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STATEMENT BY THE HON. FRED MITCHELL MP
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS &
THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
DONORS’
CONFERENCE
MADRID, SPAIN
30th
November 2006
I wish to
thank the Government of Spain for hosting this important
conference. The Bahamas is one of Haiti’s closest neighbours and we
thought that it was particularly important for us to be here today
to reaffirm our support for the democratic process in Haiti that can
only be bolstered by Haiti’s economic success.
It was a
matter of some regret that we were unable to be represented at an
earlier conference held in Haiti but suffice it to say that we
supported that effort as well and all of the continuing efforts of
the international community to ensure that Haiti has a peaceful
future with not just the promise of economic development but with
the fulfillment of all of its development goals.
When you visit
Haiti, you cannot help but be impressed by the industry and
aggression of its people in the realm of buying and selling. The
city of Port-au-Prince is awash with vendors plying their wares.
This spirit of industry and hard work should be properly captured
and enhanced for the greater national good. The donors who are
gathered here today to reaffirm their commitment to Haiti will help
to do precisely that.
While it is
clear that there are general investments that must be made by the
government and multilateral lending agencies in infrastructure both
physical and institutional, the fact is that the most equitable form
of development will take place when the people of Haiti and their
talents are properly harnessed and enhanced by an investment in the
people. People are a valued resource for Haiti. I dare say Haiti’s
most valuable resource.
The
Commonwealth of The Bahamas has more than a passing interest in
Haiti. Haiti sits about 90 miles to the south of us and there is a
history of both legal and in recent times mainly illegal migration
to The Bahamas from Haiti. We have been working with successive
governments toward building democracy and toward stabilizing the
economy of Haiti in concert with the international community. Sadly
on many occasions we have seen our hopes dashed when the world lost
interest in Haiti’s future. There seemed to be the view that once
the job was done, the world could pack up and go home.
This time, The
Bahamas hopes to remind all who would listen that we have an
enduring obligation to Haiti. This means that we cannot think that
the job is ever done. Haiti needs our help and the stability and
peace of our hemisphere and indeed the world is dependent on how
Haiti is helped. We cannot afford to fail.
The Bahamas is
itself seeking to find concrete ways that it can assist. It has
worked through Caricom to help with practical forms of assistance.
Most recently the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas Cynthia Pratt
who is also the Minister for National Security visited Haiti with
the Commissioner of Police to offer training for police officers
from Haiti in our police college in Nassau. Further, the Bahamas
Telecommunications Company Ltd. recently signed a landmark agreement
with Telico, the Haitian telephone company which links the two
countries by fibre optic submarine cable. This will enhance
communications for both countries throughout the hemisphere and the
world. Our Ambassador Eugene Newry has played a full role in
seeking to advance the cause of business development. Our Chamber
of Commerce has been asked to work with the private sector of Haiti
to see what trade and commercial opportunities there are.
That is some
of what we are pledged to do with our meagre resources. We believe
that more can be done by the international community. We must end
the depletion of Haiti’s human capital by seeking to find ways for
Haitians to remain at home and not lose their talents and expertise
by moving abroad.
Our message
then is a simple one. Haiti continues to need our help. All who can
help should help, each to his own measure. It is important that we
remember the commitment that we all have to Haiti and her people.
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