By: Lindsay Thompson
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas will continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette said.
Mr. Symonette confirmed that during a press conference held Thursday, June 7 to brief the media on his trip to the 37th Annual General Assembly of the Organisation of America States (OAS) held June 3 to 5, 2007 in Panama City, Panama.
“We had an opportunity to meet with various members of the OAS executive to discuss general key issues – one being energy sustainable development throughout the Caribbean, security, drug control, anti-terrorism and OAS budget,” Mr. Symonette said.
Mr. Symonette said relations with the United States of America “are on better terms than they were under the former administration.”
And as for Cuba, he said: “The Bahamas would continue to maintain its relations with countries that we currently have diplomatic relations with and foster them to the best of our ability. So, there is no feeling that Cuba would be treated any differently.
Responding to a recent incident at sea, Mr. Symonette noted that three Bahamians were shot – two died – in waters near Guantanamo, Cuba in an alleged drug incident. He said that the families would receive the bodies of the deceased. The matter is still under investigation, he added.
The OAS is made up of 35 member-states representing North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. However, only 34 states are active participants. Cuba has been suspended since 1962. Other nations participate as permanent observers, which allows them to follow issues vital to the development of the Americas.
This year, The Bahamas marks its 25 member status in the OAS, which fosters co-operation on democratic values, promote human rights, and confront shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs and corruption.
The Bahamas was among member-states that signed the Declaration of Panama on Energy for Sustainable Development.
It expressed the “need to reduce countries’ vulnerability in light of fluctuating costs and demand of energy; increase co-operation and energy integration; and, considering the challenges presented by climate change, promote clean and efficient energy,” according to the declaration.
The declaration sets out the focus of the wishes and hopes of member states regarding sustainable development and energy.
“They are trying to encourage Governments to develop and promote alternative sources of energy and the rational use of existing energy sources,” explained Permanent Secretary Ms Shelia Carey.
And, as it relates to Haiti, Mr. Symonette said talks focused on stabilizing Haiti, which leads into the United States-CARICOM meeting slated for June 19 – 21 in Washington D.C., continues.
The Prime Minister would be leading the Bahamian delegation. Meetings are to be held with US President George Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and members of Congress.
The meeting is called by the US, which is aimed at fostering relations with the Caribbean Community. Focus would be on trade, drug trafficking and security, financial services.
This meeting would be followed by the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Barbados, July 1 – 3.
