This is the full text of an open letter to the citizens of The Bahamas from His Excellency J. Richard Blankenship, United States Ambassador, published in the national press Friday 27th December, 2002.

 Compliments of the season to each and everyone, and thanks to all who have made my first year as the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas both wonderful and exciting.  It has been a good year for relations between our countries and 2003 holds promise for improvement in many areas.

 As we look to 2003 and opportunities on the horizon, I hope and expect cooperation between our countries will grow ever more fruitful.

 In our battle against the scourge of narcotics, no one can be excluded if we are to be successful.  The United States needs the help of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force along with our schools, churches and private citizens as well.  Members of the Defence Force are wrongfully excluded, through no fault of their own.  Many innocent crewmembers of the HMBS Inagua do not enjoy the privilege of t raveling to the United States because 10 years ago, it seems, it was not important to determine responsibility.  As the United States Ambassador, I say we will now welcome those members of the Defence Force into the war on drugs who are willing to step forward, as members of the Police Force do now, and put duty, honour and their country before all else.

 Citizens of the United States have always enjoyed visiting not only the islands of The Bahamas, but with you, the citizens of The Bahamas as well.  You are, in fact, this country’s best ambassadors.  People of the United States cherish their relationship with you.  We recognize, just as in America, some seek to blemish your wonderful island nation by providing protection or sanctuary for those smuggling drugs in and through your country.  We ask for your help as well.  Our goal is to make our countries safe from those who seek not only to profit from drug smuggling, but from those who seek to use those ill-gotten profits to wrongfully influence not only the present but the future of our children as well.

 Since our efforts against narcotics have intensified, I have received personal threats, and been the object of rumor and innuendo.  Neither the United States nor I will be deterred.  “Sip-sip” is not a part of American foreign policy.  I am confident you, the citizens of The Bahamas, wish us well and want to be partners in our efforts.  When all is said and done, we will expose for all to see, those who do not share our Christian values.  We will become again like “One Family”.

 On behalf of the President of the United States, I thank each and every one of you for your support, prayers and kind thoughts.  I hope 2003 will bring peace and prosperity to not only The Bahamas but to the entire world as well.

 Thank you.