76-12-B2

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Jamaica

Transcript In a series of these broadcasts a few weeks ago, I told of how President Allende of Chile had taken his country to the very brink of a communist takeover before he was stopped by the Chilean military. History does repeat itself. It's almost like a rerun of T.V. If you missed Allende's destruction of Chile's economy, his buildup of a private army -- aided and abetted by Cuba -- and his elimination of civil liberties, tune in on Jamaica. That island nation setting astride the sea lanes leading to the Panama Canal, seems to be well on its way to becoming a Marxist state, indeed, a Soviet satellite. This should worry us because of its geographical position and because it is a source of bauxite, thus aluminum. Somehow, with so much media attention fixed on Africa, very few of our nation's guardians in Washington seem aware that Prime Minister Michael Manley is following the blueprint drawn by Allende. He openly expresses his intention to model Jamaica after his communist neighbor to the north, Cuba. And, like Chile under Allende, there are thousands of Cubans, many of them part of Cuba's secret police, training communist cadres in Jamaica. Several hundred Soviet agents are also enjoying the climate and handing out advice. A student exchange program is a three-way deal between Cuba, the Soviet Union and Jamaica. Manley has made all the proper statements; he admires the Soviet Union, supports the national liberation efforts of the African people and wants to sell things to Eastern Europe. He has also adopted all the standard communist procedures. Jamaicans who complain about the spreading Marxism receive a certain official attention. Under an emergency act they can be "detained". Several hundred are already in jail, including the leaders of the opposition political party. There is increasing violence and the usual efforts to curb the press. Like Allende, Manley is organizing a "people's" militia that already outnumbers the army and police force put together. But, he hasn't stopped there. Cuban experts are selling communism to the police and military. Expropriation of American owned aluminum companies hasn't exactly taken place yet. They've just had to give fifty-one percent control to the Jamaican government, which more-and-more is becoming Prime Minister Manley himself. Banks are being nationalized as well as private businesses. Getting away from Jamaica isn't easy for Jamaicans. They can leave but they can only take fifty dollars when they go. Taxes on a $12,500 income are sixty percent, private land is being confiscated, there are price controls and a growing number of regulations and restrictions on industry. And, as with Chile under Allende, economic problems are growing. Foreign investors are not coming to Jamaica and Jamaican doctors, lawyers and businessmen are leaving regardless of the fifty dollar limit. Tourists, once a major source of income for the Island, have been scared off by the violence and vandalism. Tourist trade is down to about one-fourth of normal. But guess who is to blame for all these troubles according to Prime Minister Manley -- the C.I.A. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.		Details Batch Number 76-12-B2 Production Date 04/13/1977 Book/Page RPtV-145 Audio Youtube? No
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