The United States Ambassador to the Bahamas J Richard Blankenship has come under heavy fire once again, this time from a leading businessman who said he wants the Ambassador to know that America is not a dictatorship that can speak categorically and offend its neighbours without some consequence.
Chairman of Arawak Homes Franklyn Wilson said the patriotism of every Bahamian is being tested by Mr Blankenship’s continued statements that have been viewed by some as offensive.
Mr. Wilson was speaking as part of a round table discussion on the Love 97 Radio programme “Jones & Company” Sunday.
Mr Wilson to be characterised as “corrupt and dishonest.”
“I do not know for sure what the government is doing in specific terms, but I can say, I believe that this matter is not escaping their attention and I note with considerable interest that the Ambassador said he is speaking for his government, we know that, we hear that,” he said.
“But we know that the United States government has many arms and when he talks about speaking for his government and so on and so forth, let’s not forget that there are many voices in the administration in America and the Bahamas has a lot of friends and we may be small, but we have some friends and we have ways and means of making our point.”
An editorial in the Bahama Journal highlighted the opinions of several Bahamians who suggested that Mr Blankenship be asked to leave the Bahamas . Those Bahamians also urged Prime Minister Perry Christie, as a matter of urgency to initiate steps to have the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas recalled.
The editorial also suggested that the prime minister go to “great pains” to show the President of the United States that the recall of the current office holder would be in the interest of preserving, defending and expanding this country’s cordial, respectful and reciprocal beneficial relationship with the United States.
The editorial states: “No matter how well intentioned he may be, he must be told the truth that he is out of order. The latest outrage from this man comes packaged in the form of a threat disguised as if it were an ultimatum.”
The United States has threatened to stop military funding and assistance to the Bahamas in the event the government refuses to sign a comprehensive Maritime Law enforcement agreement by June 2003, according to Mr. Blankenship.
Remarks made by the US Ambassador have given the Bahamas an ultimatum – support an initiative of the government of the United States or face having certain assistance withdrawn by 2003.
Mr Wilson said he supports the editorial position of the Bahama Journal and commended the author “for not having been even more strident” in describing just how much out of order Mr Blankenship has been.
“But, this God we serve works in mysterious ways and I believe that as we approach the 30th year of independence we must thank him. Thank him for reminding us that sovereignty does in fact matter; thank him for reminding us that there are people like him who are prepared to stand-up for their country,” he said.
“He is standing up for their country and it is my hope and prayer that he is rallying more and more Bahamians to be prepared to stand up for their country – the Bahamas .”
Godfrey Eneas, another guest on the round table discussion, said although the situation has made Mr Blankenship very unpopular among Bahamians, they are smart enough to separate America from Mr Blankenship.
“I think what has happened is that many Bahamians see Mr Blankenship as a Trent Lott type individual, who is a product of an era that is past and of a time which we would rather forget, but I don’t think Mr Blankenship really appreciates the way Bahamians really feel about these issues and judge his temperament,” he said.
Speaking along the same line, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said last week that the relationships that Bahamians have with other countries goes far beyond personalities.
By Rogan Smith, The Bahama Journal
