The governement is being urged to hold a referendum before The Bahamas signs onto the Free Trade of The Americas Agreement (FTAA).
A local organisation, “Bahamians Agitating For A Referendum On The FTAA” considers this move to be vital to the future of the Bahamian public.
This emerged yesterday during a radio debate, regarding the FTAA, between attorney Reginald Lobosky, Gilbert Morris and Paul Moss, on Island FM’s “Parliament Street”, with host Jerome Sawyer discussing “The Other Side of FTAA”.
Mr. Moss said he is part of the local organisation and that the process has too many far reaching consequences for Bahamians not to have a say.
“We recognise the whole negotiation process is shrouded in secrecy,” he said, “Not since the abolition of slavery would such an initiative change the social, political and economic landscape of the government.”
He said his organisation will be travelling the country, raising petitions on this issue. “Our constitution is for the people and we want Bahamians to be able to have their say.”
He continued, “No one is an expert on this because no one knows what it is and what the final draft will look like.”
Mr. Lobosky, who sits on the Trade Commission, said the commission has been working with many people to formulate an exact position.
He said that in the initial stages of the preparation of the FTAA he was a huge critic.
Gilbert Morris said the notion of law requires an open transparent process. “What is the 25 year vision of The Bahamas and what do you hold in reserve if anything when you go to the table?”
Mr. Lobosky said the country should weigh the pros and cons before outrightly saying “No”.
Source: Article by Cara Brennen, The Tribune
