The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

PROMINENT pastor Reverend C B Moss yesterday said the public fighting between members of the Christie administration and Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian has pushed Bahamians onto the proverbial “knife’s edge” with its “ugly war of words.”

In a statement, Rev Moss called the ordeal “embarrassing, distasteful, and counterproductive.” He stressed that strong leadership is needed now more than ever as the nation’s challenges increase.

According to the Mt Olive Baptist Church pastor, the name calling, allegations, and threats have reached a level unbecoming of those involved. He added that the government must get a handle on this volatile situation before it spirals completely out of control.

“This is especially important as the international community is keenly watching, which can have a huge, immediate and long-time effect on the economy of our nation,” said Rev Moss.

“Baha Mar the largest ever project of its kind in the Caribbean, was at one time a wonderful Bahamian dream, but is now in danger of becoming a terrible Bahamian nightmare and those involved, especially the government, are cautioned not to underestimate nor ignore the scope for economic and social disaster.

“Indeed much damage has already been done and the government must remember that the people will hold it responsible.”

Mr Izmirlian, the CEO of the $3.5b Cable Beach resort, has been at odds with the Christie administration since June 29, when the hotel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a US court.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has maintained that the move came as a surprise to the government.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell has on a number of occasions bashed Mr Izmirlian over the bankruptcy filing.

Mr Mitchell has warned that the developer’s permanent residency status could be revoked if he couldn’t conform to the expected conduct of foreign investors.

Mr Izmirlian and Mr Christie have also exchanged bitter words, with the nation’s leader questioning the developer’s mental health after he released a scathing press release about the government.

Last week in a letter to his staff, Mr Izmirlian said he never imagined he would be “fighting” with the government over the project. He also said the project had been “usurped” for political reasons.

Rev Moss said Bahamians are hurting, frustrated and angry as they look for ways out of the economic and social quagmire the nation is in.

“They are becoming more and more tired and agitated and unless that way out is identified very soon the frustration and hopelessness may explode into rage, the aftermath of which will be like nothing seen before in the Bahamas,” he said.

“Strong, mature leadership is required now more than ever as the challenges to the nation intensifies and increases, while solutions appear ever more elusive. Failure at this juncture will likely spell pain and suffering of tragic proportions. Well into the future. The Bahamian people deserve better.”

The government has filed a winding up petition against Baha Mar, which would lead to the appointment of provisional liquidators if approved by the Supreme Court.

The matter will be heard on August 19.

However, Justice Ian Winder has approved the application by Baha Mar’s attorneys to petition the Court of Appeal in a bid to reverse his previous rejection of Mr Izmirlian’s motion to have the resort’s US bankruptcy orders approved in the Bahamas.