Nassau, Bahamas -
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
is gravely concerned that the present administration would allow a presidential
visit from a foreign country during a heightened political season.
While the DNA believes that Haiti
president, Michel Martelly should be welcomed to The Bahamas and it
offers an opportunity to strengthen international relations, this was
too sensitive of a time to do so.
As to President Martelly’s comments,
the DNA find them to be inappropriate, not only because of the political
season, but it also seemed to be a shameful political ploy by the Free
National Movement to manipulate the process.
DNA leader, Branville McCartney said
this unfortunate political tactic is a direct attack on Bahamian democracy,
the victims being all Bahamians—those of foreign decent or otherwise,
who uphold the ideals of the nation and their right to vote for whichever
political party they see fit.
“As the DNA recognizes, moreso now
after this disturbing visit, that the country’s leadership is in dire
need of reform; we also recognize that Haiti’s president should respect
the sovereignty of our democracy,” Mr. McCartney said.
The DNA found President Martelly’s
careless use of the word “riot” as inflammatory and to insinuate
that Bahamians of Haitian decent are being abused is misleading.
Mr. McCartney noted that The Bahamas
has always been accommodating to our Haitian neighbours, so when he
speaks of forming a pact, he should have been mindful that all voters
are Bahamian. In other words, if one is eligible to vote, their vote
should reflect Bahamian interests and not that of another country.
“Haiti’s president has a mammoth
task of redeveloping his country and that does not begin in The Bahamas,”
he said.
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