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NEWS IN BRIEF
FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
Top News in the Print Media: The JIS, The Gleaner & The Observer
From the Overseas Department, Jamaica Information Service
Tuesday September 30, 2003
LOOK BEYOND ARMED RESPONSES
The Gleaner: Prime Minister P. J. Patterson yesterday told the United Nations to look beyond armed responses as the answer to violence and conflict.
The Jamaican prime minister, who was addressing the UN's General Assembly in New York, said more development assistance and greater trade opportunities for developing countries, genuine respect and equality among sovereign nations, as well as united multilateral action, were key in achieving enduring peace and security worldwide.
He proposed an international mechanism to focus on trade, finance, technology and development policy in an integrated manner, noting that at present the international system does not have an effective machinery for carrying out such a function.
"In order to promote the interests of small states, the United Nations and the multilateral institutions must facilitate the creation of new opportunities for economic development through the expansion of trade and investment flows as well as technical cooperation," he said.
OMAR ORDERS JOB FREEZE
The Observer: The Finance Ministry has ordered a freeze on public sector hiring, as finance minister Omar Davies attempts to rein in rising wage costs and struggles to keep the public sector deficit within the target for this fiscal year of between five and six per cent of GDP.
In a September 22 memorandum to permanent secretaries and heads of government departments, financial secretary Shirley Tyndall insisted that ministries should neither create new posts nor fill vacant ones as well as ban the reclassification or upgrading of existing posts.
"If it becomes imperative for a vacancy to be filled the approval of the Ministry of Finance and Planning must first be sought," Tyndall told civil service bosses. "In such circumstances reasons must be given as to why it is necessary to fill a vacancy."
SPOT MARKET WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE
CURRENCY -- PURCHASES -- SALES
___US$_______59.3179____59.6481
__CAN$_______42.8821____43.7930
___GB£_______96.9727____98.2582
GLEANER PROMOTES COMMUNITY WEB SITES
The Gleaner: Aimed at inspiring student empowerment by way of encouraging the development and maintenance of community-based web sites, The Gleaner's Go-Local Jamaica site yesterday launched its 'Show your community to the world' schools' competition.
The competition, which was developed in association with and which has been incorporated into the Ministry of Education's curriculum for Social Studies and Theatre Arts, will run for about six months.
Each of the participating 29 schools from across the island will be responsible for maintaining and updating their allotted space on the web site server as stipulated by the rules of the competition. As such, each school will be responsible for posting articles and photographs, showcasing their community.
ILLEGAL SIGNS COME DOWN
The Observer: Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, yesterday led a team, including the town clerk, Errol Greene, across the city tearing down billboards and signs erected without the permission of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC). More than 300 signs were removed.
The KSAC says fee collection from billboard advertising dropped to $468,245 in August, from $2,575,654 the previous month.
GOV’T WITHDRAWS TENDER
The Gleaner: The Ministry of National Security said yesterday that security concerns are behind Government's decision to withdraw the open tender it issued for the procurement of a Close Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system.
The open tender offer was first published in August 2003.
Permanent secretary, Gilbert Scott, said yesterday that the Government will be putting forward a more restrictive tender offer and selection will be made based on additional technical advice as well as advice from the National Contracts Commission.
"As a result of security considerations, we are withdrawing the open tender and going to a more restrictive selective bent. We are going to go to restrictive selective tender almost immediately. Our part of making the selections and inviting the submissions will be done within a month and then we have to give time to people to respond," Mr. Scott said in a telephone interview with The Gleaner.
JIS NEWS
Tuesday September 30, 2003
SAJ REAPING DIVIDENDS
The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) is working closely with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its New Economy Project, to improve cargo importation and link stakeholders in the industry through the use of modern, information communications technology.
Harry Maragh, President of the SAJ, made the disclosure at the Association’s Maritime Week luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston recently.
The SAJ President said that the project, which started last year, has so far made it possible for custom brokers to pay import duties on-line. He said the ultimate aim was to get all stakeholders in the industry on-line, so that ships arriving at the island’s ports could be cleared in a more timely fashion.
E-TRANSACTION LEGISLATION SOON
Legislation is being drafted to address the integrity of information transferred by electronic means.
Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell who made the announcement on Friday (Sept. 26), said An Electronic Transaction Act was currently being finalised for Parliament by the Chief Parliamentary Council.
He said the first draft had already been received and was soon to be passed into law.
“We are seeking to ensure that the legislation conforms to internationally acceptable principles and practices in order to be integrated within the global ecommerce framework, also that the rules are clear, consistent and predictable, thereby ensuring that there is no barrier to trade regardless of the jurisdiction of the buyer or the seller,” Mr. Paulwell said.
INNER CITY HOUSING PROJECT
With Highway 2000 now open, construction of houses in the Inner City Housing Project is to commence shortly, said Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, in a radio broadcast on ‘JIS Notebook’, which has been aired on two radio stations on Saturday (Sept. 27). The message will be broadcast this evening (Sept. 28) on three other radio stations.
Designed to provide modern and affordable shelter for lower income earners, the Inner City Housing Project will also address the serious problems of urban decay in sections of the Corporate Area, and soon will extend to the urban areas of St. Catherine, Savanna-la-Mar and Port Maria.
Some 3,000 housing solutions have been earmarked under the Inner City Housing Project, with over 155,000 solutions having been provided by the government over the past decade.
In addition to the construction of 3,000 new housing units, the Project also provides for the upgrading of existing housing schemes in targeted communities. The formal upgrading exercise will provide employment opportunities for small contractors and workers from the community.
INNER CITY SCHOOLS’ INITIATIVE
In its quest to implement more creative ways to boost the image and academic potential of Jamaican school children in inner city schools, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture launched its Inner City Schools’ Initiative Programme on Thursday (Sept. 25) at the Denham Town High School in Kingston.
Denham Town High School is one of 20 schools where the programme has been implemented. The other 19 schools are spread across the island and all share common traits with Denham Town.
The programme’s launch at Denham Town High School was hosted under the theme, ‘Recapturing the Glory, Reaffirming Our Identity, Bringing Pride and Greater Hope in Our Schools’ and took the form of a cultural concert.
RATIONALISATION OF GOVT. VEHICLES
A programme to rationalise the fleet of unassigned government vehicles in the public sector is set to begin on October 1.
The programme is part of the government’s new motor vehicle policy, which involves a rationalisation of the unassigned vehicles in the public sector and a reduction of the number of assigned vehicles for greater efficiency and control.
Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Robert Martin, told JIS News that a team from the Ministry has been going to the various government departments to assess their fleet, to determine appropriate steps for the rationalisation process.
This would include a determination on the size of the fleet of unassigned vehicles; an assessment of the appropriateness of the types of vehicles used, and where necessary, recommend alternatives; and to determine which vehicles were no longer economical and should be disposed of or replaced.
TOURISM PLAN PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES
Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Development, has said that the Tourism Master Plan provided ample investment opportunities through the production of agricultural and manufactured goods, transportation and other services, including restaurants, and attractions.
“To the extent that local producers move aggressively to grasp these opportunities, we will succeed in boosting the exports of goods and services. The challenge is for the private sector to position itself through improvements in the quality of its products and services,” the Minister said.
He was making his contribution to the 2003/04 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House recently.
Contact: Celia Lindsay For further information about any of these news items,contact the Overseas Department at
[email protected]
. The Jamaica Information Service web page address is
www.jis.gov.jm
.Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 926-6715
COMMENTARY
Tuesday September 30, 2003
THE OBSERVER
TREAD CAREFULLY, BISHOP BLAIR
AS political ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair has an unusual, if not unique, but very important job. A critical part of his mandate is to police the behaviour of Jamaica's political parties in relation to an agreed code of conduct and to arbitrate on complaints of breaches of that code.
Neither Bishop Blair nor his predecessors had power to impose penalties or sanctions for breaches of the code of conduct, except for the moral authority that they brought to the job and the public opprobrium they may cause to those deemed not to be playing by the rules.
So when the political ombudsman speaks, it is expected to have been on the basis of a thorough and thoughtful review, in measured tones and in the context of preservation of the democratic ideal.
For that, after all, is what the ombudsman's job is all about -- a recognition that while Jamaica remains a maturing democracy with functioning institutions, the process occasionally falls under severe stress, evidenced by the violence that sometimes accompanies election campaigns. While the situation has improved substantially in recent years, this newspaper is clear that there is no room for complacency in protecting our democracy and its institutions.
Even well-meaning but loose and less-than-thoughtful comment can, in this regard, be dangerous. Which is how we characterise Bishop Blair's remarks on Saturday at the graduation ceremony for new members of the Jamaica Defence Force: well-meaning, less than thoughtful, and potentially dangerous.
Like most Jamaicans, Bishop Blair is concerned about violent crime in our society. He, like many people, believes that the army has a role to play in combatting the criminals. But Bishop Blair goes further. He wants to leave it entirely to the discretion of the chief-of-staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to determine when, how and where he engages criminals in this "war" on crime.
Therein lies the danger.
Of course, this newspaper has the highest regard for the integrity of the current chief-of-staff of the JDF, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, as well as his predecessors. We have no doubt about Admiral Lewin's commitment to democracy and civilian-led government. Indeed, for over 40 years, its leaders, and the JDF in general, have maintained their democratic inclination, no matter the stresses.
The fact, though, is that while people's commitment and democratic instincts are critical to the development and continuance of the democratic process, these have to be underpinned by rules which bind individuals to a code of behaviour that limits temptation.
To give the JDF carte blanche to involve itself in crime fighting is the first step to countenancing a kind of military intrusiveness in civilian political life which we find downright dangerous. Today security, tomorrow the entire government.
Of course, Admiral Lewin is too decent an officer and too committed a democrat, we believe, to harbour any such thoughts. But he will not always be at the helm of the JDF. And we know only too well the consequence of a military that steps out of its bound -- from barracks to civilian administration.
It usually starts the same way: public concern for some form of domestic instability, suggestions that military discipline is necessary to bring matters under control and armed forces arrogant enough to believe that they can enforce in the wider society the discipline that is maintained in their barracks.
We would advise Bishop Blair to be wary on this score.
============================================
THE GLEANER
DISRESPECT TO WOMEN
ONE OF the last bastions of respect in a country rife with disrespect is the judiciary. Too many institutions and offices on which an ordered society absolutely depends have lost much of the respect and awe which they once enjoyed.
There was a time when the police officer was held in high regard, even tinged with fear. So was the teacher and members of the clergy.
Much has changed -- for the worse. The welcome liberation from authoritarianism has become confused with the removal of authority to which respect is due. In the colloquial, people feel at liberty to "tek liberty" with the symbols of authority in the society. The breakdown of respect is to our great detriment as an ordered society.
Last Thursday a man who works in a parking garage in the vicinity of the Supreme Court shouted sexually suggestive comments to a female judge, in wig and gown, as she was being escorted to court along the balcony of the Supreme Court building. Her Ladyship was confronted with the sort of crude behaviour to which Jamaican women are subjected daily.
The police detained the perpetrator; a lawyer intervened when the matter was brought to his attention by the man's co-workers, and it was agreed that there was no law in Jamaica under which the abusive and disrespectful man could be charged. The search may not have been thorough enough in the heat of that low moment. It would be interesting to hear the opinions of legal minds with time to reflect and research.
There is slow movement towards sexual harassment legislation for Jamaica. But behaviour is better regulated by the social rules that constitute good manners and respect than by law. We certainly do not wish to encourage any movement towards the practice of authoritarian states of attaching criminal penalties to broad and loosely defined "disrespect" for the state, its institutions and officers.
We must again, however, forcefully point out that the sort of crude and abusive disrespect shown to a judge of the Supreme Court has serious implications for the prospects of an ordered society. The perpetrator acknowledged the crassness of his action, action which is more and more becoming the norm where nothing is sacrosanct and above abusive disrespect, and he wrote an apology.
FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
Top News in the Print Media: The JIS, The Gleaner & The Observer
From the Overseas Department, Jamaica Information Service
Tuesday September 30, 2003
LOOK BEYOND ARMED RESPONSES
The Gleaner: Prime Minister P. J. Patterson yesterday told the United Nations to look beyond armed responses as the answer to violence and conflict.
The Jamaican prime minister, who was addressing the UN's General Assembly in New York, said more development assistance and greater trade opportunities for developing countries, genuine respect and equality among sovereign nations, as well as united multilateral action, were key in achieving enduring peace and security worldwide.
He proposed an international mechanism to focus on trade, finance, technology and development policy in an integrated manner, noting that at present the international system does not have an effective machinery for carrying out such a function.
"In order to promote the interests of small states, the United Nations and the multilateral institutions must facilitate the creation of new opportunities for economic development through the expansion of trade and investment flows as well as technical cooperation," he said.
OMAR ORDERS JOB FREEZE
The Observer: The Finance Ministry has ordered a freeze on public sector hiring, as finance minister Omar Davies attempts to rein in rising wage costs and struggles to keep the public sector deficit within the target for this fiscal year of between five and six per cent of GDP.
In a September 22 memorandum to permanent secretaries and heads of government departments, financial secretary Shirley Tyndall insisted that ministries should neither create new posts nor fill vacant ones as well as ban the reclassification or upgrading of existing posts.
"If it becomes imperative for a vacancy to be filled the approval of the Ministry of Finance and Planning must first be sought," Tyndall told civil service bosses. "In such circumstances reasons must be given as to why it is necessary to fill a vacancy."
SPOT MARKET WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE
CURRENCY -- PURCHASES -- SALES
___US$_______59.3179____59.6481
__CAN$_______42.8821____43.7930
___GB£_______96.9727____98.2582
GLEANER PROMOTES COMMUNITY WEB SITES
The Gleaner: Aimed at inspiring student empowerment by way of encouraging the development and maintenance of community-based web sites, The Gleaner's Go-Local Jamaica site yesterday launched its 'Show your community to the world' schools' competition.
The competition, which was developed in association with and which has been incorporated into the Ministry of Education's curriculum for Social Studies and Theatre Arts, will run for about six months.
Each of the participating 29 schools from across the island will be responsible for maintaining and updating their allotted space on the web site server as stipulated by the rules of the competition. As such, each school will be responsible for posting articles and photographs, showcasing their community.
ILLEGAL SIGNS COME DOWN
The Observer: Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, yesterday led a team, including the town clerk, Errol Greene, across the city tearing down billboards and signs erected without the permission of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC). More than 300 signs were removed.
The KSAC says fee collection from billboard advertising dropped to $468,245 in August, from $2,575,654 the previous month.
GOV’T WITHDRAWS TENDER
The Gleaner: The Ministry of National Security said yesterday that security concerns are behind Government's decision to withdraw the open tender it issued for the procurement of a Close Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system.
The open tender offer was first published in August 2003.
Permanent secretary, Gilbert Scott, said yesterday that the Government will be putting forward a more restrictive tender offer and selection will be made based on additional technical advice as well as advice from the National Contracts Commission.
"As a result of security considerations, we are withdrawing the open tender and going to a more restrictive selective bent. We are going to go to restrictive selective tender almost immediately. Our part of making the selections and inviting the submissions will be done within a month and then we have to give time to people to respond," Mr. Scott said in a telephone interview with The Gleaner.
JIS NEWS
Tuesday September 30, 2003
SAJ REAPING DIVIDENDS
The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) is working closely with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its New Economy Project, to improve cargo importation and link stakeholders in the industry through the use of modern, information communications technology.
Harry Maragh, President of the SAJ, made the disclosure at the Association’s Maritime Week luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston recently.
The SAJ President said that the project, which started last year, has so far made it possible for custom brokers to pay import duties on-line. He said the ultimate aim was to get all stakeholders in the industry on-line, so that ships arriving at the island’s ports could be cleared in a more timely fashion.
E-TRANSACTION LEGISLATION SOON
Legislation is being drafted to address the integrity of information transferred by electronic means.
Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell who made the announcement on Friday (Sept. 26), said An Electronic Transaction Act was currently being finalised for Parliament by the Chief Parliamentary Council.
He said the first draft had already been received and was soon to be passed into law.
“We are seeking to ensure that the legislation conforms to internationally acceptable principles and practices in order to be integrated within the global ecommerce framework, also that the rules are clear, consistent and predictable, thereby ensuring that there is no barrier to trade regardless of the jurisdiction of the buyer or the seller,” Mr. Paulwell said.
INNER CITY HOUSING PROJECT
With Highway 2000 now open, construction of houses in the Inner City Housing Project is to commence shortly, said Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, in a radio broadcast on ‘JIS Notebook’, which has been aired on two radio stations on Saturday (Sept. 27). The message will be broadcast this evening (Sept. 28) on three other radio stations.
Designed to provide modern and affordable shelter for lower income earners, the Inner City Housing Project will also address the serious problems of urban decay in sections of the Corporate Area, and soon will extend to the urban areas of St. Catherine, Savanna-la-Mar and Port Maria.
Some 3,000 housing solutions have been earmarked under the Inner City Housing Project, with over 155,000 solutions having been provided by the government over the past decade.
In addition to the construction of 3,000 new housing units, the Project also provides for the upgrading of existing housing schemes in targeted communities. The formal upgrading exercise will provide employment opportunities for small contractors and workers from the community.
INNER CITY SCHOOLS’ INITIATIVE
In its quest to implement more creative ways to boost the image and academic potential of Jamaican school children in inner city schools, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture launched its Inner City Schools’ Initiative Programme on Thursday (Sept. 25) at the Denham Town High School in Kingston.
Denham Town High School is one of 20 schools where the programme has been implemented. The other 19 schools are spread across the island and all share common traits with Denham Town.
The programme’s launch at Denham Town High School was hosted under the theme, ‘Recapturing the Glory, Reaffirming Our Identity, Bringing Pride and Greater Hope in Our Schools’ and took the form of a cultural concert.
RATIONALISATION OF GOVT. VEHICLES
A programme to rationalise the fleet of unassigned government vehicles in the public sector is set to begin on October 1.
The programme is part of the government’s new motor vehicle policy, which involves a rationalisation of the unassigned vehicles in the public sector and a reduction of the number of assigned vehicles for greater efficiency and control.
Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Robert Martin, told JIS News that a team from the Ministry has been going to the various government departments to assess their fleet, to determine appropriate steps for the rationalisation process.
This would include a determination on the size of the fleet of unassigned vehicles; an assessment of the appropriateness of the types of vehicles used, and where necessary, recommend alternatives; and to determine which vehicles were no longer economical and should be disposed of or replaced.
TOURISM PLAN PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES
Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Development, has said that the Tourism Master Plan provided ample investment opportunities through the production of agricultural and manufactured goods, transportation and other services, including restaurants, and attractions.
“To the extent that local producers move aggressively to grasp these opportunities, we will succeed in boosting the exports of goods and services. The challenge is for the private sector to position itself through improvements in the quality of its products and services,” the Minister said.
He was making his contribution to the 2003/04 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House recently.
Contact: Celia Lindsay For further information about any of these news items,contact the Overseas Department at
[email protected]
. The Jamaica Information Service web page address is
www.jis.gov.jm
.Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 926-6715
COMMENTARY
Tuesday September 30, 2003
THE OBSERVER
TREAD CAREFULLY, BISHOP BLAIR
AS political ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair has an unusual, if not unique, but very important job. A critical part of his mandate is to police the behaviour of Jamaica's political parties in relation to an agreed code of conduct and to arbitrate on complaints of breaches of that code.
Neither Bishop Blair nor his predecessors had power to impose penalties or sanctions for breaches of the code of conduct, except for the moral authority that they brought to the job and the public opprobrium they may cause to those deemed not to be playing by the rules.
So when the political ombudsman speaks, it is expected to have been on the basis of a thorough and thoughtful review, in measured tones and in the context of preservation of the democratic ideal.
For that, after all, is what the ombudsman's job is all about -- a recognition that while Jamaica remains a maturing democracy with functioning institutions, the process occasionally falls under severe stress, evidenced by the violence that sometimes accompanies election campaigns. While the situation has improved substantially in recent years, this newspaper is clear that there is no room for complacency in protecting our democracy and its institutions.
Even well-meaning but loose and less-than-thoughtful comment can, in this regard, be dangerous. Which is how we characterise Bishop Blair's remarks on Saturday at the graduation ceremony for new members of the Jamaica Defence Force: well-meaning, less than thoughtful, and potentially dangerous.
Like most Jamaicans, Bishop Blair is concerned about violent crime in our society. He, like many people, believes that the army has a role to play in combatting the criminals. But Bishop Blair goes further. He wants to leave it entirely to the discretion of the chief-of-staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to determine when, how and where he engages criminals in this "war" on crime.
Therein lies the danger.
Of course, this newspaper has the highest regard for the integrity of the current chief-of-staff of the JDF, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, as well as his predecessors. We have no doubt about Admiral Lewin's commitment to democracy and civilian-led government. Indeed, for over 40 years, its leaders, and the JDF in general, have maintained their democratic inclination, no matter the stresses.
The fact, though, is that while people's commitment and democratic instincts are critical to the development and continuance of the democratic process, these have to be underpinned by rules which bind individuals to a code of behaviour that limits temptation.
To give the JDF carte blanche to involve itself in crime fighting is the first step to countenancing a kind of military intrusiveness in civilian political life which we find downright dangerous. Today security, tomorrow the entire government.
Of course, Admiral Lewin is too decent an officer and too committed a democrat, we believe, to harbour any such thoughts. But he will not always be at the helm of the JDF. And we know only too well the consequence of a military that steps out of its bound -- from barracks to civilian administration.
It usually starts the same way: public concern for some form of domestic instability, suggestions that military discipline is necessary to bring matters under control and armed forces arrogant enough to believe that they can enforce in the wider society the discipline that is maintained in their barracks.
We would advise Bishop Blair to be wary on this score.
============================================
THE GLEANER
DISRESPECT TO WOMEN
ONE OF the last bastions of respect in a country rife with disrespect is the judiciary. Too many institutions and offices on which an ordered society absolutely depends have lost much of the respect and awe which they once enjoyed.
There was a time when the police officer was held in high regard, even tinged with fear. So was the teacher and members of the clergy.
Much has changed -- for the worse. The welcome liberation from authoritarianism has become confused with the removal of authority to which respect is due. In the colloquial, people feel at liberty to "tek liberty" with the symbols of authority in the society. The breakdown of respect is to our great detriment as an ordered society.
Last Thursday a man who works in a parking garage in the vicinity of the Supreme Court shouted sexually suggestive comments to a female judge, in wig and gown, as she was being escorted to court along the balcony of the Supreme Court building. Her Ladyship was confronted with the sort of crude behaviour to which Jamaican women are subjected daily.
The police detained the perpetrator; a lawyer intervened when the matter was brought to his attention by the man's co-workers, and it was agreed that there was no law in Jamaica under which the abusive and disrespectful man could be charged. The search may not have been thorough enough in the heat of that low moment. It would be interesting to hear the opinions of legal minds with time to reflect and research.
There is slow movement towards sexual harassment legislation for Jamaica. But behaviour is better regulated by the social rules that constitute good manners and respect than by law. We certainly do not wish to encourage any movement towards the practice of authoritarian states of attaching criminal penalties to broad and loosely defined "disrespect" for the state, its institutions and officers.
We must again, however, forcefully point out that the sort of crude and abusive disrespect shown to a judge of the Supreme Court has serious implications for the prospects of an ordered society. The perpetrator acknowledged the crassness of his action, action which is more and more becoming the norm where nothing is sacrosanct and above abusive disrespect, and he wrote an apology.