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"I like all the candidates. They‘re all my friends. I like and respect them. Any one of them will beat Jean Chretien. But for the benefit of the country, he‘ll lead the country more effectively than the others Jelinek said, however, his support of Charest doesn‘t mean the other candidates, including Campbell, aren‘t worthy of the delegates‘ supâ€" port. If Charest is to win the leadership, he‘ll have to overtake Defence Minister Kim Campbell, considered the favorite to replace Mulroney. Jelinek believes, however, that Charest, not Campbell, has the right qualities to lead the party to victory in the next federal election. "He understands our most preâ€" cious resource is youth. He underâ€" stands the basics of the economic and business community. And he has ‘winability‘," Jelinek said. "I believe that Jean Charest is in a far better position to win a strong majority for the party," he added. before announcing his support for Charest. "It‘s important the delegates have the final decision (at the leadership convention), not some backâ€"room elite organization," Jelinek said. Jelinek added his letter should in no way be misconstrued as an attempt to influence how the deleâ€" cates will vote. "I just want them to know my feelings," he said. Jelinek said in an interview from Ottawa that he purposely waited until riding associations had chosen their convention delegates Earlier this year, Jelinek announced he would not seek the leadership and would retire followâ€" ing the federal election. The letter, which was mailed to the delegates Thursday, outlines Jelinek‘s reasons for backing Charest. The PC party will elect a new leader to replace Prime Minister Brian Mulroney during the leaderâ€" ship convention, June 11th to June 13th in Ottawa. Calling Charest "a man of subâ€" announced his deciâ€" sion during a televised press conferâ€" ence last Wednesday. The Oakyvilleâ€" Milton MP‘s press secretary Peter Wallace said Jelinek read a form letâ€" ter addressed to PC leadership conâ€" vention delegates during the press conference. Jelinek throws support behind Charest By SAL BOMMARITO Oakville Beaver Staff evenue Minister Otto Jelinek is supporting Environment Minister Jean Charest in his bid for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party. "I told the national media two months ago that there‘s not going to be a coronation for anyone. It‘s good for the party that there‘s going to be a race. I‘m glad it‘s going to be a race. It‘s important the other candiâ€" dates are there to contribute. I‘m very happy with what‘s happening," Jelinek said. Jelinek said he‘s not worried that he‘s part of a minority of people picking Charest to win the leaderâ€" ship. would," he said. to be a coronation for anyone.‘ ‘I told the national media two months ago that there‘s not going Otto Jelinek