The Tribune

THE Democratic National Alliance said it is gravely concerned that the government allowed the President of Haiti to visit during such a "heightened" political season. The party said while it believes that Mr Martelly or any other national leader should be welcomed to the Bahamas and such visits are opportunities to strengthen international relations, this stop over came at too sensitive a time. The DNA's statement said: "As to President Martelly's comments, the DNA finds them to be inappropriate, not only because of the political season, but it also seemed to be a shameful political ploy by the Free National Movement to manipulate the process. DNA leader, Branville McCartney said this unfortunate political tactic is a direct attack on Bahamian democracy, the victims being all Bahamians--those of foreign decent or otherwise, who uphold the ideals of the nation and their right to vote for whichever political party they see fit. "As the DNA recognizes, moreso now after this disturbing visit, that the country's leadership is in dire need of reform; we also recognise that Haiti's president should respect the sovereignty of our democracy," Mr McCartney said. The DNA found President Martelly's careless use of the word "riot" as inflammatory and to insinuate that Bahamians of Haitian decent are being abused is misleading. Mr McCartney noted that The Bahamas has always been accommodating to our Haitian neighbours, so when he speaks of forming a pact, he should have been mindful that all voters are Bahamian. In other words, if one is eligible to vote, their vote should reflect Bahamian interests and not that of another country. "Haiti's president has a mammoth task of redeveloping his country and that does not begin in The Bahamas," he said.