One day after Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller apologized to the Bahamian people for getting into an argument with Cat Cay investor, Manuel Diaz, on Saturday, Mr. Diaz issued a statement yesterday making an apology of his own.
While he indicated his deep regret over what transpired, Mr. Diaz, in an interview with The Bahama Journal from Miami also said that he still does not think Mr. Miller is fit to be a Minister of the government.
In his press statement he said, ﾓOn behalf of Cat Cay Yacht Club, I sincerely apologize to all the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and its government for the shameful disaster that took place in Cat Cay last Saturday.ﾒ
ﾓOur intentions were never to show disrespect for any government representative. We benefit absolutely nothing by confrontation with an elected public official. We have never encountered such a difficult situation during our lifetime, especially in a foreign country. All the action was videotaped showing everybodyﾴs behaviour from beginning to end.ﾒ
Mr. Diaz got into a nasty row with Minister Miller after the Minister walked out on a video presentation on the risks and dangers of liquefied natural gas projects.
Minister Miller was on Cat Cay to hear the residentsﾴ concerns about a liquefied natural gas plant the AES Corporation plans to build on nearby Ocean Cay. They are strongly opposing that project, which would also call for the laying of an LNG pipeline between Ocean Cay and South Florida.
During the argument, Mr. Diaz called the Minister an idiot and Minister Miller told The Bahama Journal that he was thinking of physically attacking the investor for being so disrespectful.
The ugly spat was widely reported in the press this week, even making it onto the radio Love 97 talk show ﾓIssues of The Dayﾒ on Wednesday during which time many callers voiced their opinions on the matter.
Many of them supported Minister Miller for ﾓdefending the Bahamian peopleﾒ while others branded his action shameful.
The Minister also called into the show, saying, ﾓI apologize for what took place at the meeting in Cat Cay as a member of the government, but first and foremost as a Bahamian.
But I stand fast in my view that as a human being and as a Bahamian man in this country, if anybody calls me stupid and an idiot, I have every right to defend my position. I am not an idiot and I am not stupid.ﾒ
Mr. Diaz assured in his press release that the members of Cat Cay are peaceful investor friends who annually spend millions of dollars in The Bahamas to enjoy the tranquility and peace that The Bahamas has always offered to the whole world.
ﾓIn addition, we also truly appreciate the friendship, happiness and sincerity of the Bahamian people,ﾒ he said.
ﾓWe are desperately trying to protect The Bahamas against another 9/11 which will certainly destroy the economy and the environment of this country. We are determined to strongly defend our vital interests which would be seriously threatened by the construction of an LNG industrial complex at Ocean Cay only 7.8 miles from our homes. Open dialogue, simple decency, true dignity, old fashion diplomacy and mutual respect always pave the road to achievement, greatness, understanding, success and final victory.ﾒ
He added, ﾓAgain, I am deeply sorry and totally embarrassed for the foolish tragedy that recently took place at Cat Cay without any justification.ﾒ
During the meeting on Saturday, Mr. Diaz and other Cat Cay second homeowners voiced their vehement opposition to the proposed AES project.
ﾓAll Bahamians better open their minds and eyes as much as possible because their future is at stakeﾅThey better figure out ahead of time what serious consequences will forever affect their lives,ﾒ Mr. Diaz said. ﾓWe are not just being selfish in Cat Cay.ﾒ
He also indicated that it would be ﾓa cold day in hellﾒ before the LNG project is approved.
During that same meeting, Tim Riley, an American anti-LNG lobbyist, also warned of the potential dangers of LNG projects, saying that they are ﾓundesirableﾒ.
ﾓWhy theyﾴre not putting it in Florida is something you all have to ask yourselves,ﾒ Mr. Riley said. ﾓWhy are they putting it off on your island to pipe it to Florida? Thatﾴs a question you have to ask yourselves.
ﾓWhy you would want to turn your paradise into a terrorist target, into an industrial zone on projects that have a virtual limited history, that can change the complexion of your economy and put your nation at risk, is something that you really have to think about.ﾒ
Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
