By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
HUBERT Chipman, FNM Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, yesterday condemned Fred Mitchell’s “rabid attack” on Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian, adding that his “belligerent language” has harmed this country’s reputation.
Despite its nationalistic undertones, Mr Mitchell’s Emancipation Day speech has now been labelled as “offensive” by observers, with some demanding that the minister of foreign affairs and immigration be “condemned and rebuked” for his threats towards Mr Izmirlian.
In a statement released yesterday, Mr Chipman said while it is important for foreign investors to respect the country, ministers of government must protect the good name of the Bahamas.
“Sadly, recent statements by Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell relative of the developer of Baha Mar have been belligerent and unbecoming of a minister with the portfolios of foreign affairs and immigration,” Mr Chipman said.
He said statements made by Mr Mitchell about the Baha Mar CEO at the United Nations last week were “bizarre” and “embarrassing for the country.” “Was the prime minister aware in advance that Mr Mitchell would use the UN as venue to attack a foreign investor in front of the world community,” Mr Chipman asked.
“Minister Mitchell is harming the good name of the Bahamas and our national interests by his bellicose remarks about a foreign investor,” he added. “Foreign investors around the world will be alarmed by Mr Mitchell’s conduct as foreign minister.
“The immigration minister’s rabid attack on a foreign investor during an Emancipation Day event sent the wrong message to other foreign investors and residents in the country as well as to potential foreign investors.”
When asked for his take on the matter, former Minister of Immigration Loftus Roker said Mr Mitchell’s comments should be considered a “clear indicator that the government has lost its way” in the handling of Mr Izmirlian.
According to Mr Roker, Mr Mitchell’s conform or leave threat to Mr Izmirlian is indicative of a far bigger problem that exists between the developer of the $3.5bn Cable Beach resort and the government.
“Right now the government seems to be lost with this matter, well (either) lost or not telling us something,” he said.
Mr Roker, who served as immigration minister in the Pindling era, said that “on his watch,” matters like this would have never been allowed to progress to this point.
“I don’t know, maybe they got too friendly, too fast and now they are paying the price.”
Mr Roker said the way the government has chosen to handle the Baha Mar ordeal raises many questions.
“There is no need to send threats or argue in public, if you have a reason, go through the correct protocol and send him back,” said Mr Roker. “You see, this is why I’m confused with this matter, this is why I say something isn’t right. If they have a case they can just move forward with it, there is something that we aren’t being told about this.
“If he wanted to get him (Mr Izmirlian) out of the country there are ways to do that, but as a permanent resident of the Bahamas there is an appeals process that he can go through.”
Meanwhile, former FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands also weighed in on the issue and accused Mr Mitchell of using the Baha Mar debacle to gain political brownie points.
“He likes to think of himself as the most educated person,” Dr Sands said. “(Mr Mitchell) wants to be seen as the thought leader in the vacuum of the PLP. He doesn’t speak for all Bahamians. He is disconnected and his idiotic comments reflect that.”
On Monday, Mr Mitchell said an invitation should be extended to the developer “to consider making the appropriate steps to live elsewhere” if he cannot conform with the expected conduct of “economic guests.”
The Fox Hill MP also cited Section 81 (D) of the Immigration Act, which outlines how the immigration status of a resident can be revoked if the person in question behaves in a way that is “not in the public interest.”
Last week, while speaking at the United Nations, Mr Mitchell declared that there was an “existential” threat to the governance of the country due to the deliberate and improper political interference of a “single investor”.
Comments
Bahamian_in_London 9 years, 4 months ago
Nice to see the opposition party actually opposing. The FNM have been far too quiet throughout the Baha Mar mess.
My2cents 9 years, 4 months ago
While he condemns Mitchell's attack, he seems to fall in line with the made up notion that the PM was somehow disrespected and foreigners should know their place. I think they all need a course on free speech.
This is a much better response to Fred Mitchell's rankings, than Chipman's automated response: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/aug…
BaronInvest 9 years, 4 months ago
i was working on a marketing campaign in germany, switzerland and austria to promote investment opportunities here in the Bahamas. Due to the recent events and actions taken by the government this campaign has now been delayed indefinitely. One of the asset management companies we are working with in Switzerland actually stopped recommending the Bahamas to their clients.
As a foreigner, reading the Tribune or the Nassau Guardian reveals almost every week some shocking statements that just wants you to stay away from this country. Internally investments in the Bahamas have been rated from "stable/low risk" to a "moderate risk".
Threatening foreigners to take their residency away for criticizing the government just confirmed this rating yet again. At this time you simply cannot recommend the Bahamas as a safe and stable investment opportunity.
ObserverOfChaos 9 years, 4 months ago
Great to hear this type news from someone in the industry and dealing with investors....granted, our politicians either don't read the tea leaves or don't know how....so guess we can now say, "welcome to the "new china nationalist state of bahamas".....
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
Nice to see someone from the opposition bench is awake. !
There is a whole sea of troubles out here though Chippie, so even if it isn't in your portfolio, say something for God's sake. Watermellon is spurlin on da wine.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 4 months ago
Doctor Sands It was always my impression that you believed you were the most education person in the world. But DR: Minnis has put you in your place. and you had better stay there. It is my hope that Mr.Izmirlian will continue to be a resident of the Bahamas, and all of these problems will come to a good end. I do believe the gentleman meant the Bahamas well, But something has gone terrible wrong.
John 9 years, 4 months ago
Fred Mitchell, Perry Christie, Shane Gibson Allison Maynard and the whole bunch need to take a trip to Grand Bahama and do an intensive study of the economy there. One time ago Freeport was in such a boom almost everyone on the island of Grand Bahama had two or three jobs and there were constant ads for persons in other parts of the Bahamas to come to Grand Bahama for employment. There were quality jobs that paid top dollar. Today the tallest building in Freeport is boarded up and on the market for sale as are the buildings that housed many once thriving businesses. Many other buildings have been vacant for decades and have been left to decay by their owners, many who have left Freeport when the magic left. Many Bahamians have also left Freeport because it became impossible to survive without a job. History has demonstrated that when the economy goes bad foreign investors will pack their bags, close their businesses and leave. Because we have failed to empower Bahamians and give them ownership in their own country they have little control over their fate in a bad economy. Can you imagine the road to Bah Mar all grown up with weeds, the buildings fenced in and empty? Falling into a state of disrepair slowly but eventually? Abandoned like princess towers in Freeport or a ghost town like the international bazar or the many boarded up buildings that surround the once thriving hub of activity in Freeport? Is this what y'all gonna let happen to Bah Mar with all the trash talking and hostile posturing? The bigg mistake was to allow a project of this magnitude to come into the country without one red cent of Bahamian ownership. What exactly are y'all trying to do with Bah Mar? A still birth or a trimester abortion?
John 9 years, 4 months ago
Be aware that a great number of workers wil be losing their jobs around the Bahamas over the next few weeks and months as businesses realize they cannot afford to pay the FORTY PERCENT INCREASE in the minimum wage and the costs (national insurance etc.) associated with it. There is just not enough economic activity to sustain such an increase in labour and, unfortunately, the impact wil be felt the greatest on the family islands and in the already economically depressed areas of New Providence and Grand Bahama. Shane Gibson already threatened employers and they will have no choice but to close shop or reduce staff.
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