by Simon
The Bahamas enjoys what most Bahamians consider to be a special relationship with the U.S. But, how mutual is that affection? To be certain, the two countries share common borders, deep historic ties as well as economic, political and security interests.
Still, many Bahamians are dumbfounded at how poorly many American policymakers and federal legislators and their congressional and committee staffs grasp the history and development needs of one of the three democracies bordering the continental United States.
Bahamians do feel that there is shared goodwill between the American superpower and the small island Bahamian state. However, only the very naive believe that America’s interests in The Bahamas arise mostly out of the goodness of its heart, a dangerous illusion policymakers cannot afford to entertain.
Despite a longstanding friendship, more Bahamians are beginning to feel increasingly taken for granted by the U.S., especially in light of our deepening ties with the People’s Republic of China.
Most appreciate the cultural exchanges, technical cooperation and general assistance accruing from our relations with the U.S. However, many are perplexed at the deficit of greater development assistance which is also in the national interest of the U.S.
During his recent visit to the U.S., Chinese President Hu Jintao observed: "China is a developing country with a huge population, and also a developing country in a crucial stage of reform."
Because of its own domestic context, China may have a unique insight and worldview, able to grasp many of the developmental needs of The Bahamas better than our superpower next-door neighbour.
It is telling of how America may be falling behind in terms of urban development and infrastructure that The Bahamas is considering utilizing the ideas of Chinese urban planners in the development of a new town in southern New Providence. The label Made in China may now signify more than consumer goods.
Moreover, the Bahamas-U.S. national security agenda is often so weighted with the concerns of the latter, that threats to the former sometimes seem to be diminished. This is short-sighted.
GUNS
For example, America’s fight against illicit drugs entering its borders obviously requires aggressive interdiction efforts. But that same aggressiveness should apply to measures to help The Bahamas combat the deluge of guns pouring in from the U.S. and other jurisdictions with the label: Made in America.
In a vicious cycle, that deluge, fuelled by America’s permissive gun culture is helping to arm the very same traffickers the U.S. is attempting to combat as well as other criminals murdering and menacing Bahamians.
Next month, ground-breaking for a new Chinese embassy will take place near the Montagu foreshore. Having tested the waters, China has put down anchor and is here for the long haul with a long-range strategic plan.
If the U.S. fails to review and retool its relations with The Bahamas in light of evolving Bahamas-China relations, it will have failed to address various foreign policy considerations and challenges. These include strategic competition with China in the Americas and influence across the Caribbean.
In rethinking its relations with The Bahamas, the American superpower will also want to think anew about a changing Bahamas – including our role in the Caribbean – and the U.S.’s often static view of its smaller neighbour.
The Bahamas may serve as a bridge country for the U.S. with Caricom, Haiti, and a liberalizing Cuba. We are more than just a single vote in international forums. We are also a democratic model. And yes, we deserve to have a special relationship with the U.S.
The WikiLeaks cables on U.S.-Bahamas relations are analytical data by embassy officials, not policy. Moreover, they are only a snapshot. Still, they suggest a certain level of defensiveness. America need not be on the defence in The Bahamas.
The superpower has great influence in The Bahamas, including the good will of an overwhelmingly pro-American public. Still, Bahamians have become more sophisticated about international affairs and less willing to be taken for granted, especially in light of a number of considerations.
EMBARGO
We are a pragmatic people, deeply aware of our national interests. Most Bahamians find the U.S. embargo of Cuba nonsensical, and The Bahamas is set to take advantage of a growing relationship with Brazil and Latin America. Not only has Brazil opened an embassy here, we are on course to enjoy direct air service to Panama with connections to 50 cities in South and Central America.
Many Bahamians are still peeved about the self-serving OECD-cum-U.S. attacks on the financial services sector, a matter on which China took a less severe position. Bahamians are warming to the People’s Republic, which is courting us with respect, development assistance and considerable foreign direct investment.
While Bahamians may not yet be infatuated with China, many are intrigued even as some of the romance with the U.S. has waned due to what often feels like benign and sometimes not so benign neglect on the part of America.
After nearly 40 years of independence, not a single American President has made an official visit to one of that country’s closest neighbours in both senses of that designation. What has been a historic oversight is now approaching insult. Is it that difficult for a U.S. President to make a stopover or spend a night on the way back to Washington D.C. from Florida?
Many senior Chinese officials have come to The Bahamas after only 14 years of diplomatic relations. Were the Chinese Prime Minister or President to visit The Bahamas before an American President, this will be a significant embarrassment for the U.S. and an added slight to Bahamians by our American friends.
What an extraordinary moment and diplomatic gesture it would be for Barack Obama, America’s first African American President to make a historic visit to America’s closest majority black neighbour. We share not only strategic interests and a commitment to democracy and the rule of law, we also share deep historic and familial ties and a common border.
VISA-FREE
While in The Bahamas, the American President and Bahamian Prime Minister may want to advance a possible agreement on a matter which is past due for revamping. Bahamians may now travel visa-free for up to three months to 25 European countries that are a part of the Schengen area. Similarly Bahamians can travel visa-free to Canada and Britain for short periods of time.
Likewise a visa is not mandatory for non-restricted Bahamians to travel to the U.S. for designated periods of time. But here’s the catch. For a Bahamian to enter the U.S. from a third country, a visa is required. There are no such requirements for Bahamians entering Canada, Britain, the Schengen area and other countries from a third country.
Bahamians constitute neither a major immigration nor security threat for the United States. We are a population of only over 300,000. More people enter the U.S. illegally every year than our entire population.
Moreover, with preclearance facilities, the introduction of machine-readable biometric e-passports and extensive data-sharing by police and defence officials, there is a security framework in place to secure against immigration and security issues.
Citizens of Britain, Canada and a number of other countries do not need visas to enter the U.S. from a third country. Yet, America’s stable, safe, majority black Bahamian neighbour, who has been its friend as long or longer than some of the countries which do not require such a visa, is forced to maintain an arrangement that is now a relic.
Good friendship in the international arena requires on-going dialogue and gestures of support as well as demonstrated mutual respect and continuous confidence-building measures.
As The Bahamas seeks to maintain and extend its friendship with the United States and build on its friendship with China, it will surely not take its friends for granted. In diplomatic parlance, The Bahamas will most certainly wish that such friendship is reciprocated.
What a bunch of self serving whining. Bahamas has benefitted greatly from it's association with the U.S. Just the luck of geography I'm sure, nevertheless there's a reason you aren't Haiti.
I never hear the alleged goodwill from your country. You say it's there, but when is the last time you or your countrymen made a point of it? No. All I hear are complaints.
I haven't forgotten the hateful comments Bahamanians made about American cruisers when you tripled your entry fee for our private boats. Yes, we complained about it. But your countrymens response was very telling.
Now what is that America hasn't done for you? Built you a city or upgraded your infrastructure? I didn't know we owed you that.
Posted by: Greg Jaynes | February 20, 2011 at 06:56 AM
Myself and my family have been involved in the Bahamas since the early 1940's and I for one have never seen a return on our efforts , financial help and compassion. It only led to more expectations and this is obviously what the author Simon is looking for along with a very stale "America Bashing". If the author thinks that the U.S. is heartless wait until he gets a dose of Chinese compassion. Obviously Simon has never done much traveling to the Far East and his only intent is to try and leverage the situation for more handouts. Oh by the way when the shores of Cuba are opened up to U.S. travelers and investors how do you think that will impact his love for the good ole USA !
Posted by: Airdog America | February 26, 2011 at 07:24 PM