The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the United States of America engaged in the first partnership dialogue on Monday, December 17, 2012 to address the issue of transnational criminal activities and the impact on both countries. Pictured from left at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters on East Street are the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security; Liliana Ayalde, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Western Hemisphere Affairs, United States Department of State; Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie; and John Dinkelman, Charge’ d’ Affaires, United States Embassy, Nassau.
(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas –
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the United States of America engaged
in the fi
rst partnership dialogue on Monday, December 17,
2012 to address the issue of transnational criminal activities and the
impact on both countries.
The dialogue came about at the request of Prime Minister
the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie to United States Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, following The Bahamas general election on May 7, 2012.
The Prime Minister officially opened the dialogue
held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters
on East Street.
Opening statements were also delivered by the Minister
of National Security the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage; Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State, Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States
Department of State, Liliana Ayalde; and John Dinkelman, Charge’ d
Affaires, United States Embassy, Nassau.
The dialogue presented an opportunity for both countries
to work together in a forum of trust, mutual respect and shared responsibility
to counter continued vulnerability to transnational criminal activities.
Talks focused on narcotics smuggling, firearms control,
illegal migration, trafficking in persons, maritime domain awareness,
crime prevention and community security.
Dr. Nottage thanked the United States government
for “adding value” to The Bahamas’ national security
initiatives, cooperative operations and arrangements. He acknowledged
the $2.135 million to assist in the areas of law enforcement, strengthen
counter-narcotic control capabilities, drug demand reduction, the rule
of law and anti-corruption.
Mrs. Ayalde said it was an honour to address the
meeting, with a view to gaining a better understanding of the challenges
The Bahamas is facing in the area of citizen security, and to seek ways
to work together to confront these priority challenges.
“Our meeting today underscores the close ties between
our nations and the commitment to build upon our strong and historic
foundations. The United States and The Bahamas enjoy a strong bilateral
relationship built on shared interest in security, strengthening democracy
and promoting trade and cultural exchanges,” she said.
Amongst the presenters were: the Hon. Philip Davis,
Deputy Prime Minister on the Philosophy, Structure and Funding of Urban
Renewal; the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration;
Missouri Sherman-Peter, Chair, National Trafficking in Persons; Cynthia
Pratt, Co-Chair, Urban Renewal Commission; Commodore Roderick Bowe,
Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Strategies for Maritime and Air Awareness;
Cheryl Bassett, DHS Unit Chief for Human Smuggling & Trafficking,
United States Government; and Megan Oates, United States Government
presentation on Crime, Prevention, Community Empowerment and Corrections.
