Communication to
The Honourable House of Assembly
Hon. Fred Mitchell MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs & The Public Service

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the House that at my request, I have received a communication from the Commissioner of Police with regard to allegations about the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made in the press by a spokesman for the side opposite as recently as this morning and over the past week.

The substance of these allegations are the same as allegations made in 2005 and which I responded to in this place on 30^th November, 2005. The Commissioner of Police writes as follows:

"Please be advised that the police are continuing their investigation into allegations of a ‘visa scam’ at the Consular Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Frederick Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

"To date insufficient evidence has been gathered to charge or prosecute any person/s within or outside the Consular Office.

"Investigations are ongoing into this matter, and I will keep you informed of any further progress."

Mr. Speaker that is all I wish to say at this stage about this matter and I again appeal to the House to understand why I am necessarily circumspect about going any further.

This morning the press has again published the same data that I laid on the table of this House on 30th November, 2005 in which some words appeared that would seem to indicate that I approved the granting of visas to Chinese nationals. It is important to note that I provided the House with this material. The material is not new. It does not break any new ground.

There is and there can be no evidence that this Minister is or was involved in any so called ‘visa scam’

However, I repeat the position of this Minister and the Government.

If you have any evidence of improper or unlawful conduct on the part of anyone; then produce the evidence to the police. I am happy to note that the spokesman for the side opposite has now indicated in the press that he is prepared to speak with the police.

And while he is at it, perhaps he can further explain the letter that he wrote to his then colleague Minister of Foreign Affairs Janet Bostwick who at his request personally intervened and granted visas for six Haitian nationals in March 2002. I note his comments to the Nassau Guardian on Monday 22^nd January that he was simple doing a favour for a constituent and that he was not paid for it. I found the use of the term "favour" interesting.

When I read the description of the individual to whom Senator Carl Bethel gave this ‘favour’; it said he was a blind man who was suffering from diabetes. I happened to recall that a man of that description and from his former constituency visited me along with his wife late last year to complain about the fact that he could not obtain visas for his vessels.

A further examination of the files reveals that I asked the Permanent Secretary to review this man’s complaint - this man who matches Senator Bethel’ description.

I was advised that the reason that visas had not been granted was that this person was suspected of being involved in human smuggling.

I wish to quote directly from the written advice given me on this subject to me yesterday: "As previously informed in December 2006, this person is under the Security watch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, for human smuggling. Therefore as a result of the police information and intelligence information gathered by the Security Clearance officer of the Consular Division and conspiracy implication for consular staff, he was placed on the Stop List of the Consular Division. Once [name deleted]’s name appears on the Consular Stop List he is ineligible to receive visas on behalf of anyone."

I also refer to earlier correspondence from the police to the Permanent Secretary with regard to this individual who received visas at the request of Senator Carl Bethel who was then in March 2002 a Minister and in fact the Attorney General and another who received visas at the request of former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson from the previous administration.

I quote from the letter written by the Assistant Commissioner of Police with regard to the two persons:

"We are satisfied from our intelligence that subjects are involved in alien smuggling. The spin off from this activity is fraudulent use of passports and visas. Even though they were never caught with forged document (sic.), any application for travel documents presented by subject on behalf of crewmember/passenger ought to be given the greatest degree of scrutiny in order to minimize or prevent the facilitation of fraud."

Here we have a then MINISTER of Government, a former Attorney General, no less; facilitating what he calls a ‘favour’ – clearly documented in black and white – for someone whom the police files show to be involved in fraud, human trafficking and alien smuggling.

I trust that in these circumstances and having regard to Carl Bethel’s ‘favour’ for his constituent - known to the police to be involved in alien smuggling - that Carl Bethel will fully co-operate with the police to say what he knows!

In fact, it would seem clear, that in order to complete any thorough investigation; the police MUST now interview Carl Bethel.

As for this Minister, I again repeat there is no evidence to suggest that this Minister is involved in any ‘visa scam’ or visa selling, nor any evidence that by acts or omissions that it is being condoned by me.

I wish to advise the House that the report of the expert from the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation on the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is almost complete. It is likely to lead to changes in procedures and personnel at the section within a short time. I have already received an oral summary and I propose to act.

As these matters relating to allegations of a ‘visa scam’ have now been fully illuminated by me within and outside of this House, there is no further need for comment, other than by the police. Any and each time this matter is raised again as a political mischief, my response will be: has Carl Bethel been to the Police?

If there is any impropriety in the Consular Affairs Division on the part of anyone there, or if Carl Bethel is aware of anyone who has or is trying to fraudulently obtain visas, it is in the national interest that Senator Bethel should go to police. I urge him to go to the police; he is duty bound to go to the police; and unless or until he does so, there is little else to be said on the subject.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.