A number of Bahamians have been complaining to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that upon their arrival at Florida airports, U.S. Customs and Immigration officers have subjected them to embarrassing secondary searches.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told the House of Assembly yesterday that he had informed the U.S. government about objections to the searches. However, U.S. Ambassador, John Rood indicated that such searches were not unusual. Mr Mitchell said, “U.S. Ambassador, John Rood has indicated by letter, (dated 27 April), that random inspections are performed by the Immigration, Customs, and Drug Enforcement agencies of the United States all over the world. And I quote: ‘No one country is the target of these random inspections.'” Mr Mitchell added that he witnessed one of the searches himself and asked U.S. authorities about them because many Bahamian passengers have not only expressed their disapproval but also discomfort with the “nature of the questions.”
“I would only say that the searches are, of course, the right of the American authorities,” explained Mr Mitchell.
“Just as we are able to search in this country, this right applies even though the flight is pre-cleared in Nassau. Bahamians should note therefore, that this is always a possibility.”
However, Mr Mitchell pointed out that his Ministry was standing ready to assist Bahamians if “normal” complaints’ services proved ineffective. The foreign minister also used the occasion to update House members on his visit to Grenada on April 24-25 for CARICOM’s Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) meeting. The Bahamas relinquished the Chair of COFCOR to Grenada at that meeting. Mr Mitchell then flew to Barbados where he represented The Bahamas at a Biennial UK/CARICOM forum summit. Many of the issues at that Barbados meeting, including regional trade, will again be addressed at the Vienna Biennial summit which will involve leaders from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean. The summit will be held in Vienna, Austria on May 12-13.
Mr Mitchell also said that he accepted an invitation to travel to Antigua and Barbuda on April 28-30 where he pledged to give US $1,000 to a primary school in Barbuda on behalf of The Bahamas government.
He also said that The Bahamas Ambassador to Haiti, Dr Eugene Newry will attend the inauguration of Haiti’s President Ren� Pr�val. Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council declared Mr Pr�val winner of the presidential elections on February 16.
By: MINDELL SMALL, The Nassau Guardian
