US Embassy, Dominica reiterate American Corner MOU

US Ambassador Larry Palmer shakes hands with Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean after the signing of the MOU
US Ambassador Larry Palmer shakes hands with Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean after the signing of the MOU

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Dominica and the United States Embassy that created the American Corner four years ago at the Public Library, has been reiterated.

US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Dr. Larry L. Palmer, signed the MOU with Education Minister Petter St. Jean on Monday at the Public Library on Victoria Street.

In his brief remarks, US Ambassador Palmer has described the partnership as an exemplary one.

“And what a great model of partnership it has been! Since its grand opening, this wonderful space in this lovely library has attracted many Dominicans to enjoy a wide variety of resources-books, computers, board games, and even kindles,” he said. “The fantastic staff here has planned dozens of successful events and activities-film festivals, books clubs and games for youngsters just to name a few.”

He pointed out that the signing reaffirms the “understanding and continue our great partnership with the government and people of Dominica.”

According to Palmer, the Embassy supports such endeavors because it believes in partnerships.

“We support endeavors like this because we sincerely believe in partnership. In this interconnected world, we interact on a daily basis with people from across the world, we share interests and goals,” Palmer noted. “We are stronger when we work together and make things happen- and the American corner in Dominica is an excellent example of just how true that is.”

The American Corner is a a partnership between Dominica and US Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The Government of Dominica provides space inside the National Public Library in Roseau and agreed to assist in staffing it.

In 2009, the American Corner received initial funding of $20,000 from the US Embassy. In 2012 the Embassy provided an additional US$10,000.

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13 Comments

  1. John
    July 30, 2013

    I just hope that they do not wait till China starts construction of a Navy Base at Portsmouth before they decide to pay attention to Dominica because then it will take an invasion to stop it. Portsmouth is a perfect natural harbor it would not take much to put a Navy Base there without too much trouble China can have one there in no time that may be one of their plans after they finish buying Dominica from Skerrit.

  2. John
    July 30, 2013

    Who is the ambassador in the picture the one on the left or right.

  3. Tumble back kick
    July 29, 2013

    I guess people do not check out the relevant news. MOU with $20,000? Big joke.You know the drug bust with 30kilo of coke is worth more than that. Dem people tired give us scraps and we accepting this with so much vri.
    The us aid to the Caribbean is peanuts. Its high time that we tell them go intercept the drugs themselves.
    Egypt gets $1,500,000,000, Isreal a little less, and we guarding your back door you giving people coshony l’argent.
    What about them visas?
    It’s the us to decide who enter, but people not terrorist, valeh Dominicans they turn down without a real reason. All they say you don’t qualify. So what is the criteria? The visas may cost a little more than $150 us and if 1000 Dominicans go to Bados each year then that is $15,000 so they ain’t giving us anything that aint ours!
    Partnership- give us a soft loan for a good airport. What good for the goose good for the gander. Lets export fig and zaboka to the us, all you like it and we have it.Zot ka faire moun awaje ou swe la.

    • Tim
      July 31, 2013

      The USA owes Dominica N-O-T-H-I-N-G ! ! ! If Dominica had anything the USA was interested in (for example: oil), the USA would better finance Dominica. As far as Dominica “protecting the backdoor” to the USA-GET REAL! If the USA really felt threaten that large quantities of drugs were entering its shores via Dominica, the USA would do the same thing there as it did (and continues to do) in Honduras, Columbia, Mexico, etc.,etc.,. When you see USA military types posting guard and training Dominicans in military type exercises, you can rest assured either a large check to Dominica was recently cashed, or the check is in the mail.

  4. Mamizoo
    July 29, 2013

    We have been receiving assistance from the United States for as long as i can remember. It is very unfortunate that nowadays some would like us to believe that America had never been there for us.

    I must comment though on what I see in the picture and I hope some see my comment as an advise. The handshake that we see in the picture is a very very bad image for the leaders – people who represent us at the highest level. What a telling hand shake. The hand shake reveals great imbalance. The US ambassador the dominatrix and Peter the little penguine.Just take a look at how Petta is looking down. The ambassador is looking at him in the face and Petta is looking either at the hand shake or the table – If Petta was looking at the camera that would be acceptable but he is not.The other blatant sign of petta’s lack of confidence and conviction is the fact that the hand shake show Petta’s hand is held like someone needing support to stand. Essentially this is exactly what Petta is demonstrating. Is he aware of that? I would bet my last penny he has no clue.

    I may get some thumbs down but to those who are willing to learn take heed. These little nuances, gestures says a lot. Someone can detect your capabilities and determine just who you are by that first handshake. Body language is universal and more accurate than word themselves

    • yam babawoolais
      July 30, 2013

      I can tell that Mamizoo read the same book I read two years ago. When I read Mamizoo’s comment I smiled cause since I read that book I have been trying ti put inti practice the manerisms and body language that would improve my social skills

  5. Dominica_Lover
    July 29, 2013

    WOW!!! Peanuts just like the Americas Airline companies. That is all they offer.

  6. Doc. Love
    July 29, 2013

    The Americans claim it want to reaffirm the understanding and continue its great partnership with the Government and people of Dominica but the Government would appear to have a different agenda. During the Debate, the Minister of Agriculture thank all Countries which have helped Dominica during its hard financial times, with the exception of America. All Morocco has done so far was to help in the building of a hotel and you talking about fostering partnerships with the Americans, give me a break.

  7. Lil Bo-Pip
    July 29, 2013

    I want a Chinese Passport!

  8. Jack D.
    July 29, 2013

    rubbish

  9. Cyrique
    July 29, 2013

    Well done Petter St Jean. Hundreds of Dominicans will benefit from this MOU. Thank God we have a proactive Government with sound and progressive Ministers. God bless Dominica!!!

  10. IluvmyPm
    July 29, 2013

    Thank u mister ambassador we love America china & Venezuela is not what the Dominican people want.

  11. Pedro
    July 29, 2013

    We do appreciate the assistance,. However a New Library is needed Mr Ambassador and that should have a far more reaching influence, particularly considering so many kids from many communities attend the Roseau schools, applying their education. The US government has only been donating small change compared to that received our many other donors, many of whom established relations only recently. The US seems to only want to extend a major hand to Islamic nations mostly due to its interests there. Communism is dead, so the relations with the Caribbean seem to be only significant as far as fighting the drug trade.

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