Speeches

Joint Meeting of Rotary and The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador John D. Rood

March 28, 2007, 12:30 p.m.
British Colonial Hilton

 

Thank you for that kind introduction.   I would also like to recognize Tanya Wright, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Philip Simon, Executive Director of the Chamber as well as the Presidents of the Rotary Clubs here today.  I appreciate the invitation to speak to a joint gathering of both of these outstanding organizations, and I would like to thank each of the members of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Clubs of New Providence for the support you have given me and the Embassy throughout my tenure.   

Our relationship with the chamber is rooted in the fact that 85 percent of the trade out of the Bahamas is with the United States.  Florida’s 19th largest trading partner is the Bahamas – Florida does more trade with the Bahamas than it does with Canada or China.  If we take services into account the number grows.  It is clear that the business relationship is strong and the chamber makes that relationship even stronger.

As a Rotarian and past president of my club, rotary has a special place in my heart.  I learned of rotary as a visitor to my grandfathers club in Moorhead Minnesota.  In my own club I learned to follow the rotary motto – service above self.  I firmly believe if it were not for rotary I would not have become involved in public service and would not be speaking to you here today as Ambassador.

You may have heard me tell the story about when I first explained to my daughter Holly that I was asked to become Ambassador to The Bahamas.  She asked me why I was interested in the job, and I explained it was an opportunity to serve my country and a chance to really make a difference.  And besides, I said, they'll call me “Mr. Ambassador”.  “Dad,” she said, "Couldn't we just stay in Jacksonville, and I'll call you ‘Mr. Ambassador’?" 

Obviously I overcame her reluctance and moved to Nassau to assume my new responsibilities in August of 2004.

Shortly after I arrived there were several events that shaped my time as Ambassador.

When I presented my credentials to the Governor General, I spoke of my desire to listen learn and then act.  In a follow up reception, I had an opportunity to put those words to practice as we spoke of education and how the United States could make an impact in this area.  I shared my ideas on how to open up avenues in the U.S. for Bahamian students.  After listening respectfully, she responded that I should get to know the College of Bahamas as it is a wonderful institution and it does so much for Bahamians who can not afford to go to the U.S.  I listened, and as a result the Embassy has been a good partner with the College of Bahamas.  This conversation and how it changed my objectives made me realize that no matter how smart I may think I am – nor how big I think our country is – I will not ever forget to first listen, then learn and then act.

Following hurricane Frances I traveled to West End with a group of ministers to see the damage first hand.  We had previously arranged for emergency supplies to be provided and I wanted to see that they had been distributed to the people of the island.  Upon entering West End we stopped to meet Minister Wilchcome and I inquired about an old friend of mine – “Bonefish” Foley Rolle.  I had known Foley since I was 8 years old and had recently visited him in his home.  As he was located across the road from the sea I expected the worse.  In any event, Minister Wilchcombe joined us and we drove to his home.  When we arrived Foley was sitting in his boat which was tied up in his front yard.  Behind him was a pile of debris which used to be his home.  I got out of the bus and he extended his hand and a huge smile.  I told him he should not be smiling as he had lost everything.  He said his family is ok and he will find a new home.  That look of confidence that everything will be ok is one I won’t forget.  The Bahamians have faith.  Even though the future is not in their control, it will work out.

After the storm the U.S. government worked with the government of The Bahamas and helped build 19 homes in West End.  It was a strong partnership, and presenting those keys to the new residents was a moving experience.  This partnership that we developed during and after the hurricanes of 2004 continued in many other areas.  It reinforced to me that partnership is the key.  We need to work on areas of mutual benefit and we must do it with mutual respect.  This results in the Development of win-win solutions to the problems we face. 

As I think back over the last several years I can see how the partnership between our two countries has grown.

I have sought to reach out to the educational community and to the many civic-minded groups dealing with HIV/AIDS.  Within the Embassy, I tried to encourage a sense of volunteerism, a respect for Bahamian concerns and culture, and sincere friendship with the Bahamian people.  

I think of the good work we have done with the Rhode Island State Partnership program, connecting our nations in a series of cooperative projects including university level education, disaster preparedness, training for prison officers and firefighters, and tourism promotion.  

I think of the millions of dollars in training and equipment provided to support the outstanding collaboration we enjoy through OPBAT with Bahamian law enforcement and the Defense Force.   We also look forward to working more closely with Commodore Scavella and the RBDF to help strengthen the Defense Force's ability to help protect the Bahamas from drug and migrant smugglers.

Looking back I am reminded of the visit of Secretary Rice and her commitment to the region and in particular to the Bahamas. This has led to stronger ties and closer cooperation on international issues.

Governor Bush launched classroom connections while visiting the Bahamas.  This partnered schools in Florida with schools in the Bahamas and strengthened the ties between these young adults.  After his visit there were follow up visits by two key officials from Florida, Secretary Castile, Secretary of Department of Environmental Protection and Dr. Fransou, Secretary of Health.  Both resulted in further collaboration between the state of Florida and the community of The Bahamas.

I look back and reflect with satisfaction on my efforts to ensure the continuation of the U.S. Customs Pre-clearance facility in Grand Bahama, which will help its storm-ravaged economy get back on its feet. 

The strong bilateral cooperation between the United States and The Bahamas, built on personal relationships and mutual respect, has also led to better international cooperation on key issues like human rights and democracy.  In fact, last year The Bahamas stood out at the 2006 Non-Aligned Meeting for its support for democratic rule and human rights.   

The Bahamas also stood alone among its Caribbean peers in its support for key human rights resolutions in the UN in late 2006.  The Bahamas should rightly be proud of its standing in the world as a beacon and testimony to the potential for democracy and freedom.    It is vital that the Bahamas continues to stand up on the world stage for the values Bahamians believe in:  democratic elections, a free press, the rule of law, freedom of expression and religion.  These are values we share and values we must work together to promote, for there are far too many places in the world where these rights we take for granted do not exist.

Another area where we must continue to deepen our cooperation is in aviation security.  The Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration have been outstanding partners with The Bahamas, donating time and resources to assist with aviation safety and airport security management.  We’ve worked cooperatively on radar systems and automation; we’ve provided expertise to assist in repairing and maintaining radar and other flight systems; and we’ve donated needed equipment when asked by the government to do so and at our own initiative. 

Similarly, the FAA has for years helped manage the airspace in the Bahamas to ensure safe air traffic control of flights to and through your country.  The Bahamian government has expressed its interest in exercising greater control of this airspace, and the FAA has indicated its interest and willingness to partner with the Bahamas in a new way that will allow The Bahamas to benefit more from controlling its airspace, while ensuring the highest safety for air travelers that would come from a management partnership with FAA.  I am hopeful that we will be able to continue this partnership that brings so many intangible benefits of collaboration with the FAA.  We have been in the early stages of discussions on this matter, and hope to move forward in the weeks and months ahead.  Such a new partnership in this vital area will allow us both to use FAA’s expertise to ensure that Bahamian skies remain safe and secure.  Given the number of Americans and Bahamians who fly through this vital airspace, there are few things more vital than ensuring the continued safety of our air travelers.

Another area where we need to continue to focus attention is in our common efforts to improve security at airports and ports to close existing gaps that could allow drug traffickers, illegal migrants and, potentially, terrorists to reach the United States or target Americans in The Bahamas.  Following the arrests of corrupt baggage handlers, who were bypassing security to place drugs aboard planes bound for the U.S., I am appreciative of the seriousness with which the Bahamian government is responding to these concerns.  Nothing represents a greater potential threat to the future of the Bahamas and your tourism than an un-secure airport.  Incidentally, of the six baggage handlers arrested in the United States last year, five have already pleaded guilty after seeing the evidence against them.  

I expect in the years ahead that U.S.-Bahamas international cooperation will continue to deepen and expand as we seek to address the new threats to international stability and prosperity.   Weak democratic institutions are the root cause of many of the recurring political crises that have plagued the most troubled countries in our Hemisphere.  Haiti offers the clearest example.  Here, too, The Bahamas and the United States can work together, individually or as a part of CARICOM, to help build democratic institutions there and re-establish the rule of law.  The Bahamas deserves praise for its willingness to support the new government by providing training for Haitian police at the Bahamas Police Training Center.  Still, more assistance will be needed in carrying forward reform and training for law enforcement, strengthening the judiciary, implementing anti-corruption programs, promoting economic growth, and protecting human rights.

We live in a time of grave threats to the security of our nations—indeed, to our very lives, from terrorists, rogue states, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.  Most frightening is the possibility that terrorists could obtain a weapon of mass destruction from an outlaw regime.   North Korea tested a nuclear weapon this fall.  Iran seems determined to enrich uranium as the first step to acquiring nuclear weapons.  Another significant danger is the proliferation of missile systems.  The traffic in ballistic missile technologies between North Korea and Iran is longstanding. 

The United States had led international efforts against the proliferation of both weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.  We appreciate the support The Bahamas has provided us in the United Nations when it comes to condemning proliferation.  And we appreciate the work done here in The Bahamas to help us protect against terrorist threat.  Not long ago, I was given the chance to observe RBDF divers practice scanning under cruise ships as part of a US-sponsored training program, and I came away more impressed than ever with the professionalism and capability of our Bahamian partners. 

But we can and need to do more. 

Through the Proliferation Security Initiative, the United States and a number of global partners have agreed to work together to search planes, ships, trains, and trucks suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction or WMD components.  All actions taken under this initiative are consistent with existing national and international legal authorities.  I would like to see the United States and The Bahamas finalize a PSI agreement.  The Bahamas has the third largest ship registry in the world and is a key player in maritime commerce.  It is critical for The Bahamas to be part of the PSI to prevent the transshipment of WMD and WMD-related materials around the world on Bahamian-flagged vessels.  I hope we can finalize this agreement before I complete my tenure or as soon as possible thereafter.

Personally, my most meaningful work has been through the school reading program.  I’ve grown to love the children at Woodcock Elementary and throughout the Bahamas – I will have been to 54 schools on all the major islands before I’m done.   I have traveled far and wide to support the Bahamas’ great teachers and their efforts to promote literacy.  Through these visits, and from the children, I learned about The Bahamas and found that I became a better person in the process. 

As we move forward in addressing these international and regional challenges together, I am confident that The Bahamas and the U.S. will maintain the deepest of friendships.  I hope to see the reading program that has been one of the great joys of my tenure continue.  I know that the Rhode Island-Bahamas State Partnership Program will grow and flourish.   I look forward to our coming Business Outlook Conference, and the participation of Rhode Island in that conference.  I believe, building on the work I have done and that of my many predecessors, that our countries will continue to have open, direct and respectful dialogue – where the US listens, learns, and acts in the spirit of friendship and mutual interest. 

It was a tough decision to leave The Bahamas – and knowing when to go is a bit of an art.  But as I told Tom Shannon, the State Department’s Senior Official for Western Hemisphere Affairs, it is better to go out a bit too early at your own choice, than a bit too late when you’ve been asked to go!  I will go back to the private sector and my company which I left 3 years ago.  I will work with governor Christ and the Florida leg to insure that Florida maintains it regional perspective.  But my real reason for leaving is found at the beginning of my remarks, when I mentioned that my daughter Holly had asked me to stay home.  It has been difficult to be away from Holly, and it is time for me to go back to be with her and reengage with my life in Jacksonville.  I will certainly miss my home here, my many friends, including each of you, and the incredible people at the Embassy.  This experience has been wonderful.  I have been blessed to have been given this opportunity and I will always be grateful to President Bush.

My favorite project here, my school reading program, started with a reading of a book about Martin Luther King, Jr., so it seems appropriate to refer back to Dr. King as I finish.  Last month, the choir from Morgan State University in Maryland was in Nassau, and they sung a beautiful song.  It was based on Dr. King’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon about being a good leader.  I don’t know that I met these standards, but I tried and Dr. King’s words were particularly relevant to me as I prepare to leave The Bahamas:

If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,
If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong,
Then my living will not be in vain.
If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,
If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought,
If I can spread the message as the master taught,
Then my living will not be in vain.

Thank you.