Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas on his first voyage in 1492, and spent 12 days here before sailing on to Cuba and Hispaniola, signifying the long ties between the two nations. Over the years, the Bahamas and Cuba have experienced varied political, economic and cultural changes and transformation. While the Bahamas has maintained capitalism and democratic ideology all through the years, Cuba was able to experience traditional democratic ideologies before embarking on the historical revolution that ushered in the socialist system.
Notwithstanding the parallel, political transformation and alienation with key countries within the region, the ties between the Bahamas and Cuba remain uniquely historical and deep-rooted. The consequences of the juxtaposition of political and ideological dichotomy over the past four decades have obscured and undermined distinctly the general ties between all the countries within this hemisphere, not as a result of ideological differences but more as a result of the inevitable expedient political alignment and economic dependence.
Having allowed historical, ancestral and ideological ties to be apparently and greatly distorted and weakened by circumstantial political outcomes of an era, it is time that reasonable conciliatory effort be made to understand and appreciate the strategic importance of each country within the region, more especially the trio between the Bahamas, Cuba and the United States of America. Cuba is our historical cousin just like the United States.
The Bahamas’ strategic position between the U.S. and Cuba entails that we have to use our position to keep the “light in the dim tunnel’ of both countries in sight, until any time in the future when it would glow. This is why I support Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell’s foreign policy position regarding our evolving relationship with Cuba while broadening and deepening our ties with the United States of America.
His exhortation for the U.S. to understand and respect the Bahamas’ position is clearly reasonable. The U.S. must understand that the Bahamas is a sovereign nation, with an interest to protect and the bilateral relationship to forge ahead in order to promote the interests and future of all Bahamians. In protecting the general interest of all Bahamians, the government has been steadfast in maintaining the interest of the U.S. in the region and working co-operatively to protect its national security interest. A lot is at stake for the Bahamas, Cuba and the U.S.
We understand that the vast traditional, political non-compromise status existing between the polarised political ideology of socialism and capitalism as it relates to Cuba and the U.S., hence, the Bahamas must realise its strategic position between these two nations, and lead the charge to form a bridge of understanding. For the post 250 years the Bahamas has been an entrenched democratic nation. We have affirmed and re-affirmed our desire to remain democratic and an open market entity, notwithstanding any ties we may have had in the past, present or in the future. Hence, having a resident Ambassador in Cuba would not send wrong signal or pose any threat to our most regarded friend and ally, the USA.
Consequently, the Bahamas needs to move beyond the dictate of political dichotomy, towards a more political and economic embrace to Cuba in order to transcend the historical and ancestral relationship between it, Cuba and the US. We do recognise the immense and traditional brotherhood and friendship between us and the U.S., which we are committed in absoluteness to maintain and cement in the years ahead. We also recognise the historical relationship between us and Cuba and the proximity and economic challenges of such a relationship. There is a cultural trichotomy that has no dilemma between Cuba, The Bahamas and USA.
Cuba represents a very strategic regional economic partner for the Bahamas. It is clear that the Prime Minister the Hon. Perry Christie must make a decision of historical nature in respect of increasing bilateral relationships with Cuba and also attend or pay official visit, which could have a potential positive economic and cultural impact on the Bahamas. The Prime Minister needs to be the architect of history in this direction. Towards this end, the Bahamas should emulate the U.S. approach in having a resident interest in Cuba through the establishment of a Mission or Interest, similar to the U.S. Interest Section in Havana.
This move would enable the Bahamas and Cuba to prepare for closer bilateral ties to bolster trade and general economic relationship. The step by the Minister of Education and Attorney-General the Hon Alfred Sears and Trade Minister the Hon Leslie Miller in visiting Cuba is a step in the right direction. This is also similar to the efforts by some U.S. Senators’ visit to the Island to familiarize themselves with the state of Cuba. I commend the government for planning to send high-powered delegation to Cuba as a pivotal step in evolving our relationship with Cuba
There are over 200 Bahamian students studying in Cuba, which is a result of our beneficial mutual relationship with Cuba. Cuba is a giant in respect of medical practices and technological innovation. Its tourism potentials are unmatched within the North and South American continent. The Bahamas, as well as other countries within the region, have the privilege to tap on Cuba’s tourism potential. Tourism in the near future should be marketed as a packaged Caribbean multi -destination to gain the maximum potential returns and ensure the economic growth of the region.
Dr. Kevin Alcena,
Editorial,
The Nassau Guardian/B>
