PM Skerrit commends Obama on US/Cuba policy shift

Obama announced the shift in police on Wednesday
Obama announced the shift in police on Wednesday

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has commended President of the United States, Barak Obama, for moving to normalize relations with Cuba, describing it as courageous,  heroic and historic.

“I beleive we need to support and commend President Obama for what I consider to be a very courageous decision on his part,” he said in reaction to the news. “I always felt within me that President Obama, before he demits office, would take this heroic and historic decision.”

Relations between Cuba and its giant nothern neighbour have been frozen since 1960 when diplomatic ties were broken and a trade embargo imposed. Although Obama announced a series of measures in the thawing relationship, such as the opening of a US embassy in Cuba, the trade embargo remains in place since only an act of Congress can lift it.

Skerrit said he received the news with “great excitement” pointing out the call for better relationship between the two countries was being made “for a very long time now.”

He said Obama should be encouraged to “forge ahead with the additional action which Congress and other would need to take in respect to allowing Cuba to be part of the world community and continue playing its important role in world development.”

The Prime Minister noted that Dominica fully supports Obama in decision “in respect to the normalization of relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba.”

Meanwhile, Obama, who made the announcement of Wednesday, described that move as a “new chapter” saying the US approach to Cuba was “outdated.”

Here are some key dates in US/Cuba relations as outlined by the BBC.

1959: Fidel Castro and his guerrilla army defeat the US-backed Cuban regime of Fulgencio Batista

1960-1961: Cuba nationalises US businesses without compensation; US breaks off diplomatic relations and imposes a trade embargo in response

1961: Failed Bay of Pigs invasion by CIA-backed Cuban exiles

1962: Soviet Union deploys ballistic missiles to Cuba, prompting Cuban Missile Crisis

2001: Five Cubans, dubbed the Cuban Five, are jailed in Miami for spying

2008: Raul Castro becomes Cuban president

2009: US citizen Alan Gross detained in Cuba accused of spying

Dec 2013: US President Barack Obama and Raul Castro shake hands at Nelson Mandela’s funeral – the first such public gesture since 1959

17 December 2014: American Alan Gross is released by Cuba

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66 Comments

  1. January 22, 2015

    “The US approach to Cuba was outdated” ?

    Has communism changed?

    Has Castro changed?

    Has Cuba changed?

    Are the people of Cuba more free now? Have the great freedoms of speech, public assembly, the press, and religion been restored?

    Will tourists and journalists now be allowed to move about freely on he island without the secret police shadowing them?

    Will Castro apologize to my friend from Toronto, a well known pastor of a big church in the city, who was rudely arrested in Cuba :oops: because the police claimed he was a CIA spy? He was there to speak in some of the churches and deliver much appreciated gifts from the Canadian church . (A church where I have preached many times.)

    Is Cuba going to release American prisoners without America being forced to release Cuban criminals who are being held in the States?

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  2. committed Dominican
    December 20, 2014

    Little boy, stop mentioning Obama ‘ s name in your garbage.

  3. B Lion
    December 19, 2014

    Cuba got too many fine ass queens for a black man like obama to refuse that ass. With Skerrit well u dunn know already.

  4. too late
    December 19, 2014

    what boy. you mean Obama cower to pressure from Roosevelt Skerrit? obama hear skerrit say he standing with Venezuela and Cuba and Obama get scared. papamet :-D

    • joking
      December 22, 2014

      lmao

  5. UK Dominican
    December 19, 2014

    jalous allyou Jalous i mean what next “Dictator” please enlighten me of your definition of that word Ja…..s.
    Leave the man alone mind your buisness no one said that he was the one who made Obama move. Before all this palava he had voiced his opinion stating that Us should raise the sanctions. Maybe allyou was to busy with pre election fever and nothing mattered at the time.
    Have a Happy Xmas to all the miserable Dominicans your pressure will go down.

  6. Observer
    December 19, 2014

    Allu jealous of Skerrit

    • View
      December 19, 2014

      I fine u takin long…………..

    • JoJo
      December 19, 2014

      How can one be jealous of a leader, who can not win his own election but relies on mercenaries from a foreign country? That is very sad and makes me feel very embarrassed for my country.

  7. WONG PING
    December 19, 2014

    why is there so much hatred among we dominicans? is it because of the possibility to express it freely on the net? what is wrong with we people ? nowadays every one is a counselor. if we have so many people who know how to make the country progress why hide behind the computer and express so much hate. it’s time that we look into ourselves. clean our innerman. red blue green yellow!! there is so much to be done.
    merry christmas.

  8. Francisco Telemaque
    December 19, 2014

    A few years ago President Obama signed a loan of a few million dollars for Dominica in the presence of PM Skerrit.(The Fact).

    Lie, Lie, Lie, all lies!

    Your fact is nothing more than a myth!; you know like something from a mythical world. The United states donated some small vessels to be utilized in the deterrent of the importation of cocaine and marijuana into the country.

    They were intended to be utilized by the Coast Guard if they, exists in Dominica. Your Prime Minister, and mine, fail to put the vessels into service, and I believe he has ulterior motive for leaving them on the ducks. (I think I know why but I doh talking eh). Nevertheless, he was very eager to hand the U.S. official who presented the gifts to our nation two bottles of white rum, not realizing he insulted the representative who presented the gifts.

    For your information (S.. Machine) or The Fact, or whatever machine you are: Obama never signed any loan to Dominica in the present of Roosevelt Skerrit, you are mistaken, or simply decided to indulge into a fallacy, or in other words an simple lie! Now if you said Skerrit met Obama, and cross path with him, to a point where they were engaged in a conversation I would agree with you, because that is factual, that is true they met somewhere in Centrial America, and believe it or not other members of ALBA were also present.

    For your information the president of the United States of America does not give loans to any island government in the Caribbean. Have you ever heard the term “Caribbean Basin?” Well Dominica is part of that which is termed the Caribbean Basin. What you do not know is that certain amount of money is contributed to the islands in the Caribbean Basin, and that I believe is supervised by the State Department through the United States Embassy in Barbados. The amount of money given is divided among the nations in the “Caribbean Basin.” I came into that knowledge way back in 1962.

    For as long as you have been living not one single President of the United States have ever directly, or indirectly signed any sort of loan with any Prime Minister in the Caribbean, never mind singing a loan in Skerrit presence! Where did you get that from, how did you manage to deduce such nonsense?

    If Skerrit confirms anything like that I can tell you he lied to you; say Francisco Telemaque said he lied!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  9. Anthony Ismael
    December 19, 2014

    I wish for a change we could elevate the discourse on this board. This was an old promise that President Obama finally acted upon. The US is very smart. Politics aside, there are companies that have been lobbying for normal relations between these two nations for decades now.

    Although it’s not mentioned in the article, one cannot ignore the impact of economics either. We sometimes forget that Cuba has some 11 million people with a 90% literacy rate who reside some 90 miles away from Florida. I would like to see more discourse that focuses on the Prime Minister’s mistakes and the way forward, instead of petty sniping.

    How should Dominica position itself to take advantage of this shift, vis-à-vis economic cooperation and trade? What’s our exit strategy here?

  10. Anonymous
    December 19, 2014

    DNO PLEASE DO NOT PLACE PRESIDENT OBAMA NEXT TO SKERRIT’S RAMBLING.
    What a Shame that a leader of a country would allow himself to be a laughing stock .
    simply because he relies so heavily on someone else to do his bidding and pretend it’s all his doing.
    Don’t you at least read your speech and make sense of it before ………

  11. J John-Charles
    December 19, 2014

    Prime ministers who always ready to blame America, (Of course they are singing for their supper.)Now they are commending the president for lifting the embargo on Cuba. But if the U.S. is so racist, the most repressive nation on earth and is the obstacle for world peace.Why do they want to have dealings with such a country?I heard on the radio even the PM’s wife went not to Venezuela,Cuba,China and not Russia but to the Imperialist America to give birth.I saw Cubans dancing on the streets because the embargo is lifted.Why are they so happy to have relationship with the great Satan.
    The Muslims hate America,but when they want to better their lives or escape from political and religious persecution they come to the great satan for asylum.
    Put all the nations of the world together more people are coming and want to live in America.There is something special about this land.

  12. zamm
    December 18, 2014

    Wat is wrong with this Pm? Went on a rampage against the us n now commending Pres Obama.
    This is like foot in mouth disease. Always out of timing n making immature n baseless remarks.
    Skerritt, Pres Obama is not even taking you on…
    You forgot how greAt is da USa. Why dont.you encourage your friendly govs to treat their own folks well.
    The USA is all.about human rights n democracy.
    If the caribbean gets in to trouble our first response will be U S A
    Remain quiet pm. You have always sided with chavez n other leAders to bash The great super power usa.

  13. may
    December 18, 2014

    Everything Skerrit says is gospel to his followers. If he says that the sky is red, and his followers know to themselves that the sky is blue they will in the end agree with Skerrit that the sky is red.

  14. Views Expressed
    December 18, 2014

    Skerrit has not got the morale authority nor the integrity to comment on such matters of world affairs. Skerrit first has to clean his backyard which is dirty with bins filled with bobol.
    Skerrit has been just a populist leader and lacks morale, integrity, vision and honesty in public office.

    Cuba will still have its people in prison simple because they spoke their minds…where were you Skerrit to articulate the human rights of these people. Just to share a voice for the country the love and separated from their families…
    Skerrit you’re not a role model to talk internationally on behalf of Dominica and the Caribbean…there are too many unanswered question directed at your government

  15. local
    December 18, 2014

    Just as the heroic people of Cuba have fought against and defeated the dictator Batista, so too they have continuously resisted the inhumane trade embargo for about 53 years. The embargo has stifled the commercial and financial operations of Cuba for decades. Obama had the political will to shift US policy on the matter.

    Is the political directorate here willing at all to make or facilitate changes to the electoral process, for example, thus allowing a level-playing field in our elections? Why do you, in authority, treat a people with such disdain? Aren’t Electoral Reforms in the interest of all Dominicans? Well, we know such reforms will mess up the winning legacy of the Supremo.

    But, the world is on the side of those fighting for FREE and FAIR Elections and a better democratic way of life. No longer will reforms be stalled or blocked. Because the people are willing to change. Future elections have to be FREE and FAIR. The movement is on for Change. No two ways about it.

    Apart from those pressures from the US, in particular and other former colonial/capitalist countries, Cuba has one of the best Health care system in the World. Cuba has developed a highly-trained population because of its high priority on Education. For several years now, many countries have voted in the UN for the lifting of the embargo. Imagine Cuba was able to send 165 health care workers, doctors, nurses, to Africa to help fight the deadly Ebola epidemic. Outstanding for a small Caribbean country.

    While all that diplomacy is going on between two countries at odds for decades, and a past policy is being shifted, here in Dominica an Electoral Commission and the political directorate are stubborn, refuse to make changes to the electoral process to ensure FREE and FAIR elections.

    Debates and discussions of issues of development, foreign affairs, politics, economics, social and cultural affairs etc. etc. are of no importance to the regime. The cabal refuse to engage with the opposition as far as electoral reforms are concerned. The chairman of the Commission would not meet for simple discussion/clarification on such a pertinent matter.

    Change is a must. All changes for the better must be welcomed. Changes to the electoral process is absolutely necessary for FREE and FAIR Elections. The Electoral Commission itself, Dominicans here and abroad, Regional and international Election Observers have been pleading, recommending changes, for sanitizing the bloated/dirty Voters’ List and to provide voter ID Cards, to the Skerritt DLP Gov’t. For Years no listening ear to the people asking for such important changes. What is Skerritt’s stand on that local burning issue? We have heard nothing. Nothing

  16. RASTAFARILEADSTHEWAY
    December 18, 2014

    The Prime Minister is again being the Statesman that he is by calling a spade a spade and a giving praise where its due.
    Back in the old days in LA before all these educated karawats started roaming the streets and making illogical comments online…
    We had a saying ‘si il bon dis il bon’ ebeh tojour il bon!’
    for those of you that don’t know original patois it means ‘if its good say its good… well now its good!’

    • RasNah
      December 19, 2014

      You not no rasta. Rasta doh support mental slavery and corruption. Your a babylon fraud.

    • Nac Vibes
      December 19, 2014

      RASTAFARILEADSTHEWAY, are you using that name to try and sound credible or are you true Rasta?

      If it’s a claim to be a true Rasta who follows the Livity of HIM, them I suggest you visit some of the many world leading speeches by HIM to see why your Prime Minister is far away from Rasta teachings.

  17. amy
    December 18, 2014

    Hey skerrit my president Obama don’t need your support, you need to watch CNN or Google Haiti pm resign after anti government protest, take a page from HAITI book Dominicans, they are fighting for democracy, while you sit and beg, they said “we need a new government as soon as possible”. Oh HAITI today I applaud you, Dominicans don’t have your backbone, you are fighters,and GOD deliver you, GOD bless HAITI. And for Dominicans it is written of you in proverbs chapter 6 vs 6 to 11. Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise,which having no guide overseer or ruler,provide the her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.how long will thou sleep, o sluggard? When will thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
    I’m ashamed to say HAiTIANS are smarter than DOMINICANS. The comments on facebook make the world realize how illiterate and stupid DOMINICANS are.
    You can curse me and fuss but it’s the truth. You are a begging country, and your pm out there begging Venezuela and Cuba, always begging what a damn shame.begging, begging, begging, go get a job DLP. Maybe your pm could find out from other countries, how to teach you to fish.

    • PS
      December 19, 2014

      Roosevelt, did you pay Obama royalties, or at least ask for his permission to use his image so blatantly in your election campaign? What does Mark Marie have to say about that?
      Boy you really are something.

  18. FAST N FURIOUS
    December 18, 2014

    It take strangers to see the good happening in Dominica,while a set (the opposition) sit and criticize the very same thing the strangers praise the PM for that good he has done and is doing in the country ;The only time something would appear to be good in the opposition and its supporters eyes or mind is when the PM would cowardly abide with whatever they say to do.It is so laughable and annoying to listen to some callers on Q95 dictating to the PM if he(PM)is a man,do this or that or don’t do this or that without their approval; How silly that sounds.At the end of the exercise they are the ones passing as the fool.Those people(opposition) speak with hate,rage and anger from within.Their tone of voice and the manner they express themselves speak volume.Some believe that they are the ones in charge…Tell them I say that;I want to see this or that take place now;Is I want etc,etc,etc,yet they call the PM a dictator.Sad to see election 2014 has just gone and the opposition Leader is still campaigning .Can’t this guy accept defeat?18-3; 15-6; Whenever they loose,elections were stolen but if they had won the elections,it would have been fair under the very same conditions the elections were called.They accuse the government for bringing people to vote,yet they did the same.The truth of the matter is the one with more money could afford to help more people.The Leader of the opposition was of the belief he would have been PM but that was not so and for that this guy is angry and is raging hatred and disorder in the country.This guy must understand that the majority of Dominicans(whether home or overseas)have spoken and should get his acts together and stop believing he is untouchable. He is one who likes pelting stones and when stones are pelt back at him he goes crying saying that they are pelting stones at him..but who cares..In his own words…If you can’t stand the heat bro get out of the kitchen.

    • Anonymous
      December 19, 2014

      Fast and Foolish shut the FRONT Door!!!! Best to be thought a FOOL than Open your mouth and cast out all doubt! EVERYONE knows the Election was RIGGED so just crawl back under that rock BLAH, BLAH you don’t know what you are talking about. STOP REGURGITATING!!!!!!!!!

  19. PossieCan
    December 18, 2014

    Is the move by President Obama going to help Cuba economically? The congratulations to the President of the United States of America, Barac Obama, for taking steps to normalize relations with Cuba.

    Taking a closer look home, I would like to remind the world that it was the United Workers Party (UWP) who while in government took to bold and courageous step to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. I wonder how many people would remember that it was former Prime Minister Edison James who established relations with Cuba when Fidel Castro was President…

    While we praising Obama, it was important moves like that taken by the UWP that has today, among other important diplomatic, bilateral trading and other arrangements with which the USA may have an important stake that has contributed to the USA considering re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba… any thoughts on that folks??? :wink:

  20. IMJustSaying
    December 18, 2014

    Wasn’t Skerrit the same person just the other day blasting the US over sanctions re: Venuezuela?
    This man is so myopic its hilarious and sad at the same time 8-O 8-O :wink:

    • RASTAFARILEADSTHEWAY
      December 18, 2014

      you’re statement makes no sense… you’re a follower its not your fault!

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      All is fair in politics. Dislike today, love tomorrow and then shake hands. After an election, whichever wins the election, opponents call each other to offer congratulations. The loser may find it difficult but it is common sense and diplomacy. It also projects a gentlemanly/ladylike attitude. Linton should learn this gentlemanly attitude.
      You should not be surprised that the PM telephoned President Obama.. After all, they are not personal enemies. Anyway this is protocol. This is also utilizing tact.
      This is something some of you must learn. You become angry, spew derogatory words and hate those whom you disagree with and vice versa. Be civil even to your opponents. This depicts a matured adult. Furthermore, it is Christian-like. Learn to pretend without your heart swelling with animosity and hatred.
      Think of this as an example. If you made a comment on DNO and I am pleased with it I will compliment you and give you thumbs up. If not, I will express my displeasure and/or dissatisfaction in the form of a comment and I will give you thumbs down. I will not hate you for your comment.
      US politicians, Canadian and European ones do not always agree on every policy but they are civil to each other.
      Did you hear this year, at a summit, Putin, the Russian President tried to shake hands with Canada’s PM? The Can. PM said, I will shake your hands you must get out of Ukraine. If you listen to international news you will know why he made that comment. Putin sent his army to take over that country which is independent of Russia. Canada’s PM’s words made international news.
      I hope you comprehend what I tried to relay to you. If you practice diplomacy towards others who have wronged you or who you feel you detest, you will experience inner peace and tranquility for you should know, what you dish out to others you will receive and twofold.
      It is the prerogative of leader’s of a country to speak out when they feel it is necessary. Do not blame them nor criticize them for taking a stand in whatever manner they feel they should.

    • JOHNNY
      December 21, 2014

      I think you missed the point. The PM has been quite consistent!

  21. J John-Charles
    December 18, 2014

    just a correction..So America said Dominica you are etc..

  22. Doc. Love
    December 18, 2014

    It is unfortunate, Skeritt remained quiet when President Maduro, put some serious blows of President Obama at a rally a few days ago. Maduro said,” they can shove their US Visas where they should be shoved, insolent Yankees, ” in other words, arrogant, contemptuous, Americans. The Americans are our friends, his son was born in America. I have my problems with Skeritt failing to address the governance of my country. Failing to address the alleged corruption in Government. Failing to do something about electoral reform, but no foreign friend, because he gives my country hand outs, has the right to publicly insult my President or old Buffond or a rasta man or my Prime Minister, for that matter, any Dominican, by calling him insolent or arrogant or contemptuous. :mrgreen:

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      The PM cannot respond to every word the Venezuelan President stated. He had already pledged to stand by them. This is sufficient. He made his point.

  23. J John-Charles
    December 18, 2014

    During the cold war Dominica received assistance from the USA,they financed school buildings, feeder roads. During and after hurricane David in august 1979 America was like a good old grand mother to us.The USAID even had an office in Dominica,it was located on Cork street upstairs the building where Guiyave restaurant is.I believed these helps were given because the U.S. did not want us to fall into the hands of the leftists on the island and of course Cuba.Now after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the nations of the world came to the realization that communism is a fraud (except Cuba and North Korea0 America said Dominica you are on your own.
    The last nail was put on the coffin when Bill Clinton joining with these big companies like Dole, Bel Monte and Chiquita took the EU before the W.T.O. and destroy our banana industry.
    I believe that China, Cuba and Venezuela is telling us (not verbally) “You aligned with the U.S. but we are the ones helping u.
    Now I just hope that when Cuba and U.S. remarry it will not be to our disadvantage.

    • Shaka zulu
      December 18, 2014

      What is the meaning of independence to you? Is it the ability to self determination, export your own produce, educate your people, efficient and maximum use of resources, and self growth, and so on? Or, is it alliance with whoever can pay your bills and give you money because you believe your are poor and can do nothing for yourself?

      • Anthony Ismael
        December 19, 2014

        Again, there are those who cry for Dominica’s self sustenance and internal economic growth, but they fail to acknowledge just how things function on the ground. Some twenty years ago, a local Dominican returned from the US with a business plan to commence a “Chicken Farm.”

        He was never granted the license to operate his business, because someone already had the license to import meat and meat-by-products in Dominica. Back then, Dominica’s annual expenditure on this product alone was some EC$ 15,000,000-$20,000,000 annually.

        We can point to the constant battle over geothermal exploration at home right now. We had a few individuals who learned how to fly helicopters and they started a local business at home, where they would take tourist on sight-seeing tours around the island.

        There were daily complaints from farmers that the noise from the helicopters disturbed their animals that were grazing in pastures. Locals eventually drove them out of business. Dominica is extremely conservative. A few people own everything and the rest of the people are poor. It is like that by design. Our current situation is no accident.

        We have certain business people who criticize LIAT when their bottom line is affected. However, as soon as the debate moves to the construction of a proper airport for the benefit of the masses, it’s a terrible idea.

        We write about change and we talk about growth, but we do not want development. There was a court battle to remove a wall and expand a road and create sidewalks for pedestrians. Just think for a minute that we have people fighting simple progressive ideas and how it adversely impacts the country.

        There are locals who would like to invest in Dominica. However, if the ruling elite deem them a threat, the government will not grant you a license to operate your business.

        Finally, when the younger generation began importing used vehicles into Dominica via the Internet from Japan, the established dealers lobbied the government to add a $EC 5,000.00 on the importation of such vehicles.

        Any venture that threatens or challenges the ruling elite is usually dismantled forthwith. That’s why so many learned Dominicans will not return home or take a chance to invest. The class and political foolishness is too much to bear.

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      A few years ago President Obama signed a loan of a few million dollars for Dominica in the presence of PM Skerrit. I think, if I am not mistaken, it was after a summit of the Americas.
      I do not think the US will turn its back on Dominica, if it is in need of. You must not be negative. Some of you think ahead and too far ahead. It is as if you are always expecting the worst to occur.

    • Anthony Ismael
      December 19, 2014

      I am pleased to see that there are sensible Dominicans out there who understand and remember these pertinent facts.

    • January 17, 2015

      Don’t expect any consistency on the part of the communist nations. Deception is their middle name. The powerful governments of Russia and China slew millions of innocent people whose only crimes were believing in God, free enterprise, and democracy. This shows the heart and true nature of communism.

      In the cold war days we knew who our enemies were. The lines were clearly drawn. But communism has not produced its promised utopia. There are nations that still claim to be communist but are madly pursuing the fruits of capitalism. They will use whatever means they have to win credibility with the free world.

      A democratic nation has nothing to gain by accepting favors from these countries. Any favors they bestow will come with a price. Are our leaders so foolish to think they will gain by pretending they now think the communist ideology is not so bad after all? China’s human rights violations continue.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  24. December 18, 2014

    all those so called Men that hating on d PM will go and suck salt…the man cant do or say nothing right for u ppl to start attacking like a bunch of rabid dogs..all I have left to say is 5 more years so deal with it!!! jahlosie sey met sorciaye

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      They are right here on DNO as observed. I am wondering if they will ever get fed-up of hitting on him.

  25. Francisco Telemaque
    December 18, 2014

    “I always felt within me that President Obama, before he demits office, would take this heroic and historic decision.”(Roosevelt Skerrit).

    If only Skerrit took time to keep himself informed, and abreast with important matters, he would have long realize that Obama only fulfil a campaign promise he made way back in 2008.

    In 2008 he committed himself to normalizing relations with Cuba. Another reason for Obama taking that position is in fact to gain the released of some Americans who were locked away in the prison dungeons in Cuba. There were also Cuban spy’s locked away in jails in the United States, who are released in the prisoners exchange.

    All the crap Skerrit is talking is because he is embarrassed over the nonsense he spoke in Cuba, I supposed now he will claim that the garbage he spoke is what cause Obama to shiver in fear that Skerrit was about to unleash the might, and power of the Dominica military, hence crushing the United States into a pile of paper-pulp why he did what he has done.

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

    Before Skerrit take credit for something he does not know what he is talking about; let it be known, that Francis, the one they call pope, whatever that means is the one who was a go between the dialogue of United States/Cuba, which resulted in what developed over the last day or, so!

    Let me just show how someone who claims to major in the English language, said he has a degree in English uses the English language incorrectly. Demit actually means to dismiss, or resign, or to withdraw from office or membership. That is different from someone serving two terms as president, and is prohibited by law to contest for the presidency ever again. Withdraw can imply to remove from consideration or set outside of a group, such as withdrawing his name from a list of nominees. The word demits cannot be applied to a president who has finished his two terms in office.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • Zuma
      December 20, 2014

      Frans why are you so angry with yourself. Anger is bursting out of your pores. You need to chill my boy before you make a coronary but in any case if you do. You will be able to save yourself even if you are choking and can’t breathe cause you have experience in CPR… Well Frans chill. Just chill please and feel inner peace. We feel too much anger from you I suggest you see a physchairtrist to help calm your self this lashing out is making us wonder whether that you are insane or on drugs, it’s not doing good for your image which is already tattered.

    • December 22, 2014

      My brother, the man is a nobody in International politics.

  26. Lougawoo Mem
    December 18, 2014

    I really do not know what to think of this immature Prime minister. I am confident he does not understand world affairs, and is quick to run his mouth before putting his brain in a sensible gear. For one, President Obama did not admit office. The world knows he was voted into office. Unlike corrupted politicians who bribe, treat, lie and steal their way into office, not so in America. Roosevelt Skerrit should know his utterances about the normalization of relationship between Cuba, Venezuela and the U.S. is irrelevant in the eyes of the US government.

    The prime minister needs to find ways and means to govern his nation with justice and equality for all. He must cease and decease his dictatorial tendencies that cause him to victimize those who do not tow his line and political beliefs. If he doesn’t, he may find that our beloved nation in the same relationship position between Venezuela and the United States of America. Only time will tell.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      December 18, 2014

      You know it is one thing for a person to write what develops in their brain; memorize it, and talk it out loud: it is something totally different when another person writes a script, and hand it to someone to read and memorize it as their own.

      Intelligent people almost never use words which they do not know the true meaning. If Skerrit had done his home work, if he graduated; earned a degree in English, he would automatically know the meaning of demit, and know when to use it appropriately; and would not have used it in reference to Obama leaving office.

      I suppose the man may have majored in linguistics also, hence he may be an authority where it pertains to linguists, and the English language, and the use of words; when or where they should be appropriately used. Well you know: (man boast in Dominica how him is alumna eh). What he did not tell the nation is that anybody who attended college our university: wether they graduate or not as long as they attended such institution after they leave: no longer a student of that institution, they are classified as an alumna.

      The only school I attended in Dominica is the wind blown down elementary School in Wesley, near the Methodist Church (commonly referred to as Chapel). Many years has elapsed since I attended there, however, I can boast that I am an alumna of my none existing elementary school. If I say I an alumna, that does not mean I graduated! If I was the Prime Minister of a country, or even a celebrity incapable of writing my own speeches, before I memorize a script handed to me I would analyze every single word, knowing the meaning before I spew out words that I do not know the meaning, and when it is apropriate to use them.

      Now I am not saying that he cannot, or should not engage a speech write, even presidents and prime ministers of the more develop nations allow people to write their speach, nevertheless, someone have to proof read the script ensuring that words are not wrongly appropriated, and cannot cause any embrassment to the leader who read the script to the letter.

      I Francisco now demit oui! Hahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahah.

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  27. looking
    December 18, 2014
  28. Frances Cannoville
    December 18, 2014

    Skerrit, I see what you’re trying to imply. No, ties between these two countries were not restored because of your recommendations- which you never declared public until now! Remember, just 3 days ago in your statement on the newly placed restrictions on Venezuela for human rights violation you said that any country[USA]that takes action against Venezuela and CUBA are enemies- so to speak-. Meanwhile, de same Cuba was in the backroom making their own deal. You sir, would like to think that you’re in the innermost circle of these world leaders, when in fact, you are just a fly that’s trying to get into the room. Stop trying to use reverse psychology on your followers and act bigger than you are

    • winston warrington
      December 18, 2014

      Just what is wrong with you angry people? Don’t you get tired of shredding the backs of one another? The Prime Minister expressed support for Obama’s foreign policy commitment since 2008. Other Caricom leaders have expressed similar expectations that by lifting the embargo, not only would trade between US and Cuba alleviate the hardships in Cuba, but also embolden timid Caribbean countries who have not created trade alliances with Cuba for fear of offending the US to do so.

      • amy
        December 18, 2014

        Who cares what your pm says, AMERICA don’t need anything from you.absolutely nothing, the only news that is spreading about your pm is the worst news possible.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        December 18, 2014

        Warrington, you and Skerrit are the only two angry people. He is running off his mouth which you perceive to be support for Obama.

        Read this: “an attack on any ALBA nation is an attack on all the Caribbean islands,” that includes Dominica such words are words of a hostility, anger towards Obama, and the people of the United States, perpetrated by our Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

        Anytime people like you come across anyone who does not share the same stupid mentality, and dance to the rhythm of the music of this dictator, guys like you with no intelligence always accuse people of anger and hate. You need to stop indulging in talking nonsense!

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • FAST N FURIOUS
      December 18, 2014

      @Frances Cannoville,with all due respect but your comment here is just pure rubbish.

      • IMJustSaying
        December 18, 2014

        Why is the comment ‘pure rubbish’? Why can’t you try analyzing the context what was said, instead of the usual stock Labar response?
        As usual, Skerrit is attempting to further blind his followers, but the wise and intelligent can see behind his reverse psychology.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      December 19, 2014

      That comment is deep, I like it!

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  29. PaBoo
    December 18, 2014

    I think this is indeed a great move however mr PM you have more pertinent issues here in Dominica for you to address.

  30. je dire
    December 18, 2014

    why not the Gov.t of dominica?

  31. grell
    December 18, 2014

    Skerrit the big picture,Obama does not victimize anyone and he works with his congress,also he won both electine without bribing the poor and he takes critizism like a politician suppose to.USE his ideas and you might have a chance,He got american back and working and not looking for handouts.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      December 24, 2014

      Grell, there is no comparison between Roosevelt Skerrit and Obama you know. In the first place Obama is a constructional lawyer by profession. He attended one of the most prestigious Universities in the United States. Skerrit on the other hand could not even finish, and graduate an English language discipline.

      The fact that Obama prevented the entire economy of the United States from collapsing in the interim, and thus far has grown the economy, providing more than four million new jobs in less than six years speak volumes. Not forgetting where the white boy failed to capture the worlds most notorious terrorist bin Laden, Obama found him and exterminate him.

      When Obama took office, I paid almost five dollars for a gallon of premium (grade 91) gasoline; today, this afternoon, I paid less than three dollars for a gallon of grade 91 octane. Obama made it possible where no insurance company in this country can deny any person suffering from pre existing diseases from obtaining coverage. He revolutionized the Real Estate industry which collapses under the white boy watch.

      There are many other good things Obama has done for the United States, making him one of the most successful Presidents ever to hold office in this country.

      People like Skerrit are nothing more than blowing in the wind; he is one who feared debating his opponent in Dominica; Obama exposed himself to the nation when he engaged John McCane and most recently Mitt Romney in two different presidential debate which was seen in the continental United States, and continentally, which was seen by millions of people throughout the world. We knew who we were electing when we elected Obama as president of the United States. Skerrit feet cannot fit into Obama’s trodden down old shoe.

      One thing more politicians in America cannot afford to bribe individuals to get their vote, that is certainly a felony, and if caught in such an act the alternative is incarceration for a long time. And finally Obama respects and honor the law’s of the country, and does not; and cannot remotely try to dictate or impose his wish on the people of these United States; although he is the most powerful man on the face of the earth today, and shall be for another two years or so!

      In Dominica, Skerrit is dictator, judge, police, magistrate, pope, priest, and minister of everything in a nut shell; our people suffer in fear of him, and accept any crap Skerrit forces down their throats including his handouts!

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

      • January 22, 2015

        Francisco, be nice :!:

        Mr. Skerrit is the P.M. of your beautiful homeland! You are a Dominican of the diaspora.

        I do enjoy your writings but sometimes I wish you would chill. Don’t be so hard on your cuz or whatever the connection is.

        Rev. Don Hill. :-P

  32. Thor
    December 18, 2014

    Thank Goodness Skerrit gave it his blessing.

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      At least he showed he is a gentleman.

  33. MADD DEM MADD
    December 18, 2014

    but skerrit you were just blasting the usa with madduro now commending

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      He does not have to be his enemy. Do we all not get blasted by others especially when we stand up for the truth? After all is said and done, do we not still communicate with those people especially those whom we personally know?

  34. Shaka zulu
    December 18, 2014

    Skeritt needs to hold a press conference where he is asked questions on his intentions, his public comments etc….. There should be such press conference every 3 months where the journalsts get to ask those tough questions. He needs to be accountable for his dealings. It is not matter of choice. He is working for us and has to answer to us.

    • The Fact
      December 18, 2014

      And the journalists? Are they bias or impartial?
      In little Dominica? :lol: :lol: :lol:
      Just as a debate among leaders, I would not encourage that.

  35. December 18, 2014

    Here goes Roosevelt Skerrit again! You know you have no influence in international politics. Stop trying to fool the supporters who are helping you continue your dictatorial ways.

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