CBS and the Press conference
On CBS’s 60 Minutes this exchange between Steve Kroft and Lennox Linton occurred
‘Steve Kroft: Do you have to come and live in Dominica? Lennox Linton: No. No. You don’t even have to come to Dominica to get the citizenship. You pay the money from wherever you are. Steve Kroft: Sorta just mail order citizenship? Lennox Linton: Sort of. Something like that.’
There was and is no doubt that Linton agreed with Kroft and did so because he wanted to convey the false impression that there exists no due diligence under the CBI program in Dominica. Linton knew this was a lie because he had previously introduced Joanne Wang to Prime Minister Skerrit to be a registered agent under the EP. Then Linton said proudly and loudly on Q Dominica ran a legitimate citizenship program. Now no honest person would support any ‘ mail order’ citizenship [program, and I do not. I do not because no such program exists in Dominica and Linton knows this to be the case. Linton introduced Wang to be a registered agent, not a mail order saleslady. Linton also knows of the many due diligence firms retained by the State,. But Linton brushed these aside, and his mail order lie shocked the world. Americans now believe ISIS, Al Qaeda and other terrorists are mailing in applications for citizenship to Dominica. Shocking, coming from a man who aspires to be Prime Minister.
This was 60 Minutes. However on the 6th day of the New Year 2017 Linton held a press conference in Roseau , Dominica. At this press conference Lennox Linton Leader of the Opposition and political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), said his party supports the Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI). These words were never uttered to Steve Kroft. Then came the flop. Linton said he has serious 2 | P a g e concerns over the way it is being operated in Dominica. No more ‘ mail order’ jab etc. He instead complained of theft by Labourities, transparency locally and the inadequate use of the funds by the Government.
This naked flip flop between 60 Minutes on January 1st 2017, and the press conference on the 6th January, demands answers to specific questions. Why did Linton cow to Kroft and agree that our program is like a mail order transaction? Was he incompetent, intellectually slow, or deliberately dishonesty? Why did he not tell Kroft that he and his Party re-engineered the citizenship between 1995 to 2000 and that on the 27th January 2000 the Economist scathed the UWP’s ECP in a report entitled ‘Dominica’s white-jumbo airport’, and the State Department condemned it in a report dated 1st March 2000. (See http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/1999/928.htm). Why did Linton not tell Kroft that he and his party now support the CBI program but that they had what may be described as localized concerns’? Instead Linton dishonestly painted our CBI as a mail order business. By this single utterance Linton has put the Nation’s finances and future at very serious risk.
In my view Linton’s actions, omissions and spoken word portray a pathological ability to blow with the wind, to find a political spot in the sun.. He said at his press conference the CBI has become a ‘source of Labour Party election campaign financing and wealth creation for a select few people.’ Not one fact or name was provided. This is vintage Linton. He creates and paints a story on thin air and gives it smoke and mirrors on radio and social media. This game produces no fact. The People have a right to know the facts, and which Labourite has plundered the CBI or ECP or benefitted illegally or corruptly from it. We need details; dates, amounts, paper trail etc. This not lies is in the public interest. Linton must therefore have the guts to back up his allegations with facts. He must stop this mepuis and scandal mongering. He must stop the clown act. This is very serious business. Lennox Linton, as the Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, has a fiduciary and legal duty to tell the Nation and 3 | P a g e World with facts and evidence how does the Labour Party siphon off funds from the CBI (an allegation he made against Pinard Byrne and was condemned by the Courts) for campaign purposes. He must provide proof of the theft or plundering of the ECP and CBI and the paper trail. This pathological tendency Linton has of spitting out generalities is a disservice to this truth to power slogan he wears as a badge. It’s a fraud on the public interest, and betrays the right of the people to know fact and not fiction. The time has come for Lennox Linton to put up the facts, hard core facts, or shut up!
Further, Linton painted the broad brush of transparency, yet he advances no recommendation, if any, which makes sense. But he knows better. I am aware that a few days or weeks ago, Lennox Linton met with the Financial Secretary of Dominica to discuss the CBI. Linton is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament with the right to ask questions of Government’s revenues and expenditure. He has met with the former Director of Audit a one on one, and the Director of Audit with the Financial Secretary.
Further, at every Budget Debate the Prime Minister gives a detailed report of the citizenship programs including the funds raised and expended. Our Budget Debates are broadcast live. The names of persons granted citizenship are published in the Official Gazette. This stopped for a period when control moved from one ministry to the next. But this has now continued under the CBI Unit. The Head of the CBI Unit, Ambassador Nanton, has said the intention is to ensure that all names of persons granted citizenship in the earlier gap will be published. However, the CBI Unit has published the name of every person granted citizenship last year. But Linton’s response in the fact of the facts is to again complain in generalities. At his press conference, he said this
“I speak to the media locally, regionally and internationally because complaints about a lack of accountability and transparency and the dangers of a CBI Program without integrity to global security have fallen on the deaf ears of a stubborn, incourage able government.. 4 | P a g e ,t hirdly he stated that Dominica has a ‘moral obligation’ to responsible behavior towards global civilization. “Dominica, thirdly, has a moral obligation to responsible behavior for the advancement of global civilization,” Linton stated. “It has absolutely no right to engage in behaviors that endanger the security of other countries on the excuse that such behavior is driven my economic necessities.”
What on God’s Earth does Linton mean? What complaints? Who made these complaints other than Linton, Fontaine and the United Workers Party? In addition, Linton throws out this, ‘ It has absolutely no right to engage in behaviors that endanger the security of other countries on the excuse that such behavior is driven my economic necessities.’ No specifics or particulars were provided at all. Bear in mind that since the assumption of the Prime Ministership of Dominica by Roosevelt Skerrit, no critical report, advisory or sanction have been issued against or imposed on Dominican by any foreign Government. The only time Dominica was criticized by the USA, and visas imposed by Canada, was because of actions and failings by Linton’s own political party led by Edison C James between 1995 to 2000. So again, without any facts, we look to the skies for them to drop from the Heavens.
I am also concerned about this Linton look into the crystal ball CBI threat to other countries including the United States. Let’s take the USA. Linton seems deeply concerned about America. So am I. But how will this alleged threat pan out? Dominicans need visas to enter the United States. And, to get a visa you have to travel to Barbados. What then happens? You can rest assured that the Americans thoroughly vet every application for a visa.
The alleged sales of diplomatic passports.
The lies are transparent.
The first is that King, Lap Seng and Allison were in the run as alleged by Linton on CBS , Q95 or on Caribbean News Now. . This is false.
Rudolph King was never appointed Ambassador or given a passport. He was not wanted by the US in 2005. The first report of any detention or arrest was 2007. Despite these facts, Linton carries on his insane lie.
Lap Seng was not wanted or arrested until 2015 or 2016. By this time the Government’s relationship with Lap Seng had ended since at least 2010. How does the fact of Lap Seng’s arrest several years after the last interaction amount to a sale of a passport is mind-boggling. In fact, Lap Seng has residences in America and traveled freely until his arrest for something wholly unrelated to to Dominica.
Diezani Allison’s Maduake’s case has been dealt with by the Prime Minister. At the time the Prime Minister met her there was no forewarning, detention or arrest. In any event her passport has since been revoked by the Government. One would think a Prime Minister under the alleged uinfluence of a bribe would never revoke any passport. No?
The second is Linton’s allegations of the sale of diplomatic passports under the table .
Linton has been singing this song without a shred of evidence. There have been no sales. But what Linton does is to take subsequent events, some which occurred like Rudolph King and Lap Seng 5 to 10 years ago and transformed them with hindsight as transformational sales transactions. .More specifically, Linton has repeatedly alleged that Lap Seng was promised a diplomatic passport if he invested 20 million USD in Dominica. There is no basis for this allegation either. But it tells you Linton makes up lies by the day because a passport in exchange for an investment is not a corrupt sale under the table. Nevertheless, like Doctor Spock beams back in time with the insinuation that because these subsequent events occurred, the passports were in fact sold. As asinine as Linton’s allegations are it leads one to believe that Roosevelt Skerrit has the gift of sight to predict events in the future.
Further, in view of the basic principles of international law, Linton’s allegation of the sales of diplomatic passports to ‘ criminals on the run’ make no sense either. Diplomatic passports last no more than 5 years. Also, if you are being appointed to an international organization like the FAO in Italy, the Vienna Convention and relevant Treaties require Italy to first consent. If Italy does not consent, the process is at an end. In any event, the Court of Appeal of the United Kingdom made it clear in the Juffali case that the immunity of a diplomat appointed to the International Maritime Organization or FAO is confined to the institutional functions. The institutional immunity has no application to matters under the local or municipal civil or criminal law. Additionally, as we learnt from the recent arrests involving the United Nations, a State or even Interpol can ask that the Sovereign State revoke a diplomatic passport, or waive diplomatic immunity. In these strict circumstances, only Linton would believe that passports were sold (allegedly) to protect ‘criminals on the run.’ Consequently, a diplomatic would have served Corallo no useful purpose whatsoever.
These facts and the basic principles of international law demand I insist Linton to come clean with the “facts”. In 2015 Linton provided no evidence whatsoever to Huffington Post despite repeated questions to do so. Nothing new has come to hand since then. So let me try to assist him. Simply put, a sale requires an event, this event requires the transfer and receipt of a specific sum between two persons, and all of this must take place on a date certain. Linton must therefore tell us when, how , the details and sums involved in the alleged dodgy sales of passports under the table sales, and he must do so now. If not, his legacy as a pathological liar will be carved in dried mud for all to see for generations to come.
A motive?
For the CBI to be Dominica’s main source of FDI then that would mean that the number of people with passports under the CBI ptogramme may be greater and exceeds the current population of Dominica .
Why is that information classified. Roosevelt, Tony should relay to all Dominicans the true numbers of people with citizenship to the public. Why is the government hiding. I agree that it is a form of mail order citizenship. Why is Tony so offended by that. Read between the lines and go educate yourself.
The secrecy associated with such a programme in Dominica is a threat to our national security and to that of all Dominicans. With such a programme in place Skeritt will be PM for a long time unless we use our democratic right to kick them out but first we should get all of the money that lines their pockets and bank accounts.
Instead of building hotels, or is it homez for the new citizens, then invest in a primary and manufacturing industries to grow the economy.
Tony we know you and PM Skerrit are the masters of flip flopping. Just two reminders the accusations by you and PM that Lennox Linton leaked out the IPO documents you all were caught with your pants down big time. you and PM / flip flop big time on this one by publicly admitting otherwise. Secondly PM says Dominicans hAve to make up their minds whether they want a ” passport manufacturing factory” while you are on record as saying ” anyone selling Dominican passports including agents are bordering on committing treason” and there is more but those two will suffice. So now you understand why you and PM are the biggest flip floppers of all time.
please when you on the radio tell these DOM-IN-CANS how well Antigua is doing on business and all the JOBS that is all over there now let them untherstand what is going on keep them in the DARK and keep running your month on LINTON and run back to Antigua a live sweet but as I always say everything is for a TIME
make Dominica you only home lets see how you will live stop running to Antigua where your wife is from and the other is lands and work only in dominica you can run your month one day DOM-IN-CANS will wakeup and see people like you so have them like Fs will again some of them so bad mind so they should take what they get
Thanks for beginning the conversation. We can have a movement going. We are showing respect soon we will love each other. What should we name the movement. DOMINICA STAND AND BE COUNTED.. 75 members strong..
Send your donations to Lennox Linton.. Show your support. .
“Diezani Allison’s Maduake’s case has been dealt with by the Prime Minister. At the time the Prime Minister met her there was no forewarning, detention or arrest. In any event her passport has since been revoked by the Government.
Reading the above quote from the article, you get the impression that Maduake had an ordinary passport. To leave out “diplomatic” infront of the word “passport” is a high level of intellectual dishonesty and a deliberate attempt to mislead the Dominican public.
The writer is well aware that Maduake was given a diplomatic passport number DP0000445. All one has to do is google DP0000445.
With all this rambling like Donald Trump and saying nothing, he still says nothing of Susan olde
The press in Nigeria report on 7 Jan. that the authorities in that country seized U.S.$.153.3 million from three banks in that country held in private accounts by Alison Madueke, money she allegedly looted from the State oil company when she was a minister of government.
Very nice people you chose to be our ambassadors Roosevelt, you have an impeccable taste brother in these matters. If you want to embarrass yourself go ahead, but not our country.
The spin doctor is at it again, trying to spin the fact that there is a lack of transparency in the CBI program in Dominica.The slang “sorta” means kind of.Kind of does not mean “the exact same thing”.I am perplexed that educated people like yourself, Gregor,Rupert, Vince etc will continue to flog a dead horse based on Lennox’s response to Steve Kroft’s” sorta”.The US does not need Lennox to know what is happening in Dominica.There is an American Embassy,there are two American medical schools,many Americans visit every year.,there are also our neighbors who know what is going on in Dominica.I guess who the cap fits are nervous and worried.The department of Homeland security is not bothered by your spin of lies and deception
tony i think you should run against lugay….. u talking to much, lets see if people will vote for you.
you can not stand for ||M.P in Dominica. if you are not a Dominican citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth and especially if you are a citizen of a country that does not allow dual citizenship.
Hey dude, the more you say, the more there is to be said. First of all, most folks I know, including me, think that you are an enemy of the country. I also realize how much you disrespect the leader of the opposition and there is a problem with that……. after all he represents a constituent; my question to you is: do you think my Uncle Sam is ignorant about the mordus operandi of your gang? I can understand your concerns and I sense your panic _ six days until until the changing of the guards. Fare thee well!
who should respect leader of what opposition!
Tony, Vince and others has open up a can of worms by their utterances. No one asked them to agree or disagree with CBS. If they had issued a clear and unambiguous statement of fact on CBI that story would have died just like all other stories in DA not that it would die nternationally because U.S. intelligence is at work. But Tony and Vince went on a war path with Linton which has kept that story alive and well. I say GOD is at work. Tony is on record as referring to sellers of our passports and citizenship as bordering on an act of treason. Tones my bro what has you changing your mind. You and Vince have referred to an elected official in a commonwealth democracy as a traitor and an economic terrorist. Don’t you think people in the international world would want to know why? And voila for balance they would want to listen for themselves what was said on the CBS program. You see, you have drawn more attention to the issue. But God is at work my son and you can’t stop that!
“You and Vince have referred to an elected official in a commonwealth democracy as a traitor and an economic terrorist. Don’t you think people in the international world would want to know why? “(Vince Henderson).
Such stupid remarks from Vince is not suppressing, since is not a very inelegant person: he is one who seriously lack comprehension of the English language. One day I saw and heard him on Marpin Television talking about “townsand dollors.”
He is so bomb he doesn’t know the difference in the word “thousand” and the word townsand! the man is an idiot! There is word “Townsend” but that’s not what he meant, the fact that he is talking about economic terrorist proves he is an idiot, because such word exists perhaps only his vocabulary, and in the village St. Joseph where I believe he was extracted out of a crab hole!
Tony,
Lennox speaks for the people he represents. That is his job.
Now you should just STFU.
This whole defensive chap from all n sundry can be solved easily by our pm. Kindly make public all the names of the passport holders and the amount of money paid. Transparency is what we asking for.
Being defensive is the opposite of transparency.
Mr Astaphans, thanks for the information but we want to hear the Prime minister n other elected members of Parliament speak
Call me simplistic, but I don’t think this is that difficult. Money has been collected for the sale of Dominica passports. That money belongs to Dominica and should be properly accounted for. If it isn’t, the parties responsible should be held accountable.
Regarding the 60 Minutes piece, that is simple as well. The leader of the opposition said his piece on international TV (CBS)…The Prime Minister should get on international TV and refute those statements. Pieces like this by Tony are really useless for the PM, for Dominica and for the program in general.
Well Tony you are the one who teach Linton to lie so often you do this in your radio programme . But why are so many people fumming because of Linton statement. The truth must be told. The response to Linton should be the number of passports given under the programme and who are the holders. , I do not see a case there. If they had answer the opposition when they asked the question in the house today we would not have to face wit h Linton statement. So Tony you are not the only one who have freedom of speech in Dominica. Go talk about the crime rate and missing people in our country if you love Dominica as you say.
This is the most intransparent programme,arguably in the entire Caribbean..Not even in parliament are answers being given to parliamentarians..I LOVE PATRIOT Linton for his battle in forcing the cabal to bring transparency to the programme..He has won the hearts of many since after the CBS interview…THANK YOU SIR!!!
Tony, those of us who read regularly and avail ourselves of the goings on in the geopolitical sphere, need not listen to liars like you. We can read, understand and process information. Why do I need to listen to your consistent lies and propaganda, when I saw the interview at least 5 times? No amount of free plywood, cement and cheap cane rum can sway my opinion of you and the rogue’s gallery from Skerrit’s band of merry men.
Take your rubbish back to Lagon where it belongs.
Mr. Astaphan,
Are you a beneficiary of a Govt. authorised CBI agency, incorporated as:
Caribbean Citizenship Inc., c/o Hibiscus Ridge (St. Aroment, Roseau)
and of which one of your siblings is listed as a director?
If no, what is your moral judgement on people like these, whom you have previously condemned in public?
Don’t think for one minute that authorities outside Dominica are not aware of your movements., You may consider yourself a big fish in the OECS pond, which is no bigger than Oklahoma City in the U.S.A, but to the international world you are but a minnow, ready to be gobbled up without a thought. You would be well advised to tone down.
Tony as I see it,honourable Linton has become a star since after the CBS interview….He has defeated about 1000 cowards,when he represented the poor,downtrodden,the voiceless,the unemployed of Dominica…Why do you think that I already have him as my 2017 MAN OF THE YEAR..The man is darn good…,plenty better than those COWARDS,who went to hide even in pipes..WELL DONE PATRIOT LINTON.”
@% Silver fox would like you to name at time Linton, ever done anything to help poor people in Dominica?the only thing Linton is good at is how to manipulate stupid fools like you
Does a fox help poor people? No, he steals their chickens when they are not watching.
Who cares if you have him as man of the Year?
Tony,
It is clear Skerritt won’t go on CBS so my suggestion is for you to be interviewed on CBS to refure these claims. You are his legal represntative and spokesperson after all. Hmm?
Skerrit does not have to go to CBS if he does not want to. The US President doesn”t answer to every call so what the heck.
As the leader he has the moral obligation to give us information. Mr. Linton has been constant with what he is saying . In parliament he is not answered when questions are asked , instead he is made fun at . God opened a door through cbs to speak – and he continued to speak truthful. He is constant with his words until Skerrit and his cabals.
We call ourselves “Christian” but our behavior is far from being Christ- like. Demonic people like you hate Mr. Linton just because he tells the truth.
In John3:20-21 says “everyone that does evil hates the light and cannot come to the light.,lest if he comes to the truth his deeds will be exposed. But he does truth comes to the light/truth, that his dees may be made manifest and they are done in God”
Can’t understand Tony, you love Dominica so much why your time is spent in the U.S. Man you guys have loyalty to self and God forbid PM is no longer in office I’m certain the PM will be totally abandoned by Tony and likes
Mr. PM take my advise be careful with those guys you will be thrown under the bus in a second
Tony since you like law suits and have the blessing of the Prime Minister to insult the Dominicans that made you and your family. Have a heart, then I will be asking for too much. Hope you will be able to withstand the hell you want for Lennox.
Corruption is corruption . Face the fact , poor country looking to survive . The well is dry and people need water
Lack of vision and self sustainability.
Has gotten the country where it is today.
We should be concentrating on selling our produce and water , but instead we find ourselves depending on colored paper .with a picture . Now Lennox is the scapegoat. Face the facts. you guys screwed up big time.
All right , time to move on.
Tony, for whatever it is worth, do not reduce yourself to the level of a propaganda machine of Skerrit, because after politics, your life will have to continue, and let me assure you sometimes no amount of money we have can save us from the wrath of people when we are old and retired, that’s the time we who our friends are.
If by any chance we accept the following :
“Diezani Allison’s Maduake’s case has been dealt with by the Prime Minister. At the time the Prime Minister met her there was no forewarning, detention or arrest. In any event her passport has since been revoked by the Government. One would think a Prime Minister under the alleged uinfluence of a bribe would never revoke any passport. No?”(Tony Astaphan).
The second is Linton’s allegations of the sale of diplomatic passports under the table.(Tony Astaphan).
Tony assuming all you say is true, and everything Lennox said is a lie! How do you account for the criminal that was arrested by INTERPOL in Italy, and…
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The second is Linton’s allegations of the sale of diplomatic passports under the table.(Tony Astaphan).
Tony assuming all you say is true, and everything Lennox said is a lie! How do you account for the criminal that was arrested by INTERPOL in Italy, and when he was arrested he declared diplomatic immunity, and when ask which country he represents, he presented a Dominica Diplomatic passport, which was ignored by International Police (INTERPOL). I do not remember his surname, however, his first name is “Francisco” recently arrested in St. Martin, has Skerrit revoked his diplomatic passport?
Tony, do not use Lennox Linton as a scapegoat, to protect the actual culprit in this matter, who is actually Roosevelt Skerrit; Dominica is very corrupt place and you are very much aware of that, why have you reduced yourself to such low level defending and upholding corruption? rise above that; its just not worth it!
‘Steve Kroft: Do you have to come and live in Dominica? Lennox Linton: No. No. You don’t even have to come to Dominica to get the citizenship. You pay the money from wherever you are. Steve Kroft: Sorta just mail order citizenship? Lennox Linton: Sort of. Something like that.”(Tony Astaphan).
My friend; I do not see how you of all person a lawyer can defend against something like that which is true; and you know it. There was no other possible, or probably answer!
If Lennox had given any other answer, that would be criminal, because he would be lying!; hence he would become a corroborator of corruption with the Skerrit cabal. There is a time to play politics, but when one speaks to the world, they must be truthful, and Lennox looked at the world in its face and spoke the truth.
If there are people who cannot accept, and deal with the truth, they have a problem, but I think that Lennox would be setting a very dangerous precedence if he lied to CBS.
Passport selling, real estate grabbing, ponzi scheme? Dominica is being sold piece-by-piece under the very eyes of its people, The natural-born Dominicans are becoming 4th. class citizens in their own country, because those with the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, who buy our passports, ordinary and diplomatic are running things. The facilitators of that new kind of slavery are bold, brazen, in your face, making millions from the SALES OF OUR PASSPORTS.
Remember, fellow Dominicans of the firebombings (No case), the fire at the Melville Hall that destroyed the communications equipment, (No case), the culprit who was coming to Dominica with a gun, but was arrested in Barbados (what about that case?),, the disarming of former policeman, next day his business broken into, (No case?), the several threats and attempts to arrest Linton (make up stories/police search etc.), ( No arrest for the Lawyer?), the day of a certain Lawyer’s case, police in military uniform guarding court (No…
Tony….No one is listening to you.
We are listening to CBS 60 minutes a reputable news media for our information.
This is not about Linton but America Security under threat due to the irresponsible behavior of handling of the CBI program and Diplomat passports.
Wallow in your ignorance, remain in perpetual ignorance.
You ignoramus, who said not? Wishful thinking.
A funny thing is happening in this faux rage by the government and its supporters. By keeping the issue alive in this way, they are doing a lot more damage to the country than they can ever accuse Lennox of doing. Today is indeed a funny night
Exactly what you meant? Lennox has already accused himself and done much harm to Dominica. Are you blind and deaf?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this afternoon in Jerusalem with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who invited him to make an official visit to Jamaica. The two leaders discussed possibilities for cooperation in water, agriculture and domestic security.
So, what does that have to do with the sale of passports in Dominica?
I’ve never heard of the Jamaica government selling their nation passport, nor Israel, so both countries should not be part of this conversation!
Thanks bro. but what has that got to do with our CBI issue? Nobody standing in line for Jamaican passports exactly, are they?
There is a website…..
http://www.dominicacitizenshipbyinvestment.com/
The first sentence of the first paragraph ends with “with no visit to the country required”.
Lets move on to the next matter.
Citizenship by Investment Dominica
Established in 1993, the Dominica Economic Citizenship Program legally offers individuals and families worldwide an irrevocable second citizenship and passport in only four to six months with no visit to the country required.
And here it is, right from the web sight itself!!! AH AH Toney Sa Zor Kah Fet!!!!
JUST FOR THE RECORD:
“On 31 May 1991 parliament approved a government proposal to offer economic citizenship to Taiwanese and other persons from countries of the Pacific rim, more specifically Hong Kong. It was argued that similar programmes had been initiated elsewhere to attract foreign investment. Domi¬nica passports would be granted to those persons and their families who deposited US$35,000 in an escrow account which would be considered to be an ‘investment’ in Dominica, thus classing the ‘economic citizen’ as an ‘investor’. The vast majority of these economic citizens had no interest in Dominica but desired a passport which would enable them to travel more easily than a Taiwanese one. By March 1992 economic citizenship had been granted to 34 Taiwanese and to their 58 dependants. By June the following year some 466 Taiwanese and their dependants had been granted citizen¬ship with total deposits announced to be US$5.8 million. “
JUST FOR THE MEMORY:
“On 31 May 1991 parliament approved a government proposal to offer economic citizenship… As the economic citizenship scheme hit the headlines a group calling themselves ‘the concerned citizens’, led by former interim Agriculture Minister Atherton Martin, barrister Alix Boyd Knight and conservationist Mona George Dill raised public doubts about the entire scheme in an effort ‘to alert Dominicans to this unhappy marriage’. The UWP who had voted in favour of the concept of economic citizenship in May 1991 were now strongly opposed to the details of its implementation. On 29 May a year later the party organised a demonstration around Government Headquar¬ters which drew some 400 people protesting against ‘the sale of citizenship’.”
If Skerrit, or the government of Dominica have the power to revoke the citizenship of anyone who became a citizen of Dominica, even bought citizenship, this would be a first in the history of the world!
When someone pledged allegiance to a country, they become the same as someone born in that country. I am glad to read such things, because the prospective Dominica passport buyer will realize when they pay Skerrit for citizenship, all they have is a little book with words of no value written within.
The day I became an American Citizen, after I swore the oath of allegiance, a certificate of Citizenship was issued to me. A “certificate” not an American passport!
However, when I wonted to visit Dominica after I became a citizen of the United States, I went to apply for my passport: which the rule is to process the passport, a birth certificate was needed, not born in the United States, I simply presented my Citizenship certificate, and left, in a matter of weeks a passport…
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I simply presented my Citizenship certificate, and left, in a matter of weeks a passport arrived at my house to which all I had to do is affixed my signature to a space provided for that purpose. No police, teacher, priest or dignitary had to write their name on any paper in recognition of me.
And let it be known citizen in the United States cannot be revoked even if one commits treason! Once one becomes a citizen of the country, you are treated the same as native, except you do not have the privilege of becoming President, any other position one can hold.
So, if Dominica citizenship can be revoked, some bad is going to happen to happen to some of the agents including Skerrit!
Thanks for reminding us Africo. today there is a CBI agent authoriszed by our government, Belnor Associates Inc, located at Eileen house, 58 King George V Street in Roseau. Isn’t that the address of Alix Boyd Knights law office?
Live can be a bitch brother.
Pat Arron has a new chorus to sing. Only in Some parts of DA will his lyrics resonate. Dicee again and again. Keep living in a fools paradise.
You Workers supporters must have lots of times on your hands to keep on writing bull every day of the year like that, but not one of you lots can build a straight wall to save your lifes stupid and sad people.
Lol
alas poor pity.
We PITY YOU – this fool! Your ignorance amazes us
Ok so here they come. All the wolves in ship clothing that are milking Ma Dominique passport taytays for every drop and expect us to stay quiet. He is the lineup that has pranced in defense of the passport hemorrhage;
1. Skersker
2. Nasso
3. Sambo Rapho
4. Tone-tone
5. Who next? Keep your eyes and ears peeled because they are feeling the heat and trying their best to play firemen by pouring water on this raging fire. Time will tell….
Always Assertive!
“in sheep’s”
“If you throw a rock (stone) in a pack of swine, the one that holler is the one you hurt.” Huck huck huck
Prior to Mr. Linton’s involvement in politics , he was referred to as an investigative reporter. As a result of his investigations, a number of corruptive practices by the Government were exposed. The likes of Tony Astaphan felt he should remove himself from behind the political microphone and enter the political field. With no hesitation, he followed their advice. As soon as that was done, they referred to him as a bully, a man who lacks leadership qualities, and did not complete his high school education. Here is my problem, if Mr. Linton lacks leadership qualities, he is unpatriotic, a pathological liar, a disgrace to the country, now is a flip flopper, why spend so much of your time thinking , discussing, cursing him for years. I am talking since September of 2013. If their is a flip flopper, I believe it is Tony Astaphan. He cannot in one breath calling him all those names and in the other breath Linton’s name is on his lips, morning, noon and night.
Mr. Astaphan,
– Due diligence advice can be- and is ignored by citizenship providers as attested by Dr. Kalin in the CBS documentary.
– Mrs. Madueke’s Dominican diplomatic passport was issued on 29 May, 2015, the same day Nigeria’s new President Gen. Buhari was sworn in and she lost her official status as a cabinet minster of that country. She was arrested at her London apartment on 2 Oct of that year and her “international” passport was taken from her to prevent a possible flight from the U.K. and she was released on bail. You may verify these facts with your Hon. client.
– Since 2011 your client has a law suit languishing against Dr. Fontaine, on similar accusations, which he appears to be reluctant to proceed with, when one would have expected him to be more truculent in view of the seriousness of the charges.
Mr. Astaphan, as a patriot of Dominica, are you a factual citizen of our country and the holder of a Dominican passport or are you in fact a citizen of another…
Anthony what did U wanted Lennox to tell Croft for, that a person must come to D/ca and live there for 5 years in other to purchase a passport from U and Skerrit.
U see he don’t add lies to lies, don’t do it like U Skerritit’s would it he did it his way which is the correct way, U don’t like it?
Was he incompetent, intellectually slow, or deliberately dishonesty? All of the above. I want to know what you and Lap Seng was doing for you to know he have passport, how did he get them Mr. how did he get them, tell me what you and Allison was doing for you to know she have it. Look kicks.
#OLD
The mere fact that Tony is revisiting this story is an indication that the has resonated with the D/can people. When Lennox Linton says his party supports the CBI program, that does not mean they support the deficiencies that exists in this program. The PM admits that all three individuals mentioned in the 60 minutes story, do have serious issues with the law in their respective countries while they were in possession of a Diplomatic Passport. How do you defend this admission?
Boss I have a legal mind too and I will not seat there and let you lie and twist truth like you’ve always done in the past. My brother and fellow Dominicans, on January 19, 2016, Mr. Linton had an interview with Huffington post , please open this link to view the entire interview: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/9009416. When this question was posed to Linton he answered all of the and clearly said he supports the program and would only clean it up as PM. Tony and his team were not so upset back then becase Vince Henderson and Nanthan also appeared in the interview and some damage control. But why did Vince duck from CBS? Why didnt Skerrit do like Pm Brown and appear on CBS? Is there something the feel cbs knows about that they are scared of? In fact everything Linton said then, he said on the CBS interview of January 1, when he was questioned. CBS Did not ask Linton if he supported the program or not, so why would Tony expect Linton to answer? Tony it’s not too late to call cbs
1) CBI is being used to make Dominica residents redundant, basically to neuter them. That is because:-
a) CBI citizens amount now for around 40% of the voting public, so the ruling party is guaranteed to keep on ruling and CBI’ing;
b) CBI citizens will always support the hand that feeds them;
c) CBI citizens are rich, they only need Dominica passports for for tax evasion and travel;
d) CBI citizens don’t live on the island, so they don’t give a fig about its healthcare and infrastructure provisions.
Folks, your protestations are useless, CBI cannot be stopped, the demise of Dominica residents is inevitable and Dr. Skerrit can continue at his whim to give you all the finger and there is nothing you can do about it.
Linton, please just go away as whatever you do now is futile. You will lose, you are losing. Just let Dominicans wallow in the misery that they created for themselves by their own apathy and stupidity.
Why do you think that Dominicans will wallow in their misery created by themselves, by their own apathy and stupidity. Have you not think of the stupidity of what you have written. Your disagreement on the CBI programme based on your ignorance not looking at The CBI programme using your intelligence does not support the your absurdity,it’s your opinion. There is enough evidence to show and disprove what you believe, an intelligent person would look at the evidence and facts before making an informed opinion, pity your ignorance.
Gary, you like to use the word “wallow” I notice. I seem to recall it were only the pigs who took over the animal farm that were allowed to wallow.
Tony, no spin can change them peoples mind, Uncle Sam is onto you guys and it got nothing to do with Linton
It was just a matter of time
Q: So if one day you become Dominica’s prime minister, you will not abolish the programme?
In principle, I support the Citizenship by Investment programme. I’d like to see it used to expand the talent pool for Dominica so we see more investment. Right now, we see citizens but no investment. The government has never assembled these new citizens in a conference and asked them to invest in Dominica. Instead, the investment is always on account of Kempinski [hotels], Hilton, or whatever.
Ebeh Mr. Astaphans that statement made by Lennox really hurt your bobo. You just won’t stop making trouble about this. You and your little god dirty laundry have made global headlines. PUT UP, OR SHUT UP LOL.
Tony has put up and exposed Linton. Now, it is Linton’s turn to defend himself.
Tony,Tony it’s NOT LENNOX who caused you all self inflicted wounds. It’s you all kleptocrats, plunderers and mercenaries who are selling passports to terrorists and all kinds of dangerous people out there.
You all are scared Trump is zeroing in on you all.
Time will tell.
Tony my boy if this were a no case submission in a criminal (or other court) matter i would have said brilliant;but unfortunately it’s not, and i can only describe your incoherent ranting as your often conclude in one word “Hogwash”. Tony you were the one who stated for the public record that the monies received from the delivery of a diplomatic passport and set up in a bogus account was used by DLP for election campaign; if that was not under the table, then tell us under what?. Your other illustrious comrades keep saying the Linton was washing Dominica’s dirty laundry in public because of his comments on the aired 60 minutes CBS program. Is this not an admission that there is something wrong and downright dirty dealings in the program. Let’s make english simple If i say you Tony look like Hitler does that mean that you are Hitler? you can’t spin that one my boy.
this lawyer is out of touch, he must go and listen to the interview AGAIN…how can Linton convince Big Bro, haha…
Astaphan must know that the National Security Agency…(NSA) is mandated to monitor affairs all over the globe….the constant travel of Dominica’s PM to the Middle East and wire Transfers are all covered by the NSA, it’s just a favor by CBS bringing out..
So the feds are aware traffic…so pinning Linton is NOT THE ISSUE!
Dominica has killed the CBI, due to excitement and GREED!, too many players brought on board the PM, constant boasting to the World of praising CBI, don’t you think Big Bro is watching…..haha
the sad thing is Dominicans are not known to be deep thinkers, if they were there island would not be the Poorest and Slowest Economy in the Region under Skerrit’s watch..
Where is the increase for Public Servants…does that concern Astaphan? tell me…
But Dominicans must feel the pressure, due to their wickedness of upholding rubbish…
When Mr. Linton spoke about ministers prostituting our girls, he was quickly sued by all ministers, But so far no case. When Linton addressed the Layou hotel scandal he was sued and paid for what he said. When Dr. Fontaine spoke about our passports in hand of criminals, he too was sued though like Lennox, no case yet. I listened to the broadcast on CBS and there was no disclaimer played, and besides, CBS news is a multi billion to organization and I just CAN’T understand why Tony and the gang not sueing them for so much damage done? Say they don’t want to sue CBS news because in their minds CBS news said nothing wrong ; is Lennox Linton that did and said everything wrong, why not sue Linton as usual? What are you all scared of this time!
Tony, you asked why Linton did not tell CBS news that he supports the passport program? Well Tony, my question to you is, did CBS asked him that question in his five minute interview? You know damn well that Linton ONLY answered questions asked to him. But FYI, this question was asked to him by the Huffington post, and here is his answer:
Q: So if one day you become Dominica’s prime minister, you will not abolish the programme?
In principle, I support the Citizenship by Investment programme. I’d like to see it used to expand the talent pool for Dominica so we see more investment. Right now, we see citizens but no investment. The government has never assembled these new citizens in a conference and asked them to invest in Dominica. Instead, the investment is always on account of Kempinski [hotels], Hilton, or whatever.
But Anthony Astaphan, since you, Skerrit, Vince, Sam, Nassief and other operatives and beneficiaries of the CBI are so upset with what CBS did to Dominica, why not invite all the players to meet with CBS and set the record clear once and for all? Do need their number? Why blame Mr. Linton for saying what he thinks is happening? I would simply call CBS News and state the truth, and embarrass CBS and Linton.
Why would you believe that the United States Government and Law Enforcement Agencies needed Lennox Linton to “inform” them about the CBI Program or any other Government run program in Dominica? The United States with it’s FBI, CIA, NSA, ICE and how many other “alphabet agencies” knows when someone is talking on their cell phone in North Korea or Afghanistan from an office in Virginia or Washington, but they needed Linton to tell them what’s happening in Dominica right??? We Dominicans need to stop acting so naive and realize that the ONLY reason that CBS did a segment on passport selling in the Caribbean is because the United States Authorities have concerns about these programs. It is definitely not because they were contacted by Linton and wanted to give Linton a chance to bring LOCAL DOMINICAN POLITICS to the world! Linton is being used as a scapegoat to cover up our Government’s shady diplomatic appointments! Point blank.
would shake your big toe Dr……that’s the issue many in dominica are naive to the world although they walk around with smart cells…….
nothing is hidden under planet earth!…..the CBI program has gone totally loose and out of control.. it will be stopped…the fools in dominica didn’t hear the IMF warning them about the CBI and how fragile it is….
but the dunce regime kept telling even babies to support the CBI, heard dr.Mcintyre speaking to students about it…just shows how ignorant esp dominica’s government is…
THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH IN THE WORLD..BY SWEAT MAN SHALL EAT BREAD!
Learn that you dunce labor folks!!>…….
Are you not ashamed to write such foolishness, displaying your ignorance regarding Linton interview on 60 minutes.What Linton said on CBS 60 minutes regarding Dominica CBI programmme and what you are presuming the US Government knows are two different things. Let’s deal with facts and evidence regarding Linton’s interview.The US Government has not made any public statement regarding Dominica CBI programme, why are you making such a presumption as to what you think they know haven’t you seen your stupidity.The US State Dept. made a statement regarding St, Kitts CBI programme, don’t you think by now if there were any issues regarding Dominica they would have done the same.
When you say quote “the only reason that CBS did a segment on passport selling in the Caribbean is because the United States Authorities have concerns about these programs” pity your ignorance. Why not deal with things that are factual, rather than fantasizing,no wonder facts are stubborn things.
Tony Astaphan knows that he can say whatever he wants in Dominica because he supports and defends the ruling party that has millions of dollars to ensure that they remain in power with imported voters, bribes and massive concerts. Tony also knows that he is part of the “elite” in Dominican society being of foreign decent and considered as being above and better than the “black” sons and daughters of former slaves and the indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica. Last, but most important, Anthony Astaphan is quite aware that he speaks down to a people whom he considers as docile cowards, afraid of one man in the person of Roosevelt Skerrit, afraid of the Police and, as a result, afraid of the great Anthony W. Astaphan. With these convictions, Mr. Astaphan finds it very easy to go on the airwaves and other media outlets to outright insult, denigrate, malign and disparage whomever he wants whenever he wants. I don’t blame him! I blame the fools who allow it!!!
I honestly believe that a majority of, if not all, Dominicans at home and abroad are fully aware that the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, and his pathetic Advisor, Confidant, Attorney and Mouthpiece, Anthony W. Astaphan are pathological liars. Yet, they continue to mislead and misguide a few thousand loyal supporters having them believe that it took one man in the person of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Lennox Linton, to make the United States Government and Law Enforcement Agencies aware that there are some serious flaws in Dominica’s Passport Selling Programs. Using Linton as a scapegoat, this Prime Minister and his minions like Astaphan, believe that they can cover up Prime Minister Skerrit’s refusal to appear before the CBS Cameras. (continued…)
…More importantly, they know that the U.S. Authorities are clamping down on Dominica’s shady Diplomatic appointments and this might very well bring and end to their cash cow. No more money to bribe and import voters, their strategy now is to bring about extreme economic hardships on Dominica and to place the blame on Linton, hoping that by getting the public to hate and crucify Linton they will be able to hold on to power. It won’t work!!!
You made some excellent points, however they are falling on deaf ears. Dominicans have been conditioned to believe stupidity, minus the facts. They forget that Julian and Ambrose were picked up by the Feds and Ambrose was released while Julian spent 10 years in jail for his money laundering ways.
I can tell you for a fact that many of the agencies that you mentioned make routine trips to these islands all the time. For example, the US Secret Service works in concert with the ECCB Bank in St. Kitts to ensure monetary security, because destabilization could lead to a flood of Caribbean nationals on US soil. The average Dominican ins a low-information voter who is totally unaware of anything besides what Skerrit and Tony preach to them. Nothing will penetrate those thick skulls that were insulated with the Labor Party propaganda.
Mr. Astaphan, I appreciate your zeal for the defense of the prime minister, however, in like manner, I deeply abhor your profound disrespect for Mr. Lennox Linton. I have been taken to task on this very medium for disagreeing with the way in which Mr. Linton chose the deal with his concerns re: the Citizen by Investment Program, and my view still stands, nonetheless, he is undoubtedly an intelligent man who is quite capable of making his own decisions. Additionally, he was legitimately elected by the constituents of Marigot and was appointed leader of the opposition. He has a task to perform in his capacity as leader of the opposition, and he has a right and a responsible to himself, family and nation to ensure accountability and good governance.
I am certain you don’t want him to collect a salary for work he did not do. Does that remind you of anything you said in the past? For me it’s all about my country, Dominica. Party politics has no place here.
The CBI Program has been in Dominica since the days of Eugenia Charles and it was not Transparent. When DLP took power that’s when the program became transparent and people are educated about it. Dominicans from before should feel betrayed because all like Edison , Ron Greene and them knew about it.
It was the sales of Dominica Passports to Chinese by the UWP administration which placed Dominica on the on the corruption list. Dominicans need to know who the real enemies are and it’s not DLP.
The UWP would like us to forget what they did as a government. They are the ones who messed up but never admits it and blames everyone else for their failure and because they fail want everyone to fail too even if it means destroying everything good about Dominica and her citizens.
That is why the Leader of the Opposition did not fully disclosed who he was as far as we could see on the program. He was introduced as a Member of Parliament not as an the main Opposition member of parliament which would give viewers the real reason for his appearance on the show.
CBS wanted someone who could show the CBI as a danger to to US. The Opposition Leader was that willing person, why else would they not show the other people who had a positive aspect of the CBI program? Because the intent was to destroy the CBI program for the Caribbean and he could not see he was being used to do just that. It should concern us that he is incapable of standing up and defend Dominica.
why are these people so obsessed with lennox when he spoke truth… indication to allu passport sale is fatten pockets for politicans and operatives…look at the properties they are buying. tony don’t get your slidders in a twist over this.
All tha to say what? Linton did not say there was no due diligence.