Crime and its negative impacts are major concerns for The Bahamas and its CARICOM neighbours, it was disclosed during the Community Council of Ministers of CARICOM meeting in Guyana on Monday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and The Public Service Fred Mitchell upon his return to The Bahamas from that meeting yesterday, said some of the matters addressed during the meeting were the national strike in Venezuela, a possible war in Iraq, and crime.
“Crime and security in all [CARICOM] countries is a huge issue, particularly as regards the supply of guns which we believe is coming out of The United States. Guns are really wreaking havoc in our societies,” Mr. Mitchell said.
Speaking to reporters at the House of Assembly, he said that steps would be taken to address the illegal firearms problem by seeking to prevent their transport from countries where they are manufactured into The Bahamas.
“The availability of guns must somehow be stopped or severely curtailed,” he said. “So I think Heads of Government will be looking toward specific ways that the U.S. and other developed countries might be approached to deal with the question of guns and the smuggling of weapons into our countries.”
The problem of illegal migration to The Bahamas also received attention during the two-day meeting, he said.
Minister Mitchell said he met with Dawn Marshall, a Bahamian lecturer at the University of the West Indies, who has researched the impact of Haitian migration to The Bahamas since 1977. Mr. Mitchell said additional research conducted by Mrs. Marshall could be used to help stem the flow of illegal migrants entering The Bahamas.
During one of its business sessions, the Council approved CARICOM’s 2003 budget, with the Bahamas agreeing to contribute approximately $1 million.
Other matters of regional concern were also discussed during the 11th meeting of the Community Council. One of those issues was what role The Bahamas play in a unified Caribbean economy.
Minister Mitchell reiterated that Minister Christie is expected to officially report on The Bahamas position in July of this year regarding the Single Market and Economy.
Mr. Mitchell said, however, that discussions were not limited solely to regional matters.
As international observers watch to see what will be the outcome of the war threat in Iraq, The Bahamas position with respect to a decision on whether war is justified has not changed.
“The Heads of Government will be asked to define a position on Iraq. Our position is, of course, that the United Nations is the body that should settle international disputes,” Mr. Mitchell said.
The Community Council also functions as a preparatory body for CARICOM meetings, which includes approval of an agenda for upcoming meetings.
The draft agenda for the next inter-sessional meeting of CARICOM, scheduled for February 14 and 15 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, was approved in Monday’s meeting.
Matters to be addressed in the Port-of-Spain meeting are the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, the Caribbean Court of Justice, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations.
By Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
