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 '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 '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 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, 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. facilitate conditions for employment home and abroad began to "The firstpledge to the Jamaican people is opportunities and wealth creation. Portia Simpson Miller takes fill the seats on the lawns to advance human rights and individual "I want �o say directly to the private the oath of office while holding of King's House for the · the Bible. swearing-in ceremony liberty," she said. "Each individual life is sector, both here and overseas, that we scheduled to begin at 5:00 sacred. None is more important than the treasure .the gains which have been made other. Money should not make one person pm and which was beamed live on the Internet and broadcast through our macro-economic policy and more important than the other. Learning on radio and television. international credibility. It is our intention should not make one person more important Simpson Miller and her husband were the first of the to build on these hard-won gains of pain and official . party to approach the platform which was garbed than the other, nor should class, colour or sacrifice," she said. with flowers and decorations bearing the national colours. gender. We are all equal in the sight of God." She promised to "balance people's lives" They were greeted by a fanfare of trumpets as they ascended In a veiled reference to brutality ascribed the stairs. to the security forces, she said that while while balancing the books and to expand opportunities for all Jamaicans to share in Dressed in a champagne skirt suit and not a strand of the state has a responsibility to protect hair out of place, Sim:pson Miller glistened with pride as the fruits of macro-economic stability. society as a whole, "it must never, in the she greeted the audience who welcomed her with a execution of that responsibility, sacrifice Simpson ·Miller also pointed out that standins- ovation. individual liberty". critical to economic transformation was the Outgomg prime minister P J Patterson and Governor­ "We cannot build the harmony and peace need for education transformation. General Kenneth Hall and his wife Rhema followed. that this society so desperately needs unless "I pledge to the people an unyielding After Professor Hall read the Instrument appointing all Jamaicans know that they will be treated commitment to education, including Simpson Miller as prime minister, she took the oath of Office with dignity and respect," she added. programmes in character education to build a and oath of Allegiance, clutching the Bible in her right hand. She pledged to work tirelessly to eradicate society co'mmitted to the highest ethical At approximately 5:20 pm, she signed and was corruption and extortion. principles," she added. presented with the Instrument of Appointment to loud "I am committed to their eradication, as I am However, she admitted that to do this she cheers and applause. The raising of Simpson Miller's standard (flag) ·and the committed to upliftingthe poor," she said. would need to build on the legacy of co­ lowering of Patterson's followed. She also pledged to do everything in her operation between the major political parties. Yesterday was symbolic for Patterson as it was 14 years to the power to break the power of criminals over She said that she would ensure that date when he was first sworn ,in as Jamaica's sixth prime communities. "victimisation never rears its ugly head in any minister at the same venue. It was also the second time that a "I will be working closely with the minister way under my administration". prime minister swore an oath to the constitution, laws and of national security, the law enforcement "I say to the Oppositior:, let us launch a new people of Jamaica, instead of an oath to the Queen. officers, the Opposition and our 780 identified era of co-operation. Let us work together in Among the persons present to witness the historic occasion communities to successfully tackle this the interest of all Jamaicans. Let us put the were Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam; prime _problem in the interest of all Jamaicans, people's hopes and aspirations before our minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur; prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves; and prime including those in the Diaspora who want to own interests," she said. minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning.