Years go by and still no ambassador

EDITOR, The Tribune.

OUR closest neighbour has not had a full accredited Ambassador as they would say “in-country” for over nine plus years basically since the last much liked Ambassador Nicole Avant left.

One-two different Presidents nominated certainly political nominees for the appointment - one the nomination lapsed and now under President Biden we have another - if that is not voted on the upcoming US election might come and go and the US will have a new President and, guess what, the US will still not have an Ambassador to The Bahamas.... Then 10 years and counting.

Does it really matter?

The Bahamas Embassy has been well covered by very efficient and professional career State Department Officers - an Ambassador, the norm for The Bahamas a political nominee - a person who donated $ thousands to the sitting Presidents’ campaign can usually pick up the telephone and call the President (yes, a difference).

If The Bahamas is strategically so important why didn’t two Presidents simply nominate a Career State Department Officer as Ambassador years ago - surely nine plus years without a full Ambassador is unprecedented? Got to wait till a political nominee is successfully approved in the Senate. As foreign things go doesn’t show too much real interest suggests of the US.... Bahamas we can deal with them with a career Officer no need of a full Ambassador... so be it then? But please don’t criticise who we talk to other than the US.

D DUNCANSON Nassau, July 20, 2023.