This according to a statement released by the United States embassy, two days after many Bahamians were shocked to learn of crudely threatening messages scrawled by an unknown person, or persons, who over the weekend broke and entered the Bahamas National Pride Association’s office at Fort Charlotte.
Brian Bachman, Chief of the Political and Economic Section of the US Embassy, told the Guardian Tuesday that the consulate is closely following the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s investigation into the matter and will offer its “full cooperation.”
“I really don’t know much more than what is in the paper. These threats were written in graffiti on the walls. We always take such threats seriously,” Mr. Bachman said.
“Bahamian police have the lead into the investigation and we are going to cooperate with them and follow their investigations quite closely,” he said.
And in the wake of the threats, which also included references to Prime Minister Perry Christie, a leading clergyman has called on local churches to be more creative in their programmes for those persons marginalised in the country.
“The church is now being challenged to work together to effect more programmes to reach more of those persons marginalised in our society,” New Covenant pastor, Bishop Simeon Hall told the Guardian Tuesday.
What the country is now witnessing, he said, is “evidence of sick minds in our society, almost of a demonic influence.”
Upon his visit to check the Bahamas National Pride Association’s office on Sunday, Executive Coordinator, Alpheus Ramsey, discovered the sprayed “messages” left behind. They included: an image of Prime Minister Christie on a hangman’s noose; next to the name of the US Ambassador, the number 187 was written, a code used for murder in the United States.
The individual or individuals responsible also left messages praising Osama Bin Laden, suspected of masterminding the U.S. September 11 terrorist attacks, and Iraq president Saddam Hussein.
For so far unknown reasons, the date “December 20, 2002” was also scrawled on the walls, with “rest in peace” appearing next to it.
There was also what appeared to be a message written in Arabic. An expert in Arabic was called in to translate it.
The culprit(s) sprayed every wall, picture, door and computer in the building, causing an estimated $20,000 in damages.
According to Bishop Hall, parents have to shoulder the responsibility for their children. “Every parent must take a personal responsibility for the child he or she has been privileged to bring into this world.
“We are faced with persons in our society who are clearly under sway of demons. This is not to say it is beyound our reach. But this is a spirit (with which) we are not familiar. So we must be creative and start to take concrete action,” he said.
A source close to the ongoing investigation, said that “no effort will be spared to track down the persons responsible for this crime.”
“We have yet to arrest anyone in connection with this matter, but our investigation is continuing,” the source said.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
