'Trust' basis of U.S.-Bahamas dealings, Peet tells Rotarians

By TAMARA McKENZIE,Guardian Staff Reporter tamara@nasguard.com

Despite unflattering portraits of The Bahamas recently printed in The Miami Herald and an attempt by a local tabloid to "invent" stories about U.S./Bahamas relations, it is important to concentrate on the positive when it comes to the relationship that The Bahamas shares with the United States, said Minister of Immigration and Labour, Vincent Peet on Tuesday.

Mr Peet was addressing the Rotary Club of Nassau on the state of Bahamas/United States

relations, filling in for Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell. Mr Mitchell is presently in Jamaica attending the First China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum.

According to Mr Peet, the government is dedicated to working along with the United States to resolve common issues, such as the anti-drug effort, illegal Haitian immigration and economic trade investment. He added however, that as friends, both countries could speak frankly to one another and protect one another's interest, no matter what the forum is. "There is a level of trust between The Bahamas and the United States that undergirds the relationship," he said.

Mr Peet said further that the relationship between both countries continues to grow from strength to strength as they cooperate on both political and economic matters. He advised that Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell was expected to travel to Washington in a joint effort to meet with the Florida Congressional delegation on March 2 to discuss the developing relations between the two countries. These talks will include an effort to save funding for the OPBAT initiative. This is the major drug-fighting arm of the US/Bahamas relations.

This trip is also an effort to reaffirm the government's commitment to the fight against drugs and to ensure that the Florida delegation sees that the two countries and Florida in particular have a stake in the continuance of OPBAT, Mr Peet said.

The Acting Foreign Affairs Minister said in the future, greater cooperation is also expected in maritime matters, as the Comprehensive Maritime Agreement that was signed last year between the two countries becomes more fully operational.

The Government has also pledged to review the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and its integration into the fight against immigrant and drug smuggling, Mr Peet said, adding that the joint efforts between the U.S. Coast Guard and the RBDF on anti-smuggling patrols and search and rescue are good examples of cooperation.

Mr Peet also pointed out that The Bahamas also appreciates the sizable and immediate assistance given by the United States whenever hurricanes or natural disasters strike the country. He said although there may be differing points of views, the U.S./Bahamas relationship is the closest of all its international relationships, which is one of mutual respect and admiration for what both counties have.