From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

International
(Video) Rededication of Plaque in Honor of Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy
By US Embassy
Dec 23, 2012 - 12:13:16 PM



Nassau, Bahamas - On Friday, December 21st, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman joined the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Perry G. Christie and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Fred Mitchell in the rededication of a plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s visit to The Bahamas for international talks, which became known as the Nassau Agreement.  The commemorative ceremony took place at the intersection of West Bay Street and Blake Road, where President Kennedy planted a commemorative tree on December 22, 1962 after signing the historic agreement.

The Nassau Agreement was a treaty negotiated between former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on December 22, 1962.  The agreement enabled the UK Polaris program, which provided the UK with a supply of nuclear-capable Polaris missiles, and in return the United States was able to lease a nuclear submarine base in Glasgow.

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Archive photos courtesy of the White House via the Embassy of the United States of America.

In his remarks, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman noted that the legacy of John Fitzgerald Kennedy is not just remembered with fondness by the people of the United States, but indeed by millions throughout the world who looked to him for reassurance and stability during one of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century.

“President Kennedy not only personified the idealism of 1960’s America, he also evoked the core precepts and values that made the nation great,” Mr. Dinkelman said.  “He taught that when economic fairness and equal opportunity are combined with social responsibility, there is no challenge that cannot be overcome.”


Archive photos courtesy of the White House via the Embassy of the United States of America.

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Archive photos courtesy of the White House via the Embassy of the United States of America.



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Archive photos courtesy of the White House via the Embassy of the United States of America.




JFK-6.jpg
Archive photos courtesy of the White House via the Embassy of the United States of America.



JFK-7.jpg
Archive photos courtesy of the White House via the Embassy of the United States of America.



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Remarks by Chargé  d’Affaires John Dinkelman at the Rededication of the JFK Plaque

December 21, 2012


With protocol established, I would like to first thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for inviting the Embassy’s participation in the rededication of this historic site where one of America’s most beloved presidents once stood.

The legacy of John Fitzgerald Kennedy is not just remembered with fondness by the people of the United States, but indeed by millions throughout the world who looked to him for reassurance and stability during one of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century.

Known simply as “JFK”, President Kennedy not only personified the idealism of 1960’s America, he also evoked the core precepts and values that made the nation great.  He taught that when economic fairness and equal opportunity are combined with social responsibility, there is no challenge that cannot be overcome.

Fifty years ago this week at the height of the Cold War, President Kennedy came to New Providence to meet with Prime Minister Harold MacMillan for a sixth meeting on global security.  The resulting Nassau Agreement stands as a significant milestone in the history of international security cooperation – one from which we continue to benefit to this day.

Thankfully, our attention has long since turned away from the threat of global nuclear war.  Nevertheless, we must now face together the challenge of protecting ALL that we hold dear from individuals and organizations that seek to do us harm.

As we commemorate what was accomplished here, we should reflect upon the close ties that continue to exist between our nations and renew our determination to stand together in mutual defense of our shared values and the common goals of enhancing stability and improving regional security.

On behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States of America, I thank the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for this tribute to a beloved American leader who was uniquely blessed with the opportunity to visit this beautiful country.

Thank you.



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