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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 As the 25th Inter-Sessional meetings of the CARICOM Heads of Government conclude and political heads return to the daily cut and thrust of governance in their respective countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell provided an update on some of the discussions held during the two days of meetings at Buccament Bay, St. Vincent.
On the highly emotive and controversial law enacted by the government of the Dominican Republic regarding citizenship to neighbouring Haitians, the Minister had this to say:
“There was a full discussion on this issue. The Bahamas took the position that CARICOM must engage as an observer to the process of mediation between Haiti and the Dominican Republic which was initiated by the president of Venezuela. The Bahamas raised its own migration issues and we are set to meet in a bilateral meeting on these migration issues next Thursday in Port au Prince.”
On the other controversial issue of medical marijuana, the Minister had no comment save to say that “The Bahamas continues to have a watching brief on that matter. (We) will await the commission’s report.” The status quo on this drug remains; Marijuana is a dangerous and illicit drug in The Bahamas.
Turning his attention to the budget for the regional commission on reparations for African slavery and native genocide, Minister Mitchell confirmed that “there was a general decision on this, including note taken of the budget allocations but for The Bahamas, (however) we will decide once our own local commission advise us on a way forward.” To date, the names of the local reparation commission are former Minister of Education and Attorney General, Alfred Sears and former PLP Member of Parliament for North Long Island, Philip Smith. Mitchell said that a full committee will be appointed once the government delegation returns home.
Given the rich history and close ties between both countries, the status of the Turks and Caicos Islands was put on the CARICOM agenda at the request of The Bahamas. Minister Mitchell has been vocal in his support for the full restoration of democracy to our neighbor to the south. “We support the internal efforts at the full restoration of democracy there” said Mitchell, quoting an official statement issued on the matter. He said that he has met with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament and has raised the matter with the British Foreign Secretary in Sri Lanka, but both sides had differing views on of the internal matters there.
The Bahamas reiterated its official position on the TCI matter at these meetings by respectfully urging CARICOM “to keep the matter under review and to support the calls for the British to accept some financial responsibility and also for the full restoration of democracy with a new constitution after consultation with the elected representatives of TCI and the people of TCI.”
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