The Chinese are apparently the only foreign investors interested in these Countries because they have a geopolitical purpose rather than a purely profit driven interest as most other investors would have.

Some like the Bahamas face the possibility of becoming neo-colonies of China due to the lack of interest by other investors and the inability of the Government developing any self operated system for economic development. Governments of the Bahamas have failed to develop a Capital Market Driven Economy (CMDE) as previously proposed by the Council for Concerned Bahamians Abroad (CBA).

The question then becomes whether it is beneficial to the economic future of the citizens of the Bahamas to become de facto citizens of a Chinese neo-colony. Can Bahamians exist with financial support primarily from the Chinese?

Due the small population of the Country it is entirely conceivable that the Bahamas can achieve financial stability for its small population of citizens totally from Chinese largess. The further question is whether the citizenry is prepared to pay the price of Chinese neo-colonization for benefits of financial gain?

In other words are Bahamians willing to sell their souls and future ability to control their own destiny for money? Some may feel that this is the history of the Country and its people, all we really know to do, and in order to maintain an adequate standard of living becoming a Chinese neo-colony should be okay. This however is not the opinion of the Council for Concerned Bahamians Abroad (CBA), or most Bahamians and friends of the Bahamas that the CBA has polled.

It is therefore incumbent on the current Government, and those who aspire to become the Government to put in play some method of self controlled and directed economic development plan. This is particularly so since many of the experts seem to feel that the opening of the doors of Cuba, will mean the closing of many doors to future economic development for Caribbean countries, and particularly for the Bahamas.

The issue arose from earlier Parliamentary submissions of private email information obtained by a Government Cabinet Minister and member of Parliament attempting to show improprieties on the part of a Lyford Cay Resident to refute allegations of corruption by Government leaders. The dispute originated between two powerful foreign Lyford Cay Residents, with Government parliamentary members being implicated on one side. The Judge issued an injunction against Parliamentarians using Parliament Privilege to reveal such private information in their public deliberations.

Government Parliamentarians and Cabinet Minister Members of Parliament including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education then introduced a parliamentary resolution to bring the Judge and the two Lawyers who petitioned the Court, to appear before Parliament to question their actions. The Bahamas Bar Association and others have declared that such a parliamentary move would seriously challenge the Doctrine of Separation of Powers in the Bahamas, and put the Country's international reputation at risk.

Meanwhile some Government Parliamentarians claim that it is the Judge, the lawyers and their foreign client who are trying to undermine the Government, the Country, and its Doctrine of Separation of Powers. This is a somewhat strange position in that it is universally recognized that it is the Court who ultimately decides on the constitutionality of Parliamentary actions.

The Council for Concerned Bahamians Abroad (CBA) in prior Analytical Reports has detailed the inherent weakness of the practice of Separation of Powers within the Westminster System of government, and the Bahamas in particular.

See more on this story at:

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/64379

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/64384

US congressman Eliot Engel, ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday welcomed the unanimous approval by the Committee of his legislation to prioritize the United States-Caribbean relationship.

The United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016, which Engel introduced last week with well known Anti-Castro Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, would require the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to Congress a multiyear strategy focused on outreach to the countries of the Caribbean and diaspora communities in the US, improving energy security, countering violence, ramping up diplomacy, and other priority areas.

“It’s a big world with a lot of challenges — some that get more attention than others. So it’s important to stay focused on our neighbors in the Caribbean. These countries are profoundly important to the United States,” said Engel at Thursday’s Committee markup. “This bill makes it clear that US-Caribbean relations are a major priority.”

“We’ll end up with the best policy if we shape it in consultation with the many Caribbean-American citizens in the United States,” Engel continued. “It’s a strength for us to have such a strong and vibrant diaspora community. So this bill also calls for revitalized outreach to this community, seeking greater input on ideas for economic development and citizen security.”

The legislation requires the State Department and USAID to:

• Identify agency efforts to prioritize US policy towards the Caribbean;
• Outline an approach to broaden outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States;
• Outline an approach to partner with governments of the Caribbean region to improve citizen security and reduce drug trafficking;
• Establish a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to improve energy security and increase access to diverse, reliable, affordable and sustainable power;
• Outline an approach to improve diplomatic engagement with governments of the Caribbean region; and
• Develop an approach to assisting Caribbean countries in the diversification of their economies.

In addition, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to produce two key reports:

• An evaluation of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and a breakdown of CBSI assistance provided to each country; and
• An evaluation of US diplomatic engagement with the Eastern Caribbean.

See More at:

http://www.caribflame.com/2016/04/bill-to-enhance-us-caribbean-ties-clears-committee-stage//

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4939