A disingenuous position by Dominica at end of the 62nd Meeting of the OECS Authority last week makes it necessary for Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to disclose whether or not his government has been compromised by outside influence in the nomination of British Baroness Patricia Scotland for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General.
The heads of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States meeting in Roseau from November 18th – 19th, 2015 asked Mr. Skerrit to withdraw his nominee so that CARICOM could proceed to the selection event in Malta this week with a single candidate in the person of the Antigua and Barbuda’s nominee Sir Ron Sanders who has already secured the CARICOM consensus.
According to St Kitts and NEVIS Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris a single CARICOM candidate would avert “in my view a dangerous precedent where any island… any member of CARICOM could go on their own personal agenda which makes it ever so difficult whenever we need to leverage the collective strength of the region”.
OECS Chairman Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell was optimistic that discussions at the meeting would ensure that “by the time we leave here…we are going to the Commonwealth meeting with one recommendation coming from the Caribbean region”.
But while Mr. Skerrit assured the Heads that a decision on withdrawing his candidate would be made after consultation with his Cabinet, he stayed away from the end-of-meeting Press Conference on November 19th and instead assigned his Foreign Minister Senator Francine Baron to say that Dominica remains fully supportive of its nominee. In support of Baron’s Statement, described as “unfortunate” by two Prime Ministers (speaking to each other at the Press Conference head table during her presentation), Mr. Skerrit later posted the following on his Face Book page:
“The clarification by Dominica’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Francine Baron, became necessary since it had been suggested in the media that OECS leaders had agreed on a single candidate… Minister Baron said she cannot speak for other countries, but the Commonwealth of Dominica stands fully behind the former UK Attorney General, who is also a descendant of Dominica”.
Dominica has benefited in recent years for example, from CARICOM consensus on the appointment of Dominicans to the top positions at the Pan American Health Organization and CARICOM. Yet, in the interest of a Dominican by birth whose life, work, accomplishments and dominant nationality are all absolutely British, Mr. Skerrit is fighting against CARICOM consensus on one candidate for top Commonwealth job.
There are a number of reasons why CARICOM Prime Ministers whose governments spontaneously contributed millions to the recovery and reconstruction of Dominica following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, do not agree with Mr Skerrit’s choice:
1) Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal has never lived in or worked in or for any member of the CARICOM grouping
2) She is a sitting member of the British House of Lords and has ignored requests from CARICOM leaders to resign from that position in order to merit consideration as a CARICOM nominee
3) As Attorney General, the senior law officer of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and chief legal adviser to the Government, she helped steer through Parliament the very law on hiring illegal immigrants that she was subsequently convicted and fined for breaking.
4) She was handsomely paid for legal services to the leader of the Maldives who took power by overthrowing the democratically elected government of that country.
5) Appointed by Roosevelt Skerrit as International Relief Coordinator after the devastation of Tropical Storm Erika since the beginning of September 2015, she has not presented a single update on the results of her work (if she has done any work at all) either directly or indirectly to the people of Dominica
6) Her candidacy though in the name of Dominica, has no local or regional financial support. It is sponsored wholly and solely by the following European interests as disclosed in her British parliamentary data sheet:
a) Shabir Randeree – managing director of the DCD group of London (property) and past chairman of the European Islamic Investment Bank PLC.
b) DCD Properties Ltd, part of the DCD group owned by the Randeree family.
c) Ian Sims
d) Ron Wahid – Chairman and CEO of RJI Capital Services Ltd., Zurich (Switzerland); Chairman and CEO of RJI’s subsidiary of Arcanum Global, a strategic global intelligence company with links to Mossad and a contributor to the flawed weapons of mass destruction justification for the invasion of Iraq. In March of this year Baroness Scotland was appointed to the paid position of personal advisor to Ron Wahid
e) RJI Global Services Ltd.
Even as the CARICOM leaders are trying to leverage the grouping’s collective strength in a single nominee, Skerrit’s candidate is revving up her formidable propaganda campaign machine against her competitor, when she well knows that the honourable course of action now available to her in the public interest of CARICOM is to step aside.
If Mr. Skerrit cannot align himself with the consensus position in CARICOM and withdraw his nominee before Malta, then it is reasonable to conclude that as a CARICOM leader, he is selfishly acting under the influence of interests external, and contrary to, the collective wisdom of CARICOM leadership.
The people of Dominica and the people of CARICOM therefore have a right to know the reason behind Mr. Skerrit’s decision to stand defiantly against the majority of CARICOM leaders in support of an opportunistic, extra-regionally financed move by a Member of the British House of Lords to land the job of Commonwealth Secretary General.
And barring any earth shattering, previously undisclosed revelations from his explanation injurious to the CARICOM position, the people must demand that he falls in line without further delay.
This is business for CARICOM behind closed doors… its not relevant to the general public even though the committee serve’s the public, I say this because no one except the heads of Caricom can vote or sway the matter. Its just distraction and politics, Skeritt clearly stated his reasoning for the nomination and just recently his nominee was instrumental in obtaining aid for Dominica during the recent and ongoing crisis of TS Erika. I understand Lennox is in the opposition and he has embraced that role in the literal sense by always opposing but one must be objective and see the bigger picture and not simply focus opinions and decisions based on an individual but what is best for the greater good of the country. Skeritt has strength now and he’s using it as far as I can tell for the betterment of the country. If anyone can prove otherwise then prove it don’t just spread accusations.
Eh ben weh Dominicans do you guys hear yourselves ignorant, and backward coolomonoes since time began everyone else moved forward but Dominica remains the same stupid eneducated look at others in the region despite their dissatisfaction with their leaders they refrain from writing garbage. But allyou DA peopleca lot of bull s… comes out of both ends. I simply say act your ages both sides nee yon nee lot
I get what you’re saying but you could have said it much better.
Linton so you’re not supporting a Dominican who’s more than qualified? Is it because the PM nominated her? You love casting stones!!! Wasn’t it you who was caught at the airport attempting to illegally take something out of the Island? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I rest my case. I wish Baroness Scotland the best of luck and success!!
Its a long time I have not read such crap and rubbish from a political DLP insider……may be should resort to the forests to talk to the parrots…..
Baroness Scotland is more qualified than who…?ohhhhh Skerrit , yes you are right.
Sir Sanders is much more qualified and eminent than Scotland. Wasn’t she who was dismiss as AG in the British Government ?
Why is the British government not nominating her
Next
Maybe, just maybe, The Commonwealth will vote woman to office this time around. And I believe that this is very possible in this era of diversity and inclusion.
Can’t bite the hands that feed you.
In the absence of transparency one would assume that your article is some what bias. You made your research on the Baroness but not on Sir Ron Saunders. Is it true that Sir Ron Saunders was convicted of corruption by the highest court? just asking the people has a right to know
lENNOX THANKS FOR THE INFO,Skerrit continues to be the kid he is.
@Cameron, please ask Lennox for the information on Sir Sanders as he was a person of interest in a multimillion $$$$ fraud scheme, he was investigated by the Antiguan police. If you are afraid to ask just do a Google search and you will get all the intriguing information that your dear leader will conveniently not mention.
anyone could be investigated my dear leader is god fool,i have no other false prophet like you all claim Skerrit to be,take a look in the mirror,Dominica is being dragged to the pits while the poor continue to suffer,Roosevelt Skerrit is no good for Dominica and his day is coming.Our poor people contine to become greater beggers so please check yourself first,
@Cameron, are you aware that Skeritt was never investigated in the UN matter, yet your leader wanted him to step aside because he happen to know some of the people involved. Now you and your leader want to turn a blind eye to someone who was a person of interest in a criminal probe and not only that, support the nomination of this person to one of the highest office within the Commonwealth of nations. You are just blatant hypocrit.
Mr. Linton, Sir Ronal Sanders was named as a person of interest by the Antiguan police in a multimillion $$$$$ fraud scheme involving politicians. I am not saying he is guilty but he was been investigated. You recently called on Roosevelt Skeritt to step aside because of his alleged association with Ng Lap Seng who was arrested by the FBI. Are you aware that Skeritt was not mentioned as a person of interrest during the 5 year FBI investigation. What standards do you apply when it comes to coruption? Your standards seem to be very confusing to say the least.
Mr. Sanders maybe investigated, as far as I am aware, he was not charge with a crime, but the Baroness was charged and convicted of a crime.
Just a few days ago the infamous “Novice” as he is popularly known in most circles around Dominica was begging his brainwashed supporters to advise him on how to proceed in the House of Parliament, proving his level of incompetence and ignorance in politics. Now, here he is attempting to tell our precious and Supreme Leader how to proceed with regards to the nomination of Baroness Scotland for the position of Commonwealth Secretary General. It is this type of ignorance and level of arrogance that is beginning to make the Novice a laughing stock to most Dominicans. The Novice is a man whose supporters are either too afraid or too ashamed to stand by him and/or support his idiotic agendas. Agendas such as demanding that the duly elected Prime Minister step aside within the next 30 days. Agendas such as demanding that the Prime Minister withdraw his nominee for Commonwealth Secretary General. The Novice must realize that he has NO power and NO authority to make ANY demands.
Does La Lie (L L) of the leaderless opposition forces support anything. Does he understand what the term “national interest” means. Since he claim to be an investigative reporter, why did he not investigate all the candidate. I guess he did not because he knew our candidate is the best person for the job. He loves to miss lead people. Maybe he should be called the Missleader of the obstrutionists forces ..
He claimed that the Speaker is frustrating him….only him…., But he is calling for guidance because he refuse to educate himself on the rules of the house and on parliamentary procedure. In an age of high tech information, he has no excuse. You cannot just do or say things and make all kinds of accusations when you should be educating and informing yourself. Look at the extent of investigative information he did on the Baroness. Maybe he should do it on himself.
I rather be a novice as regards politics, then to be politically associated to an indicted crook.
No one has been proven guilty. Being accused of a crime does not make you guilty.
It is very unfortunate that a popularly known Infamous “Novice” can seek advice from a population of brainwashed Dominican supporters on further proceedings in the House whereas our very precious and supreme leader has demonstrated a level of complete autocracy with a forceful Leninism attitude. Your choices of words indicate that you are well read however, your repetition and bias denotes that you are falling within the walls of demoralization! Our PM has made public his bad habit in the house and now he takes it to the yard with Scotland’s proposal. I do agree that we should support our very own however, the mannerism in which it is done particularly with a larger support unit group is against my support.
Coconut from Ireland,Linton will support.
Coconut from Dominica, Dominicans will support
Linton I am very concern about you,the people around you DONT LIKE YOU MY BOY
that’s a good one!
What is wrong with Mister nuh.
He cannot. The powers at work and the interests at stake are too overwhelming! Poor garson!Por Dominique!The British Govt has the resources to mobilize the White Commonwealth and many in the Black African Commonwealth behind Scotland! She will win!
Well said Honorable Linton.
You are really the DNO opposition always making breaking news that does’nt go anywhere.
@ mine…..DNO is the voice of the opposition forces when it comes to political dialogue. On other topics they are ok, but they have influence their audience to have a preference for information criticizing the government, especially the P M.
lennox sometimes it appears that you the only person in Dominica standing up to Roosevelt and his gang.One day your efforts will bare fruits
In order to bear fruit one must plant seeds on good soil… not throw rocks of accusations hoping it will hit somebody!
Linton seems to enjoy being wrong over and over again.
Wow, wow, wow…very well said by the Leader Of the Opposition. Take note Skerro, withdraw your candidate and stop stand in the way of development both in Dca and Caricom in general. Where is Loraine Bannis when we need her to tell Skerro to STOP standing in the way of development? I guess she gone moo-moo now
!
Assertive, but Never Aggressive!
Skerrit is of the view that the nonsense he does in Dominica,which he and his DLP have utterly destroyed,can be tolerated by anyone. I am happy that so many of the other heads of government are taking him as a joke, which is a perfect description of his ineptness…Only in Dominica among his fools and those he has impoverished can his ineptness bear fruit. I FAVOUR MR Saunders ALL THE WAY! Well said Honourable Linton!
I concur. Baroness Scotland’s record is seriously blemished and Mr. Skerrit is not a team player, never has been.
Foo, foo since you could foresee the future, why do you need advice? As the pal rep of Marigot what have you done for your people. You are simple uneducated and cannot make decisions you need to complete high school. You need to continue taking your medication. Skeritte is the prime minister not you. What is your accomplishment tell us beside criticizing everything what have you done for Dominica question.
Breaking news : The prime minister is said to have used exotic toilet tissue while performing his duties in a rest room. How dare him to use such exotic toilet tissue? He must refrain from using such toiletries and report his future endeavors to other Caricom leaders and also he needs to be sympathetic to the leader of the opposition.
You couldn’t have said it better Mr Linton… and well put.
The end of an era of this administration’s dominance is nearing – nothing is working for them because they haven’t got a clue what they are doing.
This is very interesting, I am unable to access Dominicanewsonline the usual way by inserting the domain name in my browser, however, I access it by other means. It would appear the site is working on other islands, except Dominica!
Very strange.
Stranger than fiction. Look at the posting @ Delusional above. Someone followed the PM to a toilet to report to DNO. See how many times DNO keep your comment for consideration, say it is duplication, or just delete it. See the kind of insulting posting they publish in complete disregard to their stated policies for honesty and truth.
Telemaque… i think you meant to send your email to the IT department in DNO or you should call your local internet service provider. I suspect you wanted to say it was skerro that block your internet but it was too foolish to say so you just put it out there
I also had problems connecting to DNO and I’m in another country now…
Why should it be Dominica to withdraw its candidate? Think we are a strong independent people and no one should dictate to us, and ask us to get in line with their position. That’s rude and patronizing.