the Eyes of the World, and ready to make light of a serious more portfolios at the ministerial level increases in the capacity of Jamaica's sea situation. than any other minister, covering and airports, new highways, water which the unit hopes will do "I can assure you that this is the tourism, mining, industry, foreign affairs, systems and housing construction and much to enlighten local and original copy," quipped Patterson trade, finance and defence, in addition to land reform, as well as record foreign international readers about before handing the envelope bearing the office of prime minister. investment flows. Jamaica's political policy the letter of resignation to Hall, who He will shortly resign as member of The quality of life has also improved in joked that Patterson would now be able parliament for eastern Westmoreland, the the eyes of many who now have far easier and Patterson's tenure. to sleep late. last vestige of representational politics access to telephones, piped water, -Page 13 ''At least in another month or so," said which began in 1958 when he joined electricity and motor vehicles than 17 Hall, as Patterson acknowledged that Norman Manley's People's National Party years ago. probably would be the case. as an organiser. Statisticians acknowledge that far In five minutes it was all over. Revered and vilified at one and the more Jamaicans now attend schools and Patterson, 70, had earlier informed the same time, Patterson is unchallenged as universities and that universal indicators Observer that he intended to focus on Jamaica's most successful political leader of well being, such as the country's infant writing his memoirs and the history of the electorally, having led his party to a mortality rate and average life Jamaican and Caribbean people, having record three victories, breaking the expectancy, are comparable to developed turned down at least five offers with hitherto accepted two-term cycle and countries. Portia pledges to advance human Charles Taylor PORTIA from Page 1 likely to be tried threat, as Opposition Leader Bruce Golding and his wife in the Hague were missing from the proceedings, having left Trial in Africa is apparently King's House prematurely too risky for a man accused after failing to secure seats of fomenting war across among the thousands of guests who filled virtually west Africa - and believed every seat on the lawn. (See to have the support and story on Page 4) money to create more The former opposition trouble. International leader, Edward Seaga and his prosecutors requested wife Carla, remained to the end as they were seated in yesterday that Charles the front row beside the Taylor's trial for crimes visiting leaders from Caricom against humanity be moved and Nation of Islam leader to The Hague. Louis Farrakhan. -Page35 Dressed in a champagne­ coloured suit, Simpson Miller smiled broadly as Governor­ General Kenneth Hall hailed her formally as prime minister. The announcement was greeted by a deafening roar from the large crowd, which took up every square A section of the large crowd at King's House yesterday to witness Portia Simpson Miller being sworn in inch of the lush, green lawn. as Jamaica's first ever woman prime minister. (Photo: Bryan Cummings) None of the newly elected female leaders from around and chief minister Michael Misick of the which had enhanced "the best and most the world, including Liberia's Ellen Turks and Caicos Islands also attended. wholesome of our Jamaican political Johnson Sirleaf and Chile's Michelle Governor-General Hall called the traditions". Bachelet, who were listed among event the "most momentous transition Said Patterson: "I am confid.ent that possible guests, were present. But the in our nation's history" and suggested the country will be able to rise to new Caribbean Community (Caricom) was that it should be regarded as a "defining levels of economic growth and witness well represented by prime ministers moment". upward social mobility, as we continue Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Former Prime Minister Patterson said to build on the foundations which have Tobago, Owen Arthur of Barbados and that he was particularly gratified that been well and truly laid." Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the the country has experienced "a seamless The singing of the local gospel anthem Grenadines. A US congressional team and transparent" leadership change Can't Even Walk, featuring former Grace www.jamaiqaobsetW�J.'.com J;HE,DAl:P'Y 0l3�ER"\q!;R- ·F.JN� �_wcl;r�Ji:�90t'J> ·;J?,�g.e 3 -NEWs journey in five minutes ...And Portia prayed BY TANEISHA DAVIDSON Observer staffreporter PORTIA Lucretia Simpson Miller set the tone for her first speech as prime minister at her swearing-in ceremony yesterday With a prayer that drew murmurs of satisfaction from among the more than 6,000 guests on the sprawling lawns of King's House. ·�s I assume the office of prime minister of all of Jamaica, I do so Lord, truly conscious that the glory is Yours, and the office, an affirmation of my devotion to You and to all the people of this nation," she said in a soft, reverent voice. "You laid the foundations of the earth. Lord, lay now, I beseech You, the foundations of the government that You have graciously enabled me to lead, so that its purpose be firm, its endeavours right, and its accomplishments blessed.. Let it be joy to those through whom You dispense it; bless those who will receive it; and glory to You who give it." The prayer appeared to have won the already popular Simpson Miller more admiration, if the quiet murmurs and nodding of heads were anvthing to go by. It was followed later by a mass choir led by former head of the Grace Thrillers Beverley Willis who belted P J Patterson (right) hands his letter of resignation from the post of prime minister to Governor-General out the popular Can't even Kenneth Hall at King's House yesterday afternoon shortly before his successor, Portia Simpaon Miller walk with you holding my (2nd left) was sworn in. Witnessing the delivery of the letter are RalJ.>h Gonsalves (3rd left), prime hand. minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; and Owen Arthur, prime mimster of Barbados. f'She is brave," one (Photo: Bryan Cummings) lawyer in the crowd commented in reference to Simpson Miller's spiritual input into the auspicious rights and individual liberty programme. About 20 minutes earlier, Thrillers lead singer Shirley Willis, supported see a peaceful Jamaica," said Simpson Miller. Jamaicans witnessed Simpson by the Kencot Youth Choir and saxophonist "I believe that if we create the right Miller's inauguration as the Dean Fraser, heralded Simpson Miller's conditions for people to flourish; if, as country's first female and maiden speech as prime minister of Jamaica. government, we see ourselves as facilitators, seventh prime ministe� as She opened with a prayer before wading then we will experience the unleashing of the her husband Errald Miller into her speech, highlighting the many Jamaican creative spirit that can move this beamed approvingly. social· and economic problems facing the country forward," she said. From as early as 3:00 pm, country and promising not to betray the The prime minister pledged, too, to thousands of guests from people's trust.
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