Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a press statement by DNA leader, Branville McCartney:
Again, Prime Minister Hubert
Ingraham attempts to insult the intelligence of Bahamian public, suggesting
that it is not custom for heads of state to be notified in advance of
official visits from foreign leaders and that it was without adequate
notice that President Michel Martelly visited New Providence last week.
The Democratic National Alliance
(DNA) finds it far-fetched to believe that the Ingraham administration
was alerted of the Haiti President’s state visit only days before
his arrival. Bahamians are certainly not that naïve. If this is true,
this matter is far more disturbing than it may seem, as it suggests
that any foreign minister or head of state could enter The Bahamas without
our leadership knowing and approving their visit.
DNA leader, Branville McCartney
further reiterated that all registered voters in The Bahamas are Bahamian
citizens whose interests should reflect that of The Bahamas, and not
any other country. No head of state should interfere with the politics
of another nation; the Bahamian leadership should never allow another
head of state to interfere with Bahamian democracy.
Furthermore, “Mr. Ingraham
can not be serious in saying he sees nothing wrong with going into another
country and advising people of a Bahamian decent, who now are citizens
of another country, on how to vote in that country,” Mr. McCartney
said. “Perhaps Mr. Ingraham would like to try that in Trinidad &
Tobago, Barbados or even the United States.”
Nevertheless, this does not
excuse Prime Minister Ingraham to host a state visit during this heightened
political season. Now, due to this grave disrespect to Bahamian democracy,
the President’s visit and ill-timed remarks has had adverse affects
on these upcoming elections.
“Mr. Ingraham is wrong
to downplay these series of events and his selfish disregard for the
sovereignty of this country is an insult to all Bahamians—those born
of foreign decent or otherwise,” Mr. McCartney said.
Opposition leader, Perry
Christie should also be held accountable for hosting the Haitian president
at his home after his inappropriate remarks, especially if he purposely
withheld them until he was among his supporters and before the press.
Did Mr. Christie share his concerns with the President and, if so, what
was discussed?
In reference to the Prime
Ministers comments to journalists this Saturday in North Andros that
the “DNA is an un-established party” Mr. McCartney reminded him,
“our validation comes not from a discredited leader trying to avoid
inevitable demise by refusing to debate his opponents and prolonging
the election day, our validation comes from thousands of voices singing
out for a new direction.” In case he forgot, Mr. McCartney added,
“the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
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