Antigua gov’t releases full list of diplomatic passport holders

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Antigua & Barbuda yesterday released a complete list of the names of diplomatic passport holders. PM Gaston Browne had previously promised Parliament that such a list would be published.

The document makes for very interesting reading and includes a slew of well-known names not typically associated with diplomacy, such as Special Envoy Robert De Niro.

While most of the names on the list have a designation (Ambassador, UN Representative and so on), the interesting names are the ones that don’t have any designation at all.

Alex Nain Saab Moran, for example, has a “dark and controversial past related to drug trafficking”, is reportedly under investigation by the DEA, and has close ties to the socialist Venezuelan government.

The name of Julia Vivi Wang, a Chinese-born US national who allegedly paid several hundred thousand in bribes to, among others, the former PM of Antigua & Barbuda, also features on the list.

The Ministry’s press statement emphasizes that it inherited several appointees from previous administrations and have revoked several of them while honoring a few.

A cursory google search of some of the names on the list, however, indicates that a further culling of the diplomatic ranks of Antigua & Barbuda may be in order.

See press release from Antigua’s government below.

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69 Comments

  1. Anthony P. Ismael: Free Pampers Minister
    July 17, 2017

    Skerrit, you’re up. What say you Dear Leader? Will you release Dominica’s list?

  2. Emile Dominique
    July 17, 2017

    When we disagree with someone we do not use any supporting facts, data or ideas to refute. Instead we use all kinds of accusation and name calling to destroy credibility.
    When I read this account about the Antiguan P M publishing a diplomatic list I went OMG he did not do this. This will only embarrass his diplomats and put them in harms way. Its like setting up marks for a hit. Why ? What is he protecting? What is he afraid of?
    You normally have two types of diplomats….career ( civil servants) and political. If you win an election and form the government you check the diplomatic lists. If you do not like any of them you recall the civil servants and you fire the political appointee. Brown could have done this. He could have sanitized his diplomatic lists without putting anyone at risk. Do you think the USA would publish such a list, telling people who their military attache or their intelligence officials are. Because this can be slanted to fault Skeritt people think ,O K

    • Emile Dominique
      July 17, 2017

      You can have honorary diplomats. There was a Dominican who was an honorary French Council. He was responsible for French – Dominica relationship. We even had a French bank invested in Roseau.
      Jamaica have several Americans representing them as Consul General…..all this is included in a diplomatic lists. Diplomatic relationship is a highly classified activity and the identity of diplomats are classified.
      Putting a label on me or attaching a stigma does not change my mind or my opinion.
      DNO is a free press and I have a right to freedom of expression. I will not be misled by misinformation. Most facts can be checked from online sources, magazines and books, so who disagree can check.
      This is 2017, its about time we deal with issues without personal attacks or bi-partisan attitude
      We are all free to use our democratic rights to support who ever we want, but why the name calling.
      I can call worst than I receive, am tempted, sometimes I cant resist, But will keep…

      • Emile Dominique
        July 17, 2017

        …..will keep trying

  3. let us go
    July 17, 2017

    about the gov of Antigua its a must by giving up the names of the people that has Antigua passports I live in Antigua I know whats going on the people of Antigua get mad when the six people were sent back to antigua from canada and its the same TONY that send the information to the radio station Observer Radio 911 fm to clea the air in Antigua letting them know that all the six people a the holders of the commonwealth of Dominica Passports, when is that same TONY that saying to the DOM-IN-CANS that its not true with what they hearing on our own radio station WICE q95 fm but again the sun RISE and it will SET TIME WILL TELL

  4. shrewd
    July 16, 2017

    The PM already release a few of the Dominican diplomats and they are all very infamous. The others have not paid for their diplomatic passports yet, they took it on credit. Sam was able to get paid for diplomatic passport, with a promise? sorry no COD. If Sam is able to get passport money with delivering it, then Sam should be the minister of CBI. Sam is a joker!!!

  5. Paul R
    July 16, 2017

    Skerrit is not willing to post a list of Dominican Diplomatic passport holders. He might as well admit openly that he has ‘sold’ our country to undesirables.

  6. Dr. Jess Aronsmith, PhD
    July 15, 2017

    It seems that the Hon. Dr. Skerrit will not release any list of diplomatic passport holders. Here’s why. He can legally avoid giving the details of the ‘diplomats’, by using the Dominica Central Intelligence Agency (‘DCIA’) provisions. All diplomats are automatically members of the DCIA and as such, it is a national security issue if their identities are released.

    Well done Dr. Skerrit – great move from Tony!!

  7. July 15, 2017

    _https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

  8. Mr. X
    July 15, 2017

    Didn\’t Foreign Minister, sister Francine Baron say that kind of info is not for public knowledge? I guess the DA public accepted that response as ok.
    I wonder when certain \’big dogs\’ in authority in other places ask for that info in the near future if her answer will still be the same or she will make the list public…..Time will tell.

  9. Profet of Doom
    July 15, 2017

    Diplomatic storms are ragging and the big one will be the eruption of Morn Au Diable. . The people of the north east should evacuate.

  10. freedom fighter
    July 15, 2017

    Wow, see how the cookie crumbles. Back to agriculture?

  11. Let The Truth Be Told - Original
    July 14, 2017

    Who is PM Gaston Browne trying to please? All of you should know the meaning of “diplomat” and the position of those with that name.
    Some of you talk/comment without thinking. The reason why you do, it is clear you are non-DLP supporters.
    If these people are aware their names are made public, they could retaliate. A/gua and Barbuda would stand to lose much, including the other islands; D/ca, no exception..
    If I held a diplomatic passport I would not want my name printed in the public arena for all to see and read. This is dangerous.
    They know what they know about those who were arrested. However, whether some proved to be dishonest, for security reasons, to protect the others, none of their names should be published. For those who treasure their privacy, this is what they would want.
    Leave well alone! Do not be stupid and want those names released and published.
    The government of Dominica should not copycat Antigua and Barbuda.

  12. Mahaut
    July 14, 2017

    We don’t care what other countries do. We sell we get money don’t you guys see what the CBI money doing roads small business and buying of votes ..boy let our skirooo do his job . Well look it
    Row row..

  13. July 14, 2017

    Skerrit will never be honest with the names that he will write on that list if he decided to show the list to the public .The same public who pays taxes in order for him to get his salary and the gifts he offers to who ever supports him.

  14. ben
    July 14, 2017

    @emile , releasing the list is not about mr linton , it’s about the people of Dominica. Dont we have a right to know who have our dip. passport? mr linton is just the messenger.

  15. July 14, 2017

    Skerrit and dem can run, but cannot hide
    Vommi it Skerrit :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

  16. Sam
    July 14, 2017

    That’s what you call leadership and transparency. Well done Mr Prime minister of Antigua you are a great leader.
    You have nothing to hide, only those with stuff to hide is hiding
    Could all the transparent Dlp folks please stand up

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      July 14, 2017

      How would you like your name to be published for all to read?
      People’s names should not be published without their approval. Otherwise they could sue.
      You noticed that DNO does not even publish the names of those who commit crimes and not before they are charged. DNO has stated why.
      Ask yourself, would those who paid exorbitant sums for a diplomatic passport want their names published? These people also have family, husbands/wives. What if they were not told? Everyone has a right to privacy.
      Those who had diplomatic passports and committed some sort of crime did not steal from little Antigua and Barbuda and also little Dominica. No harm came to those little islands. I do not expect it ever will because they held a diplomatic passport. I would not waste my time to discuss/argue about them. Leave these people alone for the sake of these countries.
      The Antigua and Barbuda PM is exposing them, those who are honest. He is stupid and wrong. So are some of you.

  17. Massacre
    July 14, 2017

    Skerro and his minions must be shaking in their pants now that the cuffs are closing in.
    I want the full list of all passport holders to be released by July 24 2017.
    DLP supporters let me hear you guys cover-up for Skerro and bunch now .

    • Emile Dominique
      July 14, 2017

      What are you , a hitman. You want to set up someone as a mark.

      • RastarMarn
        July 14, 2017

        you fool-ish man!!!

        Doh say noffing if you don’t know what to say nuh please!!!

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      July 14, 2017

      Who are you? “You want?” You are out of place. Learn respect and how to communicate.

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      July 14, 2017

      Be sure your brain is engaged before putting your mouth and fingers to the keyboard in gear. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  18. FORKIT
    July 14, 2017

    well skerrit must release it to the usa or face sactions, we cannot take another ericka much less for sactions….
    i hope you doh leave out some names

    • UK Dominican
      July 14, 2017

      Don’t worry. Such a list will also be shared with Interpol and security services worldwide. Anyone. who turns up with a diplomatic passport, who is not on that list will be an automatic suspect and refused entry or even arrested.

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      July 14, 2017

      Can you take the end of the world, should it occur now?

    • July 15, 2017

      As of now 21 confirm for the asylum. This information is released for the benifit of Antiguans. The US is not interested in who Antigua or Dominica issue diplomatic passports to. The possession of a diplomatic passport does not give you automatic entry into the US, you still have to apply for a visa.

  19. UK Dominican
    July 14, 2017

    I wonder if Lennox Linton asked Francine Baron the same question in the House again she would give the same response that disclosure is not a matter for the public. I really would like to hear that, if only for the record.

  20. July 14, 2017

    This pm is a man of integrity he reminds me of
    Doctor honourable Lennox Linton

  21. July 14, 2017

    Did Gaston Brown and the people of Antigua and Barbuda put the Punjab PhD, his entire Cabinet and by extension the people of Dominica to shame? We all heard the response by the Min of Foreign Affairs when ask by the Opposition leader in parliament to publish the list of all diplomats and diplomatic appoints; She gave that bogus answer and we did nothing about it. “Is so we come nah” no wonder we “last kaka rat” Ops! sorry, we first in Negative and last in Positive.

  22. tweety
    July 14, 2017

    This government is very transparent,these are ppl you trust.

  23. Jonathan St jean
    July 14, 2017

    Hello Francine and Skerritt,go on keeping the Dominican list for private and personal use, Hahaha,Trump will make you guys vomit the list ……….. you are trying to protect.Power corrupts but ultimate power corrupts ultimately.Who is tarnishing the Good name of Dominica.If Skerritt knows what’s good for him he will hurry up and provide the list to the US authorities and Lennox Linton as well.Hahaha,who laughs last laughs the best

    • July 14, 2017

      Rubish as usual, you sound like a colonialist idiot. Dominica poses no threat to your beloved America, as a matter of fact America is a threat to the entire region as it has many terrorist within its borders and always fanning the flames of war. Listen to CNN, BBC and other front line news organizations for credible information instead of listening to the criminal Rijock and Mass in the cemetery. Stop wishing for bad things to happen to Skeritt, erase the hate from your system.

  24. correct lyrics
    July 14, 2017

    Pure garbage. Cannot see the rational for that.

    • Elephan
      July 14, 2017

      – Mr. Laborite

    • oh yes!
      July 14, 2017

      of course you can’t see the rational for this – you are one of those whose eyes are bow and head close. You have sell your soul for 30 pieces of silver but have not come to a place of remorse. You are one of those made Skerrit you God and think he is boss of this place. You are one of those who can’t and won’t see truth even if it blinds you like the sun – all because you have sold your integrity and your soul. so yes we understand that you can’t see the rational for this. I pray that somehow your conscience will torment you like it did Judas. You are Dominica’s judas

  25. papa
    July 14, 2017

    Da put yours out show your hands is clean pm

  26. Knowledgeable.
    July 14, 2017

    Skeritt I demand of you to do just what Gaston Brown has done publish the names of the close to 500 persons holding our deplomatic passports. I know that you and Francine Baron cannot do such because majority of the holders are foreign criminals.

  27. Emile Dominique
    July 14, 2017

    That is not a good move. I hope Dominica is not following this. You are putting a lot of people at risk, in danger. You are exposing you people and country to attack. You are compromising your security.

    • Knowledgeable.
      July 14, 2017

      Absolute gabbage what are you afraid of the number of criminals holding our deplomatic passports? They are the security risk.

    • that is what my nation is coming to
      July 14, 2017

      oh shut up they are dominican diplomats they work for the dominican people so we have the right to kno who you are and what u portraying dominica as

    • July 14, 2017

      EMILE you have to be from the planet of the Apes or first cousin of a Jack-ass

    • Me
      July 14, 2017

      If you have a clean slate you have nothing to fear.

    • FORKIT
      July 14, 2017

      boy dominica have foolish people…. a diplomat not supposed to be kept in the dark… what people at risk… omg. i wish i was not from the same place you came from.. too foolish

      • Daryl Joseph
        July 14, 2017

        @forkit totally agree with you. Can’t believe we still lack the basic common sense.
        Real sad

      • IslandGurle
        July 14, 2017

        Sorry Dominica really don’t have foolish people, Dominica has a lot of wicked , Vile, nonsensical, illogical, just plain bad people who has sold their souls for what I don’t know. This country needs a purging from top to bottom and everywhere else.

    • truth
      July 14, 2017

      emile, You must be a follower of the Dominican labour party, because ,only they, do not believe in transparency , Do yourself a little justice ,and don’t mention this, for it is better to be thought of as a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubts .

      • July 14, 2017

        In the interest of transparency why can’t the leadership of the UWP inform Dominicans on the names of the six Europeans who gave them over 4 million dollars and what was promised in exchange for this large sum of money. Remember always that Satan cannot correct sin.

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      July 14, 2017

      I agree.

  28. Purple turtle gang
    July 14, 2017

    Antigua PM is not afraid of putting out their list of Diplomats though the list is not pretty. Yet though Skerrit boasts of ours being the best, he still not telling us who our diplomats are and threatens to sue us for talking about actions of our secret diplomats. In fact in other to know anything about our diplomats we have to read blogs like this: http://rijock.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-dominica-papers-iranian-sanctions.html?m=1

    • July 14, 2017

      Even if the Dominican government would publish the list would you believe it? You are much more interested in believing and circulating the lies of the Keneth Rijock.

      • Elephan
        July 14, 2017

        – Mr. Laborite

      • %
        July 14, 2017

        Anon why are you sounding so desperate?. Have they kicked you out of the corrupt DLP? Anon where was Skerrit hiding while patriot#1, LLL Leader Lennox Linton and Gaston Brown were on CBS 60 MINUTES?,,,Was it at your home Anon? Anon do not burst any blood vessel for a corrupt and polluted, lost, misguided, lazy and inept DLP…AT the end of the day Anon, you mean nothing to those greedies, you must realize that you are just being used Anon.
        SKERRIT MUST GO
        SKERRIT MUST GO
        SKERRIT MUST GO NOW

  29. Portsmouth Service Station
    July 14, 2017

    As Shady as it maybe I must give credit to PM Gaston Browne for being bold enough to release the list so the entire world could see. Skerrit and Barron would not even give names to the parliament. In this light I am now calling on PM Skerrit to release the names of Diplomats since he became PM in 2004

    • UK Dominican
      July 14, 2017

      Browne was also the one responding frankly to the CBS program on 1 Jan. He is a pragmatists who realizes it is far better to clean up now rather than wait for someone eklse to do it for him. He gains credibility with this.

      • Emile Dominique
        July 14, 2017

        @ UK Dominica…….. What credibility ? Credibility for putting people in danger. Exposing them as targets. This is not something pros and cons of Sheritt, This is not like or dislike of DLP. This is just a bad decision. And people are praising Brown’s pragmatism. Diplomats receive special protection from governments and this will make it more difficult for them. Remember Bengazie. Remember Iran holding American diplomats hostage during the Cater Administration. Are we forgetting we are in an era of terrorism. I just hope and pray that Dominica will not make the same mistake.

      • July 14, 2017

        Was he answering frankly?? What frank answer did he give regarding the purchase apartment in the UAE for Atiguan citizenship?

      • Hmmmm
        July 16, 2017

        Clearly Emile knows something about our diplomatic list that we don’t know! Once again, the gov’t of Dominica shows that it has placed the country in a perilous situation. What is disappointing is that this didn’t happen overnight. After 7 years of concerns being brought to their attention, they continued to abuse the program for overnight wealth, and now we are to think that they are concerned about people’s safety?! At no time did they ever think this day “MIGHT” come?

        Stop excusing corruption and criminalilty Emile!

  30. %
    July 14, 2017

    DOMINICA NEEDS CAMPAIGN FINANCING ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    The government of Antigua and Barbuda must still be complimented for issuing the list. What do we have in Dominica, lead by a polluted and corrupt DLP! When patriot the honourable LLL, Leader Lennox Linton asked our minister of foreign affairs for the names or a list of our diplomats, the RUDE, SHA,MELESS and BRAZEN reply was something tantamount to ”’this list is not for public consumption'””. How rude and insulting can a fetid DLP regime be to the citizenry…………………………………but remember Skerrit went to hide to dodge the CBS 60minutes programme, and I surrmise one of the reasons was his inability (already he is not an astute leader) to defend the CBI PROGRAMME on island…The opposition needs to keep on asking for this list.in the face of such a ruthless regime, I must say that they are exhibiting VERY RESPONSIVLE OPPOSITION..Proud of you guys.
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT…

    • Emile Dominique
      July 14, 2017

      @% Lennox Linton is no patriot. His request for diplomatic lists to be published makes him a JUDAS. He like you want to set up people as targets as victims for terrorism. If I have a diplomatic passport and my name is on such a list, I would return it to protect myself. Then I would publish the fact that I do not have one anymore. Its about time that people realize that Lennox is just trouble. You and his other followers must open your eyes to his fake leadership. You all are following a PIPE PIPER.
      .

      • Me
        July 14, 2017

        Emile rhymes with schlemiel

      • oh yes!
        July 14, 2017

        Emile – you really are stupid- did you hear the donkey bray??? that was you my brother

      • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
        July 14, 2017

        I would also ask that the money I paid for the diplomatic passport be returned in full.

      • DA
        July 15, 2017

        America , who seem to be so careful of its every move concerning her affiliates has never kept secret or hidden its list of diplomats

      • Hmmmm
        July 16, 2017

        So essentially you are admittting that people with diplomatic passport did not receive them for the purposes intend. They are no diplomats. They are rogues looking for free passes. When we see that these people are doing nothing for Dominica, we will question what it is they did to become diplomats to begin with!

    • Peeping Tom
      July 14, 2017

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    • July 14, 2017

      “Dominica needs campaign finance”…..tell that to your party according to the report of the common wealth mission they not interested.

    • Me
      July 16, 2017

      I concur. We also need freedom-of information act with the same urgency.

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