The Tribune

IT WOULD appear that our intrepid foreign affairs minister is putting up his dukes in preparation for another unpleasant Cuban-American exchange over the treatment last year of Cuban refugees in our Carmichael Detention Centre. In fact, his words on Sunday seem to invite a quarrel.

Speaking, as usual from overseas – this time at an independence service on Sunday at St Agnes Church in Overtown, Miami, Florida – Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell used most undiplomatic language in warning of an expected fight, and his resolve to entertain nothing unpleasant being said about the Bahamas — presumably even though the Bahamas, in the incident to which we think he refers, might be judged to be in the wrong. At this time last year, his favourite cliché — quoted out of context, of course – was “my country right or wrong”. Any Bahamian who had the temerity to suggest that our country had crossed the forbidden line was promptly banished to Hades with a sign “Traitor!” hung around his neck.

“Last year this time,” Mr Mitchell told his Overtown listeners on July 13, “we had to defend ourselves against the onslaught of some rogue elements living in the United States who having sought and received safe harbour and refuge in the United States believe that they are free to defame our country. We put them in their place. Thanks to you, we defended our country and its reputation. That fight continues this year as well, with continued mumblings of threats and boycotts and other nefarious consequences if The Bahamas does not comply with what these people want. 

“I say to them: never in a million years. We will not be moved.”

Words spoken by a true diplomat. We suggest that before the Miami Cuban situation heats up again, Prime Minister Christie should recall his foreign minister and give him some pointers in diplomacy, because if this is his attitude to a case that would have been completed by now if the witnesses had not been hurried out of the country, then Bahamians can look forward to an ugly exchange with the Cuban community of south Florida. Such a suggestion must make Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcome quake in his boots.

As a matter of fact, we suggest that Mr Mitchell is not the man to be handling this particular case. With much of the evidence still out, he seems to have already prejudged the verdict.

“It is not ‘grandstanding’ to speak up for The Bahamas,” he advised his Overtown audience. “Those who make such an assertion are in fact raising questions about their own patriotism and dedication to our country.”

When the case of the beating of Cuban detainees by certain defence force officers at the Detention Centre was raging in March last year, Mr Mitchell warned that to be true patriots, Bahamians had to remember “my country right or wrong”. At the time Mr Mitchell explained that this was a favourite saying of former deputy prime minister, later governor general Arthur Hanna. If this is true, it explains much of what is wrong with our country today.

If Mr Hanna or Mr Mitchell had completed the quote, they would have understood that a true patriot was not one who mindlessly floats with the tide when it flows in the wrong direction. The quote is an admirable quote when used in its entirety:

“My county, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”

“If right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” This is the camp in which readers will find The Tribune. “My country, right or wrong” discourages independent thought — it’s the slave mentality.

We believe we have read many of the same transcripts on the Cuban case that Mr Mitchell has — in fact so has the public, because much of what we have has been published in The Tribune on the mistreatment of the detainees.

If in fact the evidence was more favourable to our country, we wager that the hearings would — as they should be — open to the public. Significantly, they are not. National Security Minister Bernard Nottage appointed three observers to represent the public. In announcing the names of the observers, Dr Nottage said the hearings would be held in camera (in private). “A full report of the proceedings will be issued at their conclusion,” he said, explaining that this was “to avoid publication of matters which may compromise national security”.

We don’t accept this explanation, nor will US Senator Mario Rubio of Florida, or the Miami protest group.

As this is the way the government has decided to handle this delicate situation, they should have at least had the wisdom to invite an observer from the American Embassy to sit in on the hearings.

Now we are at the mercy of the Castro government as to whether the Cubans, who should have never left this country until this case was over, will be returned to testify, or whether the evidence will be given by video or Bahamian officials will be sent to Cuba to question them. Our case now rests with Cuba.

On June 2, Mr Mitchell told a press conference: “I believe that the Cuban government has indicated that they are in a position to comply and so we expect it to be resolved. I don’t want to speculate, but I would expect within a short time.”

So while our travelling foreign affairs minister awaits the Cubans, he also awaits an explanation from the Americans about allegations of spying on Bahamian cell phone conversations.

While he waits, we must remind him that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also waiting for replies from the Americans for tapping her phone and spying in her country. At least Mrs Merkel could kick the top US spy out of her country. However, Mr Mitchell will just have to cool his heels as he can’t close the US Embassy.

Instead he should now satisfy himself with the diplomatic pacifier that US Secretary of State John Kerry has tossed him — relations between the Bahamas and the United States are good.

And if he wants our country to be respected he has to expand his mantra of “my country right or wrong” to include – “if right to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right!”

Now, for the sake of this country, move on. Read page five of today’s Tribune and see another diplomatic faux pas created by his Immigration department to further injure our reputation as a welcoming tourist resort.