Pastor slams ‘ugly war of words’ in Baha Mar dispute

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

PROMINENT pastor Reverend C B Moss yesterday said the public fighting between members of the Christie administration and Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian has pushed Bahamians onto the proverbial “knife’s edge” with its “ugly war of words.”

In a statement, Rev Moss called the ordeal “embarrassing, distasteful, and counterproductive.” He stressed that strong leadership is needed now more than ever as the nation’s challenges increase.

According to the Mt Olive Baptist Church pastor, the name calling, allegations, and threats have reached a level unbecoming of those involved. He added that the government must get a handle on this volatile situation before it spirals completely out of control.

“This is especially important as the international community is keenly watching, which can have a huge, immediate and long-time effect on the economy of our nation,” said Rev Moss.

“Baha Mar the largest ever project of its kind in the Caribbean, was at one time a wonderful Bahamian dream, but is now in danger of becoming a terrible Bahamian nightmare and those involved, especially the government, are cautioned not to underestimate nor ignore the scope for economic and social disaster.

“Indeed much damage has already been done and the government must remember that the people will hold it responsible.”

Mr Izmirlian, the CEO of the $3.5b Cable Beach resort, has been at odds with the Christie administration since June 29, when the hotel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a US court.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has maintained that the move came as a surprise to the government.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell has on a number of occasions bashed Mr Izmirlian over the bankruptcy filing.

Mr Mitchell has warned that the developer’s permanent residency status could be revoked if he couldn’t conform to the expected conduct of foreign investors.

Mr Izmirlian and Mr Christie have also exchanged bitter words, with the nation’s leader questioning the developer’s mental health after he released a scathing press release about the government.

Last week in a letter to his staff, Mr Izmirlian said he never imagined he would be “fighting” with the government over the project. He also said the project had been “usurped” for political reasons.

Rev Moss said Bahamians are hurting, frustrated and angry as they look for ways out of the economic and social quagmire the nation is in.

“They are becoming more and more tired and agitated and unless that way out is identified very soon the frustration and hopelessness may explode into rage, the aftermath of which will be like nothing seen before in the Bahamas,” he said.

“Strong, mature leadership is required now more than ever as the challenges to the nation intensifies and increases, while solutions appear ever more elusive. Failure at this juncture will likely spell pain and suffering of tragic proportions. Well into the future. The Bahamian people deserve better.”

The government has filed a winding up petition against Baha Mar, which would lead to the appointment of provisional liquidators if approved by the Supreme Court.

The matter will be heard on August 19.

However, Justice Ian Winder has approved the application by Baha Mar’s attorneys to petition the Court of Appeal in a bid to reverse his previous rejection of Mr Izmirlian’s motion to have the resort’s US bankruptcy orders approved in the Bahamas.

Comments

arussell says...

So TRUE

Posted 12 August 2015, 4:43 p.m. Suggest removal

shortpants says...

And the worst thing is ALL pastors or whatever they call themselves in this Bahamas Land is silent than a lamb. Why is that? Who are you'll afraid off ,hope not the daytime crooks and the worst prime minister this Bahamas has even seen .All about dancing around like the fools that they are ,while we suffer. And what happen to the honest men an women in this country where are your voices .Are you'll waiting for our country to crumble and fail because you'll are afraid off these clowns that are running our country SHAME on all of you'll.

Posted 12 August 2015, 4:45 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

There is free speech in the Bahamas. so I suppose that is why the Reverend Moss feels he has to add to the "ugly war of Words" with his ugly war of words. The international community is watching, and he should know they have seen and understand all about chapter 11 and what it means. and there may be an explosion of rage. Against whom? Pastor Moss? China Construction or Mr; Sarkis. They are the main players in this situation. Pastor Moss pray to the God of Jacob and Abraham. for a solution. and try your best not to add to the "Ugly war of words" that is all you have done.

Posted 12 August 2015, 5:34 p.m. Suggest removal

truetruebahamian says...

Birdiestrachan, I see that you are again out of focus. It is not yet the weekend, so leave the rum alone.

Posted 12 August 2015, 5:57 p.m. Suggest removal

MonkeeDoo says...

Birdie: did christie arrange for his sons realty company to get a big waterpark conttact at baha mar and then sub conttact to people who could do the work. Taking aslice off the top ? Tell the truth and shame the devil.

Posted 12 August 2015, 8:39 p.m. Suggest removal

jus2cents says...

Whatever, PLP will implode at some point the Cyber Cat will get out of the bag and they will be exposed, then they will rip each other apart with their vicious rhetoric. A lot of the PLP already hate each other and they know it's only a matter of time, that's why they are posturing so aggressively.

Posted 13 August 2015, 12:03 p.m. Suggest removal

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