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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
NASSAU, Bahamas - The Bahamas welcomed the 13th Ambassador of the United States of America on the mutual understanding of continuing to strengthen relations that exist between both countries.
His Excellency Arthur Hanna,
Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas accepted Letters
of Credence by Her Excellency Nicole Avant, 41, Ambassador of the United
States to The Bahamas, during a ceremony at Government House, Thursday
October 22. The Governor General also accepted Letters of Recall of
Ambassador Ned Seigel.
Ambassador Avant also paid
a courtesy call on the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister of the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette.
The Bahamas and United States
established relations on September 17, 1973 and both countries share
the historical experience as former British colonies.
“The success of Bahamas/United
States bi-lateral relations is augmented by our cooperation and shared
interest in a number of key issues of significance for the hemispheric
and international agenda as a whole.
“It is because of these shared and common concerns that our countries have been on one accord when such issues are addressed in regional and international for a such as the Organisation of American States and the United Nations. These include, among others, drug trafficking, terrorism, human rights, the environment and disarmament,” the Governor General said.
He said he welcomed Ambassador
Avant’s commitment to continue work on key priority issues of benefit
to both countries. These being protection of borders through programmes
designed to combat the transhipment of illicit drugs and the smuggling
of illegal migrants and illicit light weapons; enhanced joint efforts
against terrorism; the building of prosperity and economic security
and defence and promotion of human rights and democratic ideals.
The Government also fully appreciates
the ambassador’s recommitment to ensuring that OPBAT continues to
receive the full support and resources needed to carry out its mandate.
“This partnership is in its
21st year and is considered the hallmark of Bahamas/United
States efforts in counter-drug operations, and a model for such third
state cooperation,” the Governor General said.
The threat posed by nuclear
weapons proliferation and other weapons of mass destruction is also
a major concern, he said, adding that The Bahamas looks forward to the
continued collaboration to stem the flow of such weapons in the hemisphere.
He also mentioned the impact the global recession is having on Small Island developing nations particularly in the area of tourism.
As 70 per cent of tourists
come from North America, he said it is important that the partnership
between both countries be further strengthened and deepened.
The Bahamas looks forward to
enhanced assistance by the US Embassy’s Consular Section in facilitating
first-rate visa services for Bahamians, and the pursuit of civic and
cultural interaction between both countries, the Governor General said.
Ambassador Avant said that
she was honoured to have been appointed to The Bahamas, having been
appointed by President Barack Obama on June 16, 2009 and September 13,
2009.
She mentioned that her family
has a long connection to The Bahamas and brings to service a lifetime
of experience in philanthropy, politics and culture.
Ambassador Avant also pledged to work closely with The Bahamas Government on such issues as protection of borders against drug trafficking and illegal migrants, terrorism, building prosperity and economic security, defend and promote human rights and democratic ideals, and support sustainable energy and other programmed designed to raise environmental awareness and create new economic opportunities.
Nicole Avant was born on March
6, 1968 to music executive Clarence Avant, a former chairman of Motown
Records and Jacqueline Avant. She spearheads several multi-national,
multi-agency operations to combat international drug trafficking and
illicit weapons shipments.
The following is the text of remarks delivered by Nicole A. Avant, the 13th United States' ambassador to The Bahamas, on presenting her Letters of Credence to Governor General His Excellency Arthur D. Hanna at Government House on Thursday, October 22, 2009. Your Excellency, I am honoured to come before you today as the 13th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. I thank you, Your Excellency, and I thank the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for accepting my credentials as Ambassador. My family has a long connection to The Bahamas and I bring to my service as Ambassador a lifetime of experience in philanthropy, politics and culture. I intend to draw on this expertise to promote new opportunities between our countries. I am honoured and humbled to stand here today. Your Excellency, the United States and The Bahamas enjoy a close and productive bilateral partnership rooted in the many direct ties between our people. The Bahamian and American people share a commitment to the values of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. It is these values, together with our common interests and geographic proximity that make The Bahamas one of our closest partners in the Western Hemisphere. During my tenure as Ambassador, I will work closely with the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to: * Protect our borders through programs designed to combat the transshipment of illicit drugs and the smuggling of illegal migrants and weapons. * Enhance our joint efforts against terrorism. * Build prosperity and economic security for our peoples. * Defend and promote human rights and democratic ideals. I will work to ensure that Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, which is one of the most successful counter-drug operations in the world, receives our full support and resources. My Embassy will also continue to support the partnership between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the U.S. Coast Guard to deter illegal migration; a significant concern to both of our countries. Our mutual cooperation is vital to preventing weapons proliferation and to defeating terrorists that threaten our way of life. The United States and The Bahamas took important steps in the past by establishing the Megaports and Container Security Initiative programs in Freeport. I commend The Bahamas on its recent signing of the Proliferation Security Initiative, which facilitates our global cooperation to search any vessel on the high seas suspected of carrying components or weapons of mass destruction – an important issue given that The Bahamas has the world's third largest ship registry. I look forward to supporting these programs and partnering on similar successful programs during my tenure. In these challenging economic times, I believe that one of the most effective ways to ensure security and stability for our people is to partner on programs that promote economic prosperity, development and opportunity. Our economic partnerships are, of course, rooted in the extensive tourism and business travel that occurs each year between The Bahamas and the United States. To support this flow of people and ideas, I will ensure that my Embassy's Consular Section provides first-rate visa services for Bahamians and vital assistance to U.S. Citizens. To ensure economic security, we must also lay the groundwork to protect the environment. The Bahamas is well situated to take advantage of its abundant renewable energy sources; sun, wind, and ocean currents; and to provide for its own energy needs while developing new technologies and industries to export to the Caribbean region. As Ambassador, I will support sustainable energy and other programs designed to raise environmental awareness and create new economic opportunities. The United States and The Bahamas share a love of freedom, longstanding democratic traditions, and respect for human rights. While it is each government's responsibility to protect these rights for its own citizens, we also share a larger responsibility to stand up for these rights wherever they are threatened. And, where freedom and democracy are taking root, we must work together to nurture and to protect these sacred principles. In President Obama's recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, he noted that governments of the people and by the people are more likely to act in the broader interests of their own people, rather than narrow interests of those in power. Therefore, while we join forces to build a better world, I also look forward to working here in The Bahamas to build a better future for the Bahamian people. We have a strong record of doing so. Over the years, our Embassy has been a strong supporter of issues ranging from women's health to child literacy, HIV awareness and the challenges of the disabled through our support of the Special Olympics. We have also partnered to sponsor numerous training programs and workshops in the areas of law enforcement, intellectual property, energy, business development and freedom of the press. Our embassy staff and family members have volunteered their personal time to mentor troubled youth, assist victims of domestic violence and to participate in environmental clean-up campaigns. My family and I look forward to continuing this outstanding record of support. Finally, our embassy will also continue to offer on-going support for private, U.S-based investment and development in the Bahamas. As exemplified by these many civic programs, the United States Embassy is more than just a bridge between our two governments. It is also a bridge between our people and our societies. I intend to use my time in your beautiful and blessed country to build many new bridges between our governments and our people. I believe that this is why President Obama asked me to represent him and the American people in The Bahamas. He understands that our relationship with The Bahamas is essential to our national security. But the President and Secretary Clinton also believe that we can achieve even more together and I look forward to doing so. Your Excellency, in beginning my tenure as the 13th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I commit myself to deepening this extraordinary partnership of shared purpose and common values.
Thank you.
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