Hinds’ statement draws attention


THE EDITOR: I write to register the Ministry’s strong objection to a major inaccuracy carried in your editorial of today’s Newsday publication (Wednesday October 26, 2005), captioned "All Sectors were in Death March."


The editorial makes a scathing attack on the character and competence of the Minister of National Security, Senator the Honourable Martin R Joseph, and falsely accuses him of saying that the Death March was a "middle and upper class affair."


Minister Joseph never made any such remark and the tone of the editorial therefore, was set upon a falsehood.


In view of this glaring breach of the truth of the situation and consequently, as liability to make good, the Ministry of National Security requests an unreserved apology from your newspaper and further, that a full retraction of the article be published and given the same prominence to the degree and extent as your erroneous and derogatory editorial.


While the Ministry fully appreciates the importance of the media as an ally in the battle against crime, it also hopes that your newspaper will strive to maintain the high standards which it consistently demands of the Ministry and its agencies.


VERNETTA CALVIN-SMITH


Manager, Corporate Communications


Ministry of National Security


EDITOR’S NOTE: Newsday apologies for the error. The statement was, in fact, made by Junior National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds on Radio I95.5.


Hinds said it was obvious that the march consisted of middle and upper class people.


But he had no problem with that because that was their right and because they are a legitimate part of the society.


However, we stand by our critique of the statement itself which, since it was articulated by a Government Minister, we assume reflects an official opinion.

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"Hinds’ statement draws attention"

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