By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette yesterday branded Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell as “anti-American” telling The Tribune that Mr Mitchell’s statements since taking office appear to have a slant against the United States.

“Mr Mitchell, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, has continuously appeared to be anti-American with his comments,” Mr Symonette, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, said.

“He is even on record attacking me for being fairly liberal and close to the US because the charge d’affaires is my neighbour. Matter of fact, he took me to town on that.”

Mr Symonette was commenting on allegations that the US National Security Agency (NSA) is spying on the Bahamas.

On Tuesday Mr Mitchell suggested that if the allegations are true then the Ingraham administration would have to account for the claims because the timeline for the allegations relate to a period “in and around 2011,” when Mr Symonette was Foreign Minister.

Yesterday he accused Mr Mitchell of trying to cloud the conversation by dragging the Ingraham administration into the debate.

“I think it is a total smokescreen and a red herring,” he said. “He sits in Cabinet, which has a Minister of National Security and an Attorney General. To try and allude to the fact that this was authorised by the FNM is totally outrageous. He should do his investigations as a minister and report, rather than talk ahead of that report and stir up emotions and fears that might not be warranted.

“He is shooting from the hip, which is his usual style and is trying to get the public to believe that he can back up those comments.”

Concerns that the US is allegedly spying on the Bahamas emerged this week after an article published Monday on the website The Intercept alleged that all cell phone conversations in the country were being intercepted and recorded by the NSA.

Mr Symonette said this matter is serious and questioned Mr Mitchell’s ability to handle the controversy.

Yesterday in the House of Assembly, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Philip Davis gave an update on the government’s investigations into the matter.

He said the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bahamas’ ambassador to Washington along with the deputy chief of mission met with US officials seeking a full explanation into the claims.

“The US side undertook to respond. We agreed to await for the same,” he said.

“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. This does not derogate, however, from the principles of the rule of law and the respect for the right to privacy.”

He also raised questions about what the Ingraham administration knew about the allegations of spying by the NSA.

“I invite them to search the history of their files in regard to this matter,” Mr Davis said.

On Tuesday, Mr Mitchell said the allegations of possible surveillance are “startling” and, if proven, then the behaviour would be “clearly illegal”.

Earlier this week the NSA released a statement to The Tribune about the matter but did not confirm or deny the allegations. The allegations are contained in the documents leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

“Every day, NSA provides valuable intelligence on issues of concern to all Americans – such as international terrorism, cyber crime, international narcotics trafficking and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” the statement said. “The fact that the US government works with other nations, under specific and regulated conditions, mutually strengthens the security of all.

“NSA’s efforts are focused on ensuring the protection of the national security of the United States, its citizens, and our allies through the pursuit of valid foreign intelligence targets. Moreover, all of NSA’s efforts are strictly conducted under the rule of law and provide appropriate protection for privacy rights.”

Earlier this month, FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner raised concerns that the Christie administration is allegedly spying on Bahamians through the newly created National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

When asked to comment on the NIA concerns, Mr Symonette said because there is little information in the public domain about the government agency there is “the potential for a grave injustice and intrusion on people’s lives.”