KINGSTON, Jamaica�The lunch at the offices of the Gleaner newspaper, hosted by managing director Oliver Clarke, was a combination afternoon discussion and chance for business leaders to meet one of their country�s greatest defenders.

And from the warm welcome Mr. Clarke gave Min. Louis Farrakhan at their first meeting, the encounter seemed to open the door to another important connection.

Min. Farrakhan came to this island nation as it grapples with violence, political fractures and the subsequent negative impact on the economy.

As business leaders sought answers to these problems, the Minister spoke of the need for business to serve the needs of the people and the nation. Such a partnership strengthens the country and promotes a good business environment, he observed.

In a room populated by several "Clarkes," Oliver Clarke joked at how quickly luncheon guests, who represented business groups, lawyers, entrepreneurs and Gleaner company managers, claimed kinship with the Minister. Min. Farrakhan�s father, Percival Clarke, was from Kingston. Though the Minister never met his father, on his trips here, he has shared a desire to unearth those roots.

As the group sat around a table setting inside a conference room, the Minister shared something about his upbringing and his hope for reconciliation, in particular with the Jewish community.

It was free flowing discussion that ranged from the impact of Sept. 11 to the historic Million Man March in 1995, to how to stop crime and why Min. Farrakhan�s image has been so controversial.

In speaking to the media�s portrayal, the Minister noted that in a 30-second sound bite, even Jesus could be made to look bad. Without the proper context, or with improper motivation, words and images can be twisted to provide an ugly, inaccurate picture, he said.

Asked about crime and any lessons Jamaica could learn from his ministry, the Nation of Islam leader commented on how reform of human life and opportunity are important.

But, he said, proper teaching must tie the masses to economic opportunity. Those behind bars in Jamaica today have the same potential Malcolm X had when he met the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, said Min. Farrakhan. Malcolm X was a man given a proper teaching and second chance, he said. If the business community would take a chance of those who come out on prison, they would find talented and loyal individuals, eager to contribute to society, the Minister explained.

Government and the private sector must partner to offer opportunity, Min. Farrakhan said.

Stronger links between Blacks in America must be forged to lobby for better U.S. policy toward the Caribbean, he added.

And as Dr. Martin Luther King taught non-violence as a way to redeem Whites and bridge racial divides, Blacks need the same message today among themselves, he said. Once Blacks have a better picture of themselves, their behavior and lifestyle will improve, Min. Farrakhan said.

Nigel Clarke, an equity fund manager, enjoyed discussion of solutions to problems in Jamaica�s inner cities, which are similar to problems in the United States. The entire dialog was very good, he said.

"I think, if we are able to practice even half of what Min. Farrakhan is saying, I think we�ll be a better country for it," commented Beverly Lopez, president of the Jamaica Exporters Association.

His themes of self-respect, respect for others, giving to others and fairness were extremely relevant, she said.

Min. Farrakhan�s point that the U.S. should provide more help for Jamaica is vital, Ms. Lopez said. The Sept. 11 terror attacks in America hurt the tourism industry and reverberated throughout the Caribbean, she noted.

U.S. officials should be more mindful of the link with Jamaica, especially in light of pending treaties, added Ms. Lopez. "We have to be careful that we don�t kill small industries that can make a difference in Jamaica," she said.

Oliver Clarke, who is also president of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, was intrigued by Min. Farrakhan�s work to uplift the poor and the discipline and other values the Minister preached. He was also intrigued that the Minister�s father shared the same last name as his family.

Still the business leader was concerned about other things Min. Farrakhan reportedly had said. After telling Imam Douglas Owen-Ali, a local Islamic leader, that he�d like to meet Min. Farrakhan, the luncheon took shape.

"I was fascinated today to hear Min. Farrakhan talking about the need for people to be able to get along and form alliances�even if they didn�t agree with what everybody said. My own view is the way forward for Jamaica, and the way forward for many societies, is for like-minded people to form alliances that you can change things," he said.

A different point of view on some issues should not justify not working together on common ground, Mr. Clarke said.

The problem of crime and violence is an acute one for Jamaica and there is a need for all sectors of society to prosper, he continued. The apparent discipline of the Nation of Islam requires study, "because if that could be copied in other models, it would in many ways transform a lot of areas," Mr. Clarke said.

Later that evening, Mr. Clarke and other business leaders enjoyed a dinner with Min. Farrakhan hosted by Imam Owen-Ali and sponsored by businessman Ransford White.

Imam Ali said the goal is to build bridges of humanity and move forward for a better world. That Muslims, Christians, Jews and Rastafarians could sit together for this dinner is symbolic of Jamaica�s motto, "Out of Many, One People," he said.