SOMALGET: The latest NSA
mass surveillance program to trigger
outrage in one of
America's allies. Thanks to WikiLeaks, we now
know the name of
country 'X' in the above graphic: Afghanistan.
NSA Spying on Bahamas a Prelude to 'Blackmail' (The Nassau Guardian,
The Bahamas)
"We have no idea what they do with this information. We don't
know if they use it against us in some way. We don't know if they save it to
use it against us if we dare have an independent thought or position against
America. ... What this intelligence program gives the United States is another
means by which to blackmail the people of The Bahamas. Dangling this power over
the heads of a people is an act of hostility. There is nothing friendly about
blackmail. ... In responding to America, however, we need to make that country
and its officials aware that such acts of hostility toward weaker peoples fuel
anti-Americanism. And this sentiment in a people always makes it more difficult
for America to achieve its interests."
Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell has been labeled 'un-America' by his political opponents for expressing consternation over reports that at certain times, the NSA has been recording every phone call made in the country.
The
story broke last week Monday that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has
been recording all cell phone calls in The Bahamas. The online site The
Intercept published the story.
The supporting documents for the piece are reportedly from NSA whistleblower
Edward Snowden.
Since
the disclosure and the stories that have appeared in the Bahamian media, all the
U.S. Embassy in Nassau has said is that, as a matter of policy, the United
States has made clear it gathers foreign intelligence of the type gathered by
all nations.
On
Monday, U.S. Charge d'Affaires John Dinkelman said he could neither confirm nor deny
allegations that the NSA is recording and archiving every cell phone conversation
in The Bahamas, but that he thinks "the relationship between the two
countries is strong."
"Regarding
the relationship between the United States and The Bahamas, it has never been
stronger and will continue to be one of the closest and manageable in today's
world where we struggle together for freedoms, for peace, and most importantly,
for the security of both our nations," he said.
When
the initial story broke, Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell said in a statement
that the reported recording and storing of cell phone calls in The Bahamas by
the United States appeared to be illegal and an abuse of power.
"It
would also represent a great moral failing on the part of its perpetrators, in
addition to illegality, which challenges the founding principles of the rule of
law," he said.
The
Bahamian government then told the country it was awaiting an official response
from the U.S. before saying more on the issue.
"In
the meantime we urge all Bahamians to remain calm about this matter, keeping
our eyes on the fundamentals of the relationship between the two states and our
longer-term interests," said Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis last week
in the House of Assembly.
The
government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas should know that the Americans
will tell them no more in private than they have in public. They haven't denied
the allegation, and we all know that Snowden took their private files.
As
a small nation, we have no retaliatory power against the United States, but at
this stage, what is needed is a strong statement from a nationalist in Parliament
on behalf of the government expressing the anger of the Bahamian people on this
matter.
The
Americans should know that as a sovereign nation, we take grave offense to them
recording the conversations of our children, our friends and our colleagues. We
have no idea what they do with this information. We don't know if they use it
against us in some way. We don't know if they save it to use it against us if
we dare have an independent thought or position against America.
What
this intelligence program gives the United States is another means by which to
blackmail the people of The Bahamas. Dangling this power over the heads of a
people is an act of hostility. There is nothing friendly about blackmail.
The
U.S. does these things because it can. It especially does these things to
little countries because they have no power of response to the great
superpower.
In
speaking back to America, however, we need to make that country and its
officials aware that such acts of hostility toward weaker peoples fuel
anti-Americanism. And this sentiment in a people always makes it more difficult
for America to achieve its interests.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
We
wonder if there is anyone in our Cabinet who "believes in The Bahamas"
enough to condemn the great United States and articulate Bahamian outrage on
this point. America has compromised our political and law enforcement classes
with gifts of equipment and cooperation. Others in our community are so
mesmerized by being able to go shopping in South Florida that they dare not say
anything to get our neighbor to the north upset.
If
we are to be a proud, sovereign nation, we must stand up and condemn our
friends when they have wronged us. We should let them know in clear terms that
their willingness to abuse their power and violate our privacy endangers our "friendly"
relationship. Their cavalier actions also erode the goodwill many Bahamians
feel toward the U.S.
We
shall watch and see what our leaders say regarding this matter. Maybe they don't
care and hope the issue dies down over time. But if the Bahamian government
lets this go with no further protest, the Americans will know that the docile
people of The Bahamas live in a country where it is easy for the United States
to perfect whatever intrusive experiment it chooses with little or no
resistance.
