The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest accused the Christie administration of “preparing for something” as he called on Bahamians to be “vigilant” and “concerned” over the People’s Republic of China’s recent gift to the country of military equipment and musical instruments worth $1.2m.

The East Grand Bahama MP questioned what the government proposed to do with more than 10,000 smoke tear gas grenades and grenade launchers.

Meanwhile, the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) said it remained alarmed over the Chinese “gift” regardless of Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage’s attempt to downplay its implications.

The GBHRA demanded that the government outline in detail under what circumstances it plans to use what the association called potentially deadly military materials.

“The Chinese government said to them, ‘We have $1.2m that we want to give you, what do you need?’ On the top of the list was two armoured vehicles, 10,000 tear gas grenades and let’s throw a couple instruments in there just to make it look good,” Mr Turnquest said on Tuesday night.

He was speaking to scores of FNM supporters gathered for the introduction of two of the party’s newest election candidates, Howard Johnson and Halston Moultrie.

“ . . .Where are they going to use 10,000 grenades, grenade launchers and tear gas? Is something happening that they didn’t tell us? We ought to be concerned. We ought to be concerned Bahamians because it says in a time when elections are coming up they have concerns and they are preparing for something. So we have to be vigilant, we have to be careful (and) we have to be peaceful,” Mr Turnquest said.

Meanwhile, the GBHRA urged the government to desist from any further efforts to militarise this society.

“After all, the remarks of Dr Nottage suggest that the government chose these specific items from a longer list of materials being offered as a donation by the Chinese government.

“If this was the case, Nottage and his colleagues must tell the public why their selection included two armoured vehicles, two automatic anti-riot grenade launchers, 10,038 smoke tear gas grenades, anti-riot gear sets, and 60 portable low-light level night vision goggles.”

The press release continued: “Many civilians are already suspicious of the motives of this present administration, alarmed over its willingness to flout the rule of law to suppress opponents, and dismayed by its failure to be transparent about its intentions.

“The continued operation of a clandestine intelligence agency outside the confines of the law is case in point. The recent creation of an immigration reserve militia is another.”

On Monday, Acting Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commander Captain Tellis Bethel moved to allay concerns sparked by his organisation’s recent acquisition of military equipment from China, explaining that there was no need for public concern.

Capt Bethel also told reporters that some of the equipment, like the anti-riot gear will go to aid the police, adding that it was better to be safe than to be sorry. He said the grenades and the grenade launcher were in addition to what the RBDF had requested, suggesting that the equipment had not been part of what it listed as needs.

National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage further moved to clarify the donation saying “we are not getting any money” from the Chinese, but suggested that it was the handing over of 105 musical instruments for the RBDF’s Rangers band and other gear worth $1.2m.

At the time Dr Nottage said: “We gave them a list of things that we might like and the most important things on the list was 105 instruments for the Rangers band. But, see, everyone forgot about that now and focused on the grenades. These are not the hand grenades you have in movies you know.”

Last night, Dr Nottage told the House of Assembly that he did not understand the criticism over the donation, explaining that the RBDF is a military organisation charged with defending this country’s borders and law enforcement.

Last week, during a brief ceremony at the Ministry of National Security, the government and the Chinese signed documentation for the turnover of the items.