U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman meets with the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Damian Roderick Todd.
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In
light of the strong ties shared between the United States and the Turks
and Caicos Islands (TCI), U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman made
his first official visit to the TCI on January 17-18, 2012 where he met
with the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Damian
Roderick Todd, and the Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos
Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Colin Farquhar to discuss ways to further
enhance security cooperation in the region.
During
his two day visit, Chargè Dinkelman also met key TCI government
officials and business leaders who were among the invited guests at a
reception onboard the visiting U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, hosted
by the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Samuel Jordan. The port
visit was the third by the crew of Resolute within the last year as part
of an ongoing partnership with the Turks and Caicos Police Force.
In
his remarks, Chargè Dinkelman thanked the government and people of the
Turks and Caicos Islands for their warm hospitality and highlighted the
cooperative relationship shared by the United States and the Turks and
Caicos Islands through Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). He
noted that the success of the joint efforts to counter drug trafficking
and human smuggling is based on a mutual commitment to the rule of law
and human rights.
Commanding Officer of the US Coast Guard Cutter RESOLUTE Commander Samuel Jordan makes a presentation to U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman.
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“I
applaud the efforts of the Turks and Caicos government, your commitment
to OPBAT and to this ongoing tri-lateral counter-narcotics operation,”
Chargè Dinkelman told the group. “I recommit the United States efforts
in this longstanding partnership and pledge my government’s continued
support.”
During
his familiarization trip, Chargè Dinkelman also toured the future
office of the U.S. Consular Agency, which is expected to open in
Providenciales in April 2012 to provide services to American citizens
visiting and residing on the Turks and Caicos.
Chargè
Dinkelman also received an extensive briefing on OPBAT’s operations in
the TCI from OBPAT personnel deployed to Providenciales.
The USCG Cutter RESOLUTE docked in port at Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
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US Coast Guard officers on board the USCG Cutter RESOLUTE during a welcome reception hosted on board the ship in TCI on January 17.
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A Crewmember of US Coast Guard Airstation Clearwater, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Damian Roderick Todd, U.S. Chargè d’Affaires John Dinkelman and Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Colin Farquhar.
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