U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman Makes First Official Visit to Turks and Caicos Islands

January 20, 2012

U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman meets with the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Damian Roderick Todd. (Photo State Dept.)

In light of the strong ties shared between the United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman made his first official visit to the TCI on January 17-18, 2012 where he met with the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Damian Roderick Todd, and the Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Colin Farquhar to discuss ways to further enhance security cooperation in the region.

During his two day visit, Chargè Dinkelman also met key TCI government officials and business leaders who were among the invited guests at a reception onboard the visiting U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, hosted by the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Samuel Jordan. The port visit was the third by the crew of Resolute within the last year as part of an ongoing partnership with the Turks and Caicos Police Force.   

In his remarks, Chargè Dinkelman thanked the government and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands for their warm hospitality and highlighted the cooperative relationship shared by the United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands through Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT).  He noted that the success of the joint efforts to counter drug trafficking and human smuggling is based on  a mutual commitment to the rule of law and human rights.

“I applaud the efforts of the Turks and Caicos government, your commitment to OPBAT and to this ongoing tri-lateral counter-narcotics operation,” Chargè Dinkelman told the group.  “I recommit the United States efforts in this longstanding partnership and pledge my government’s continued support.” 

During his familiarization trip, Chargè Dinkelman also toured the future office of the U.S. Consular Agency, which is expected to open in Providenciales in April 2012 to provide services to American citizens visiting and residing on the Turks and Caicos.  Chargè Dinkelman also received an extensive briefing on OPBAT’s operations in the TCI from OBPAT personnel deployed to Providenciales.