Ja: American dollars, yes, supporting America, no

We previously endorsed the "Building Bridges" initiative being spearheaded by US Ambassador Sue Cobb, aimed at strengthening the economic and social relationships between Jamaica and her home state of Florida.

The possibilities of this project are increasingly apparent, and some are even beginning to bear fruit with the prospect of even greater harvests in the future.

We are particularly struck by the programme's apparent emphasis on the development of young people, not as a way to write off the present, but as an understanding that we must prepare for the future. In any event, concentrating on young people in an effort to effect fundamental change to Jamaica's more intransigent problems is only pragmatic.

A focus on leadership and education is, in this regard, sensible. Which is why we welcomed the recently launched project to bring young people to the centre of the effort to promote conflict resolution and other alternatives to Jamaica's bane of crime and violence.

Last week another important programme was unveiled under the aegis of the "Building Bridges" programme, involving a fine display of corporate citizenship, which we hope will be emulated and perhaps expanded.

Western Union, the money transfer people, and their Jamaican partner, Grace, Kennedy Remittances have pledged to donate up to US$225,000 (J$13.5 million) to a fund, to which the US embassy has contributed US$25,000 (J$1.5 million), to finance textbooks for Jamaican children. The Western Union/Grace, Kennedy portion of the fund will come from a contribution of US$1 from each money transaction between Florida and Jamaica

Oh yes, that delightful one-way relationship. One party takes, and the other gives. As usual, the taking party has no interest in supporting the party which gives.