In June, during the Budget Debate, referring to the 1992 disappearance of several bags of seized cocaine in what has since been dubbed the “Inagua Incident”, Attorney General and Minister of Education Alfred Sears said that a special hearing would be conducted into the matter.
During a reception Wednesday to welcome Robert Kerr as new Chief of the Political, Economic and Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, Charg� d Affaires Robert Witajewski said that the Bush administration was “anxiously looking forward to the commencement of the inquiry.”
“We are very confident, given the high calibre of people conducting the inquiry, that it would be a complete, transparent investigation of a controversial issue and would satisfy all parties,” he said.
In an interview with the press, Mr. Witajewski, who heads the embassy until a new ambassador is appointed, said that the inquiry would clear those who have been unfairly linked to the incident because it was important “that there be no shadow over people for something they did not do.”
Expressing confidence that the Bahamas Government would carry out a complete and transparent investigation, he also commented on a number of other matters.
Referring to the call for a Drug Czar, made by former ambassador J. Richard Blankenship, Mr. Witajweski said it was up to the Bahamas Government to decide how best to organise its counter-drug strategy.
“We all have budget constraints. The issue is not what you call something but how do we make the maximum use with the resources we have,” he said.
The envoy also addressed the closure of the pre-clearance facility at Nassau International Airport, when Hurricane Isabel threatened two weeks ago.
“The temporary suspension of the operation of the pre-clearance facility was over as soon as Hurricane Isabel turned north and it was clear it was not going to hit Nassau,” Mr. Witajewski stressed. “That was the only reason that we temporarily suspended operation. We had a Category 5 hurricane, which was almost unprecedented in history coming straight at New Providence.
“As Chief of Missions, I have to be responsible for the safety of our employees – both U.S. and Bahamians,” he said.
Referring to Wednesday’s breakfast meeting with Caribbean leaders hosted by U.S. President George Bush, Mr. Witajewski said that Prime Minister Perry Christie’s attendance was “an example of the very close, positive relationship that we’ve got here in The Bahamas.”
“We have a unique cooperative relationship that works in the interest of both our countries in the case of drugs, illegal aliens, search and rescue operations,” he said.
Mr. Witajewski said that Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), an anti-drug programme involving The Bahamas, the United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which was established in 1982, was in the “best interest” of both countries.
Through OPBAT, he said, the amount of drugs trafficking through The Bahamas into the U.S. has been reduced.
Mr. Witajewski noted that over the years, more than one billion dollars in drugs have been seized through joint efforts, but unfortunately, due to The Bahamas’ geographical position, “there is no way of avoiding drug trafficking into this country. It is the easiest way to come up through Colombia through the passage between Hispaniola and Cuba.”
The Bahamas is the official’s first posting to an English-speaking country. He told of the impact of drugs on countries in Latin America.
“The Bahamas has been very active in keeping drug traffickers out of the country. The Government and people of The Bahamas know that,” he said.
Discussing the impending Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), Mr. Witajewski said that despite the temporary setback in talks at the recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) summit in Mexico, free trade is in everybody’s interests.
“Free trade generally creates prosperity,” he said, “and hemispheric and regional prosperity is going to help The Bahamas. The more disposable income people have, the more time and income they would have to come here and enjoy the beautiful attractions.”
He recognised that there are going to be some temporary negotiations along the way involving sensitive issues, “but with commitment and vision, the statesmen who lead their countries in the regional hemisphere would be able to overcome these and we would be able to get a free trade agreement in the next couple of years.”
By Lindsay Thompson, The Nassau Guardian
