Tweet
published: Thursday | June 21, 2007
The Editor, Sir:
I am a Jamaican living abroad and I have some concerns about the imposition of visa requirements for Jamaicans visiting Costa Rica. Not so long ago, Bermuda imposed visa requirement for Jamaicans visiting here, but such requirements were not introduced for other Caribbean nationals.
I am of the view that Jamaica must move swiftly to impose visa requirements on Costa Rica as well as Bermuda. Did you know that Bermudans with a drug conviction cannot visit the United States of America because they are placed on a stop list, but they can visit Jamaica by charter flights?
The Cayman Islands have also shown their discrimination against Jamaicans with the visa imposition. In that case Jamaica had the good sense to impose visa requirement on the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands operate as a haven for tax dodgers and money launderers, and in my view, white collar crime is just as bad as the crimes of the working class.
Protect borders
Jamaica must protect her borders and swiftly put in place visa requirements for those countries that require Jamaicans to have visas.
The fees obtained would help to cover the cost of operating embassies in those countries.
We would also be able to screen and keep out people with convictions for money laundering, drugs, gun-running and other serious crimes.
I am aware that because of short-sightedness, hoteliers will oppose visa imposition on certain foreign nationals because they fear a temporary drop in tourist arrivals. The long term implication for national security is more important than making a few dollars or pounds quickly.
I say Jamaica must act immediately and announce visa requirements for Costa Rica and Bermuda.
I am, etc;
Wesley A. Miller (Dr.)
m12a@northrock.bm
Pembroke, Bermuda
The Editor, Sir:
I am a Jamaican living abroad and I have some concerns about the imposition of visa requirements for Jamaicans visiting Costa Rica. Not so long ago, Bermuda imposed visa requirement for Jamaicans visiting here, but such requirements were not introduced for other Caribbean nationals.
I am of the view that Jamaica must move swiftly to impose visa requirements on Costa Rica as well as Bermuda. Did you know that Bermudans with a drug conviction cannot visit the United States of America because they are placed on a stop list, but they can visit Jamaica by charter flights?
The Cayman Islands have also shown their discrimination against Jamaicans with the visa imposition. In that case Jamaica had the good sense to impose visa requirement on the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands operate as a haven for tax dodgers and money launderers, and in my view, white collar crime is just as bad as the crimes of the working class.
Protect borders
Jamaica must protect her borders and swiftly put in place visa requirements for those countries that require Jamaicans to have visas.
The fees obtained would help to cover the cost of operating embassies in those countries.
We would also be able to screen and keep out people with convictions for money laundering, drugs, gun-running and other serious crimes.
I am aware that because of short-sightedness, hoteliers will oppose visa imposition on certain foreign nationals because they fear a temporary drop in tourist arrivals. The long term implication for national security is more important than making a few dollars or pounds quickly.
I say Jamaica must act immediately and announce visa requirements for Costa Rica and Bermuda.
I am, etc;
Wesley A. Miller (Dr.)
m12a@northrock.bm
Pembroke, Bermuda
Comment