With all the drama created by the Dabdoub-Vaz controversy over United States citizenship and the constitutional right to sit in Parliament, it has awakened my own sad experience of 25 years ago.

Prior to this period, I worked in New York for the then Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation (JIDC) and successor organisations for 23 years with a 'semi-diplomatic passport'.

All during that period, I felt it was ethically and morally wrong to be working for the Government of my country and concurrently apply for a 'green card', so I never did.

How unique and stupid I was among so many Jamaicans who worked for the various govern-mental entities in the US and had obtained green cards.

Economic development

When I returned to Jamaica, I applied to the US Consulate for an HI visa as I wanted, in my private capacity, to continue promoting economic development, not only for Jamaica, but adding various islands in the Caribbean and I needed the facility of travelling to and working in the US which was essential to undertaking my mission successfully.

However, the US Consulate refused my application. So that ended my ambition to continue promoting economic development for the Caribbean. Had I applied for a green card while working for Jamaica in New York as so many of my colleagues did, I would have been able to pursue my dream.

Twenty-five years ago is a very long time, so whatever bitterness there was initially has long since dissipated. However, I still would not do anything differently and I am of the opinion that no one who has dual citizenship should sit in our Parliament. For these are the people who make our laws and if for any reason 'things' go wrong for them, they can easily move to their other country.

I am, etc.,

WILLIAM G. WHITING

billwhiting@hotmail.com