2009 Speeches
Remarks following Presentation of Credentials by Nicole A. Avant
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America
Government House
Mt. Fitzimmons
Nassau, The Bahamas
October 22, 2009
Your Excellency,
I am honored to come before you today as the 13th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. I thank you, Your Excellency, and I thank the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for accepting my credentials as Ambassador.
My family has a long connection to The Bahamas and I bring to my service as Ambassador a lifetime of experience in philanthropy, politics and culture. I intend to draw on this expertise to promote new opportunities between our countries. I am honored and humbled to stand here today.
Your Excellency, the United States and The Bahamas enjoy a close and productive bilateral partnership rooted in the many direct ties between our people. The Bahamian and American people share a commitment to the values of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. It is these values, together with our common interests and geographic proximity that make The Bahamas one of our closest partners in the Western Hemisphere.
During my tenure as Ambassador, I will work closely with the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to:
- Protect our borders through programs designed to combat the transshipment of illicit drugs and the smuggling of illegal migrants and weapons;
- Enhance our joint efforts against terrorism;
- Build prosperity and economic security for our peoples;
- Defend and promote human rights and democratic ideals.
I will work to ensure that Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, which is one of the most successful counter-drug operations in the world, receives our full support and resources.
My Embassy will also continue to support the partnership between the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the U. S. Coast Guard to deter illegal migration; a significant concern to both of our countries.
Our mutual cooperation is vital to preventing weapons proliferation and to defeating terrorists that threaten our way of life. The United States and The Bahamas took important steps in the past by establishing the Megaports and Container Security Initiative programs in Freeport. I commend The Bahamas on its recent signing of the Proliferation Security Initiative, which facilitates our global cooperation to search any vessel on the high seas suspected of carrying components or weapons of mass destruction -- an important issue given that The Bahamas has the world’s third largest ship registry. I look forward to supporting these programs and partnering on similar successful programs during my tenure.
In these challenging economic times, I believe that one of the most effective ways to ensure security and stability for our people is to partner on programs that promote economic prosperity, development and opportunity.
Our economic partnerships are, of course, rooted in the extensive tourism and business travel that occurs each year between The Bahamas and the United States. To support this flow of people and ideas, I will ensure that my Embassy's Consular Section provides first-rate visa services for Bahamians and vital assistance to U.S. Citizens.
To ensure economic security, we must also lay the groundwork to protect the environment. The Bahamas is well situated to take advantage of its abundant renewable energy sources; sun, wind, and ocean currents; and to provide for its own energy needs while developing new technologies and industries to export to the Caribbean region. As Ambassador, I will support sustainable energy and other programs designed to raise environmental awareness and create new economic opportunities.
The United States and The Bahamas share a love of freedom, longstanding democratic traditions, and respect for human rights. While it is each government’s responsibility to protect these rights for its own citizens, we also share a larger responsibility to stand up for these rights wherever they are threatened. And, where freedom and democracy are taking root, we must work together to nurture and to protect these sacred principles. In President Obama's recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, he noted that governments of the people and by the people are more likely to act in the broader interests of their own people, rather than narrow interests of those in power.
Therefore, while we join forces to build a better world, I also look forward to working here in The Bahamas to build a better future for the Bahamian people. We have a strong record of doing so.
Over the years, our Embassy has been a strong supporter of issues ranging from women's health to child literacy, HIV awareness and the challenges of the disabled through our support of the Special Olympics.
We have also partnered to sponsor numerous training programs and workshops in the areas of law enforcement, intellectual property, energy, business development and freedom of the press.
Our embassy staff and family members have volunteered their personal time to mentor troubled youth, assist victims of domestic violence and to participate in environmental cleanup campaigns. My family and I look forward to continuing this outstanding record of support.
Finally, our embassy will also continue to offer on-going support for private, U.S-based investment and development in the Bahamas.
As exemplified by these many civic programs, the United States Embassy is more than just a bridge between our two governments. It is also a bridge between our people and our societies. I intend to use my time in your beautiful and blessed country to build many new bridges between our governments and our people.
I believe that this is why President Obama asked me to represent him and the American people in The Bahamas. He understands that our relationship with The Bahamas is essential to our national security. But the President and Secretary Clinton also believe that we can achieve even more together and I look forward to doing so.
Your Excellency, in beginning my tenure as the 13th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I commit myself to deepening this extraordinary partnership of shared purpose and common values.
Thank you.