The BTC Bad Deal with Cable & Wireless

In Adamant Opposition to a bad Deal
The Bahama Journal Editorial


There are times in life when conscience demands that we set aside petty calculation and yield to its dictates; such a time has come for this Journal as we call on the current administration to heed the voice of the Bahamian people.

This voice – as we have heard it as it echoes and resonates – demands that, all Bahamians who are patriots should rise – as if they were one man- in opposition to any deal that would deny the Bahamian people majority control of entities such as BTC.

Indeed, like so very many other Bahamians who disagree with the current administration’s on that matter which involves giving Cable and Wireless a 51% per cent stake in BTC; we do so based on our studied conclusion that this deal is not in the best interests of either BTC or the Bahamian people.

Contrariwise, we are today quite persuaded that, things would go very differently and much better for all parties concerned were the government minded to make no deal with anyone that does not leave the Bahamas and the Bahamian people in direct control of this entity.

Here we rush to assure the public that our difference with the current administration has next to nothing to do with any position that might seem to be –at least on first blush- barking up the same tree.

And so, while some who oppose the deal may be doing so because they fear some of its implications and ramifications, moving forward; we are where we are based on principle.

That principle has to do with our deeply held conviction that there are certain properties that should never be alienated to the control of any foreign entity; this based on our conclusion that tied up in these entities are values that cut to the very core of what it means to be both sovereign and self-respecting.

We are where we are on this issue based on our fervently held view that, there are properties that are so very valuable and so deeply enmeshed with this nation’s identity and security.

And clearly then, we are fulsome in our support of all those Bahamian nationalists who are not prepared to sit by and watch as BTC – as part of this nation’s patrimony – released into the hands of Cable and Wireless.

Here we hasten to add that, we are not opposed to foreign involvement in BTC or any other Bahamian owned entity; what we resent has to do with giving them the whip-hand that comes with the 51% share.

The BTC deal –as proposed and as debated throughout the length and breadth of the Bahamas – is one that has galvanized a tremendous amount of opposition.

Indeed, so loud and so resonant has the voice of the people been that today, we marvel that those who might yet make the difference have not heeded the call and plea for them to turn around and do what is right.

And as we are led to understand and appreciate what seems to be an emerging consensus, the Bahamian people are –for the most part- opposed to the deal that is set to be struck between BTC and Cable and Wireless.

Those people who oppose the deal [as currently proposed] seem to be of the view that the deal is a bad one.

We agree with them.

And not only do we agree with them, we telegraph our resolve to stand with all Bahamians who would seriously request of the current administration that, they can and should take a while before putting pen to paper on that now vexing matter involving BTC and Cable and Wireless.

But even as we are set on making this principled position known and noted, we are also aware of the fact that, the current administration seems set on its current path.

Here we also note that, no changes have been made to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government and Cable & Wireless over BTC's impending sale.

We are also hearing say that, the government is on course to finalizing a contract with C&W which is expected to be signed this month; and that, the said sale should be completed by the middle of February.

But be that as it may – whether the deal with Cable and Wireless is consummated or not – we are opposed to it in its current form.

January 12, 2011

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Bahamas Blog International