Dominica’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vince Henderson, has said the loss of the island’s right to vote at the UN General Assembly because of arrears poses “no immediate danger.”
“There is no vote that is coming up immediately that would put Dominica at a disadvantage,” Henderson told Dominica News Online. “As far as I am aware there is no immediate danger or loss for us for not being able to vote.”
In a letter UN General Secretary, Ban Ki-Moon, informed the president of the General Assembly that a number of countries, including Dominica, were in arrears of their payment to the UN.
Because of this, as of February 12, 2013, Dominica has lost its right to vote at the General Assembly.
Presently Dominica is in arrears of US $7,231.
Henderson said this happens from time to time over the years, especially for small developing countries. “From time to time a number of member states, especially small island states, have defaulted on their payments,” he stated.
He said it is a matter that is handled by the Treasury in Dominica directly to the UN and not through the mission’s office. “It is a matter I know they have been dealing with and from the last report we got, that was a couple weeks ago, is that they would deal with it as they have done in the past,” the ambassador said.
Henderson gave the assurance that the issue will be settled before the next major vote at the General Assembly. “We will have it settled before the next important vote,” he remarked. “We know some time in the Spring there may be, not certain, some matters that will go to a vote but the main votes that will take place won’t be be done anytime soon, therefore we don’t stand to lose any major participation.”
“It is not like we are being kicked out of the UN,” the ambassador stated.
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins
to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked
hard on. Any recommendations?
Man, you are an embarrassment to our Island. Do the honorable thing and resign!! You just there drawing big salary and eh doing a patat.
Had to repost from Hans. So well said!!!! Only word I would change is “trim” as trimming implies there is not much fat. Lets say, we need to send in the demolition team and dynamite the fat? Like what we see on tv when the 200-story skyscraper implodes into rubble? yeah. like that.
Hans:
Vince is telling us that they have not been diligent but we found it necessary to send Francine Baron to the UK to do what – I don’t know. Have we heard anything from Francine Baron since ths office had been reinvented?
The grand talk about cutting back and consolidating is and was just ht air when people like Francine Baron, Loraine Baninis, Vince, Advisors Nanthan, Parry etc are all but redundant positions and continue to yield nothing fr the country . Trim the fat – cut down the ministries. send Charlo home, where is Toulon for Colihaut, cut back the unnecessary security detail. Start growing a productive economy and stop propagating poverty and dependency.
That is embarrassing!!!
It’s time to bring Vince home or cut him loose. Better to pay one of our sharp Dominicans living in NYC to represent us and provide him/her with very focused measurable goals.
Has there been an evaluation of Vince’s performance?
the United Nations are a farce! Completley another puppet of the USA. You people are too ignorant to even understand how the US controll the world and uses these organizations to kee little people like you poor and begging them. What has the United Nations done for you lately? It is head quartered in the US, Lead by the US and the other countries in the world are just slaves of masa USA. What a shame people continue to be so stupid!
WE HAD NO IDEA THAT DOMINICA WAS AMERICA, Stop your ignorant ranting and go read a book brain drained GOPPY.
you from marigot I understand. You probably think coy coy is a language. Where in my post I said Dominica was the USA? Ignorant people stay ignorant and poor!
Not paying this small amount is not only an embarrassment to Dominica but also an embarrassment to you, Mr.Henderson. How are you going to rub shoulders with the big boys in the U.S. when your country cannot even make a payment of $7231 to the U.N.
Vince, the ambassador of Dominica, and Skerro, the prime minister of Dominica looks so scared, like they are asking themselves, what have we done to Dominica, and how are we going to escape.
The Bible says, there is no rest for the wicked. If the people placed them there to do their job and the willfully, deliberately, and greedily let them down, their punishment is going to be great by the society and by the Lord. They are a bunch of selfish people, who have sold a whole country for their on personal gains. I live in Dominica and I am not seeing any future as a poor person.
These investors and foreigners are going to buy all the best in Dominica and we Dominicans are going to be their slaves. Remember the prime minister said already, we are too FREE. These words carry a ton of weight. Be careful what we say and ask for, it will surely come to pass. But God sees and hears our pain and cry, he is going to rescue us. We have to go on our knees every day to pray for our country. If not, our future is bleak and dark. God have mercy.
ONLY 7 grand….skerrit if you wanted that money you coulda just check me wee…u got to be kidding me.
all vote at UN count.
no matter how small or big. it affect globalization in some form.
secondly……oh did i say firstly?
lol
ok….not able to vote is a big deal
third, the sum is insignificant, hence, shouldn’t coe to this point. small moneies should easily be dispense right away.
so…i hope it get paid soon.
You are quite correct when to say that every vote counts,because it is useless to have representatives and they dont have a voice.It a shame on the government of Dominica that it has to come to this.It is time that the people be educated on the negative impact that all this nonesense is having on the island and not try to brain wash them.We cant even speak to much on globalization because we are still a dot on the globe.I PRAY THAT GOD KEEP WATCH OVER DOMINICA….
My question to Vince and Skerrit where is the passport money what are you all doing with all these money, i know i passport sale can pay for at lease 5yrs and more for us at the un, you all cannot pay the un but you all have money giving away for vote now but everything must come to an end………..
well well I thought much better of Vince Henderson, to make a statement like this , ” old people say when you lay down wid dag yo raise up wid fleas” and that’s the truth”Vince GOT CORRUPTED” but they know what they are doing can they vote against China? wait and see the next vote to be on the table Vince n skerrit cannot bite the hand that feed them.
Interesting point especially since Venezuela, Grenada and St. Lucia are in the same position. Is this a plot whereby we do the bidding of our benefactor?
Dummies in a can, reason tochange the name of Dominica, then we can start leaving up to our name of being TAll, Waitikubelie.Dominica is a bad name Dom.equal Dumb
Next week (4 to 15 March), the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) will meet in New York on the issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Last year the Commission failed to reach agreement because of conservative governments questioning the very principle of gender equality. Is this important enough for a Dominica vote Mr. Ambassador? Are women in Dominica so well protected and safe from violence against women and girls that Dominica does not need to add its voice and vote to this debate? Do you people care about anything?
We should always try to avoid non payment of thess dues because it bothers on the reputation of the country and it also tells something about our seriousness. The amount is not so big therefore the responsibly department should pay current dues and possibly one year in advance to enable the organisation to participate in important global issues facing humanity. The question is not only about being able to vote but to signal to the international community that we are serious in building international relations.
we don’t have to follows those in arrears. We have a duty as a nation to pay our dues. If we cannot pay get the hell out and stop the lame, lazy excuses…Never in history have we been thru this…Ambassador you are an embarrassment, you not working for DA, you on your own mission. Get out! we need true representation!
Garçon my parents especially my mother would always say every disappointment is a Blessing,,,
But why again does Dominica need to be in the “United Nations” again when all the United Nations is, is really a very small group of Multinational Corporations manipulating Government heads to vote in favor for their Globalization (International Slavery) Agenda, which used to be called “The League of Nations” some time before, and before that some other name if and when One goes way back in the records Marn sure you gonna see the Title being some “Private Order of Men”,,,
So wonder this for me yeh allyou,,,
What if all the CARICOM Countries decides to side with Sister Dominica and stop paying for membership,,, then the Europeans decides the same,,, then the Asians, and before you know it, all Countries Stopped paying into the Fraud,,,
Ever wonder why every major International Financial institution is Headed From “The District of Columbia” and with offices in [New] York???
Wonder this, where is Columbia for the District to Come out “of” it???
Where is the Old York to make [New] York the new one and why dey call it as such???
Tinkle allyou Mind on this nuh and Marn know Marn gonna get some blows for dis but is thoughts like this that made us able to have d same right “what little it is” as dem albinos, dat we don’t have to use separate toilet stalls and we don’t have to walk into restaurants from the back entrance,,,
Tink a little people just a little,,,
100% right but you can’t tell these little people nothing. De white man country always right!
Oh please you bunch of hypocrites get off the ambassador’s back,dominica is not the only island that is in debt.move on people be more positive.
U mean our debt is so high that we can’t afford $7000 US to pay our UN dues?
HOW TERRIBLE IS OUR ECONOMY REALLY? Is there something that our Government is not telling us?
We have no serious business in de UN for a while so de dues can wait. However, if there was a vote coming up to support One China policy we would DEFINITELY have a vote.
Where are our priorities?
Do we wait till de storm is on de horizon to batten down our roof? So because de hurricane season is far off we wait till de week before de season open to put emergency funds and procedures in place?
Go and drink some Moet with ur billionaire friends.
This is a typical playground argument used by kids (…and adults that have not grown up!). “He did it first”, “He did it too Miss”, ” All the other children are doing it”, “At least I’m not as bad as the others”. We will never be taken for real with that kind of infantile attitude.
We are not being negative but have been shamed to death. I am quite sure that there is $7K in the treasury? If not, then we need to be a bit more than just negative.
What was the reason that it was not paid? Inquiry minds want to know? The kuddle-muddle written above did not give a solid reason.
grell you too stupid. open your mind.
meanwhile, the ambassador lives in New York City – Manhattan! Do you know how much it costs to live in Manhattan? His month expenses are probably higher than $7000. If the UN is so unimportant, then why are we spending scarce tax-payer dollars so that he can live in Manhattan. In fact, why even have an ambassador?!
Is it that Dominica is so broke that we cannot pay a debt of just over $7000 USD, or is it just pure irresponsible? Is that the example we are setting as a government? In light of this, how do you demand payment from citizens. This is shameful. Mr. Ambassador you are a cool friend, but I am disappointed that you were not apologetic (at least not by the report), but rather making excuses for poor practice of your government. If the sum was larger, I maybe would say otherwise.
Lordy! Lordy! Lordy! What have we become?
Ok, so i read the this news story. I guess this is where I Laugh out Loud.
Allu Good there.
With all due respect to Dominica’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vince Henderson’s response, my reaction to this as an international lawyer is what then are you doing there? This is exactly why those same small islands are marginalized and made to feel irrelevant at the international table because of their mediocrity and inadequacy due to their own small-mindedness!
They are marginalized by the greed and wickedness of the USA! Stop being a puppet and think for yourself.
MR.Vince i am sure you keep your credit ratings up by paying your bills.dues on time.We cannot allow our creditability to ebb away for a miser 7300 hundred dollars owed to the UN,an organisation so important to our prosperity.As ambassador please address this matter urgently as every vote counts,not only those that seemingly benefits Dominica but all votes to better humanity an ideal of the the united nations
vince for a man i admire i must say that i was tken aback at your statement. it shows a high level of complacency and bring about direpute to the office you hold. I mean 7000 dollars? so much money is being wasted.I believe these office of high repute needs some consideration.
well well well
If you cannot vote at the UN logical thinking is that you have no substantive input into the business of the UN.
If this is the case – what is the usefulness of the Mission to the UN in New York?
If you cannot pay your fees then close it down.
Is so we come?
So Mr. Henderson what about reputational risks? You mean Dominica can not afford 7000 dollars to maintain its accounts current with such an auspicious body?
And you mean you take no responsibility for allowing Dominica to fall into arrears? It is the civil servants in the Treasury you blaming Mr. Ambassador?
Your number one responsibility should be to ensure that the integrity of our membership in the UN is protected and you failed miserably on this, Sir.
You need to pay more attention to these important details and ensure that this embarassment to the Government and People of Dominica is never ever repeated!!
I totally agree! This in an embarrassment to Dominica.
@Marcus Hill, your comment: “And you mean you take no responsibility for allowing Dominica to fall into arrears? It is the civil servants in the Treasury you blaming Mr. Ambassador?”
Who else should he blame? They are the ones with the authority to pay all government bills, what can Vince do??
They are the ones that are inefficient, and all you cry down Parry when he made his statement, and cry down the Cabinet offer of 1.5% but see the EMBARRASSMENT they causing the country!!!!
Is time we put the blame where it is due and stop politicising every damn thing, the politicians do not have all that power, they cannot fire public servants niether do they immediately supervise them.. Do some research on the roles and responsibilities of Cabinet!!
Give it a rest with this “higher than thou” attitude! Alot of the issues brought up at the UN are not applicable to the small island states. Do you really think that every vote is on some major life changing issue? Alot of it is just red tape!…there is nothing to be embarrassed about. When the funds become available the Treasury will pay but in the interim the limited funds we have should be used for more important issues that directly affect citizens…simple!
Mountain out of a molehill! Storm in a tea cup.
Hello Vince just another cop-out. By the way can we have an update on the opening of the Embassy in Toronto. Remember a couple years ago u made reference to it in your presentation to us.
Maybe it is this global recession that is to blamed for Dominica’s payment default. Come on guys, even the US credit rating in downgraded, because of a payment that they may have missed. Just saying!!!!!!!!!
should we also dig a hole for our self to bury our little selves in?
“Where you compromise your integrity, you will accept mediocrity”
One vote for sale.Any offers over $7000 accepted
Mr. Henderson’s comments are revealing when he says that “we will have it settled before the next important vote”.
– Are we that mercenary and participate only in “important” votes? What is mr. Hebderson’s definition of important votes when to my simple mind all U.N. votes are important.
– when we have a cavalier attitude to the “oversight” of non payment of membership dues to an august body like the U.N. how serious do we take that membership? More importantly, how serious do other nations- & potential partners/investors take us?
– as a small island nation we are particularly sensitive to disrespect being shown to us by larger nations but it is difficult to gain that respect if we show disregard for others.
For a measly U.S.$. 7,000 we’ve not done our image any favours.
You should be kicked out immediately
To demonstrate my patriotism I will put my passport on Craig’s List Dubai for sale and the proceeds will be donated to the consulate, PSU and Gentle Rest Hospital for medication and peals.
Vince is telling us that they have not been diligent but we found it necessary to send Francine Baron to the UK to do what – I don’t know. Have we heard anything from Francine Baron since ths office had been reinvented?
The grand talk about cutting back and consolidating is and was just ht air when people like Francine Baron, Loraine Baninis, Vince, a, Advisors Nanthan, Parry etc are all but redundant positions and continue to yield nothing fr the country . Trim the fat – cut down the ministries. send Charlo home, where is Toulon for Colihaut, cut back the unnecessary security detail. Start growing a productive economy and stop propagating poverty and dependency.
Vince’s statement is really primary school and also irresponsible as he tries to make it seem it is no big deal that we are not paying our bills on time. True sometimes it cannot be helped and of course it does and will happen but no where on the planet is falling into arrears ever a good thing.
He should state uncategorically that it is most unfortunate that DA finds itself in such a position however all efforts are being made to get outstanding amounts settled and DA put back in good standing. Fortunately, there are no major votes coming up blah blah blah.
Honestly! Who writes the press statements for these boys?
In Britian, James Bond would have done it for Queen and Country i.e to take a bullet or a fall, however in Dominica despite people hug salaries they are not prepared to pay the cost for UN membership and be reimbursed by the government. This is represents the measure of the man who speaks at a body that represents Dominica, but chose to not offer his own funds to avoid having to expalin away such a situation that cannot be good PR for the Labour Party. If I were to advise him before something like that happens, particularly given our elections are not too far off, and the constant politically charged evironment we live in, I would tell him pay it and the government will reimburse later. That would be the smart thing to do, but who cares about doing anything smart or politically expedient these days, it is about me, myself and I.
Great point! So true! But that would be a selfless act and nothing selfless about that cabal of of of hhhmmmm
On this matter we are not interested in other small island states. We are not in arrears because other small islands are in arrears Vince. How Cajun we improve or develope when we refuse to acknowledge our failures and faults. We are in default because the country is broke and until we start dealing with reality the red clinic patronage will continue to grow.
Most small island states have voter ID. Do we ? Most small island states are seeking to develope their people we are making our people beggars.
Has the Government ever defaulted on its payment to Mrs Lauren Bannis Roberts in the USVI. Just asking.
It has to take more than two years for Dominica to pay the UN a mere US$7231? Shame on us!
Digrace
well till 2103 we got time to pay it don’t worry and what is meant by ”next important vote” is that the model that our leaders set for Dominicans pay when you need something.. come on Dominicans 8000 dollars? i could pay that.. i think that this bill will still be there when we want that special vote to be in and we have to pay it then.. just penalties it will be 10 000 then so lets save the Dominican people the embarrassment and pay your bills on time…
i guess that we have to hold the government to ransom – don’t pay it and we don’t pay taxes.. any one in support?
How very, very, embarrassing!
Ambassador Henderson, I love you dearly and I hold you in the highest regard but I cannot believe you actually made a comment on this matter. A whole bunch of folks with nothing constructive to do but to look for ways to discredit this current administration take the slightest thing and run with it. They are like chicken little, “the sky is falling”. Worst – they seem to only be happy when they can find something to put the country in a negative light. What is so hard to understand in this situation. You cannot vote unless you pay your dues – isn’t that the way most organizations work? Dominica is not banned from the UN! The government is not perfect and there a things that they have done that I am unhappy with; but this? Making a mountain out of a molehill of THIS? Wow!! A little education can make some of us real dottish!
People make a mountain of a molehill when people refuse to admitt that things aren’t what it is painted as. People make a fuss about things like that when the people who are paid to take care of the countries affairs are simply growing their nw bank accounts while the country is going to hell head first
Don’t you realize that people will hold on to anything just to enforce teir point. The useless jobs for boyz and gyals – Lrraine, Baron, te 17 ministers, useless ambassadors.
While the issue may seem trivial to you the roots are deeply embedded in the mismanagement, lacks vision, ineffectiveess of the administration
The Accounting Officer in the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible if the funds are not controlled by the Ambassador’s Office, He should crack the whip immediately!!
Henderson is just looking for someone to blame so why not the folks at the Ministry of External Affairs this time , if he was on top of things that should not happen it’s too important to Dominica so dont come now with the attitude that we are not in any danger that’s not the point either just make sure it is corrected immediately.
Really Vince? If you can’t vote means you have no voice. All votes counts, don’t matter how big or small. Without a vote we have no power to bargain for Dominica. Now with no vote we will only attract the currup and bad guys out there. First time I am hearing that Dominica is in the red with the UN. By the way according to the Skerrit I thought Dominica economy was doing good.?
Seems like u been in the jungle to long,u guys acting like the UN is all that they have countries holding them hostage and can’t do a dam thing why u think the other guy resign,to me that UN is just a big joke.
so if is a joke .. what tax payers money goin to pay vince to be up dere for ?
So we cannot afford US$7,231.00 to protect our rights as a sovereign nation to vote on important global matters that will affect us and future generations? But we can afford to pay for a non revenue generating project like the state palace? Brilliant!
incompetence, incompetence, incompetence…:!:
So now we doing things because other islands do it? Sell one of the many SUV’s and pay our bill with our tax money. Dominica govt love bad press way too much.
Should the date be Fed 12, 2013? This articla and the previous one in reference to this issues reads February 12, 2103. DNO is that the right date?
I see that the date has been corrected. Thanks DNO.
the loss of the UN vote simply means that the high profile BIG salary ambassador should pack up and leave to save dominica some money. Now why would he continue to get paid when he can’t seat??
Best comment so far! He should take it upon himself and resign immediately!
Great observation.