While Peter Espeut's article, Caribbean odyssey (October 16), was very interesting for those of us committed to the CARICOM idea, and while he was at pains to point out trivial but real drawbacks, he left out a fundamental problem with the whole concept of CARICOM.

Ever since Federation of the West Indies was first attempted way back in 1958, there has never been a universality among West Indian politicians for giving up any of their powers.

Caribbean politicians, since 1958 have not shown a willingness to absorb the principle of unity at the expense of their own positions. Look at the then approach of Guyana and Belize to the old Federation concept. CARICOM has seen the same principle in operation.

- Middleton Wilson, Miami, Florida

I was mystified by the headline, 'I'm still here - Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin downplays talks of resignation - Admits that there are those who want him out'. However I was even more mystified that the articled quoted sources within the Government as stating "the Bruce Golding administration was unhappy with the leadership of the police force." Mr Prime Minister the buck stops at your desk.

Crime problems have plagued both parties and their lack of success in reducing crime and taking back the streets from the criminal elements have not produced any fruit, and this not because of a lack of effort.

For any crime-fighting strategy to work, the community must be part of the equation, the constabulary must gain the trust of the community and in doing so, the police must have a partnership in order to mitigate criminal activities.

- Oniel Cross, ocross@hotmail.com, Alexandria, VA

Kindly grant me the privilege to comment on a statement made by transport minister Mike Henry, regarding the revitalisation of the Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC). Henry has stated that come next year, the JRC will resume operation.

I am concerned about how the Government will finance its operation when the country is already in a world of debt. There is hardly any government entity in Jamaica today that is operating at a profit. Certainly not the JUTC and not Air Jamaica. If the Government cannot successfully operate Air Jamaica so it can get to a state of profitability, how are they going to operate the JRC so it doesn't become a liability to the taxpayers of Jamaica?

- Ceffeycol Hines, New York, USA