PM describes US/CARICOM summit as ‘timely’

CARICOM Heads will meet with Obama in Jamaica
CARICOM Heads will meet with Obama in Jamaica

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has described as “timely” a CARICOM/USA summit scheduled to be held in Jamaica on Thursday, pointing out that it is his hope that small Caribbean states will be beneficiaries of assistance from the United States of America.

The Prime Minister told state-owned DBS radio, that this is a very important period for countries in the region.

“The US and CARICOM summit is a very timely one,” Skerrit said. “President Obama is meeting the Caribbean at a very important period. My hope is that we will hear from the President of the United States as to how does he see the United States working with the Caribbean towards addressing a number of inherent challenges which every member state of the CARICOM is going through at present.”

He said the Caribbean is still feeling the impact of the global financial crisis.

“Revenue is still low in many respects, the costs of running these countries are huge and there is the closing of the space where countries could contract the funds required to implement some of those very important projects,” he stated. “So we are hoping that we can hear from President Obama on how he can see the United States assisting the Caribbean in that regard.”

Skerrit mentioned that major items such as security and energy are among matters to be discussed.

“We will be discussing some major items one of course being security, the other being energy and to some extent trade,” he stated.

The Prime Minister will deliver CARICOM’s response to Obama on renewable energy.

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35 Comments

  1. Dominic
    April 10, 2015

    pm that is best u have everybody in black u in gray it look like u doing that willfully doh try to embarrasses us man

  2. A Doubting Thomas
    April 9, 2015

    It is hard to understand that most of the contribution on here comes from Dominicans.

  3. PoKeSa
    April 9, 2015

    Dominicans, particularly supporters of the current political regime (here and abroad), are in denial about the TRUE state of the island’s economy. Just returned from D/ca following a reconnaissance visit over a month, to explore potential to do business. Held meetings with Gov’t and its agents, as well as industry representative bodies. Left the island a few days ago with empty hands.

    D/ca – a badly broken economy, stagnant and going nowhere such a sad indictment of an island, which offers so much but really badly managed. Sadly I’m forced to look at opportunities to do business in the other neighbouring islands. That’s just an objective opinion, as I’m throwing punches at nobody.

  4. chicken gone ye
    April 8, 2015

    for me we must always remember that the african americans and afro caribbean people are the same it is just different ports they disimbarked us from we are family and family looks after it own x

  5. Titiwi
    April 8, 2015

    The price of security with the U.S.A.? Two bottles of bwa bande!

  6. GeeMe, GeeMe, Gee Me
    April 8, 2015

    Common Mr. Skerrit, you need to grab this opportunity to make a statement on behalf of the people of Venezuela as promised while you were addressing an ALBA summit in Venezuela in March 2015. In fact here is what you said according to DNO’s article dated March 18, 2015 “So we’re here to tell the people of Venezuela that you are not alone in seeking justice …” Mr. Skerrit, you will never again get a better opportunity to let Venezuelans know that they are truly not alone. You should use your Alba influence to put some pressure on Mr. Obama. Since it will be on ABC, NBC, FOX etc, I am quite sure Rebublicans would be very impressed and would love to make another Skerrit, leader of the Republican party for the 2044, presidential election. So Skerro, if you thinking of giving birth to your son in Venezuela you better change your mind and give birth in the US so he could be qualified to become President. Maybe like Joseph, he might one day save Dominica from hunger and poverty.

  7. No Love No Money
    April 8, 2015

    UWPites go to bed with jealousy and hatred in their hearts and mind and can’t wait for the next day break to make mention first thing Skerrit’s name. First word in the morning that comes from Angelo, Matt, Blessing, Norman, and their likes mouth is SKERRIT…If the day goes by and they don’t mention Skerrit’s name, trust me they will be sick. What has Skerrit done to those guys the Lord above only knows. Are they going to continue so for the next five years? 365 days in a year. Multiply that by 5 times the number of times each of those haters mentions Skerrit’s name you can imagine if words could do harm what would be left of Skerrit.

    • mine
      April 8, 2015

      Who is Norman? Why didn’t he travel on December 8, 2014 because he could not. He is jealous of the PM.

  8. GeeMe, GeeMe, Gee Me
    April 8, 2015

    “The Prime Minister will deliver CARICOM’s response to Obama on renewable energy.” Mr. Skerrit, you will be on a big stage where leading media houses will be present and you should use this opportunity to tell Obama why you believe (1) “The imposition of this measure by the United States against Venezuela is really unfair.. DNO, March 18th, 2015. (2) Tell him why “And we should not negotiate principles, we can negotiate the words but not principles,” the Prime Minister said. (3) Tell him what you meant by “So we’re here to tell the people of Venezuela that you are not alone in seeking justice …” (4) The Prime Minister described Dominica as a friend of the people of Venezuela and called for cooperation to repeal “this decision taken by the President of the United States” since, according to him, it has a “unilateral purpose.” “I think, really, we cannot but express our solidarity with the people of Venezuela. I do not think we should be silent about the injustice of this action

  9. Me
    April 8, 2015

    If I were Roosevelt Skerrit I would pay close attention to today’s Jamaican Observer, that country’s premier newspaper. It says:” The U.S. is looking for partners, not mendicants or dependents. Do not bring the begging bowl into the meeting in Kingston”. Our P.M. would do well heeding this advice instead of following the route he has intimated.

    Source:”Jamaican Observer”, 8 April 2014 under the heading “Caricom’s Agenda for President Obama”.

  10. joe
    April 8, 2015

    Anyway what Skerrit do all you he well do it eh!!!!!

  11. Speechless
    April 8, 2015

    DNO

    Are you sure that this comment originated from our PM Skeritt?

    I am sure that this comment has been fabricated, as there is no way that our PM could expect the U.S. to assist Dominica, after the aggressive manner in which our PM has demonised the US.

    My name is Shocked, and I am speechless!

  12. Erasmus B. Black
    April 8, 2015

    As the old saying goes, two mountains never meet but two men can. And in this case, two leaders. The meeting is so timely for the Dear Leader of Dominica to tell the Leader of the United States to his face that his Executive Order against Venezuela is “unfair and inexplicable.” This is how he was quoted as describing it at the summit in Venezuela three weeks ago. As the American Rapper Ludacris raps, “you got a problem with me? Say it to my face.” We hope the Dear Leader will say it to President Obama’s face.

    • point
      April 9, 2015

      Skeritt also called on the US to lift the trade embargo against Cuba and called for the release of 5 cubans who were jailed in the USA. I wonder what happened after those calls were made? If my memory serves me right the realtionship between America and Cuba is moving towards normalization, with congressmen visiting Cuba and having talks with Cuban officials. And if Mr. Obama realy concerned about the Caribbean he is not coming as an avenging angel but to hear and listen to the concerns of Caricom leaders. Most likely if people like Skeritt did not publicly speak out against the Executive order against Venezuela there would be no Summit. The people who are rediculing Skeritt on this matter on which he has taken a position are just shopping around for new colonial MASTERS.

      • Titiwi
        April 10, 2015

        You are not seriously suggesting that the lifting of a trade embargo on Cuba and the release of the Cuba 5 are all the doing of Roosevelt Skerrit are you? That is simply ridiculous. I’m glad these things happen but that would happen with or without Skerrit. The new colonial master is China, Skerrit’s new godfather, that is what you should worry about.

  13. i love U S A
    April 8, 2015

    SKerrit had no choice but to go to the Summit, but we all in Dominica knows that he would rather be so where else. we have heard his opinion and what he thinks of America.

    • joe
      April 8, 2015

      DNO my point exactly just read the above comment from ‘i love u.s.a’ how does that unintelligent comment contribute to what is written? Such great news reporting swallowed by narrow minded comments it’s becoming RIDICULOUS!!!!!!! Every comment on here is about ROOSEVELT SKERRIT and not on the topic on hand!!!!!!!! :twisted: :evil:

    • No Love No Money
      April 8, 2015

      If he did not attend you would have something else to say.

  14. joe
    April 8, 2015

    Anyway you the opposition people i must say OBSESS WITH SKERRIT WE PAPA!!!!!! That’s not normal nah, i mean no matter what the man do it appears to be a problem with all you people my gosh for crying out loud!!!!!!!

    I THINK YOU ALL MUST EASE UP GIVE THE MAN A BREAK!!!!!!

  15. Anonymous?
    April 8, 2015

    When did he switch from Venezuela to the U.S.? Wasn’t he criticizing the U.S. not too long ago?

    • April 8, 2015

      Now he is going to come face to face with President Obama he has to soften his comments.

  16. LANGLU
    April 8, 2015

    I honestly believe skerrit suffering from some sort of remembering problems, he say things about the colonial masters and act like a puppy in their face..

    • NacVibes
      April 8, 2015

      That’s because he has no clue what he is doing, he rambles on about running the country as if a country can be run on aid only. Sooner or later those donors will wise up to the fact that he hasn’t a clue what he is doing and thats when the “give the young man a chance” brigade will realise that he duped them all along.

      • joe
        April 9, 2015

        Is either AID or Tax which do you prefer??

  17. alas
    April 8, 2015

    to some extent…..Trade.
    Nothing clear and definite.
    Really and truly i don’t expect much.
    It’s not like he going to some Asian country with Martin Charles and dat Ferroll guy….oh and Nanthan.
    Whenever dat group travels some foreign media picks up on de MOUs negotiated.
    Nothing discussed before the group actually leaves beautiful Dominica though.
    I don’t expect de brilliant mind of our Roosevelt Skerrit to come up with anything substantial to announce to the nation……he never has. Surprise us nuh. He saw Obama before and we got nothing from his puplicity stunt playing high profile.
    It’s not like he meeting with some people in Asia or Latin America.
    i’m thinking dat an MOU with de USA MUST BE MADE PUBLIC!!!!!
    What sort of MOU could Skerrit sign with Obama dat both he and Obama would hide from de press!
    hahahahahaha
    BOSS APRIL FOOLS DAY GONE!!!!!
    Trade is de last thing on your agenda skerrit.
    You wanna beg?
    You have any more pride left?

  18. Doc. Love
    April 8, 2015

    Prime Minister Skeritt is always trying to create an impression, in fact a bad impression, when it comes to his choice of dressing, in the presence of international leaders. A few weeks ago, we saw him dressed in a long sleeve shirts, when every other leader was well dressed in coat and tie. Now, all the leaders are well dressed in black or dark outfits, Skeritt has to be different, odd man out, gray is his preferred color. :lol:

    • A Doubting Thomas
      April 8, 2015

      That is our PM standing tall. He continues to make us proud. Yes, we love our PM. Have a successful meeting with the US President and your counterparts Mr. Prime Minister.

    • Titiwi
      April 8, 2015

      Well, he is a grey man!

    • LANGLU
      April 8, 2015

      maybe he trying to tell them things are grey in dominica

    • Merlot
      April 8, 2015

      Lol!! LMAO!! Alas just be thankful he’s wearing a suit this time instead of a wrinkle up shirtjack

    • No Love No Money
      April 8, 2015

      Check Obama’s suit. What color is it? That is if you have a long sleeve shirt you talking about Skerrit’s grey outfit.

  19. Malgraysa
    April 8, 2015

    I’m afraid our P.M. overrates his own importance and it is becoming embarrassing. The Caricom meeting with Obama in Jamaica is only a sideshow to a) the Summit of American States in Panama, starting on Friday b) Obama’s meeting with the P.M. of Jamaica. Now we learn from Panama that all leaders of the American States will be present, except the one of Chile because of the flood disaster in her country and our own P.M. Roosevelt Skerrit although he was invited. Maybe , in perverse way, he wants to be noticed through his absence because he was not giving a high-enough ranking on the Summit platform. What is his excuse for being absent from such an important regional meeting? Even Raoul Castro and Maduro will be there. I am really, really baffled.

  20. Merlot
    April 8, 2015

    He was not feeling the impact of the global financial crisis when he was spending money left right and center to trick Dominicans into voting for him? All the money he paid to bring foreign artistes and to rename a landing strip in melville hall…he didn’t know there was a financial crisis??? He lambaste America so much now he like dog going back on it vomit. PATHETIC

  21. King Skerrit
    April 8, 2015

    Always looking for a hand out. Skerrit man up and stop this constant begging. It’s pitiful. You doh have honte!

    • Titiwi
      April 8, 2015

      Is he serious about security? After braking ground for a U.S. financed coast guard base and then give the land away for luxury hotel development that may never be built and withdrawing police presence from the north of the island?? And selling passports to people with false i.d.’s? You think the Americans take this guy serious?

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