In less than 12 hours, Florida Governor Jeb Bush seems to have spurred government into taking more aggressive action on a number of pressing local and international issues.
Topping the agenda was the “tug-of-war” battle between Cuba and the US over two Cuban doctors held at the Carmichael Detention Centre; the much publicised Detention Centre fiasco involving a Miami-based reporter, and the installation of an LNG re-gasification terminal on Ocean Cay.
In his first official visit to the Bahamas yesterday, the governor met with Prime Minister Perry Christie and the majority of his Cabinet to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Usually late for engagements, Mr Christie was waiting for Governor Bush when the press arrived. The meeting was scheduled to last only half an hour, but ran well over an hour. It was not open to the press.
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr Christie addressed the press, only alluding to the fact that he and the governor had had “cordial and open discussions” on a number of issues.
“We have discussed a number of points which have covered the Bahamas/Florida relations: Education, the LNG position in the Bahamas by both companies that applied, the provision of gas to Florida and the position of the two detainees at the Detention Centre who have received visas to enter the United States.
“The meeting to my mind was frank and purposeful. We have clearly developed a degree of understanding on the educational challenges of the Bahamas and the manner in which we should go about working with Florida, and the institutions of Florida and the governor’s office,” he said.
Mr Christie said that they also had “frank discussions” on LNG and the government’s position on the proposal.
“Clearly a decision is necessary in moving ahead. It is a valuable resource that Florida is looking forward to receive, hopefully from the Bahamas – to the great benefit of the Bahamas.
“We spoke to the governor specifically about assistance in establishing a regulatory regime that will govern any such facility established in the Bahamas. And again to have a shared approach towards regulating the industry as they will have to do on the Florida end as we would have to in turn do on the Bahamas’ end,” he said.
Governor Bush said that Florida and the Bahamas are tied together by history, culture, and geography.
“The relationship we have, while strong, can only get stronger with mutual cooperation,” he added.
One such effort to strengthen the relationship is the implementation of the Florida Bahamas Classrooms Connections Exchange Programme.
The programme seeks to create an infrastructure and network for Florida-based schools to partner with Bahamians schools for educational enrichment and social advancement. The schools selected to pilot in the new initiative are Woodcock Primary, S C McPherson Junior High and C I Gibson Senior High School.
By PAUL TURNQUEST and KARIN HERIG Tribune Staff Reporters
