Foreign Minister, Francine Baron, has delivered a strong message to the Organization of American States (OAS) saying its integrity must be beyond reproach and its action must be unbiased and consistent with those of international bodies.
Addressing the OAS’ General Assembly in Mexico she also said the relevance of the OAS should be called into question if the organization is not meeting the needs of member states, especially vulnerable ones.
According to Baron, the action of the OAS must be based on a principle of non-interference and respect for the sovereignty of member states.
“The action of the OAS, however, should uphold the principle of non-interference and respect for the sovereignty of nations at all times. At all times dialogue must be encouraged. All parties to conflict and perceived conflicts must be encouraged to resolve issues through dialogue.”
Although she did not mention it, Baron could be hinting to a very public row between Venezuela and the OAS. Secretary-General of the OAS, Luis Almagro has branded Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro a ‘dictator’ for stifling the Venezuelan opposition, which the South American country has not taken lightly (Venezuela is in the process of withdrawing from the OAS).
Prime Minister Roosevelt said Almagro should be fired and the OAS has lost its way. “The OAS should not allow any secretary-general to bypass his/her functions and assume a disrespectful position against a sovereign country,” he said, according to media house teleSUR.
In her speech to the OAS assembly, Baron said if the organization has to play the important role of resolving issues, it has to be based on integrity.
“However for the OAS to play such an important role the integrity of the institution should be beyond reproach, the action of the organization should, therefore, be unbiased and consistent with the behavior of international public servants and representatives of multinational organizations.”
She said Dominica recognizes the role the OAS plays in resolving internal conflicts in member states but “that question, however, hould not be limited to an evaluation on the ability of the OAS to solve these issues.”
“The relevance of the OAS should also be called to question if it is not meeting the needs of its member states especially the vulnerable,” Baron stated. “The silence of the OAS on issues of climate change is deafening.”
She pointed out that one must question the relevance of the OAS “in creating a platform to assist member states in achieving their sustainable development goals.”
“The OAS should use its unique role as a hemispheric organization to leverage its position to forge genuine and durable partnerships between and among states,” she said. “These partnerships could serve as tools to share best practices to enhance competitiveness in businesses as well as pooling resources for research and development in agriculture, fisheries and to build resilience to climate change.”
She added, “our efforts to make the OAS relevant to member states, the focus of the organization should be all encompassing. We should vigorously pursue the ideal of the Inter American Democratic Charter to safeguard the gains we have made in strengthening peace and security in our hemisphere.”
Baron noted that the rule of law and democratic norms and values are critical to the peace and prosperity of the people of OAS member states.
Francine Baron saying “…………………(OAS) saying its integrity must be beyond reproach and its action must be unbiased and consistent with those of international bodies……………………………” OMG the pot telling kettle bottom black and dirty and corrupt.! Who is government to lecture.
Francis you and input Skerrit and the other bunch of failed ministers all you promote are a waste of time and politically incompetent and a disgrace. Go to hell!
This is a speech of a future PM .good ON YOU JUST HOLD TIGHT we are all behind you
Francine Baron can make a big noise and score brownie points on this one but is moomoo when it comes to tell her own country’s citizens what deals she signed on their behalf with the Russian government in Sochi last Nov.? Double standards Francine? What is our country’s future with Russia Francine? I find you are too arrogant.
Integrity from a government body? Whose re-election does that facilitate? After all, re-election is the coin of government. Chavez was and now Maduro is a dictator, and dictating is not so much a problem as stealing, killing, and driving the people into hunger. To call him what he is, is not evidence that the OAS is a puppet of the US; only that people in government are always looking for another agency or body in whose name they can speak. Tyranny in Venezuela or US dominance is not an either-or that we must choose; it is a false choice from people with no other way left to defend Maduro. By the way, Trump has shown no evidence that he cares how things turn out in Venezuela, but the Washington crowd who fawned over dictators back to Ortega based on their trendy sunglasses is all gone.
Mrs. Baron,
You can point out wrong with the current pronouncement of the OAS but you cannot and will not where it matters most, Dominica. Please note:
1. Election Fraud – you remained silent.
2. CIB scandal – you lied.
3. Corruption in Government – you remain silent.
4. Criminals posses our passport – you lied.
OAS is the poppet of the US; in like manner, you are the poppet of Skerrit. I wonder if you are only his poppet – I guess you will lie about that to.
Look who’s talking, did she use the word integrity and unbiased? does she even know the meaning of these words?
”Baron noted that the rule of law and democratic norms and values are critical to the peace and prosperity of the people of OAS member states.” Yes but the Government of Dominica is supporting Maduro and his ilk who are imprisoning political opponents, shutting down independent media, control the Supreme Court and are starving the people by their stupid polices and corrupt practices in Venezuela. Once again, the members of the DLP Government are speaking from both sides of their mouths and show a lack of depth. Where is the integrity in that type of behavior?
Hear who’s talking ” integrity must be beyond reproach and its action must be unbiased and consistent with those of international bodies.” Francine Baron please take a look on the inside and you will see exactly what you think is on the outside, you must say those same words in cabinet to your cabinnot gangs, is our Government integrity beyond reproach? and is it’s actions unbiased and consistent with those of international bodies? look inside madam minister.
Lol she spoke last and barely made any impact. The people of the latin american countries already know that the caribbean islands are bought and paid for with venezuelan oil and oil money. They are fighting to solve a problem in their own backyard. Dominica is practically insignificant in this discussion.
Baron he is calling a spade a spade ! Since YOUR PM is following the footsteps of his Venezuelan idol you want it to be his way? He is a dictator in the making and Stevie wonder can see that!
Francine you are like a bleeping sheep, pretending you and Roosevelt Skerrit, and Dominica government integrity is in tack; and you all are impeccable! You might fool people who are involved in the OAS: However, we Dominicans know your character and characteristics and the characters of all of you in Skerrit’s cabal!
What about your personal integrity Francine? The little we know about your private, and public life, we know …………..you are not impeccable.
Integrity implies firm adherence to a code of moral, and artistic values, such as one who is incorruptibility, it is an unimpaired condition which yo do not possess.
So, just be quiet, you are not impressing anyone here, except the clowns who voted for you, and they cant read anyway so they will not read…
she is trying to COVER her BACK but I guess that she is starting to realize that she is way tooooooooooo late. All of them WILL/ and MUST FALL one by one.
My lady did the OAS tell you not to disclose to the nation who our ambassadors are?How many?Where are their missions?How many have been dismissed,etc.???I STRONGLY detest hypocrites,and your political party has many.Clean up Dominicas mess first..Talk about FAIR elections,the elimination of BRIBERY and TREATING,etc…Who listens to you out there?.So you are so naive,that you are believing that the same OAS does not know the fetid mess that your DLP has Dominica in?
STUPPPPEEESSSSSS!
HYPOCRITES on parade!
The OAS Secretary-General, by his pronouncements, seems as though he wants to hasten the demise of the present Venezuelan government in an undemocratic way. His role seems to be a singular one, that’s regime change in Venezuela. Everything Minister Baron has mouthed off about the OAS becoming irrelevant and hardly does anything to positively affect the living standards of its members is true. Elections are due shortly in Venezuela. Let’s help to ensure that they are free and fair and free of fear. Let the people then decide. The news coverage of Venezuela is biased although I’ll admit that there are serious problems and hardships. The citizens should decide the fate of their country.
I really wish you could spend 1 week in that country right now living like the ordinary venezuelan and tell me you would be able to wait till 2018 for something to happen. I will give you people the benefit of the doubt that you have no idea what’s really going on and are just sucking up the anti-US propaganda being spewed by the Chavista necrocracy (they still honor this man like he was alive). If you are truly aware of what is going on and have not been completely brain washed by their propaganda then all I can say is there is a special place in hell for people like you who would support a regime that continues to put suffering on its people while they dance and party like all is well.
Agreed! they have elections next year, they had elections a few years ago, the majority of the government are opposition because they won the seats. Maduro then dissolved his cabinet. Their will be presidential elections next year, the OAS leadership is acting as if they care about Venezuelans, when in fact they seem to be working as a proxy for the US t try to have its way with OAS members. The US is also a member of the OAS, none of the other state are questioning their activities so why are they trying to police other countries as if these are American cities.
Rubbish, think of the poor people of Venezuela first and all the squandering of their wealth and money to puppets like Skerrit etc. What a waste and lost of wealth, has reduced Venezuela’s people to beggars and now fighters on the streets. Maduro must go. take Skerrit with you .
That’s what i call an address.. Show dem
Well done Madame Minister, very well done.
“The relevance of the OAS should also be called to question if it is not meeting the needs of its member states especially the vulnerable,” Baron stated. “The silence of the OAS on issues of climate change is deafening.”
Very true statement. What are the proposed plans and policies that the OAS members states have put together? Where are the ideas/solutions for a hemispherical approach on combating or lessening deforestation and the rise in sea levels that will not only affect the continents but the SIDS?
I haven’t heard much about climate change from the OAS since 2014. This issue is supposed to be a part of their post-2015 agenda..but we have heard nothing on it. The OAS needs to speak to real issues.
Very appealing headline DNO. The message is clear, and very strong indeed. Kudos to Francine and the government of Dominica on their stance with the situation in Venezuela. I just wish the CARICOM bloc could be united in their decisions.
You joking, is joke you joking…..
tell oas doh interfere with Venezuela we like de dictator thing and doh get involve in our CBI.
Con’t,, The USA/OAS didn’t get their way in MEXICO, but expect a strike back by the US state dept’, certain things will be put in place to get back at the nations who voted against the resolution, hoping to send in the US military into Venezuela, at the end of the day there is always a “FALSE FLAG” on the table, so the forceful removal of NICHOLAS MADUROi is still a possibility. The MONROE DOCTRINE, is being contemplated as we speak, the troops are already based in COLUMBIA.Dominica’ position is made clear diplomatically, but the USA is a law onto themselves, so with bombs and guns,they will subdue VENEZUELA eventually.Will the people fight for self determination? bet they will, the masses seeking a nation, not dictated too by IMPERIALISM will give their blood. Those of us who are INTERNATIONALIST will stand in solidarity with our brothers/ sisters in Venezuela, our struggle for self determination must continue in any form or fashion. The struggle continues.Bob D
Hi Bob Denis,
Thanks for UR. comments, but why are U not going to Venezuela to help save those dying poor people who go to GARBAGE BIN to sustain themselves
So Venezuela only belongs to Nicholas Maduro and U only ?
that’s why U all want SKERRIT here up to 2050 just un time for demi tree to take over, zo ka sav plee ta plee twist,
Ms. Baron, where was your integrity when the people wanted to know about the holders of Dominican Diplomatic passports? Who are you to give advice about unbiased actions, when I don’t have enough fingers on both hands to count the number of occurences where Labour party bias has resulted in unfair promotions, preferential treatment, and suppression of the non-aligned? Miss, you probably should be adressing the woman in the mirror first, before moving onto pointing your finger at others.
Anancy,
U are absolutely correct I support U 100% +
That’s the questions I had to pose to her
I’ve always try my utmost best to be consistent in my postings, the position taken by the DA gov’t, is not an isolated one, it seems that CARICOM leaders are also on the same page. Since being formed by the USA, the OAS have been used to over throw and destabilize very nation in the WESTERN HEMISPHERE, a tool of USA imperialism, over the last 10-15yrs nations of this region tend to isolate the USA/OAS in the decision making, forcing OBAMA to have diplomatic relations with our sister island CUBA, it was a double edge sword, you see, VENEZUELA took the baton for self determination,Chavez was medically induced forcing him out the way, the hands of the USA/OAS was directly involved in Chavez’ death. The present situation in VENEZUELA is coined in the US STATE DEPARTMENT, what we see on the ground is the chaos exhibited. US sanctions have practically put the country in destabilization mold, clamping down on goods and services needed in the every day governing of the state. REGIME CHANGE…
Bob, are you a mercury plant by any chance?
Ms Baron I agree with you. I will also add interference is not only about calling one member gov official a dictator. It also involve the financing of one political party campaign over another by a foreign government. We have seen millions of dollars from friendly government flood our state during elections. Non of these funds were made available to the opposition. Where were you to complain. The ruling party cultivate these circumstances because relationship are focused too much on inter governmental and not interpersonal disregarding the voice of those who have difference in opinions and making a mocry of democracy. That has resulted in our government having no sympathy for the people of Venezuela. You of all people should know it’s about the people who are suffering and the cause is the failure of the government. Sink with the ship or jump the hell out. When you look on all sides. People first.
Hello and good afternoon my people. Well Miss Baron I agree with you in regards to this particular issue but you must remember that the OAS is doing America dirty work. Just look at passed history, Grenada, Panama and Haiti so don’t be surprised who’s pushing their buttons.
Mathew. Baron take your own advise and ask your PM and Ministers to do the same