Thursday, March 10, 2011

Statement from Bahamas' Prime Minister on the Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan

Nassau, Bahamas - Prime Minister Ingraham said this morning that the Government and people of The Bahamas join with citizens around the world in expressing profound sorrow at the terrible loss of life and the human tragedy resulting from the catastrophic earthquake and horrific tsunami impacting Japan beginning yesterday afternoon.
He had no doubt that the thoughts and prayers of all Bahamians are with the victims and their families as they endure the pain of the dreadful natural disasters that continue to impact Japan this morning.

Prime Minister Ingraham recalled that Japan is always amongst the first of the developed countries to respond to international disasters with help and assistance. He said that The Bahamas was happy to learn that the world community at the level of the United Nations and indeed in capital cities of the developed countries with the ability to respond have signaled a readiness to lend whatever assistance is required by Japan to recover from this terrible disaster.

The Prime Minister recalled that The Bahamas had only this past January concluded a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with Japan. On that occasion he had the opportunity to meet with the Japanese Ambassador accredited to The Bahamas, H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi to discuss the mutual interest of both governments to broaden and enhance relations.

The Prime Minister said that he would extend condolences to the Government and people of Japan from the Government and people of The Bahamas over the tremendous loss of life and destruction from the disaster.