Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday he sent a diplomatic note to the governments of Malaysia, China and the United States distancing the government from a remark Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis made last week likening the Christie administration to the lost Malaysia Airlines flight 370.
"The government is concerned that without further clarification there may be some confusion, that the loss of the plane and the lives therein is seen in a cavalier and insensitive fashion in our country," said Mitchell in a statement.
"We have made it abundantly clear that this is not the case.
"The prime minister has spoken publicly about his concerns.
"A message was conveyed yesterday (Tuesday), via diplomatic note, to the governments of Malaysia, China and the United States to indicate that the remarks (uttered by the opposition leader) do not represent in any way the diminution of the seriousness of the loss of the plane and of the lives therein, nor does it indicate a lack of sensitivity on the part of the government and people of The Bahamas about the seriousness of this tragedy.
"The Bahamian people mourn the loss of life and will keep the families in our thoughts and prayers."
Minnis' comments have drawn sharp criticism from members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Last week, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said Minnis should apologize for his
"tasteless" comments.
During his contribution in the House of Assembly yesterday, MICAL MP V. Alfred Gray also asked Minnis to make a public apology for his remarks.
On Tuesday, Minnis refused to apologize for his comment and charged that Prime Minister Perry Christie should apologize for failing to deliver on many campaign promises.
Minnis compared the o Continued from page A1
Christie administration to the airline as he criticized the government for its handling of the proposed constitutional referendum.
"They are reminding me of the Malaysian airline that's lost and the entire world is looking for it," Minnis said.
He was responding to Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage, who said last Monday that he was unaware whether a date had been determined for the promised constitutional referendum on gender equality.
At an event in Mayaguana on Monday, Christie said Minnis should be condemned for his "ill spoken" remarks.
"You can joke about politics, even seriously argue about your side of politics, but when you use an analogy or an illustration in politics [about] the loss of human life that has gripped the attention of the world, you are not speaking properly," Christie said.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing on March 8 during a flight from Malaysia to Beijing, China. There were 227 passengers and 12 crewmembers onboard.
A massive multi-nation search is continuing for the aircraft.

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