Dear Editor,

I am deeply dismayed by the government’s debt-exchange package. When did those whom we elected become extortionists?

Mr Golding has said that we have got enough of the high interests. What about the people who recently bought the bonds and have received only one interest payment, or none yet? Should we not be able to have our money refunded without interest or penalties?

I am willing to accept a cut in the interest rates for the benefit of Jamaica, but the forced extension of the maturity to 2013 and 2019 for bonds bought in 2009 is unacceptable. Many of us are elderly pensioners just

trying to supplement meagre

incomes. We may not even live to see 2013.

We are expected to sign an agreement by January 26, 2010 but still have no knowledge of the terms or options.

When contacted, the brokers can only state that if the exchange is not accepted the withholding taxes will be increased to an extent that the principal could be affected.

I actually feel on the point of having a stroke. We the investors helped out when the government needed money and now they are punishing us. We are not all rich, as they are fond of suggesting, and how can they tackle extortionists in Jamaica when they are the biggest ones?

We need more information now.

L Grant

Kingston