Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has expressed regret over events pertaining to some people who were appointed diplomats of Dominica and has revealed a new policy which will guide the government in appointing diplomats in the future.
The Prime Minister spoke of the matter in an address to the nation on Friday afternoon.
“I have already acknowledged my regret at the unfortunate turn of events with respect to a few persons holding diplomatic passports becoming persons of interest to foreign countries and external security organizations,” he said. “As I have pointed out before in every instance that we have discovered that someone in the service of the government of Dominica has run afoul of the law or indeed being suspected of so doing, we were proactive in suspending or terminating the relationship.”
In recent times, many people who were appointed diplomats of Dominica have found themselves in hot water with the law. Among the most recent were Chinese billionaire Ng Lap Seng; Iranian, Alireza Zibahalat Monfared and former Nigerian minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The cases have shone the international spotlight on Dominica and have been the center of much discussion among Dominicans at home and abroad.
Skerrit pointed out that incidents involving Dominica diplomats have highlighted a need for improving the way Dominica conducts business and is a matter that is receiving the “urgent, focused attention of the government of Dominica.”
Fellow citizens, friends and well-wishers, the reality is that such islands such as Dominica are not in the position to finance a permanent presence in all crucial and important centers of the world,” he stated. “Already we are hard pressed to meet commitments to existing embassies, consulates and multilateral agencies in Europe, North America and elsewhere where we have state supported representation. The vast majority of diplomatic appointments have represented this country admirably, they have in large part caused Dominica to be a major voice and a major player on issues and in fora where we were not even known or heard of 20 years ago.”
He pointed out that Dominica needs to maintain a strong presence in emerging markets and “will continue to rely heavily on the generosity of genuine law abiding citizens in the world who love Dominica and who have a keen interest in its continuing advancement.”
“The facts are, and I repeat here for emphasis, that the individuals who were suspected of wrongdoing or who were or are persons of interest, were the time of appointment based on information available to us, highly respected individuals with unblemished records of achievements and success,” he said. “There is no way of one knowing today how anyone appointed tomorrow will fare in the eyes of the world next month, far less next year.”
He said the government is mindful that more must be done to eliminate as much as possible any scandal in respect to those who were chosen to represent Dominica’s interest abroad and few measures will be put in place immediately to “tighten safeguards and to address concerns of citizens and other stakeholders.”
He noted that in the interim a new policy will be put in place which will be gazetted next week and made available to all.
The new policy will address the following;
-Effective immediately, all non-nationals under consideration for Diplomatic and Consular appointments will be subjected to the same due diligence requirements as persons applying for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica.
“So, henceforth, not only would a prospective appointee have to meet and satisfy the requirements of the Government of Dominica, but, that person would also have to be cleared by an internationally rated and recognized global security agency that would carry out the necessary due diligence exercise,” Skerrit explained. “This will include ensuring that they do not have any criminal record, are of good reputation and proven competence, and possess the requisite skills necessary to function in the designated role. Where applicable, there must also be declarations on source of funds and disclosure of business activities of the proposed appointees.”
-All future consular and diplomatic appointments shall be for a period of no more than 3 years at any one appointment.
-There will also be more rigorous monitoring of all appointees to ensure that these persons are doing an effective job for our country, and, more so, that they continue to be held in high regard by their peers and in the country in which they are representing Dominica’s interests.
Mr Prime Minister you still haven’t told us how many Diplomatic Passport Holders are there? Who they are and what is their country of origin?
I am so proud of my fellow Dominicans 234 coments on this page. We all love our country and organized the best carnival in the world. We respect the rule of law and respect a free press and one man one vote. Some of the most educated people I know is from Dominica. We have 365 rivers which is our liquid gold flowing into the sea, most of us are passionate about our politics and party we love. Can the brains we have get us together to buy a water boat, put our liquid gold in bottle and sell it to the world and make millions where we can get out people out of poverty . We wast 95 percent of our entire life talking about politics and creating nothing for the future generations. Fontain can start the ball rolling.
Clearly you do not currently reside in Dominica. If you did you would realize that business of 365 rivers is now a pipe dream. Just look at the Layou river, it is nothing but a stream. St Joe river where I and hundreds like me used to bathe in refreshingly cool, clean water before going to school, it is now dried up with old appliances being dumped as their final left resting place. The point I am making is that there are dozens of such rivers that have been reduced to rivulets or may be completely dried.
It is time we start facing reality. Similarly, we boast about being the nature island in the Caribbean. Hogwash. look at the amount of garbage, old cars/trucks, appliances that is just dumped all over the place. Walk around Roseau and smell the urine and see the filth that the tourists have to witness, come again, this is no nature island anymore.
I wonder who the real traitor is now?
In tennis there’s a simple concept called “Unforced Errors.” This occurs when a player serves the ball into the net or steps on the line while serving the ball to his/her opponent. It’s called an “Unforced Error,” because no is instructing the player to do or physically impeding the player to do. It’s done on their own accord.
This Diplomatic Passport is one such move. Totally uncalled for, except for greed, pure and simple! This selfish move tarnishes the good name of Dominica and it will raise issues in the international community when the average Dominican travels abroad.
You the Honourable Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit ought to be in jail for crimes against the Commonwealth of Dominica. You like to call people who call out your criminal acts traitors, but you should be on trial for high treason – for selling Dominica out to international criminals!
DNO, please advise the reading public that you have since edited/removed part of the PM’s speech. Also note that the said part is quoted in some of the comments posted
Skerrit when will you just stop lying. Can’t you see you can’t continue to go down that road it’s not working anymore, we see you for who you are..lying tongue and corrupt
Now, whose fault is it Mr. PM ? is this Mea culpa ? the problem is Tony Astaphan is to you what Leo Austin was to Patrick John simply BAD ADVISORS. Tony responds to every opinion because he thinks that he is the smartest individual in Dominica and every one else are dumb. Isn’t this a darn shame that we have accepted the fact that Tony is smarter than us ? well, Mr. PM I do not know how you can escape this cavalier attitude, but it would be wise of you to resign now. Our nation needs honest and responsible leaders. Those who rely on poor advice are doom to failure. Tony Astaphan gave you bad advice.
Citizenship By Investment, the controversial practice in some Caribbean nations, was in the global spotlight Sunday as CBS’ 60 Minutes put the focus on what it called simply: “Passports for Sale.”
60 Minutes also reported that despite claims of background checks by Caribbean nations promoting the program, the sale of diplomatic passports is not part of the citizenship by investment program and goes on under the table in some cases, which has resulted in some crooked diplomats especially in Dominica.
Dominican diplomat Alison Madueke, a former Nigerian oil minister was arrested for suspected bribery and money laundering; Rudolph King, a Bahamian fugitive from U.S. justice was Dominica’s ambassador to Bahrain and Francesco Corallo, who, at the time, was on INTERPOL’s list of most-wanted criminals, had a Dominica diplomatic passport.
What was your benefit Skerrit? Hope it is worth it.
Now the words of my political mentor & resonates more profoundly & matters more’
Author of Alibaba & the 40 thieves . remember his article some7 yrs ago ?
The other Alibaba & their thieves one of their legal theives asked him to join them more so one of the other group of crooks asked my mentor to join them when DLP chose Alibaba of the Neo-DLP over him. His response was “Thx but no thx” That is a man with cojones!See he knows the crooks when he sees them, just like urs truly. Alibaba of the Neos should not pass go do not pick up 100 pounds sterling( no pension etc) as a matter of fact the villas VC house ,bank accts etc should be confiscated.Something my mentor would do if he were to take power. He was always radical stilli .
Brilliant Mr. pm. There are outside investigators on the Island and if you feel that there are technical points they need to know you brought out in the open. Marvellous. At the end of their investigations, and report their findings and made recommendations we will take it from there. The investigators did not come here to investigate the PM,THEY ARE HERE for arson, malicious damage to property, and also attempt to take down the government by force. If the Government did wrong they should be investigated by the proper channels and not by burning Roseau down. Two wrong cannot make a right. So down and wait for the investigators report and recommendations.
Good job acknowledging. I appreciate it.
Damage control? LOL too late sir, it’s time for Linton to put more pressure on you behind…GET out man!
I do not think Sleety should resign. He must now be transparent and lead Dominican better. Make it a world class island. You people look at America UK and so many other countries around the world. they get up to all sorts of corruption. None of Ghent are better thAnk Skeritt. Should Linton become PM he will be no better. Don’t think Linton will no mislead the people of Dominica because he will. They all tell us what they are going till do until they get in so please don’t be fooled by whoever wants to be the next PM of Dominica . I personally think Skeritt has done an outstanding job as PM. He has put Dominica on the map and he has helped the people of Dominica. My fellow Dominicans do not be fooled they are all the same. Singing the sons the people want to hear until they get in power. Go back into history and you will see. Let us just pray that Skerritt becomes more transparent. God bless Dominica and all its people and let us pray as we are in Lent.
Listen Julie and stop dreaming. after thirteen years we still in that mess and worse. You can dye the hair on a dog but the spots are always there underneath. Is so with our P.M. Forget about redemption, not possible in this case.
Nothing about the stalled music truck that was going to overthrow your government?
I agree that skerrit has to get out of the office. I also agree that Honourable Linton has time and time again shown us his crooked ways. Skerrit is evil all ways one can fail he has achieved! We cant list his countless crimes against out country in a million years. Where i disagree is for him to go. Once they are out the only place they MUST go is to prison! If they dont get locked up best they just stay there doing whatever suits them!
The lovers of this country must keep asking for your RESIGNATION….The opposition was correct 1000 000 000 000%…People were willynilly just being given diplomtic passports??For what??You can rest assured that the good people of Dominica will one day know everything about your crooked deals.
Personally,i dont accept this regret.This is more of an attack at the opposition,than anything else…JUST RESIGN,you have DESTROYED Dominicas and Dominicans good name.
There is a clear pattern of attractibg persons of questionable character so please don’t try to trivialize this mammoth series of sins you have committed against the country. Your response is a mere bandaid and your judgement is overshadowed by greed. You not get away with your actions of poor stewardship. Not again this time.
You the Honourable Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit ought to be in jail for crimes against the Commonwealth of Dominica. You like to call people who call out your criminal acts traitors, but you should be on trial for high treason – for selling Dominica out to international criminals!
To all my Dominican friends , i want you to think of something very important, when the British gave us independence in the caribean , they gave us 0 training and no money, they stole our grand parents youth leaving generations with limited education to manage a country. We are all learning, so it’s iimportant for us to learn and support each other, we need the CBI program don’t kill it. Pm reminds me of Mr Aime- cesaire the longest elected mayor of Martinique for 56 yrs , he loved his people. He grew up in a poverty stricken environment, he also identified with his island repressed African culture , he was a great storry teller, he asserted a claim to afro caribean ownership. He worked hard trying to end French colonialism. He taught psychology and culture just like pm. Pm loves all Dominicans , please work with him, love all.
And so many Africans running to Great Britain. Why, because they love to be enslaved? Grow up Hendricks. Africans are not special, they just like any other people and want better for themselves and who can blame them. Lennox Linton does not want to destroy the CBI but make it transparent and accountable to save it from self-destruction.
It’s only in Dominica a Head of Government can acknowledge and confess his wrong doing and still be Head of Government. It’s a blatant when that Head of Government wrong doing is the sale of our national sovereignty to crimminals and crooks around the world… but it is even more shameful when the people say they like it so… then the world see us as laugh out louds
My friend , there is no need to call me a house slave, you hurt my feelings, I am a great Dominican who loves Dominica just like you. You love Lenox Linton, I love Roosvelt skerrit. Passports are being sold in most countries , what Roosvelt skerrit is doing is not illegal. You have the best prime minister since independence. Be sincre and speak truth to power. Don’t listen to people like Mr Christian in theUS, no one has brought facts about wrong doing against Roosvelt skerrit and his Government. Hundreds of millions of $ are being spent In Dominica, and most of the money are being spent with Dominican contractors. So it’s important to save the CBI program so we do not have to borrow money from the IMF-. Please continue to love your country, wait for your time to rule its called the ballot box.
We just want you out of office, ASAP dude! OUT, OUT, OUT! You and your admin are a disgrace to this country. Allu must go now, Please with cherry on top!
you will have to wait to do so by the ballots. If we see it fit we vote them out in 2020 . Remember UWP DIS WORST THAN THEM IN 1995 THEY SOLD ENDLESS PASSPORTS AND WAS SURROUNDED BY SCANDALS WORST THAN THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.
MY FAMILY HAVE TO OBTAIN VISA TO TRAVEL TO CANADA BECAUSE OF UWP CORRUPT PRACTICES IN OFFICE
THE LEAST WE FORGET SO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT HERE. MAY I ASK YOU WHO WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT YOU WANT OUT..OUT ASAP? CERTAINLY NOT LINTON
Regret?? Is that admission of guilt? ONLY in Dominica! As the PM asked Is this a REAL country?
Thank you Lennox for exposing the truth about this govt.
“As I have pointed out before in every instance that we have discovered that someone in the service of the government of Dominica has run afoul of the law or indeed being suspected of so doing, we were proactive in suspending or terminating the relationship.”. Mr PM we Dominicans need more on this statement> We were thought to believe the opposition was lying and stirring up trouble even an attempted coup. Skerrit you need to go your apology is too late. TIME TO MOVE ON YOU AND YOUR SPINELESS GROUP.
Our face cannot lie…..I see duplicity Mr.PM
Caught with your hands in the nation cook jar.
So who gave them the passports in the first place?? have them been removed from the cabinet office??
So it is fair to say the previous appointees were not vetted. In which case we must ask why they were chosen, if they gave nothing in return. We are really taken for fools by our dear PM.
MR.PM IF YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD ON the people of Dominica are behind you. Because of you and Miss Francine Baron the rest of the world know there is a country named Dominica. The majority says we want our PM.
Hell no way he has to go so Dominica and Dominicans can move on, he lied for so long and every one else were against him in his mind, because he believed Dominica was a personal gift from his parents and only he could lead, well he is wrong he allowed GREED and POWER to take over his life while he was going down the tub.
PM HAVE TO GO .
When was that poll conducted???
Hey, on which planet are you living ? It is certainly not earth !!
LOL, in your dreams sakwe sorsort!
Mr has no shame. His father put it well when he said “Good catholic or atheist” . Is one or the other. But based on the information out there looks like he is not a good catholic. Hence he has no right to be talking to the catholic believer about matters of faith.
Looks like he fall in the category of catholics as described by his good friend the calypsonian scrunter. Catholic he free to commit crimes and then be holier than thou during lent time.
Skerrit just can’t bring himself to admit wrong and resign, for bringing the office of the Prime Minister into disrepute worldwide..He’s been caught lying over and over and worse is plausibly suspected of having benefited personally from this deliberate scheme of deceit..Having also reportedly misappropriated CBI funds for electoral manipulation and voter coercion through bribes and party campaign spending..
What kind of disrespectful and conceited person is that, thinking that Dominicans should be “OK”with all this hideous, and unbecoming behavior in public office..SHAME, SHAME, SHAME…
Skerrit’s conscience is officially dead..
He cannot resign because he knows all his dirty dealings will be exposed to all the sheeple who follow him and they will no longer love their pm. So like all petty dictators he hopes to prolong his stay in some vain hope that he will rule forever or maybe become president to avoid prosecution.
I must give patriot the honourable LLL,Leader Lennox Linton credit for bombarding Skerrit with the relevant questions,comments and alternatives…Keep on doing the good job for country Honourable Linton!!! I still believe for having Dominicas name smeared all around the globle Skerrit has totally lost his moral authority to govern,and should resign.
The face of a man who has been found wanting.We have had a procession of defenders of the PM rolling out in the last months telling us that all applications for CBI ,DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS have been vetted,due diligence carried out by reputable partners ect.The attacks on the opposition have been ferocious.NOW the PM ADMITS that all of these people who he has had contact with are without question undesirables.
IF the PM has any INTEGRITY HE WILL RESIGN AS PM and allow the DLP to take the appropriate action
By your admittance of such wrong doing the damage’s been done…
D/ca’s good name is being tarnished and if only you’d viewed the Oppostion with the rightful respect it deserves, under the supreme Law of the Land – D/ca’s constitution, all of these negative press could have been avoided. Because you’re (your Gov’t) is being pursued by the international “heavyweights” now, you’re trying to employ damage limitation tactics – it just won’t work.
By your inactions, you’ve demonstrated that you miserably lack the ‘cutting edge’ of strong Leadership Management, Foresight, Control and Tact – for this reason, spare D/ca anymore more embarrassment and GO.
So Pm, you still want to sue Linton and others for trying to show you the correct path? Or maybe you should thank them as true patriots.
I think you can do well, discard Tony and a few others and you might make it.
Dominica is ours to build!!!
THIS !!! I can COMPLETELY endorse….
the question is what illegal material your diplomats moved around the globe freely no customs to worry about
Some others are still doing the same all over the globe,at this very moment..Remember that we do not know the number of diplomats..Not even in Alix Parliament we can get an answer…This is a hell of a backward and corrupt country.
Pathetic Roosevelt, you never say you are sorry myboy but you say you regret and that is very telling. You regret having been found out, with your hand in the cookie jar big time. And that story about an attempted coup and organized disturbances in Roseau. Well, go and talk to your partner Charles Savarin if you can wake him up. He will tell you what real civil unrest means.
PM & President have allowed our beautiful ISLAND to be dragged thru the dirt all these years .
Well that sounds like a good start . Perhaps we should go to a system whereby the names of those seeking passports have their names posted in different media such as news papers and on line for public viewing for a certain time period . One of the biggest issues for this government is transparency . Unless that is improved the lack of trust will only increase .
Does the US post the names of US green card applicants and holders? And after that those green card holders who pledge allegiance and become citizens?
This is Dominica where even if you want a licence to sell liquor in a rum shop you need to publish your name first. You must also do so if you change your name by deed poll or claim title to apiece of land. Why not for something as important as claiming citizenship? If all is above board there should be no objection to this.
Do you know how long it takes to obtain a green card?
Do you know how long the vetting process is?
Zor sot eh
No, they don’t, but criminals name yes !
We are not in the USA…We are in this failed state called Dominica,complements Skerrit and his rogue DLP…
That’s a start towards transparency.
Yes Tj, transparency through rose-tinted glasses.
Don’t hold your breath !
So you now accepting the massive corruption of your dear leader and government.
Hahaha thanks for the laugh.
Stuppessssssssss…What transparency?This DLP regime will never be transparent.
Painted and tinted, is the name of Dominica around the worlds thanks to the corrupt Roosevelt Skerrit. http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/2017/01/bahamian-passport-scam-60-minutes-179862.html
Correction: Corrupt and incompetent Roosevelt. Tainted and tinted DA’s name Lennox.
………….and then we make way for UWP…they really deserve it. A government in waiting. Solid leadershop and integrity.
We need to get serious with our government and never see the likes of Skerrit and hiscrogue Labour govrrnment again in top government position with blind loualty from a Asstaphan tryc..
Wait! Aren’t the diplomats appointed by the State? Does that not mean the PM had a say as to who got what? Is the fire getting hot in the kitchen, why the so called strict changes?
The population wants to know everything concerning the citizenship by investment program where many6 criminals were given the Dominican passports, the amount of money which was received and how was it spent. Whatever you are trying to do will deter the public’s determination against you.you have lost out trust and will never regain it.You must leave in order for us as Dominicans to take back our country in the bad condition that you have; in order to rebuild it. Dominica it at it’s worse point and has moved backward because of the very bad governance of this present family business which is the labour party with you are a corrupted leader who lies constantly to the population…This has to stop…
OMG….’take back our country in the bad condition you have it’. Every country has its difficulties, every country has issues. None is immune. Not even the developed countries. Yes we have major issues with our hospital and other areas. But those are being worked on. Nothing can be perfect, nothing can be 100%. In few countries, even developed countries you will find free healthcare for children under 16 and adults over 60? How many countries can we say provide care and housing for the elderly who have been abandoned by their families? The taxes we pay are nothing compared to other countries right here in the C/bean! That’s just pointing out a few. People the govt is not perfect and there will always be corruption no matter what govt is in power. The fact of the matter is that the masses have to be taken care of. And I disagree with anyone who says that there has been no development under this party. That is a damn lie!!
Well DA girl, looks like you are been taken care of ! not me. Looks like liike your life develop, not mine, i still fighting, so i have to try to change things and good luck to you
I take your polluted and rotten comment,and i dump it into the garbage can…I hope that our young minds do not read it,for it will pollute their minds profusely..Like others before me have echoed,i think that Skerrit should RESIGN for defaming,tainting and dragging Dominicas name to its lowest level ever…SHAME ON HIM AND HIS ACOLYTES!!!
you are such a jackass! i guess you are one of those gullible ones who have mad this man your god and now you realise he too is human and has done wrong – massive wrong to us and the world at large. The disgrace that this man has done to the name of Dominica is massive, it has global effects and yet you are trying to put wool over our eyes, well the wool is only over your eyes. wrong is wrong – and this is massive wrong. it is persons like you who have ridicule Mr. Linton. The lesson we all must take from this is that we must all deal in truth and righteousness – it will vindicate you always. Are you one of those who have benefited from his dubious deed?
Skeritt, why aren’t you wearing your signature red? Do you think that white will make Dominicans more sympathetic to you.
Only now you want to come out and say you all made mistakes with the diplomatic appointments! You had a witch hunt going on for days, arresting opposition members because of the passport issue, now you have the un mitigating gall to come and admit you all made mistakes!
Why isn’t the police commissioner arresting you and all those associated with the selling of the passport for inciting violence because the violence was a by product of your lies and deceit.
Roosevelt Skeritt, do the honorable thing, (not be cause you are not honorable) a step down, leave Dominica for Dominicans, go seek refuge in one of the corrupt countries that support your way of life.
You have lost all credibility with the Dominican public, go your days are numbered as a leader, GO
I LIKE THAT COMMENT!!!
Should i feel remorse of you SR? I THINK NOT CAUSE YOU DON’T FEEL ANYTHING FOR YOUR PEOPLE. WE WANT YOU OUT.
I am a notorious LIAR , therefore, my pants stay on Fire. Having said that, I just can’t help thinking that my people, supporters, whom I fool and deceive shall forever stand by me, and continue to love me eternally.
thank you Linton
O my, o my. What total drivel. Does Skerrit expect clear thinking Dominicans to accept these ridiculous excuses?
1. Diplomatic passports should not be given willy-nilly. The government should have had a better screening process in place. In this case, hindsight is not better than foresight. Diplomatic passports should be given out sparingly and with the greatest caution. The PM has found a scapegoat to blame and <i think that that is terrible. I am sure that the issuing of Diplomatic passports is handled by him and his office. The last three paragraphs either shows the government's stupidity or duplicity.
2. In his official address to the nation, the PM talks about the local diplomat suspected of sexually violating a minor, The PM know off course that this is a Red Herring. A local diplomat's local alleged crime cannot be compared to crimes in the international arena that has put Dominica in the spotlight and sullied her good name.
If you truly realize all of that , why do you continue to unleash your hounds on the opposition, be it Christian , Linton, or whoever it may be?
I do appreciate your apologies, and I think you need to go further in terms of the real transparency, you have not even touched on it .
We as a small country need more defining protective laws not only for you but for all those to come I hope you can garner the balls to address truth, honesty and to show appreciation for real democracy.
Our democratic laws are not not even ok as they are , because parliament is a mess because of the ayes always having it , no concientious discussions.
But I thank you for starting , do some more.
Because a crime was committed and those responsible must be brought to justice. Everybody free to protest but they had no right to destroy peoples’ properties. If the shoe was on the other it would be the same process. Stop trying to play down that protest action and subsequent vandalism and live rounds fired at law enforcement as nothing. The police have a job to do.
What about the overthrow with the stalled truck?Nothing about that? I wonder why the lie failed to attract people.You seem to know quite a lot..Stop hiding.Go report what you know to the police,because people may soon start seeing you in the same bad way they that they are now seeing Skerrit.
They days of using our diplomatic passport to do mischief has finally come to an end. That both local and foreign diplomats will go through the same kind of vetting including revealing business deals. Yes PM your really studied Physcology.
You mean to tell me, only now persons are going to be screened before getting a passport? I thought that these things were already included in the procedures. At least i listened to other prime ministers speech on the same topic and they had those criterias from the start. Why send us that informatin now? Think people.
You will never cure , since you always look to point fingers at others.
I concur…Even when he has his so called apology to make..This is the hallmark of a man that is not genuine.
Karessa
I completely agree with you.
Until one acknowledges that there is a problem , then he won’t deal with it. This is extremely pertinent and relevant to what is happening in Dominica as no one is willing to take ownership of the damaging issues.
Take responsibility by owning the catastrophic problems in Dominica and then let us deal with it as a noted people.
Gason you have guts eh. After all the excuses you gave about due diligence and blaming Lennox Linton, Angelo and the opposition for putting dirty linen out there, You come now with your regret foolishness and new policy?
Let me give you some advice. Forget about the advice Tony and your other advisers offering you. They just want your downfall. Go see a doctor. Preferably a foreign one because something not right with your head. Maybe you not sleeping and if you not sleeping you cannot think right.
Maybe you know more than we Know. Is the Interpol on tail? Does the US have an interest in you answering some questions? Only now you want to come reporting to us? Too little too late.
the world is talking of the gallery of con men you and your administration is connected to you are not talking of taking the sources of information to court all we can hear from you is lennox linton
I support Rosvelt Skerrit and the Labour Government 100 percent, I support the CBI- program100 percent, pm expresses regret over some diplomatic appointments revals new govt policy , Dominicans to stop and reflect on what is right in the sight of God. This is a leader we all as Dominicans should be proud of. He speaks truth to power. Under his leadership after independence from the British even a blind man can see the progress in Dominica. $45.000.000 towards clean power, and millions more towards all kinds of projects that Dominicans is involved in? Why do some people want to distroy progress. Once in a life time some one like Rosvelt Skerrit comes around, please let’s appricate and tell him thanks.Let us not let these foreign and domestic traitors stop the progress. We have to keep our eyes on the price.
My friend, proud of Skerrit,, are you sick. You caught with your pants down and with your continued bind loyalty you still hooking on this fraud, corrupt LABOUR GOVERNMENT. What will it take for you to open your eyes.
Skerrit is a failure and appears lying to Dominicans for too long.
what an A*** you are Hendrick. I am so sorry for the likes of you. Let’s wait to see the checks being cleared at the bank for all this projects which are suddenly funded by CBI (All of them). Are you that gullible? are you one of those who have been castrated (no Balls left)? One who was sold , is sold and will be sold? i guess you have glorified god skerrit so much that you fail to realize is man – and a servant of Dominica to do well by DOminica and not satisfy his humongous greed. God help – oh house slave of Skerrit – keep on singing his sanky song – his days are done. I hope you doh kill yourself when you finally accept and truth and see the light
Oh you poor deluded soul. You are deaf, blind and definitely dumb. Go and hang your head in shame.
They are also keeping an eye in his China
army run policy in Domicians.Time will tell.
Please stop – say no more! I don’t know whether to laugh or be sick. Red clinic or free air ticket? Which one is it?
‘In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king’
Hendricks man ,you are like those people who swear that the holocaust never happened and that will say that concentration camps were really holiday parks.. People like you idolize children of Belzebub even as they devour you.
45 million to clean power?
What does he have to show for it?
The prestigious Barrister’s Chambers of 3, Hare Court, London (http://www.3harecourt.com/content/view/door-clerks) is home to Mr. Anthony Astaphan (as door tenant), the lawyer of Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Commander in Chief of the most scandalous of the Caribbean’s CBI (passports for sale) programs when downright criminals have been given Dominica’s diplomatic passports.
No. 3 Hare Chambers is a prestigious set and I wonder if they are aware that Mr. Astaphan is the voice of Mr. Skerrit and presiding over his throttling of the country’s opposition politicians by military-style arrests and harassment?
I wonder if this prestigious set of chambers is aware that Mr. Astaphan’s client is a PM under siege in his own country for his alleged mis-appropriation of millions from the country’s CBI program. I wonder if they aware that Mr. Skerrit, the millionaire, has only ever has a public servant’s salary of around $5000 per month? Let them know, email: [email protected].
Skerrit added, “For instance, an elected member of our parliament has been issued with and holds a diplomatic passport and was arrested and charged last year for very serious sexual offense against a minor. Yeah right skerritt. ….. OH PLEASE….. GIVE A REAK.
YOU BRINGING THAT UP SO THE PEOPLE MIND TO LEAVE THE DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT AND CBI PROGRAM ISSUE.
WHILE YOU ON THAT, HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE CAUSE THERE ARE PERSONS WHO ARE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND YOUR GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED AND BRUSH IT UNDER THE CARPET.
Stop pushing aside the current issue and let’s deal with it……..
Skerritt is probably failing to realise the difference between domestic and international arenas. His choice of smear to the UWP shows that he is grasping at twigs compared to the logs rolling his way.
He has also failed to realise that his reputation is shot to pieces and his public standing is too low for him to be able to set the agenda despite the best efforts of his cohort Astaphan to steer the ship to safety.
There are and have been, too many issues regarding honesty, credibility and integrity of an administration to for it to survive a fair and proper democratic process. This is where he can hold on to his empire by ensuring that none of the above applies.
However, all empires have a shelf life then crumble and it dont take a fool to know his days are numbered.
I bet he got Alireza flying carpet so he won’t need a passport
You the illegal rogue Frenchman prime mistake,after this confession and admittance by you as as it regards those arrested with diplomatic passports, this is the more reason for your resignation! We do not want any fixing up by you,too much damaging has been done,go,get out!!!
Skerritt said “The facts are, and I repeat here for emphasis, that the individuals who were suspected of wrongdoing or who were or are persons of interest, were the time of appointment based on information available to us…” PM are u telling me that your due diligence report never indicated that these persons are of interest. Their crimes were not committed after they receive the passports as research shows their crimes were years before . Somebody didn’t do their job… Sorry
All that is just excuses to make those u have blinded continue to see nothing further and follow up blindly
This is an admission of guilt and incompetence.
you need to resign skerrit you have not mentioned anything yet to please dominicans. we need transparency. we need to know the amount of money that is coming in into the country from whatever source and how it is spent. you coming out with this weak address after the country went into disarray. you could have stopped this from the start. thank god for the opposition they opposed your tricky behavior. you will be caught one day. watch and see.the reason? you are stealing from us to enrich yourself and friends.Lennox will get his day you will be caught. god still seats on his throne satan and his workers no match for god.repent skerrit before its late.( the people of Nineveh in the bible was being warned by Jonah and the ruler at the time took heed and talk to the people under his rule about changing their life and they all repented and god saved the land. Skerrit talk to your cabinet repent give back to dominica what you stole and save the land.
Now people isn’t this confusing what should I believe. Skerritt n Tony criticising Lennox n Angello for bringing these things to light n bringing down the country name. But would it be right to say that it was all truth. Once my PM can now come to speak of his regret, confirm names spoken of long ago n now advising the people of new policies, shows that the Lennox n Angello have affected him in one way or another or have indeed made some impact. Are they fearful that persons will now turn their heads as they see and hear the truth. These are people, the pm, Tony, Simeon n others have denied close contact with saying they are working for the benefit of the country.
I believe the PM set his pride aside and let truth reign and work for the people who voted him. How long . Not long. I believe there is more to come.
An idea just came to me or is he doing this to make the world or those of higher positions who may want to question him, make them feel sorry like he really…
Skerritt and Astaphan are trying to shoot the messenger because they cannot deal with the message. However, it is more laughable that they choose to stop short at the American journalist because they know it will expose them to a wider audience.
With this regret, will there be any explanation forthcoming on the achievements and status of appointed diplomats?
Will there be a declaration of the knowledge obtained regarding the events of the airport fire or the guns-in-a-barrel incidents to name a few?
Empty words do tend to have a hollow ring.
This is the fox saying sorry I ate a hen
Let me keep watch over the hen house
I won’t do it again.
Dominican love eating BS cake.
Haha so on one hand they rail on the UWP for kicking the man out of the party, now they coming and say they had nothing to say about it? You all serious? And everything was supposed to be going smoothly and we were lead to believe that the program was practically perfect till these issues came to light, and mind you we only knew about them because they were exposed by news media and bloggers. And we haven’t even gotten to the question yet of how many other potential issues that may come to light soon (or even worse others that have already happened but have been hidden away) especially considering that it is basically top secret in a democratic country who holds our diplomatic passports. smdh
Dominica is not in a democracy. It is under the autocratic rule of a dictator or at best could be considered an oligarchy with Astaphan in the mix.
It might have been considered an illiberal democracy as we do have elections but as these are clearly being abused it cannot be counted.
Make no mistake – this is a dictatorship.
Maybe not yet as overt or as aggressive as the likes of the Duvalivers with their Tonton Macoute or Eric Gairy with the Mongoose Gang but everyone starts somewhere.
History has taught us many lessons – we need to heed and learn from them.
Now u want to talk but it’s to late
Let’s take a rest and listen to Emanuel Nanthan as he tries to introduce Monfared to us, or did he? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooAbNUrdV0
To little, too late.
Instead, tell us where the $85 million dollars in CBI passport money is going. Also tell us about how you became a millionaire on a public servant’s salary.
Dominicans are stupid, yes, but total fools, no!
Do the right thing and consider your position now.
Dominicans, this is the voice of a man who is at the end of his rope. Skerrit and his corrupt gang are exposed, a speech of fear and admission of failure.Scare-it is saying:
“Already we are hard pressed to meet commitments to existing embassies, consulates and multilateral agencies in Europe, North America and elsewhere where we have state supported representation. The vast majority of diplomatic appointments have represented this country admirably, they have in large part caused Dominica to be a major voice and a major player on issues and in for a where we were not even known or heard of 20 years ago.” Dominica major voice….? This is a lie!
Team UWP, with sound leadership, perseverance from Hon Linton & UWP Team, supported by Freedom party, patriots in Dominica USA, UK to discover, bring to light the improper activities and fraudulent behaviour of a rogue and corrupt Labour government. Skerrit and his gang travel widely with no account to parliament. Dominicans rise remove…
LOL….you have guts
oh no, you do not regret s***, because lennox was sounding the alarm for years and you got your wolves to hound him and chastise him… you and tony even planted evidence on him and tried to jail him… in time every dominican will see who and what you really is. u to deadly
oh as you at it can your and francine make the list of those crooks you gave those passports available. i think you can start there.
I’d think common sense dictates that Extreme Vetting be applied to non-nationals under consideration for Diplomatic and Consular appointments. Only now our PM realizes that they should at least be subjected to the same due diligence requirements as persons applying for citizenship under the CBI Programme?
Ehlas Papa.
Well Excuse Me
The PM regret but is not sorry? I guess being sorry would indicate wrong doing and he is not willing to stoop so low.
On another note while the member of parliament was wrong to get himself tangled in the minor key and should have resigned if the PM think that will take our minds of his thieving ways he wrong. Because the house he have in wifey name in Long Island City and all the moneys he have all over the place in Panama and in the Swiss banks will not be forgotten. Bringing up the molestation to take the spot light away from himself will only work for a minute.
Short your month you have lost your relevance in Dominica,you must go
Skerrit we need answers and not your crocodile tears when you are stock in the ocean all by yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZtEKTdyDFw
I do not understand! The Prime Minister is stating that all non-nationals being considered for diplomatic passports will now be subjected to a process of due diligence similar to CBI applicants; but due diligence was done for Monfared! Or is it that he was already a Dominican citizen?! How would the Prime Minister’s have made any difference to Monfared’s appointment. So much for “corrective action!”
The opaqueness of any government usually leads to problematic situations for the country. Governments should be transparent at all times. A government shrouded in secrecy gives the impression that it is hiding things from the people it serves. Why not make the names of all diplomats who represent Dominica public? The public’s trust in the Sherrit’s Regime has been severely eroded. Trust that is lost is almost impossible to regain. Why is the PM making these revelations and promises now that the horses have escaped the barn. I’m convinced that his Caricom counterparts literally begged him to make this address. He initially resisted fervently to ascribe any blame to himself or his Cabinet. Now because of one man’s lack of foresight and recalcitrance, Dominica’s name has been irreparably tarnished.
“Effective immediately, all non-nationals under consideration for Diplomatic and Consular appointments will be subjected to the same due diligence requirements as persons applying for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica.”
That statement alone shows the pure greed, vanity and selfishness that exist within this Labor Party. I’m I to assume that due diligence was absent, before the latest dose of scandal hit you in your face?
Two wrongs do not make a right and they never will. Again, you’re trying to tell the masses that your actions to tarnish the good name of Dominica is acceptable, because an elected official was accused of sexual misconduct, hence justifying your greedy ways.
You have sank so low, that it’s only a matter of time, before you’re out of office. Your days are numbered.
I think the headline should read as follows: Prime Minister expresses regret that his diplomatic passport cash-cow fell flat on its face. I thought the names and issues identified in his address to the “Red People” did not exist and it was all made up by the opposition, essentially fake news.
You’re only expressing regret, because you were caught with your pants down to your ankles in public. “The love of money is truly the root of all evil.”
No one should feel sorry for you in your misery. For a few million dollars you and your cabal forever tarnished the good name of our country. Now you want to make an about face, looking like a sad puppy in this photograph.
It serves you right! Let those dummies who harp on your every word fall on the very same sword that you all created.
sir anyone can google the names of all the fake diplomats years ago and the result would have been none of your diplomat appointees were good men and women you have failed the nation big time. were also know you are not sorry,you knew of the fake hospital advertised on your website Mydominicantradehouse .com
With a long carnival weekend followed by ASH Wednesday, I know DNO will not post so I will not comment. Instead, here is a reminder of the warning most of us ignored in 2011, https://www.modernghana.com/news/360670/1/ahmadinejad-bashar-and-skerrit.html
All have sinned and fall short, God is a forgiven God, Repent, pick ourselves up, Go and sin no more. To Err is human, he who is without sin cast the first stone. I Rest! ## Long Live Dominica.
burp, burp, burp, burp!
You trying very hard to deflect our dissatisfaction of your terms in office!
Fake crocodile tears!
Regret what?
You still looking for traitors while you agree to reinforce due diligence!
You agree something wrong but you want to kick those who point it out in the first place!
You will never regain get respect from us!
If you claim nothing wrong with the program why agree to make changes!
You already acknowledge your lapse!!!!!
You only regret being caught that’s all
PM now that you have apologised for wrong doings get rid of the bad eggs
who advised you so badly, so that Dominica can be made whole again.
Thanks for the exposure by the opposition parties whose job it is to oppose the
government and keep them on track
Skerrit added, “For instance, an elected member of our parliament has been issued with and holds a diplomatic passport and was arrested and charged last year for very serious sexual offense against a minor. Those how marched on the streets of Roseau, those who instigated the riotous behavior of February 7 and those who flew to Guyana last week, embarrassing the country have absolutely nothing to say about what should be done in that instance in relations to that member of parliament
What SKerrit said above seems to be a standard operating tactic..If you mess up find anther source of mess up as if that will neutralize your own mess up..Sadly that is not the case
Note that the Prime Minister has not committed to publishing the names of people who have received, or will receive, diplomatic passports. According to his statement, there will be more due diligence (good), but not more transparency (bad).
By the way, I don’t remember the opposition ever stating that if and when it comes to power, it would publish the names of people who have received, or will receive, diplomatic passports either.
Why would any government want to keep secret who its chooses to represent your country on the global stage? Ask the Prime Minister, and ask the opposition too.
De Iranians are coming De Iranians are coming, off with their heads they want there money.
Skeritt should have made that statement from day one rather than acting like no wrong was done and all is ok
So u mean this man still has a passport, a diplomatic one. As I see it the courts should have seized his passport, he is a flight risk. Such a heinous (alleged) act and he remains a Dominican diplomat. I am shocked!!! So while we making a whole lotta brouhaha about foreign states funds, we remain quiet on the violations of our young citizens. Dominicans need to get their priorities right.
skerrit u are not a dictator.
please stop bending the rules for the parties benefit
thanks chief for taking steps to curb the situation for this I will always applaud you. May GOD richly bless you and Dominica.
UWP..ites, Freedom..ites, Genuine Labour..ites, Please be advised that Skerrit is on the run and the doors are closing quickly on him. Let us persevere and keep the pressure hot in getting this man and his corrupt labour government out of office. DA has been stained mainly by this one man, a very dangerous inept Skerrit. Now the dust has settled he is now enacting to use the back door of deceitfulness to appear to be wanting to do good. As Hon. Linton, the UWP, the DFP and all right thinking Dominicans say- we want Skerrit to resign, go away, get rid of this corrupt government, put an interim government in place and call elections within two years. I doubt whether Skerrit should run again as he says, no constitution, no law can stop him do what he wanna do. We say to Skerrit that once he is gone, the Constitution of Dominica, The Laws of Dominica will be applied accordingly to serve all Dominicans, we mean All.
Interim government will stabilise and restore reputation of our Dominica.
You hear lies, Skerritt can’t even lie with a straight face anymore.Skerritt take your mea culpa to preschool children not intelligent Patriots.This lame excuse will not carry water.To whom is Skerritt expressing regrets.He talks about a few person’s holding diplomatic passports becoming person’s of interest to foreign countries and external security organizations.The liar told us before that the passports were withdrawn now he says that they are holding our diplomatic passports.Don’t trust you and can’t believe you Skerritt.You only mentioned three names but there are many more so why did it take you so long to come out and admit it.A simple Google search of the people will throw up red flags which any primary school child will take note of, so why did you allow this many crooks to tarnish Dominica.Following the CBS 60 minutes program you and your surrogates called patriotic Dominicans traitors. you owe Lennox and CBS an apology.This tells me the pappyshow is over.Jail Skerritt
Those who had the meeting in town to expose the fetid nature of the CBI,and subsequently went to Guyana,i applaud them strongly…They exposed the myriad of corrupt activities that the DLP is involved in…Its a pity that they did not see it fit to engage other international organisations…I LOVE THEM!!!
Sir! let me be the first to congratulate you with a job well done. The people you educate, its a pleasure to listen to their speeches.In Dominican language, when you throw your net in the sea you never caught them all fish some escape. Banks have so much security yet they are broken into. However, if a person get away with filing in a passport application form we are only human. from the holy bible I quote ; strangers shall clean your vineyard. People love and respect you all over the world and I am no exception. Blessings from the almighty god is with you always.
PM you must be joking’ to be coming and consider a local dominican palimentarian who was allege of something to them worldly criminals that you gave our passport and was wining and dinning with serveral time. Well sir if that what you coming with am sorry for you cause you seem to have fail big time .
Skerrit Must Go. He has dirty Dominican name globally with all the crooks and gangsters he has given Dominica diplomatic passport. No more lame excuses you need to recluse yourself Mr. Skerrit. You are no longer honorable. We need a full independent inquiry into the sale of Dominica diplomatic passport and the Citizen by Investment program meantime Skerrit you need to resign now
Skerit its too late. It not happened only once or twice but nany times over and over again . The passports were sold
To Criminals. Our lovely dominica name has been tarnished . U r coming now with this lamentable speech. The damage has slready been done. U must resign immediatly
once bitten, twice shy…
Fool me once…shame on you, Fool me twice
Shame On ME!!
interesting, regret, not a full apology so it was not the Prime ministers fault it was the fault of the programme itself, odd, according to Bishops who perform the due diligence for the “programme” their out is one of the government of Dominica were advised NOT to give citizenship to this individual, is it therfore the policy fault that even after spending money on the diligence it was ignored, well if the PM says so then it of course must be true.
This is no excuse as it defies logic, the programme at present just needs following thats all, no need to uprade it because it has been proven to be open to aabuse a great attempt at spin that is costing the government who is out of cash even more not required cash
The whole mess should be cancelled!!!
How about no diplomatic passport for these citizens by investment folks. It is embarrassing to us abroad. This whole mess shah pups be cancelled.
Nice try Mr. PM. But nothing short of a response to Lennox’s question in the House on October 19, 2016 will do, We want to know now who still performs these duties for us – that is, who still hold our diplomatic passports, when were they appointed, for what purpose were they appointed, what have they done or are doing on our behalf, which appointments were cancelled and when. Mr. PM, anything short of full responses with evidence to these questions will cut it. You must have realized that we are starting to get smart in Dominica.
And just to show that you mean what you say with respect to openness and transparency, please tell us what has Susan Oldie done for Dominica during her time as our diplomat. We are watching and want to believe you Mr. PM but you have not given us reason to believe what you say. The dumper coup is another one of your Lawrence Brumant style of TIM TIM.
That’s the biggest joke. Its the biggest joke. Remember that song
roosvelt skerrit MUST GO!
Sir, you know you should resign.
China guy, Iranian and Nigerian: All 3 suspected of the biggest events of bribery in in recent history, and suspicious bribery for diplomatic passports. Sir, resign.
No, No, No
Mr PM you, Mr Astaphan, Gary, Francine et al need to apologise to Mr Linton for the persistent hounding, vilification and abysmal treatment you have subjected him to.
Mr Linton has done absolutely NOTHING wrong, but he has been vilified for trying to get to the truth about the CBI and Diplomatic passports programmes. Instead of presenting the citizens of Dominica with a truthful and transparent response, Mr Linton is being sued by all and sundry. Now it appears, that things are not as circumspect as we were led to believe.
I hope the CARICOM crack team will be brought to Dominica to scrutinise the CBI and Diplomatic programmes.
This is very, very, very sad.
Doh worry skerrit we will deal with your stupid statement after carnival but don’t think we forget. On the hill of carnival you choose to issue a statement on a very important issue, how Coward! and they saying you use psychology, psychology my A.
The head of caricom was forced to intervene even when he said this was an internal matter for the government of Dominica to address. I say that because the pm have not confronted the ppl of Dominica at any given time to apologise for the constant error of issuer of diplomatic passport.
The pm was told that he should the moral things to first apologise them resign else caricom would have no other option but publicly intervene.
The opposition team did brilliantly to gate crash the meeting in Guyana as the pm nicely put it.
Now it’s the responsibility of the ppl now it’s been officialised by the pm that they did issue diplomatic passport to crooks and criminals to engage in a mass demonstration to oust the government and president but in a peaceful way after the carnival.
This government have and should leave office immediately so the country can move away from all this bad image placed on the island.
Really Mr. PM.
Come on man…You’re behaving like the current American President now…believing that everyone are fools..It’s like you appoint these guys with no strings attached…
Sir…please be reminded…money talks bull shit walks…another one…THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL…ALL..ALL..EVIL…
I’m sure many folks are not against selling passports as long as it’s done properly and in the strictest manner possible….but again where MONEY is involve there’s always strange bed fellows….
Why is this newsworthy? Has this not been a basic necessary practice in the past? We have heard so much about due diligence recently, I am left to wonder whether if that has any meaning in the Dominican context.
Am I to understand that to the labour government, An ambassadorial appointment was subjected to a less intense modality of diligence than an application for citizenship? This is mind-boggling, Is It ok to pass someone through the furnace just to carry a Dominican passport but those who are our representatives, our voice, our image should just be treated with a gush of warm air before they are appointed and granted a Diplomatic passport. Please Mr PM we expect a better explanation and as a minimum we expect some heads to roll. For example, who introduced the country to these miscreants, who vetted them and recommended them, these individuals should no longer be in Dominica’s employ.
Wicked and evil Government…
Has the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Dominica spoken with her counterparts in Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize , St Vincent and Barbados who have done it right since the 1960’s? Except for one or two bad choices the Government of Dominica did get it right from 1980-2004!
Are the files of these Administrations not available to the current MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND HER PERMANENT SECRETARY? Are there no books on such matters as the selection and appointment of foreign representatives in the library of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after 38 years of independence? What about the internet?
I hope the consultancy was given to WHITCO or ASTAJENCO!
Man you are to corrupt and wicked. You only think of yourself. Wicked Government. One day whatever you sew will return to you double. Evil Government.
These Ministers of Government in Dominica always buttoned up to their necks, Dominica must be a very cold country!
By your admittance of wrong doing the damage’s been done…
D/ca’s good name is being tarnished and if only you’d viewed the Oppostion with the rightful respect it deserves, under the supreme Law of the Land – D/ca’s constitution, all of these negative press could have been avoided. Now, because you’re (your Gov’t) is being pursued by the international “heavyweights” you’re trying to employ damage limitation tactics – it just won’t work. What you’ve demonstrated by your inactions is that you miserably lack the ‘cutting edge’ of strong Leadership Management, Foresight, Control and Tact – for this reason spare D/can anymore embarrassment and GO.
It is my honest opinion that Mr. Skerrit should seek help. I beg those who are close to him to counsel him to give it up. It getting beyond rediculous now. This wrong and strong stance can inly serve to deepen division and hatred in our beloved Dominica.
We are travelling on an unprecedented dangerous road and I fear it will not end pretty. Someone who has his ear, please counsel our Prime Minister to do the right thing and resign. Save himself and save Dominica!
Alas that man there! He certainly knows how to lie and act like it’s never him. Lord help us in that Dominica
Honorable Prime Minister. Sir Roosevelt Skerrit one thing you need to be aware of, is that you cannot trust anyone–not even the one closest to you; and especially with the Role you play.
Because you are the Prime Minister of Dominica, your name will belong in every situation –good and bad –whilst there may be situations which you were not aware of, in that the different branches of your Government are to take up their responsibility, and you simply trusted them.
So you need to continue with the strength, wisdom, and vigilance, your blessed Grace from God; keep that thought that He is walking with, and there is no one who decide your outcome but Him alone.
Prime Minister Sir, just continue with the Love you have towards your home, my homeland, our homeland, do what you are doing for the glory of God and Him alone.
UWP delegation went to Guyana,
UWP attempted a government overthrow,
UWP member of parliament interfered with a minor,
UWP planned protest march,
UWP vandalized Roseau
UWP spreading rumors about the citizenship by investment program,
DLP Coralo
DLP Ng
DLP Monfared
DLP Alison-Madueke
DLP David Shu
DLP Bin Bobol
When is the government “one guy” going to accept responsible for the ills that have befallen Dominica.
Alas! You see the walls closing in, the money is frozen, the world is watching, the people are shouting “Skerrit Must GO!”.. well get used to it. We wont stop! A little too late. You just got to go, you have milked the country and you refuse to stop despite being warned many years ago, now do the honorable thing and resign. Go AWAY!!!!
Skeritt stop throwing mepwi. If this was not brought to light there would be no apology. Put the island first and stop lining your pocket. Democracy must have opposition and corruption is no good either.
Mr. Skerrit you indicated that Dominica needed diplomats in areas and countries where we would not be able to foot the bill. Cool, but why place a diplomat, Monfared to be exact, in a country with which Dominica does not have diplomatic relations? When did this man Monfared got into trouble with the law? Is it before he engineered the scheme to evade US sanctions or when it was revealed that he was a person of interest while living in Dominica or when he was arrested in the Dominican Republic?
Also, you talked about reaching and maintaining a presences in the global market and that leads me to ask what are we selling? Agriculture is dead and we imports almost all of our agricultural consumables so what is it we marketing. I thought the the CBI program was the country’s single biggest income earner.
Lastly, I ask that when you answes if at all you see it necessary to answer, be cool, be calm and speak for yourself without the influence of your lawyers or advisers. Thank you.
Very good point, why do we need an Ambassador, mr. Brown in Miami when we already have a full-time Ambassador in Washington and a consulate in New York as well as a full-time Ambassador at the U.N. in New York also?
Mr. Skerrit is insulting our intelligence and we are buying his cock and bull stories no more.
Yes , that’s a better tone I must admit. We all can be arrogant sometimes ,but when truth prevail , we must learn to swallow our Pride .no man is an island.
A step in the right direction.
What’s wrong?
What you come and address d nation for . This time in my life I have seen a head of state adress a nation back to back, they have you cornered so do the honourable thing and you and your cabinet step down there was nothing in the speech we did not know we heard and you should asked forgiveness for what you and your clan did because Iran want there monies back .
WOW PM. You, I support and would vote for… but what’s coming next? .. Hmmmmm. I better take my blood pressure meds… double dose at a time….
what about addressing the issue of running a convoy facilitating the trade of Iranian oil to China? we all know that you been secretly doing this moreover who is benefiting from this trade? why are you Mr Skerrit not telling Dominicans of the MOU between China and Dominica?
you in hot water you start to deypalai its just a matter of time
Woye ! I have to laugh.
As a Dominican, I feel sad for my country and I feel sorry for the prime minister. His face looks sad and his demeanor is worrisome. The events that have been unfolding daily concerning his mishandling of the affairs of Dominica is beginning to take it’s toll yet he still refuses to come clean with the Dominican people. The PM spoke for 15 minutes and he said nothing. How does he expect the country to come together when he refuses to come clean with the people? Mr. Skerrit is playing politics with the lives of the citizens of Dominica. For a man who has traveled, who has wined and dined with kings and queens, to him the issue is trifle. All the man does is blame others for Dominica’s demise. Sir, I am sorry but you are doing more harm to the country than any of the opposition members ever will. How can you have, not 1, not 2, not 3 but 8 people you have used to represent Dominica in custody and not have a better explanation? I do feel sorry for you but you amuse me. You’re funny
Mr. prime minister wen the us give or grant people from the middle east and other people on any part of the world appointed Diplomats and they cause crimes in the US no body ask the present to resign you should not give your self a problem about Delete repeated word that we a with you and the opposition have no say and never come in power
hogwash
With time all wounds can be healed ; hence if the fruits are all ripe . The bad or spoil one should be removed or all will spoil. Finally tou listen to a cry but my pm its just too late . With your love see another do as you now wish to do. Please leave the nest .
Its a DAMMM SHAME mr pm that it had 2 take ur BACK being against A WALL 4 u 2 address Our Ppl like they THE WALL
dude have you forgotten or are you choosing to be selective in your memory? Mr Monfrad the Iranian guy who was so into Dominica that he spent his own money to promote the country ran a scam in MDTH and there was no consequence. so why wasn\’t his diplomatic status revoked at the point when he used the country to scam would be investors or embezzle money claiming to have constructed numerous hospitals here in Dominica?
Let’s move on mr pm let the past remain the past let’s focus on nation building. Nobody can take you out from there till election.
He can take himself out, have you ever considered that?
My my my. Skerrit for a man who use to be my English teacher in PSS you are a bloody disgrace. You are admitting that you guys messed up and the opposition was right, but just because they did not ask a member to resign they are hypocrits. I was interested in the first few line until I read further. You are a snake. Let me remind you that up to now no one has been charged and convicted in Court for messing with a minor and cannot be guilty unless court says so. In your admission of guilt above you try to justify your ****. You must have gotten the devils manual in au you. You are a mentally sick man!!!
too little, Too late, You have to go , You bringing investigators ,You say, To investigate roseau issue, but you not bringing none to investigate the cbi and diplomatic scam, apology cannot change anything now, Will you also give back to the country all what you have profited from these scams?,and face the penalties?
So you think after denying all these allegations ,you can just come now and say sorry , Or you regret ?and all will be back to normal?Oh no , you have to pay, and believe me, the clock is ticking, Time to go
Skerrit say he sorry but God says, if you sin wilfully after you had knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin Heb. 10:26, and according to Tony, he knew, he knew, he knew!
When Skerrit was arresting everybody he was not sorry; when money was coming in ……………..he was not sorry. But now he realized the clock is clicking on him, money cannot come, and he is in very deep water sinking he crying sorry. But check his timing nou at 5:05 pm on a Friday, with a long week
When he knows Angelo, Matt off and can’t hit him and next day for hotseat is Ash Wednesday, and he already told us to use lent to forget. He reminds me of a preacher that was living as bad as the devil in adultery for 7 years and when he got trapped he blamed it on everybody and then blamed the devil. Hypocrite!Hypocrite! Hypocrite! You knew all along what u were doing. We need you out u hypocrite!
” As I have pointed out before in every instance that we have discovered that someone in the service of the government of Dominica has run afoul of the law or indeed being suspected of so doing, we were proactive in suspending or terminating the relationship.”. Sure Mr. PM put the blame on someone else when you were the one personally handing out the documents ( passports). We Dominicans knew you would come up with this lie, you can continue to fool us but every rope has an end just you wait and see. NICE TRY MISTER. The Iranians or the US will be coming for you soon.
Boss time for u and your cabal to go..you all are now an embarrassment to Dominica and Dominicans..The pressure is on can see it on your face you have lost weight..Just do yourself and family the honorable thing and resign brother..we will forgive you and so shall God.But you must come clean and ask . But we cannot tolerate you anymore on the throne of DOMINICANS YOU HAVE DESTROYED OUR GOOD NAME….who knows what else..more to come.
Skerritt, you have done too much harm to our beautiful Nature Isle. All we, the citizens are asking you to do NOW, is to resign, you and your Cabinet. The country is in PAIN. . Somebody gave those diplomatic passports, to all those criminals involved in money-laundering, fraud, in exchange for something. We want to know, Skerritt. Nothing short of that. No hypocrisy.
Since when you are feeling as if you are sorry those things are happening, when you are the CENTRE of it all. SECRETS galore, until the criminals, with our diplomatic passports are arrested, like Monfared . Whom knew he was living in Morne Daniel. Who knew he was hiding from Interpol. Who was his close friend?
The World knows all about Skerritt and his friends. Millionaires, billionaires, rubbing shoulders with them. Now those same pictures will come back and hunt you all. The sewo, the lavish times, finishing.
Now money from passport sales under serious scrutiny all over. Banks’ tightening up.
Mr. PM I was reading with interest and saying “better late than never” and feeling proud that you were finally admitting in humility until I reached your 9th paragraph. In my view you should have left out the 9th to 11th paragraphs. If you are sorry for what transpired why try to taint the people who demonstrated on February 7th? That’s a democracy and if there was no demonstration and pressure from the opposition, you would not be addressing the nation on this issue today. So Hats Off to democracy! I love my country so much! God bless Dominica!
That is leadership
True leader
Speech well taken my prime minister
Tomtom, the Nazis proudly referred to Hitler as “Fuehrer”. this literally translates as “Leader” into English. enough said!
Those who FLEW TO GUYANA last week EMBARRASSING THE COUNTRY?????? REALLY??? Were they giving or selling Diplomatic passports to crooks, rogues and criminals? The answer is NO! They were simply trying to save the ir country more embarrassment than what the MONFAREDS, AND LAPSENGS have caused it.
I would like to commend the honourable
Leader Lennox Linton Patriot
Senator Dr Thompson Fontaine patriot
Honourable Joseph Issac patriot………
I wish you all could have flown to other capitals of the world to expose the rogue DLP regime. Brilliant job, and excellent service to country….
LETS CALL EVEN LOUDER FOR SKERRIT TO RESIGN……This character is far from genuine.
In baseball three strikes and you are out, you Mr Prime Minister mentioned three people with diplomatic passport under your government, shouldn’t you agree that its time to take your strike out, who knows who is out there with Dominica Diplomatic Passport.
God don’t sleep. Yesterday on Caribbean 360 news Trinidad and Tobago is being watched very carefully, Please take a lesson from that because pretty soon it may be Dominica because of your party.
A little too late. It’s a big mess
Skerrit you all must go including MADAME SPEAKER
PM I’ll hand it to you but you a much to late and in the best interest of the Island and it’s people it’s time for you and your administration to step down
Lie, Lie ,lie and more lies. Mr PM if you claimed both you and your supremo , Ass- TA-RAM , that the diplomatic passport of Manfared was cancelled why now talk about him in your fancy speech. This does not make sense to me. Now sir if his passport (diplomatic) was cancelled because of you knowing that he is a wanted criminal why then would ” Dominica” allow him first to enter the country and even spending/leaving some time here(months)? Is somebody misleading his people? The spin doctor has spin that wheel so much that all it’s bearings run out and the wheel is just unable to spin one more. No lies can live forever. The Americans will do the work that the citizens because of poverty is unable to do. Your glory days sir is soon to come to and end. You have embarrased this lovely country. Time to GO!!
Did you just admit that due diligence is not being done on appointed diplomats? How is this a new policy when it should have already been in place? Oh, I get it. You will now start to implement policies that have been in place. A new policy: have parliament vote on and publish all appointees (transparency).
“This is the hypocrisy that characterizes the politics and public life in Dominica today,” Skerrit remarked. “We seem to forget a fundamental principle by which we are guided and that is a person is presumed innocent until he has been found guilty by a court of law.”
If you believe this to be the case, why did you revoke the passports of those arrested? After all, they have not been proven guilty by a court of law? Hmph, hypocrisy, huh!
Better late than never, kick out the Chinese
“Effective immediately, all non-nationals under consideration for Diplomatic and Consular appointments will be subjected to the same due diligence requirements as persons applying for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica.” Only now Mr. hypocrite? You mean you were so busy after their big money that you didn’t care a damn about their reputation?
You mean to tell me you did not know Diezani Alison-Madueke was tinted before you gave her our passport in 2015? FYI, this article about her was online in 2014 http://saharareporters.com/news-page/corruption-tainted-minister-petroleum-resources-diezani-alison-madueke-rejected-opec. Even if she was not arrested as yet the fact that her name was already so badly tinted, didn’t make you think twice?
As a man you telling me you will get married to a woman based on what people tell you about her and you won’t do ur own homework? Ur record shows U promoting people that sweep money by mistake so what?
The power in people is greater than the people in power…Honourable Linton you are correct…Linton has been demonstrating exquisitely brilliant leadership from January 1st when he appeared on the much talked about CBS 60 minutes programme, while Skerrit was hiding somewhere in Vieille case….The pressure kept mounting on the rogue regime relentlessly. We have ignored all the garbage written and spewed by his acolytes, and will continue to ignore them…
What the patriots of this country want IS FOR SKERRIT TO RESIGN…..YOU HAVE DISGRACED DOMINICA!
Carnival time. Skerrit go bury your guilt long acre
SCHOOL IN SESSION:
I would like to ask a question?
Is it possible to get more incorrect answers than correct answers and still pass?
Especially when the incorrect answers carry more weight?
Any idiot can tell you the answer to that question is NO! and NO!
So my fellow Dominicans, EXPLAIN This. what’s the grade I even give a bonus 25% for stating all is innocent until proven guilty.
The Prime Minister .
“I have already acknowledged my regret at the unfortunate turn of events with respect to a few persons holding diplomatic passports becoming persons of interest to foreign countries and external security organizations,” he said. “ the most recent were Chinese billionaire Ng Lap Seng; Iranian, Alireza Zibahalat Monfared , former Nigerian minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, elected member of our parliament has been issued with and holds a diplomatic passport and was arrested and charged last year for very serious sexual offense against a minor.”
what’s the grade 25% plus 0%=…
The warnings are becoming more evident that the wall of the P.M, is crumbling –
Thanks to Honorable Linton. Thanks to CBS 60 minutes, Thanks to Kenneth Rijock, Copley, Angelo, Arundel, Blessings Coipel, the DFP…. Thanks to all… But this is not the end.
Lets continue to call on Skerrit to resign for destroying the good name of Dominica…
Lets keep on the pressure….
Too chaux too flam. Very late response PM on matters and concerns affecting us.
THAT’S WHAT SUSTAINED PRESSURE ON A ROGUE REGIME CAN DO!.
Thanks to LLL Leader Lennox Linton, the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Pastors Rodney and Leatham, Blessings, Coipel and all the other patriots….But this is not the end . It is becoming clearer to Skerrit that he has disgraced Dominica’s name so much that he, together with his other ministers need TO RESIGN…This DLP cabinet has never been known to be genuine, does not have the brain in the party to do things right, and will only continue to destroy the country.
I am convinced more than ever before that ITS TIME FOR CHANGE. Skerrit has done enough harm to this country.
Personally I DONT ACCEPT SKERRITS APOLOGY. I can call a spade a spade and say Skerrit is a terribly bad leader, that HAS Dominica as the laughingstock of the Caribbean.
IS THERE SOMETHING THAT HE KNOWS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW.
The coming weeks will be interesting.
Sorry sir, i feel no sympathy for you and your cabal. Too late sir for you have sullied the name of patriotic Dominicans when they called you out. PACK UP AND GO! Go and take you government, President, Police Chief and Deputy with you. We need to banish you from this precious land.
Assertive and very aggressive!
According to Skerrit, ”Effective immediately, all non-nationals under consideration for Diplomatic and Consular appointments will be subjected to the same due diligence requirements as persons applying for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica.”
So, he is implying that he was lying when he said that due diligence was done on Alison-Madueke and Alireza Monfared?
Oh your pants on fire now. So Lennox has been speaking the truth all along.
Oh what a tangled web you weave when first you practice to deceive. And to only see how some Dominicans does repeat the PM lies eh. I really feel sorry for them.
So I have a question for those labour party sympathisers. How do you feel? How do you feel now after helping the PM and his cabal by repeating his foolish lies time and time again. Won’t you learn? Won’t you wake up one day?
Labourites insanity is when a person does the same thing time and time again and expects a different result. Its time for CHANGE….. The time for change has come the time for change is now…. Save Dominica
Continue:
And I personally want you to tell the nation, about the passport money you put in the hands of three of your colleagues you claim to build Hotels. I am demanding that you tell us if the money is a free give away, by way of a grant, or if it is a loan, and when will it reach maturity. We want to know the total amount of money in dollars and cents each of the recipients received, and what rate of interest they will pay.
Transparency is imperative, now is the time to be transparent!
hehehehe….Skerrit must think you all Dominicans are a set of fools to come talk this rank load of bull crap. He must tink you all stupid.
If that is badge of honor you all want to wear, then nobody can do anything about it. Carrying on smartly chupidees! 
I personally believe that if they were not caught the corruption would have continued !!!.
Stop playing the blame game.Only you and you alone as a one man government,that has brought Dominica into such international shame and disgrace.Not only those criminal diplomats are in hot water,you as well as Francine Baron and the others ministers who were in Malaysia winding and dinning with Monfared,are all drowning in the hot pool. You are now explaining all what you denied in the past,and looking for public sympathy. We will continue to call for your immediate resignation you shameless character.
Man, you are speaking from both sides of your mouth. You are trying to be humble and accept responsibility but your pride is putting you deeper in the political ground. You still need to resign.
Let’s hope so Mr. Prime Minister. I am willing to give you the benefit of doubt that your intentions going forward are sincere.
Now when you are asked questions in Parliament by members of the Opposition, treat them with respect and answer the questions.
But you still have ‘splaining to do with Alireza Monfared, how much money that’s in the CBI account to date? How much was in it BEFORE all the spotlight shine on the CBI business?
Too late for all that. he has soiled our country and people too often. He must go.
Thank you Mr. Linton. Your worm medicine is working.
More lies, more propaganda and more deception from this hypocrite leader. How could Skerrit now try to blame the danger he put Dominica in on the policy and new guideline? This mess he put us in has absolutely nothing to do with bad policy. How could the problem be with policy when the world saw how you embraced NG Lap Seng, up to a day before Erika and two weeks before he was arrested by the FBI for fraud and money laundering? You mean to tell me after his arrest of September 2015, you didn’t think of reviewing the policy since you had given Diezani Alison-Madueke a passport in May of the same 2015? You mean to tell me after those two arrests your mind did not tell you to check on Aliereza Monfared since you gave him (though I believe he bought it), a diplomatic passport in March of 2015? In fact instead of checking on him, we saw you all over with him either as friend or business partner and had him hiding in DA. Who U fooling boy?
Mr PM you were warned before. When did you see it fit to apply due diligence ? Were you too involved in lining your pocket? Instead of lambasting Lennox Linton you should take your hat off to him for exposing those crooks and criminals. The writing is on the wall. Skerrit you have brought shame on Dominica and you must go. We need a Unity Government from a cross section of the community to restore the respect we deserve.
After all the hype a bit of a bit of a fizzler, a dud really. Of course, one did expect the allegations re. the opposition’s involvement in planning and executing an attempted coup no less, and disturbances and attacks on property in Roseau. I would think those alluded to may will have a case for defamation but the courts are already so clogged up with pending cases I wonder if there is any sense in proceeding. On the diplomatic passport scandal front I learned two things:
– an indirect admission that the Govt. routinely did not carry out any due diligence on its candidates for diplomatic posts, real or imagined.
– the cost of diplomatic pass[ports has gone up dramatically. Whereas before the price was U.S.$2 million for five years, the period of validity has now been reduced to three years, an increase of 60%.
And that’s it folks!
Too little Too late… Skerrit Must Go!
Too late shall be your cry thank you Lord for the tenacity of the Leader of the Opposition.
Too little too late mr pm. The opposition is not the ones embarrassing the country it is you. Had your government adhere to the call to be transparent; this predicament would be easier to accept. Failure to be transparent failure to do comprehensive background checks on your appointees, mr pm you are failing the country.
is this an acceptance of guilt?????????
This garbage bin material should,nt even be read on social media. Skeritt is now looking for the public,s sympathy,since we are demanding his resignation.
This garbage bin material dhould,nt even be read on social media.Skeritt is now lookin for the public,s sympathy.
That’s a good first start Mr. Skerrit. Now your next order of business is for you and your senior counsel to apologize to the opposition for the manner in which you demonized them when they brought the deficiencies of the appointment process to your attention. You’re a big man, you can do it. Just open your mouth and say “I’m sorry”.
What boy, that man is under pressure. You mean to tell me not one Lennox Linton?
Skerrit added, “For instance, an elected member of our parliament has been issued with and holds a diplomatic passport and was arrested and charged last year for very serious sexual offense against a minor. Those how marched on the streets of Roseau, those who instigated the riotous behavior of February 7 and those who flew to Guyana last week, embarrassing the country have absolutely nothing to say about what should be done in that instance in relations to that member of parliament.”
Ian Pinard had a diplomatic passport? Whats the update on his case nah? I saw him well dress walking around in “Citizenship Agents” circles. Is he now one?
If you are talking about the member from the opporistion side – I believe he was granted his jucicial review. i seem to remember you yourself saying how the opposition had thrown him under the bus when they forced him to resign? Dont come and try to blame them now, at the time of that they did GRILL their member, unlike you who were on stage…
It is very easy to close the Barn after the horses are already out.
Boy, everytime I listen to Skerrit or any member of his cabal which also includes his attorneys, I cannot help but think of how vulnerable the US is with there third boarder and therefore I hope Mr. Trump moves in swiftly and quickly.
You were boasting about due diligence WHILE the Nigerian Oil Minister was in handcuffs. Now, a 60 minute interview, pressure on you now is regret?
I see