As debate intensifies on the region reaching a consensus on one nominee for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General, Dominica has made it clear it is not withdrawing its nomination of Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Francine Baron said at a press conference of 62nd meeting of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority held at the State House on Thursday that the two countries with nominees will be discussing the matter.
Presently, two candidates from the region have been nominated for the position: Scotland, who was born in Dominica and is a jurist and a former UK Attorney General, while the other is consultant, academic, diplomat and commentator, Sir Ronald Sanders, nominated by Antigua and Barbuda.
“What has been decided is that the two countries from the Caribbean who have candidates will discuss the matter to see whether we can arrive at an agreement moving forward,” Baron said. “As to whether there should be one candidate or not, and that does not mean that Dominica has agreed to withdraw its candidate, it simply means that there will be a discussion.”
Baron continued, “We are in the situation where we have two candidates now from the Caribbean region and it is important going forward to consider which of the candidates are likely to be able to command the majority votes within the Commonwealth.”
She mentioned also that there is still an opportunity for other members of the Commonwealth to nominate candidates.
Commonwealth Heads of Government will be meeting in Malta next week where a new Secretary General is to be elected and Chairman of the OECS and Prime Minister of Grenada Dr. Keith Claudius Mitchell said it makes no sense to have two nominees from the region.
“We believe that this is absolutely necessary, that it makes no sense going there with two candidates reducing the possibility and having ourselves eclipsed because of lack of unified effort around that particular candidate,” he noted.
He said by the time regional Heads of Government leave for Malta, one candidate will be selected.
“Dominica does have a candidate and the Prime Minister is going to be discussing with his colleague in Antigua and that’s why when we leave here, we will have one candidate and whoever that candidate is Grenada will be supporting,” Mitchell said.
However, he made clear Grenada’ position on the matter.
“Grenada’s position has been well known for months; we have declared our support for Ronald Sanders a long time ago…,” he stated.
Dr. Mitchell added, “Next week many of us leave here to go to the Commonwealth meeting where there is a good possibility that one of our citizens in the region can emerge as Secretary General, and it was my feeling that we can in fact increase that possibility if we send a message that we unify our efforts around one candidate.”
She was supposed to be Dominica\’s coordinator of relief after Erika, how much relief has she muster and brought to Dominica?
Skerrit is just making himself a damn fool trying to force himself and that woman on people, his wish might be granted in Dominica, but the rest of the Caribbean are not going to confirm an waste of time puppet of Skerrit, if Skerrit had any commonsense he would realize if they wonted her she would be already confirmed.
But the….. he is he will try to influence someone until they spit on him by outright reject his phony British accent comedy; she and Skerrit are the only ones in their circus!
DNO she did not say that,oh God.why don’t you guys report….Why should we withdraw anyway, Dominica First.
FORREAL, I hope you know ,skerit is dominican ,and see what he is doing to us
So is not about where you from, But who you are,It is time we stop mingling friedship in bussiness ,
Francine Baron ………, i watched her interview everything from her mouth was am this, am that, like she totally unsure of herself, Francine u are very incompetent, i also saw her speech at the united nations, i was so embarrassed explaining she was not the prime minister. Dominica u can do better than what we have now, i think skerrit your time has come, it is time for you to accept your limitations, you are good at smiling and taking photo ops to win hearts but u have no idea how to manage a business or set any sustainable economic policies for Dominica. Accept your failure and step aside now, because u all will make it worse, study history, when people have it very hard you will force them to riot against you.
So here it is. We have an Antiguan candidate and we have a Dominican candidate.
So far the Antiguan candidate has the support of seven (7) Caribbean countries.
So far the Dominican candidate has the support of two (2) countries, that is, one besides Dominica.
The Caribbean (Caricom) stands a good chance of being considered a region that does not have its house in order, one that cannot be taken seriously, if it goes to Malta with two candidates from such a relatively small section of the world.
The OECS is going to leave here with one candidate (hopefully) to present in Malta.
Is it not more likely now that the Antiguan will attract the support of more countries than Dominica will, given that the Antiguan candidate is already ahead in the count? How many of the seven countries are going to switch just to support Skerritt’s ego?
Dominica has a PAHO Director General. It has a Caricom Secretary General. Is it so important that we have a Commonwealth Secretary General too? For…
For an ego? And to risk our fragile regional unity?
We also have the Director General of CARIFORUM (i.e Caricom + DR)
WHY NOT?
This Government has no idea how to drive this economy. It is just clear as the blue sky. They are a clueless, incoherent group of incompetent clowns.
Dominicans really something else. The real reason the other islands do not want to support any Dominican candidate is because we already have a few other prominent Dominicans heading other organisations:
CARICOM – Irwin LaRocque
CARIFORUM – Percival Marie
PAHO – Clarissa Ettienne
This has nothing to do with the competence of the candidate. SMH
If what I have read about Statements made at the Press Conference following the OECS Meeting is correct then it is obvious that neither the Prime Minister of Dominica nor his Foreign Minister have a clue about how the Commonwealth works and the negative repercussions that their seeming ineptness will have on the region being successful in reaching consensus on the most competent and suitable candidate Sir Ronald Sanders for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General. It is mind boggling that even at this stage and in face of majority CARICOM support for Sir Ronald that himself and Francine Baron who of course is just doing what she is told persist in demonstrating their lack of diplomacy in their negotiations to muster support for Baroness Scotland who is already a failed and flawed candidate for more reasons than one. That said if she had any self respect she would withdraw instead of inflicting embarrassment on herself and Dominica when she will eventually be withdrawn anyway!
Skerrit is a total joker everything for him is inside out upside down. Sir Ronald Sanders is a CARIBBEAN MAN. He knows our plight in the region. The Baroness the only thing she has of Dominima is her date of birth. The PM gave her a job or position what has she accomplish during that time. I was surprised that he did not give her an award during the independence celebration, I suppose the Caribbean Sir Sanders all the way according to Dr. Mitchell. Go caricom go Sir Sandees
“Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Dominican-born former British Attorney-General, would make an excellent Secretary-General. But her position as a former British minister and a current member of the British legislature probably rules her out in an association still wary of colonial overtones. She will also have to work hard to live down the damage done to her reputation by her agreeing to advise Mohammed Waheed Hassan, leader of the 2012 coup in the Maldives, on how to avoid Commonwealth action for human rights abuses. Sir Ronald Sanders is well known and widely respected in the Caribbean and in Commonwealth circles, he combines diplomatic, managerial and political skills and a realistic appraisal of possibilities with a passionate commitment to the Commonwealth and its core values. If anyone can revitalise the Commonwealth, one feels, it is him.” http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00358533.2015.1028177
This a clear indication as of what to expect when talks regarding the bulling of Guyana by Venezuela takes place. If the Caribbean leaders believe the selection of a Secretary General is an easy affair , wait when Skeritt joins Maduro. On one hand he is asking the Caribbean leaders to assist him financially reference post Erika, on the other hand he intends to crook them. I salute Ian, he knew what he was talking about.
Maduro will lose his pants on 6 Dec. Inflalion in Venezuela now 200% and crude oil down to U,S.46.barrel. Plenty of oil but it is very crude, people can not eat it, only useful for greasing corruption.
Typical Dominicans, always eating their own! Ms. Scotland was born in St. Joseph and migrated to England with her parents at an early age, Ms. Scotland sin is, she was nominated by PM Skeritte. The UWP, Unity of Worthless Pest, their leader never sought to complete high school after being expelled, but now the empty barrel and his followers knows what is good for Dominica. The leader of the opposition being articulate doesn’t qualify you for that position, if that is the position you are seeking! You don’t have a high school diploma, she has Master Degrees. We saw you make a complete fool of yourself during your last court hearing. Your propaganda has become useless, Since you are a self made journalist you should credit the people whose sentences you used in your independence speech.
And Richard Branson left school at 16. Has that stunted him? Patricia Scotland still picking up her £300 a day tax free from the House of Lords, for which she only has to sign in. She is ruthless right wing, cloaked in a mantle of Labour. Has she shown her face in “her” island since Erika? People like her are just opportunists and think of themselves first. Birds of a feather flock together.
well well I have read some of the comments by Dominicans or should say UWPites and is a crying shame that you all would rather Antigua nominee over a Dominican,you all have so much confidence in some other country people that can do the Caribbean work over you all own people,that is amazing,dominicans have just proven to be dumbnicans,a Antigua where Dominicans always cry foul at their airport and baggage go missing,i wash my hands with Dominicans,eugenia Charles help America invade grenada,you all think grenadians and their primeminister want the best for dominica,you all better think again,skerrit are among them,you all think that skerrit don’t know what he doing,that he do not know what is going on,the man is in the kitchen,he knows what is cooking,unity,unity my foot,these guys are fakes,it’s every country for it’self,skerrit know it
The reason for their comments, these do not support him. I do not view them as smart people. They will pay for it someday.
FORREAL, I hope you know ,skerit is dominican ,and see what he is doing to us
So is not about where you from, But who you are,It is time we stop mingling friedship in bussiness
Skerrit is a total failure, he cant get anything right
You are a real manicou
You Need to go back to school
Maybe, but Skerrit cant fool me like he is fooling educated people like you, educated fool
Preacher, Did God tell you to put people in your pocket
I mean the majority of the OECS leaders has threw their support behind Saners, why can’t Dominica give it a rest. Does Skerrit has to behave like he must have his way or else all the time…..abd speaking of the Baroness…wasn’t she given a BIG job to lobby international aid? Has she failed her task; i seeing Skerro calling donor’s meeting?.. No updates of her relief efforts was given…..I bet her calls was like this:
B: I am Baroness Patricia Scotland, chief lobbist of relief for storm-stricken Dominica.
R: Baroness..who? And u are Dominican…but you speak Bristish….are you sure you not a fraudster using the devastation of a small island to gain money? …pa..la..baroness…your claim sound too fishy…hang up…
B: Why dey give me that job nuh…Skerro don’t know i left Dominica very young and can’t speak like him…I am out-of-touch with the country….
even in this matter, skerrit is playing divisive and infantile politics. what is his obsession with the baroness, is it the the ceremonial title, if not what other assets that maybe so compelling?
Is that why Skerrit wasn’t in attendance? Ebeh look it
The OECS Head of States are meeting in Dominica and Skerro wasn’t in attendance…man, u joking cal
Are you serious?
Do or die baroness Scotland will not be nominated Secretary General of commonwealth!
We will lose a bright opportunity that will not revisit us with Roosevelt Skerrit as PM.
It’s appalling to see our foreign minister encouraging other caricom countries to put forward a candidate before next week’s election!
What’s wrong with Sanders?
Dominica is effectively railroading the process!
Shame on Skerrit and miss Baron!
Keith Mitchell is not in support of de baroness!
Should he put forth his own candidate and withdraw his support for Sanders?
Is this really happening?
Are our leaders sick?
What happened to caribbean unity?
Why should we create a cat and dog fight amongst ourselves?
De world is watching!!!!!!!
We will lose everything! !!!!!!
Come on DNO, I listened to the press conference and I will admit that the Hon. Baron sounded very uneducated on the matter. She sounded like someone who was taken off the street and dropped in a seat at the head table. In her ramblings however she never said that Dominica was not withdrawing its nominee, was there a second press conference?
According to Chairman of the OECS and Prime Minister of Grenada Dr. Keith Claudius Mitchell, “it makes no sense to have two nominees from the region” and that “Grenada’s position has been well known for months, “we have declared all support” for Ronald Sanders a long time ago…,”
Dr. Mitchell added, “Next week many of us leave here to go to the Commonwealth meeting where there is a good possibility that one of our citizens in the region can emerge a Secretary General, and “it was my feeling that we can in fact “increase” that possibility if we send a message that we unify our efforts around “one” candidate.”
OMG, did that man just TELL Skerrit that HE, Skerrit, work for THEM and that HE, Skerrit, MUST DO AS THEY SAY?
FIRST, GONSALVES TOLD Skerrit we didn’t need an International Airport, while he was building his. NOW, MITCHELL is DICTATING who should be the ONLY CANDIDATE for Secretary General. Where’s Skerrit’s VOICE? Don’t allow them to TRAMPLE over YOU…
This post wasn’t meant as a response to Point’s post. Misplaced.
Point, I agree. I heard her. TOO MANY UMM’s before getting the right word.
The Hon. Minister’s narrative sounds like an epiphany of sorts and gives the impression they are looking for a graceful exit strategy for Dear Leader and his nominee. Allegedly, the OECS Chair has already called upon CARICOM to support Antigua’s nominee. More interestingly, there are two African candidates from Tanzania and Botswana also in contention for the position. And, media reports out of Australia indicate that Australia is prepared to put forward a compromise candudate if there is no consensus between the Caribbean and African voting blocs. Consensus then seems to be the name of the game.
its strange this obsession this roosvelt guy has with the baraoness. i wonder whats really going on
What de hell? Francine withdraw de baron, what happen mamsel pay skerro man. Que Sah!
Why are our regional partners in the OECS attempting to apply pressure on us to withdraw our candidate for Commonwealth Secretary General? They really don’t understand the commitment and resolve of our precious Supreme Leader and the blessed Dominica Labour Party. We will NOT withdraw our candidate point blank!!! Dominica has the best-suited candidate for the Commonwealth Secretary General. Our candidate is a former jurist and member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, well versed in international laws and experienced in negotiating and conversing with leaders throughout the world. Sir Ronald Sanders does not command the level of respect that Baroness Scotland does in the International Community. Labourites are 100% behind our Supreme Leader’s nomination of Baroness Scotland and stand behind Him in refusing to withdraw her as our candidate. We know that the Uneducated Wicked People has been working behind the scenes to derail our nominee but they too will fail…as usual!
To be frank Labour of love, right now our boy Roosevelt hasn’t even got a potcham to pee in and everybody knows it. He has become an embarrassment and, I dare say a liability to both the OECS and Caricom, not to mention to umpteen Dominicans, who have to admit with pain in their hearts that we have a leader like this. I love Dominica but that is not the same as loving Roosevelt Skerrit. It is very difficult to love a person like that, who hurts you in return.
Skero set up your country, int.airport, state of the art hospital and good jobs for your citizens and you will be respected across the Caribbean
But Skerrit is some kind of dark God, hmm..
They OECS heads don’t know his nominee yet he wants to force it down there throats
This PM dwells and thrives in the dark world period…
as if someone believes and see the light they would have a respect of what’s GOOD!
his rule of dominica in darkness thus the chaos and hardship on the ignorance people..
Why is Mr.Skerritt continuing to make Dominica look bad at the local, regional and international forums?
Respect the wishes of your fellow bros….
Dominica deserves the rubbish they are getting at the top, as they can change it if they are keen, but they are known to be FOOLS..
shame on you PM Skerrit, you have brought us in Dominica to the doldrums..WOW
so u sent Mrs Baron to the Press Conference, that’s disrespect to the other Heads.
Skerritt folks can read and see how childish you are, thus that’s why Dominica will continue to headline as the Poorest in the Eastern Caribbean.
Your nominee does not have the blessing of your fellow Prime Ministers in the OECS Block, these PM’s are matured grown Men, who can think..
It’s time for u to leave office, as Dominica will only be in the dust with u as PM.
Worst Prime Minister Dominica has ever seen, look at how the economy is in a rumble.
What a joker skerrit is..
I do not know any of the two candidates, other than what I have read and heard. If Scotland is Dominican,i certainly have not heard anything that she has done to help her country.However Saunders seem to me more of a Caribbean man, who has a deeper understanding of the Caribbean people, culture,strengths,weaknesses,needs and wants. I FAVOUR HIM!
Did baroness Scotland pay even one visit to Dominica since tropical storm Erika?????
again Dominica’s Prime Minister is all about his personal ego, not seeing the bigger picture, that’s why he miss the press conference lack of respect as the host island…
Skerrit must understand that the other OECS Prime Ministers look at him as a young boy
not maturing and still in infancy stages…another shame to Dominica overall outlook.
Skerrit nominee is outnumbered and should respect the wishes of the majority, but again this kid hasn’t and WILL NEVER LEARN RESPECT!!
DCP has closed it’s doors due to lack of Government input, but again the foolish Dominicans are unable to see the light…
Grenada’s PM on the reverse is telling Dominicans how backward they are as a island.
Mathematical formula to reach Dominica travel wise, plus hey within (3) hrs am in Miami from Grenada, yet the educated fools of dominica can’t read between the lines
Keep fooling the majority of fools in Dominica, Skero they still love you!!..
Dominica confirmed as the…fools paradise!!
Bayfront, I had a good laugh when I read about the guy from Grenada’s outrage about LIAT, which by-the-way is one of his/their investments.
Imagine this, huh. “Grenada’s PM is telling Dominicans how backward they are as an Island. It requires a “Mathematical Formula” to reach Dominica, when within (3) hrs he’s in Miami from Grenada.
WHAT A SHAME.