|
Remarks at the Independence Day
Service the Jamaican Community
In The Bahamas
By the Hon. Fred Mitchell MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Grace Gospel
5TH
August 2006
I am pleased and
honoured to be here this afternoon, joining in the celebrations of the
44th anniversary of the independence of Jamaica. I was in
Jamaica on Monday last for a meeting with the European Union Ambassadors
accredited to The Bahamas but resident in Jamaica so I have gotten a
first hand look at developments in your country.
Increasingly
Jamaica’s is an important voice on the world stage. With a population of
two and a half million at home and with an equal number abroad, its
reach from the Caribbean across the seas is significant.
We in The Bahamas
appreciate the close working relationship that we have had over the
years with successive Jamaican governments, and the close relationships
at the people to people level.
No clearer example
of that people to people relationship is that of the founding Prime
Minister of The Bahamas the late Sir Lynden Pindling whose father came
to The Bahamas to work as policeman from
Jamaica.
Because Jamaica is
the closest neighbour we have in the English speaking Caribbean, our
commercial and cultural ties are also strong. You will find evidence of
that in the increasing availability of Jamaican products. Jamaican
culture including its music, dance and plays are available in The
Bahamas.
There is also the
fact that many Bahamians go to school in Jamaica at the University of
the West Indies and at the University of the Northern Caribbean. Our
Prime Minister will be traveling to Jamaica soon to receive an honorary
doctorate from the University of the Northern Caribbean, the Seventh day
Adventist University
located in Mandeville.
At the
Governmental level, The Bahamas co-operates within the Caricom context
in Foreign Affairs most closely with
Jamaica.
I was pleased recently to get a comprehensive briefing from the Foreign
Minister of Jamaica on the preparations for the Non Aligned Movement’s
summit in Havana,
Cuba scheduled for September of
this year; and we in The Bahamas have not forgotten the assistance that
Jamaica gave us when the HMBS Flamingo was tragically sunk by Cuban MIGs
in 1980.
What struck me
about my visit there is the performance of the economy of Jamaica. The
country appears to be doing well. Despite the reports of crime and
violence, the tourism product is doing well. The Government believes
that it is tackling the crime. The business community is ebullient and
confident. In fact the US dollar reserves of Jamaica stand most
recently at 2.1 billion dollars.
I want to take
this opportunity to congratulate you on the recent transition from Prime
Minister P.J. Patterson to the new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.
Mr. Patterson was well known to us in The Bahamas, and we are seeking
an early official visit to The Bahamas by Mrs. Simpson Miller.
Your success is
our success; and on the occasion of this 44th anniversary, it
is my special honour.
I was also able on
Monday last to convey to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tony Hilton our
sincere condolences on the passing of your late cultural icon Louise
Bennett, affectionately known as Miss Lou. She performed here in The
Bahamas and many people remember her with fondness.
It is only left
then for me to say on behalf of the Government of The Commonwealth of
The Bahamas, congratulations again on this special anniversary. I trust
that you will continue to find your life in The Bahamas useful and
productive, and we thank you for your contribution to our national
life.
Congratulations to
Jamaica. God bless Jamaica and God Bless the Commonwealth of
The Bahamas.
-- end --
|
