The Tribune

AFTER months of waiting for Dr Elliston Rahming to be accepted as the Bahamas’ Ambassador to Washington, the Bahamas has been forced to transfer him to the United Nations and appoint Dr Eugene Newry in his place.

Yesterday, the Government of the Bahamas revealed that on May 3, 2013, Ambassador Rahming, then Ambassador designate to the United States, withdrew his name from consideration as Ambassador to the United States and asked to be reassigned.

Dr Newry, who still currently holds the post of Ambassador to the United Nations, agreed to accept the new post and his name was advanced. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, the government made no announcement on either development until an agreement had been received from the United States Government. This agreement was received yesterday.

However, the FNM’s shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Hubert Chipman said that this, and other appointments raises “serious concerns” about the manner in which affairs of state have been conducted by the Prime Minister and Minister Mitchell.

“After months of silence, doublespeak and well crafted denials they have finally confirmed that on the advice of the Prime Minister, Dr Eugene Newry has been appointed Ambassador to the United States with immediate effect. As we had reported on June 11th, Elliston Rahming, then Ambassador designate to the US, had been withdrawn from consideration for that post. If the government is to be believed, that Dr Elliston Rahming requested this withdrawal himself on May 3, 2013, it is very unusual and highly questionable as to why the Prime Minister still permitted him to present his credentials to the OAS three days later on May 6th. Given our customary practice of having the Ambassador to the US fill both positions, it seems highly ill-considered to still appoint Dr Rahming to the OAS if they knew at the time that Dr Rahming’s nomination was not approved by the United States government. We submit that this is not the way to conduct foreign policy with the Bahamas’ longstanding friend, neighbour and ally,” Mr Chipman said.

The controversy surrounding Dr Rahming’s appointment has been brewing for months, with Members of the Opposition now raising concerns over how the Ambassador is expected to serve both his post in New York at the United Nations, and his Ambassadorship to the OAS – which is based in Washington.

“We expect that Dr Rahming’s appointment to both posts will likely be financially and functionally untenable. The conduct of this and other appointments raises serious concerns about the manner in which affairs of state have been conducted by the Prime Minister and his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mitchell. To date, their combined performances have been less than stellar. The handling of this matter is a culmination of numerous foreign policy blunders that have left both the Prime Minister and his Foreign Affairs Minister with enormous credibility problems here at home and in the international community. They have a considerable amount of work to do to get back on track. The FNM is looking forward to a better leadership and performance in foreign policy management from these two men.”

Mr Chipman did, however, take the opportunity to congratulate both Dr Rahming and Dr Newry on their appointments to these high offices. The two Ambassadors are expected to be introduced to their respective staffs on Monday, August 27th, and Tuesday, August 28th.