Bahamas recognised for cooperation in crime fight
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| Published on Thursday, June 28, 2007 |
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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): The Bahamas was recognised for its “vital” contribution to the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and other security concerns, during the recent Conference on the Caribbean held in Washington D.C.
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| Dr Brent Hardt, Charge d’ Affaires of the US Embassy in Nassau. (BIS Photo: Tim Aylen) |
The Conference provided leaders of the US and the Caribbean an opportunity to discuss ways to improve democracies, promote prosperity, and invest in people and the protection of security.
At a press conference held June 22, Dr Brent Hardt, Charge d’ Affaires of the US Embassy in Nassau, shared the US overview of what was described “historic and successful” meetings with US President George Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.
“The meetings have cemented our dialogue with the region and our agenda with the region, particularly because they created a sense of openness and a good feeling of understanding among all our leaders who spent time with each other,” Dr. Hardt said. “The conference exceeded all expectations
“The focus was on people and people of the Caribbean, and how can we the United States strengthen our partnerships with the governments and the people of the region.”
Security, he said, is key to economic and institutional development.
“We have discussed ways to continue and expand training for law enforcement officers,” said Hardt. “On our part, the United States certainly recognise the vital contribution that countries in the region, such as The Bahamas are making towards security whether it is in counter-narcotics, anti-terrorism, money laundering issues and military cooperation.”
Hardt said the United States is committed to the institutional development of the region, particularly in education.
The US Embassy is very involved in primary education, regionally, he noted. It has a teacher-training programme in Jamaica which has been “extremely successful” over the past four years.
A major challenge facing the region is HIV/AIDS, Dr. Hardt noted. The President’s Emergency Fund has been targeted largely at Haiti and Guyana, which have the worst problem in the region.
“We also provide other assistance and the president has agreed to look at other ways to expand funding to HIV/AIDS support,” he said.
Security cooperation, Hardt said, is essential. All representatives at the conference agreed.
“We saw a desire on the part of the region to foster cooperation with the United States in security areas and it is certainly something that we welcome and would work to build on,” he said.
There is “a commitment on our part” to expand the trade and investment framework agreement, which will allow for expanded trade and investment opportunities for US and Caribbean businessmen, he said.
There is discussions about customs cooperation to facilitate the flow of goods through the region,” Dr. Hardt said. “The United States takes very seriously, the importance of Caribbean trade agenda and we are very willing to work with the region on that.”
The United States, he said, has “great appreciation for Caribbean region as a bastion of good governance and democracy.
“The rule law is essential to all of this and certainly we would do all we can to strengthen the rule of law. “
There was discussion on Haiti and ongoing cooperation to build Haitian institutions, he said.
“I know that The Bahamas is one of the active countries training Haitian police officers here in The Bahamas,” he said. “The United States and CARICOM are working together with Haiti to develop the legislative side of the government affair.” |
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