The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

UPON reflection, Bahamians will realise Haitian President Michel Martelly's comments were not as outrageous as they first appeared to be, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said.

Mr Ingraham told a press conference in North Andros over the weekend that while he understands why many were upset by Mr Martelly's comments, the Haitian leader was perfectly entitled to encourage Bahamians of Haitian descent to vote according to their interests.

He said: "In fact, quite frankly, I don't see why it would be difficult for the Bahamas to countenance saying to Bahamians living in America, Jamaica or Barbados, et cetera, that if they are going to vote and they are entitled to vote in those countries, they ought to choose the party that best fits what their interest is."

However, when asked if he thought the matter had been blown out of proportion, Mr Ingraham said the Bahamian people have a right to speak out over anything that concerns them.

"Who am I to determine what Bahamians have a right to say? This is a free country, Bahamians have a right to say whatever they wish to say.

"Bahamians, generally speaking, are very sensitive about foreigners and very sensitive about foreigners telling them anything about their country and what to do, et cetera and so they are perfectly entitled to feel incensed and outraged and enraged."

Given the context in which they were made, Mr Ingraham acknowledged that the majority of the public would have been angered when they heard Mr Martelly's remarks.

"But I think upon reflection, to look at the comments that he made, that one can see that they are not as outrageous as one thought they were," he said.

Pointing out that Mr Martelly is entitled to encourage his former citizens to support the political party which best suits their interests, Mr Ingraham said he believes the Free National Movement (FNM) is that party.

He said: "We certainly look forward to receiving the majority of votes of persons who have been naturalised of Haitian parentage and who have been in the Bahamas for a long time because we do think that Haitians and others in the Bahamas have determined that the FNM is the best party for them."

• See page 6 for the Prime Minister's full remarks.