28th January 2004

Mr. Speaker, there was a headline in one newspaper this morning and a report on ZNS last night that indicated that there was an attack on The Bahamas Embassy in Port Au Prince, Haiti at about 9: 30 a.m. Tuesday 27'" January.  All the information that we have up to this time indicates that this information is factually incorrect.  I spoke myself to the Ambassador Eugene Newry this morning who said and I quote: “It is all absolutely untrue”.

Our Ambassador reports that there was no attack on the embassy grounds.  That he nor his wife were attacked, nor did he feel under threat at any time yesterday, nor were there any anti Bahamian slogans or anti Bahamian slogans heard by him.  The Embassy's functions were conducted normally yesterday.

There is a public park in front of the Embassy.  The Ambassador says that the park was a staging ground for a march that was staged by the Opposition forces in Haiti yesterday. The Embassy was aware that the march was being staged there.  During the discussions between Prime Minister Ferry Christie and Andre Apaid, the Leader of the Civil Society groups in Haiti, on Sunday 25th January, Mr. Apaid told the Prime Minister that such a demonstration would take place and urged the Prime Minister’s assistance to ensure that the march advanced peacefully.  The news reports indicate that the march did proceed peacefully.

The discussions with Mr. Apaid, followed a meeting and lunch with the President of Haiti Jean Bertrand Aristide.  In that meeting, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas communicated in detail the proposals of Caricom to help move the process of peaceful resolution of Haiti's problems.  The substance of the proposals was accepted in full by President Aristide.

The Prime Ministers of Caricom have made a request for Mr. Apaid to join them in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday 30th January before Mr. Aristide arrives and separately from him.  The President of Haiti has been urged by the Prime Ministers to facilitate that meeting by allowing Mr. Apaid to travel on a Haitian passport to which Mr. Apaid claims to be entitled.  The Bahamas Prime Minister has communicated that message on their behalf.

The President of Haiti is to join the Prime Ministers of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and The Bahamas in Kingston on Saturday 31st January to begin detailed discussions about moving the process forward.  They will be joined at the meetings by representatives of the United States, the European Union, Canada and the Organization of American States.

The Government of The Bahamas wishes to urge caution in dealing with this matter.  This is extremely sensitive and finely balanced.  All the important players in moving the process forward must be fully au fait and involved.  This includes the United States of America, Canada and the other nations of the Organization of American States, France and the European Union.

The Haitian people are the main actors.  They are the only ones who can ultimately solve the problem.  We are seeking to urge the Bahamian people toward a policy of great care, caution and sensitivity as we approach this process.  The Bahamas and Caricom have no choice but to engage in seeking to assist in Haiti.

To disengage is to court disaster.  An irresponsible report could well lead to undermining these very carefully constructed efforts on the part of many people and serves no one's interest.  Each newspaper, radio station or reporter must know by now that if they wish to do so (and I emphasize “If they wish to do so”), the Prime Minister, this Minister or any other Minister of the Government is available to brief the press on what we know.  There is no excuse for misinformation.  And the purveyors of misinformation should be condemned.

From:  E. Glenwood Newry, M.D.
           Ambassador of The Bahamas Embassy

To: Honourable Fred Mitchell
      Minister of Foreign Affairs

Date: January 28, 2004
 

REPORT ON EVENTS OF THE 27/1/04

AS PLANNED, The opposition groups gathered in Boyer square in front of the Embassy around 08.30 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday 27/1/04.  This was in preparation for a march towards the centre of the city of Port-au-Prince.  The Ambassador’s SUV arrived about 09.20 a.m.  The demonstrators gathered around the vehicle BUT ON RECOGNISING THE AMBASSADOR, THEY OPENED UP A PASSAGE WAY AND LET THE VEHICLE THROUGH.  There was no attack neither on the vehicle nor the Embassy’s gate or property.  Any report to the contrary is skewed and not worthy of serious attention.  This was reported to the Permanent Secretary yesterday.

E. Glenwood Newry, M.D.
Ambassador