The Tribune

THE opinion of Foreign Affairs/Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell gets more worrying every day. No wonder government is dragging its feet on the Freedom of Information Act.

The last we heard of this proposed Act, which was to be redrafted, was sometime in May last year when it was announced that it would not be ready before the spring of this year when town meetings were promised so that the public could fully participate. At the time, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald was dithering over whether government should make the 100 amendments recommended or scrap what they had before them and start all over again. That is the last we expect to hear of the FIA — another promise not delivered.

However, Mr Mitchell took a curious position last week by chiding US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson for publicly advising her staff and US visitors not to use jet skis in The Bahamas because the industry was not properly regulated. Mr Mitchell wanted the matter to be settled behind closed doors. We thought that we had government in the sunshine. Apparently, Mr Mitchell would prefer government in the board room with all windows and doors locked from the public. For more than 20 years, Bahamians and visitors have complained about the unregulated jet ski business — and for 20 years those complaints have been ignored.

In desperation, the Chargé d’Affaires, after the fifth rape of an American visitor by a Bahamian with a jet ski, made her government’s position clear by going public. By doing so, she has done this country a great service, because, for the first time jet ski operators realise that if they do not protect their business by self-regulation, they will have no business to protect. For the first time, we might have government and the water sports operators working together to make our beaches safe, not only for our visitors, but for Bahamians, who were so upset by what was happening on their beaches some years ago that they wanted jet skis banned from the Bahamas.

Mr Mitchell was so disturbed to read Ms Johnson’s public announcement that he took to The Guardian’s radio talk show to object to what he called her country’s “sometimes aggressive and intrusive foreign policy”. He said his government would prefer the Embassy to work “in partnership” behind the scenes on certain issues to avoid unnecessary responses in public.

Mr Mitchell said people should not get their “noses out of joint” over the matter.

What is Mr Mitchell talking about? Should Bahamians, who depend upon tourism for their livelihood, not be upset that, according to Ms Johnson, there have been instances where minors have allegedly been sexually assaulted and cruise line officials have complained to the American Embassy about passengers being harassed by people selling drugs at local beaches, and the raping of visitors hiring jet ski operators?

According to Ms Johnson, the closed door approach obviously brought no results as she said that the US Embassy in Nassau has repeatedly raised concerns about oversight issues with the government.

“We have advised them in the past that it is better, if there are issues that need to be resolved, to work in partnership and behind the scenes because all it does is cause unnecessary responses in public, which are to no one’s good,” said Mr Mitchell.

This is where Mr Mitchell is so wrong. His closed door approach brought no changes. However, her public announcement proves that government behind closed doors produces nothing. Now for the first time in years, the jet ski operators have seen the light and are prepared to take action.

Mr Mitchell pointed out that Americans “conduct their affairs as they see fit; free country, so they can do what they want”. Surely, Mr Mitchell is not suggesting that The Bahamas is not a free country, or is he?

“But,” Mr Mitchell continued, “we have a responsibility to act responsibly in our best interest first.” By keeping this information behind closed doors can only be in the best interest of the politicians who have failed to properly regulate the water sports industry. Surely he could not be suggesting that it is in the best interest of Bahamians.

“Bahamians are free to respond if they dislike or don’t accept the comments. That’s fine too. But I just want it to be done in a responsible manner,” Mr Mitchell continued.

“The most important issue is the underlying problems, that to address them in a systemic way; in a balanced way, and in the greater best interest of our country.”

Seems that this is what the Chargé d’Affaires did when she went public with the problem. There was immediate reaction. The time for handshaking behind closed doors was over. In fact in a matter like this, such hush-hush closed door manoeuvring is never acceptable — it’s treating Bahamians like children. Rather it suggests an attempt by Mr Mitchell to help cover up the extent of this country’s crime, which the PLP promised, if elected, they would immediately solve.

Already, a letter writer on this page today is on Mr Mitchell’s case. He wants to know why the American Embassy had to inform Bahamians of the crime taking place on our beaches. He wants to know what government is covering up and demands an explanation.

Possibly Mr Mitchell can convince him that under the PLP we do not have government in the sunshine. It seems that Bahamians are not mature enough to handle such matters — leave it to the politicians — they will do it in a responsible way. Maybe our letter writer should go to Mr Mitchell and ask him to explain himself.

In the meantime, on behalf of the Bahamian people, we thank Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson for bringing this serious matter to the public’s attention so that government’s feet can be kept to the fire.

Our only regret is that she did not make her public announcement sooner.