NASSAU, The Bahamas – The future looks bright for relations between The Bahamas and Florida, despite an investigation into the alleged beating of a Cuban-American journalist by Royal Bahamas Defense Force officials.
The positive assessment of Bahamas-Florida relations was given by Brian P. Williams, International Liaison and Analyst in the Executive Office of the Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, during an interview at the US Embassy in Nassau on Friday, February 17, 2006.
Williams is a member of the delegation of Governor Bush, who is scheduled to make an official visit to The Bahamas on Monday, February 20, 2006.
Governor Bush, brother of United States President George W. Bush, will promote a new program initiated in Florida called The Global Florida Classroom Connection. This scheme would pair up schools in Florida with schools in The Bahamas via the Internet, creating a modern-day pen-pal system.
“We think that overall this would increase the international awareness for students in both places,” Williams said. “We realize that we live in a globalized world and that’s an important facet of education.”
Mr. Williams is of Bahamian lineage – his great-grand father, who hailed from Exuma, migrated to Miami in the 1920s and met his great-grand mother, a descendant of Eleuthera.
He joined the Governor’s office in August, 2004, and in January, 2005, was promoted to International Liaison and Analyst in the Executive Office of the Governor-Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, in the International Affairs Unit.
On the controversy surrounding the alleged beating of the Cuban-American journalist at the Detention Centre on Carmichael Road on February 7, Mr. Williams said given the close ties between The Bahamas and Florida, and the vibrant Cuban community in Florida, US officials are very concerned about the issue.
“Given the fact that it is being resolved by the Bahamian Government and the US Federal Government, the State of Florida is not actively involved in finding a solution, but the Governor hopes that a solution would be found soon,” he said.
With responsibilities in international trade relations, Mr. Williams commented on concerns of small developing states like The Bahamas on the pending Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
“Obviously, issues like democratic values, security, combating narco-trafficking, educational programs are all important issues for the Americas,” he said. “Free trade is a good thing. We know that it can be beneficial to Florida, United States, The Bahamas and all the Americas. So the Governor is a very strong supporter of the FTAA.”
He said there are reports that FTAA talks have stalled and the US is pursuing other free trade agreements beneficial to that country.
Miami and the Caribbean twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago are competing to host the FTAA Secretariat.
According to Mr. Williams, both parties are gaining endorsement for their respective venues. The FTAA is being negotiated by 34 countries of the Americas, aimed at creating the most far-reaching trade agreement in history. However, small island nations of the Caribbean Community, of which The Bahamas is a member, are concerned about their agricultural-based economies and small businesses being pushed out by the larger entities.
Mr. Williams acknowledged that agricultural concerns are some of the primary issues on the FTAA agenda, and is confident that all issues would be resolved shortly in a manner that is beneficial to all parties involved.
He said tourism is an important industry to both the Florida and Bahamas economies, while in the area of trade, Miami specifically, and other small ports, have niche markets with the Caribbean.
“So any disruption in our economy and infrastructure can have adverse effects on the Bahamian economy, but we are working together and that seems to be going very well,” Mr. Williams said.
