The Tribune

RESPONDING to the FNM’s criticism of recent diplomatic appointments, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell accused the opposition party of wanting to “have its cake and eat it too”.

Calling the comments of FNM chairman Darron Cash “misdirected”, Mr Mitchell also noted that he was responding to an appointments list which was put in the public domain without the proper authority.

He said: “If you read the release of the FNM and get past the propaganda, the release accepts that the diplomatic appointments are proper and that those who will serve are qualified.

“At the same time, however, it seeks to target one individual because of her ties to the Progressive Liberal Party. The FNM cannot have its cake and eat it too.”

Calling the opposition party hypocritical, Mr Mitchell noted that when in office, it appointed CA Smith, Maurice Moore, Anthony Rolle, Frank Rolle, Kay Forbes Smith, Elma Campbell Chase and Calvin Johnson – all former FNM MPs and senators – as ambassadors and consuls general.

“How then does the fact that one of the Prime Minister’s appointees is a PLP and former Senator disqualify her for an appointment to office?” he asked.

Mr Cash also asked if the government was really paying $30,000 a month for temporary accommodations for Bahamas High Commissioner to London Ed Bethel.

But the foreign affairs minister said the FNM answered its own assertions – “they admit that London is simply an expensive place to live”.

Mr Mitchell said: “What they did not say however was that they shamefully neglected to make essential and necessary repairs to the official residence of the Bahamas in London which we own.

“The building at Chesterfield Street is a four-bedroom facility with a 20-seat dining room. The High Commissioner could not live there when he arrived in London because there were necessary structural repairs to the building which will not be completed until May of this year.

“The repairs should have been done under the FNM but were not.”

Mr Mitchell said it is clear that the government cannot please the FNM no matter what they do.

“They criticised the Prime Minster for not acting. Now they are criticising him for acting.

“The Prime Minister has advised the Foreign Ministry of the appointments. He will make a formal and authorised announcement of his diplomatic appointments on Wednesday, February 13, at the pavilion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at East Hill Street.

“The FNM’s spokesman is free to attend if he wishes and witness true state craft in evidence.”