Still reeling from the attacks of September 11 one year later, the world’s economies may now suffer an additional setback.
World leaders have flocked to New York to attend the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. During this session, attention is being placed on the possibility of war in the Middle East.
In his address to the UN plenary today, U.S. President George W. Bush said the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was “a grave and gathering danger.” He called on Saddam to comply with the UN resolutions or face possible military action to remove him.
President Bush accused Saddam’s regime of continuing to stockpile weapons of mass destruction since the U.N. inspectors left in 1998.
The U.S. leader did not lay down any deadlines for returning inspectors to Iraq, but he did label the situation as “a difficult and defining moment” for the United Nations.
The question is what ramifications will such a war have on The Bahamas?
The Gulf War in the late 1980s caused tremendous economic downfall on the world, including The Bahamas. In light of recent economic struggles, economic analysts fear the worse.
The Bahamas will be well represented at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Fred Mitchell is leading The Bahamas delegation to the meeting and will deliver The Bahamas’ statement to the United Nations on behalf of Prime Minister Perry Christie on Saturday afternoon.
Mr. Mitchell was party to President Bush’s address as the debate continues, he may be required to cast the Bahamas’ vote to attack Iraq should negotiations reach that point.
Prior to his departure, Minister Mitchell spoke with the press at Nassau International Airport’s VIP lounge.
On the issue of Iraq, he said that The Bahamas supports UN consensus on the United States taking military action against Iraq.
“Generally speaking, our view is that the United Nations is the machinery for resolving disputes of any kind between nations,” he said.
There are some who feel however, that the United Statesﾒ interest in attacking Iraq is purely selfish. Just this week, former South African President Nelson Mandela condemned the U. S. for their stance saying that they were interested solely in oil and arms sales.
Mr. Mitchell said that the occasion was very important because the new administration would be addressing the world for the first time since being elected to office on May 2.
“We will take this opportunity to embrace and support and reaffirm our adherence to the principles of the United Nations, to its Charter and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he declared.
He also said that he will take the opportunity to reaffirm The Bahamas’ alliance with the United States, particularly at this time of remembrance of the September 11 tragedy.
Prior to Mr. Bush’s speech today, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan chastised both Iraq and the United States. He cautioned Iraq that it must comply with U.N. resolutions and warned the United States that no U.N. member “large or small” should act alone on major global issues as “a simple matter of political convenience.”
The Bahamas will also hold a number of bilateral talks “in the margins of the General Assembly”. They include a meeting with the South African delegation to discuss a visa abolition agreement and of particular interest to many Bahamians, a discussion with officials from the Republic of Haiti on the pressing issue of illegal migration.
A number of multilateral talks will also be held, including a meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and CARICOM representatives. It is expected that Mr. Powell will be lobbying heavily for Caribbean nations’ support to attack Iraq.
Minister Mitchell will also participate in a number of activities organized by the Bahamian-American Association in New York.
He said he may also have to take a side trip to Washington D.C. to meet with members of the Congressional Black Congress.
