Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has extended an olive branch to the Opposition saying that his office is always open for consultation on matters of state.
He was speaking at the annual Independence Day Parade at the Windsor Park this morning.
“Where there is disunity and confusion, men stop listening to each other and can accomplish nothing,” he said. “I say to the Leader of the Opposition and all the other members of the opposition that the office of the prime minister is open if they wish to consult him on any matters of state.”
He continued, “I extend an olive branch to the Opposition that as we join hands in building this country to overcome the present day challenges and make Dominica a more prosperous nation for our people because if we stand united we could achieve great things, but if we are divided we will not benefit from what God has in store for us.”
The Government and the Opposition have been deadlocked on my issues and the Opposition has been boycotting parliament since the 2009 general elections.
99.9% of u’ll commenter’s didn’t understand the entend of olive branch to the opposition.he only want a better Dominica by leting everyone come together but it seems it’s to hard for u all politicians to understand.common people do something right is wrong,do bad… oh my god world going to end common stop being so political and come together.
is jus so after you beat your woman to shame u expect to sleep good in your bed…you better watch out and hope she is a “good” woman, and hope you doe hear some hot OLIVE oil sizzling your tail….
heheheheyyyyyy turn the other cheek then…
is that true?????????????
It’s the same ppl comment g over n over again. Don’t be fooled lol
an olive branch is sign of peace but there can be no peace if there is no justice
LETS GET BACK TO DOMINICA, FORGET THAR WESTERN CULTURE. OFFET THEM FELLAS A PORYAY, ZABORKA, GALBA OR MANGO BRANCH. WE DONT GROW OLIVES.
I am writing without reading any of these comments;
I just want to say,my PEOPLE are POLITICALLY CONSTIPATED,
They need a purge from political partisan, and a dose of NATION BULDING.
UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL
that means one and all.
Maybe a banana leaf would be more appropriate
I wish all of you here putting comments would make the right choice on election day. The last election, so many things were exposed, and Skerrit still won. I myself was surprised, how dominicans pay a blind eye to matters… Anyway I don’t see my country goign nowhere, politics playing like a game of chess…. And Skerrit seems to be a Master chess player, but he cons the Dominican people and they don’t even notice. I does just sit back and laugh
I wish that most of these people would vote period. Half the people don’t vote.
you are laughing at the best
Wrong! Serritt letting his works speak for itself. All the rest is politics.
Utter rubbish Mr.Skewo
All you,UWPIANS,post all you all BS comments.Hope all you getting ready for the next general election.18 will be multipled by 3 this time,if is smart you all playing to be and not being clever.
I really can’t stand hearing this guy any more, the trickery and lies are beginning to get under my skin….I’m sorry, Ijust can’t tolerate him anymore.
they are all the same!!! hence the term politricks! Do you have a suggestion of a better person to replace him for now?
Any ordinary rum shop man would be better. At least they maybe have a little honesty in them, but this one there is the worse we have had.
You know its the same old rhetoric of Mr. Skerrit with his PERCEIVED strength in the area of psycology. The oopsosition long before independence day made it clear that they would not be attending independence functions and why. The opposition has stayed out of parliament and they have said why. Skerrit never offered the olive branch then, yet on the day of independence when I guess a crowd would have been on hand he tries to grab their sympathy with this insincere declaration of an olive branch. Why now? Why not before this day of grandeur? Its just the same old, same old intended to full those culpable or is it because of all the goings-on re dual citizenship and the rest and he’s just seeking sympathy?
oh come on man we are celebrating dominicas independence,the opposition are born and breed dominicans,we are all in the spirit of brotherhood,why should not the PM convey his message toward the opposition,if they do accept the gesture,that’s on them brother,there is a saying that goes like this,hate, if you hate someone chances are the people you hate do not know you hate them,so you are hurting your own self,and for some, they simply don’t care or even careless that you hate them
LMHO Simple solution: Do not listen to him. Oh, oh.
What the brother or sister is saying is that offering an olive branch at this point is simply not enough and comes across as the plain old dumb poltics…honest work towards dealing with the issues and concerns of the oppostion and the people would go much further. Arrogance and Inscurity is a horrible combination….
Olive branch my foot. It was exactly a month ago, on October 3, 2011, this same PM was firing on all angle at the opposition during his famous “machination” speech he delivered when he said that he would deal with them at the right time. Following this nonsensical speech, Mr Austrie asked for security for cabinet ministers because according to them, the opposition is so dangerous; now a month later you are extending olive brach to them? Who do they think they dealing with?
The truth of the matter is, you don’t call for help when your boat is going down because at that time even those who would try to help would sink as well. Furthermore, you don’t full your boat with water and then ask for help when it is going under and you can do nothing else.
Why would the opposition accept your olive branch invitation? Do you really think they are brainless?
Your day is quickly approaching and I hope you can smell the coffee.
I could not have said it better. The game of psychology has outlived its intended purpose. Dominicans are now begining to see the light including me. I once was blind but now I see.
Olive branch my behind! Skerrit really think people are still stupid. His very plan of putting a graduate in every house though well intended will eventually lead to his down fall. This simply means that at least there will be one smart person per household to help emancipate the more ignorant ones from mental slavery. Labor days are numbered. UWP, Freedom, RLP, Pappy, Yellow Party or whatever will be better than the Labor party of today
To Dominica News Online,
Allowing comments on this website is really a set back….the content and level of English is really poor. We are really inferior to the foreign eye.
Think about that
Stop insulting my people. This medium is for the educated,the very educated, the genius,and the fools like you. Are we in a dictatorship? Who is the dictator? Is it you? Go and hide yourself,and give my people a break.OK!
Dominicans should have gotten up and walked out on that Independence day program, especially when they started playing Sharon and the hot dog and no national anthem was played. That was a slap in the face and disrespectful.
RS is all rhetoric and has not demonstrated substance. This country has definitely been sliding downhill for the last 10 years. So what are Dominicans going to do about it?
thats why i take no part in independance activities….i just dislike folks who are hyprocrities like many dominicans are…
they pretend and cast a blind eye wonce it suits them what a shame…
put the records are their in the global village…
why arent investors coming around here…haha
dominica the poorest in the caribbean
dominica the most out of touch Prime Minister in the region
but sadly those so call educated folks carry that banner of ignorance so damp high the always stumble over and will never see the bigger picture…
when a country doesnt uphold standards the results will always be negative…all what DLP has tried has being a massive failure..look at melville hall airport, you think if they had vision they would end up with a low ended project…
i dislike labour to the bone why they think all dominicans are foolish…
in areas in dominica where the citizens cant think its joke..they come with crumps, big sound a few red shirts and few $$$ ans think thats it..
sadly the issue of debate isnt on the labour cards at all…..labour is just a blinging bunch of excited jokers period….no success to show..the country has gotten to the gutters on labour facts are facts…
He must climb to the top of the Olive Tree, and jump down.
Why do they allow comments on this website, the dialect,content and even worst, the level and usage of English for an English speaking country is ridiculous. When you can speak properly, then you raise your fingers to keypad, otherwise….stay away from the comment box, and that goes for everyone on here…idiots….
Mr. G,
Do you know that the our ability to speak english was not one of the requirements to vote in Dec. 2009? Do you know that the majority of people who vote in Dominica are not educated like you? Did you not see the need to educate us before we were brainwashed and paid to vote?
You are nothing but another secret dictator that is trying to stop people who paticipated in the last elections and are now crying in regret. You take your english and excel with it but please allow us the opportunity to express ourselves in our own way.
What you upset about is because DNO has provided an opportunity where we could express ourselves. You would like to shut os out like we have been shut out by DBS and other national media. However, based on Mrs. Clinton’s independence day congratulatory letter yesterday, it became very clear to us that we are being heard, they did not consider our grammar, and help is on the way.
You must be an “idiot” too because your comment is “on here.”
“Even worst” is not correct English.
Olive branch, to who. Is there a UWP. Come on people, that party is woth nothing. We must stop with that party supporting and think of Dominica in General. The UWP had their time and now labour time to do as they wish, we need some new people in government. Poeple lets stop playing politics with Dominica, those days are long gone.
I am not into politics, just looking out for Dominica and Domincans.
Your head is a confused mess.Go over the rubbish that you typed and you will see how stupid and idiotic you are.You even said it is Labour time to do what they wish. GO TO SCHOOL.
If you were not a dumb a** UWP supporter, you would be able to read what I wrote and make sense out of it. The labour party is doing what they want and killing Dominica (they’re doing whatever they want). Was I wrong to say that. But you being a UWP supporter, you only thought I was crying down UWP only. Is people like you who help in killing the country. Stop that paty supporting and think of people who can put the country back on the right track. It’s not the Labour party since we are almost at rock bottom and God help us that it is not UWP who do not know what they are about. All that party does is take evrything to court and loose, even if the court system is not fair. But with no concrete plans, they do not know what to do. Come on man, you sound like you have a PHD or two since you’re sending me back to school, read that and tell me who sounds like the biggest Idiot.
I am not into politics, just looking out for Dominica and Dominican.
As far as I am concerned any party is better than the current labor party. If UWP is the most organized during the next elections then they have my vote. Absolutely no questions asked! I am “labouredout” if you ask me. Anything other then the Skerrit Labor Party is better for Dominica now.
Offer Dominicans employment instead. Offer Dominicans a country free of corruption instead.Offer us a country with less poverty, and suffering. Offer us a Dominica where all institution are functional instead.WHO CAN HAVE TRUST IN ONE WHO IS AN IMPULSIVE LIAR?
Ok Skewo. lets make a deal. Give us voter ID cards and we will let you be the PM for the whole 5 year term; and for good measure, we will come to the house. How about that.
and what are you going to do with it, may I ask? do you have a passport?
What does having a passport have to do with voter ID cards??
The branch will break. It’s a trap Spags. Don’t fall for that.
UWP keep doing the same thing and you will expect ther same results.
An Olive Branch was offered to you people but you all are asking for voter ID Card.
It like the European offering Africans Billions of Dollars for the sins of slavery, but they refuse and are asking the Europeans to return the boats that took them out of Africa to be returned.
When is the uwp liitle ones gonna learn and be of value.
The PM said let’s discuss matter of state…now is the time to present big and bold ideas to move DA out of its funk, but here are these little people asking for a voter ID card.
The is an under word for uwp…somebody please help me.
The matters of state that is worthy of discussion are: A stop to corruption in government.Voter ID Card. A thorough investigation into the firebombing of GON Emmanuel.Citizens for a Better Dominica Inc. The stop to the sales of our passports to crooks and criminals.How can we take agriculture out of the coffin in which it is.A stop to conflict of inflict in government.An explanation/inquiry of all ministers who have assets that cannot be explained re their public income.Investigations into the numerous unsolved murders in Dominica.The rebirth of all our destroyed institutuin.A stoppage to the begging mentality that the government has instilled into the people.etc etc.
guess you don’t even realise that the issuing voter ID cards to ensure the legality of the electoral process is a very IMPORTANT MATTER OF STATE. smh…some of yall so dafffff…its not even funny no more
Dot that made no sense at all
STOP SITTING ON YOUR EMPTY BRAIN.Your buffoon, acquaint yourself with what is happening to your country. SOT !
Mr. Skerrit the words that you expressed were indeed sobering thoughts. You are on the right tract and I stand very proud of you this day. I was truly moved by your speech my friend! I have been privileged to come in full view of your humility and can say with no fear of contradiction that you mean those words that you have expressed today. Sir irrespective of what some people think I KNOW that you are VERY engaging, willing and ready to listen to all who has something meaningful to offer in the matter of developing this small Island Developing State. I am not saying that you are perfect, none of us are neither have you denied this basic fact, however with all our differences and a mind and spirit to move this nation forward we WILL accomplish great things. I am saying to the OPPOSITION that they must be prepared to bury the hatchet (political/personal), lick their wounds and find themselves in the house pushing the agenda of state. This “boycott” is not in their best interest neither is it in that of DOMINICA, DO IT FOR DOMINICA and come let us build a nation, hand joined in hand and one voice. Let us build instead of breakdown, seek the good in others and advance the cause of this country. It might be good to pay a little attention to the GOOD things that this administration has accomplished so far and spend less time criticizing the men who have made the necessary sacrifices to secure a brighter future for successive generations.
When we make statements it is wiseto back those statements with credible facts. Words are really cheap.show me thee evidence ..I am waiting.
Did you show evidience in the court regarding the the last court case? Now you want evidience!Hypocrite!
Now is the time for open dialogue between the PM and the Opposition.
Invite the PM to an open public discussion where the public will have the opportunity to question both sides.
In almost 8 years the P.M has never participated in a public debate and he just pulled a fast one on the Diaspora, when he refused to allow them to question him, but instead broke them up into groups.
The PM is a boss in physcology, but he must not abuse it because soon it will come to haunt him, because many of us are far smarter than his little 1st degree.
In the HOUSE.
Which house? Do we have that in Dominica?We do not have one functional institution in Dominica. All have by distroyed by Skerrit and his cabal.
The P.M. did not pull a fast one on anyone by facilitating small Groups. This is how business is conducted around the world. It is an intimate setting where persons are able express themselves freely about their concerns with a particular Ministry project they feel passionate about. In large forum as prevously held, you would find fewer persons having and opportunity to ask questions. Many attend but few ask questions because they are not comfortable speaking in large groups.
That is the way its done over the world. Small focus groups. We are getting there Dominicans with a change of process and procedures in the way we do business in the 21st century.
Progress my people
Be honest with yourself, the new format of the Diaspora meeting was to avoid Skerrit being questioned.
the opposition have to come in your office for electoral reform that’s how it works now .
An Olive branch soaked in rycin? You think anybody going to trust you man? Something is wrong with you head!
Roosevelt Medard Skerrit,stop your political gimmick and hypocrisy,this is a farce until your govrnment meet the cost and charge or withdraw the amount of money the UWP is supposed to pay in relation to the court case against the speaker.Your government would also have to meet the fees that the UWP had to pay for the court case against u and Petter St.Jean in regards to allegence to a foreign state or power.Your government would have to meet the legitimate demands of both the UWP and the electoral commission by cleaning the voters list and issueing voter identification cards.This is the olive branch we are willing to accept.I am not a politition,nor do i belong to any political party,as a law abiding citizen i oppose to your illegitimate rule.
I agree with cleaning the voters list, but why would the government want to help the UWP pay their court fees. Get real. Would you help someone pay their court fees after they have taken you to court.
I wonder IF the PM/government was to implement voters ID if the UWP would find something else to gripe about.
Mind you, I think this olive branch should have been extended long ago. I cant wait for the UWP to respond.
FED UP DOMONICAN,i’ll tell u why the government should pay the fees.This is a constitutional issue,don’t u think Skerrit and St.Jean used the state’s finances for their defense,so why not the parliamentary opposition?
thanks u verrrry much. tell them again. those idiots
To members of the Opposition: When you know a man already,give him food/or feed him with a very long stick…Beware of your names on their Amimal Programme on Saturday Nights.
Stop stealing the elections and Dominicans will unite.
WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ABOUT REALLY, WHY DID YOU EVEN BOTHER PRINT THIS EMPTY STATEMENT. THE PM IS EXTENDING AN INVITATION TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF STATE HOW IS THAT TIED TO THE MATTER BEING DETERMINED BY THE COURT? THERR ARE A NUMBER OF MATTERS OF STATE THAT CVANNOT BE DONE BECAUSE OF THIS USEKLESS BOYCOTT AND YOU SEEM TO BE TOO BLUE TO SEE THAT. BUT, ITS OK TO ENTER THE SAME PARLIAMENT TAKE AN OTH OF OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE SAME ALLEGED ILLEGALLY INSTITUTED PARLIAMENT AND THEN WALK OUT BUT ACCEPT SALARIES FOR NOT ATTENDING PARLIAMENT. THE PM COMMENT ABOUT WIN LOSE OR DRAW WAS MEANT TO BE SARCASTIC CAUSE THERE CANNOT BE A DRAW IN A COURT HEARING OK, GROW UP AND STICK TO THE PRESENT ISSUE. I AWAIT TO READ YOUR SECOND COMMENT WELL. STUPES.
the government and the opposition ATTEND the house the SAME NUMBER OF TIMES the government side just stays longer thats all; when thry are not there is either the speaker’s fault . . . or the task force block the way
Then the government get’s blamed for not doing enough….hahahaa
Skerrit we extend a hand to you to implememt electoral reform so that we can move our country forward based on democratic principles and the rule of law as observed and practiced by progressive and successful nations. Mr. If not you can keep on pandering to the crowd and blowing hot air your base- got it? You cannot buy everyone.
THEY BETTER INSPECT THAT OLIVE BRANCH BEFORE THEY TAKE IT.
Do you love your country so everything is political? Do you knoe that we must all of us put a hand in the development of this country. Dominica is all of us own. Then when election time comes around then we politic and exercise our democratic right by voting the party of our choice. We repect the outcome since the electorate has spoken. We then join hands again and continue the work.
Stop behaving like spoilt children as though DA is a toy. People open your eyes and do what we ought to do. Too much hatred, jealousy, negativity and no thankfulness.
ALL FOR EACH AND EACH FOR ALL…… sTOP THE hatred and start to love oneanother as our Creator loves us.
So let’s “COME” together n have a one-party state and allow our dear country to fall victim to communism?
HELL NO!!
Stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuppppess .. See my comment above. Love of country and fellowman.. Stop the hatred and let us work together then when election time come, then all politicking will resume, Time to make a difference in this land. Too much complaining and talking.
guess he has notice by next week the judge will deliver her ruling in favour of the Opposition UWP so he is trying to work out some of his bags of tricks, but Skerrit is late for school he fooled and crushed the freedom party fully, but UWP folks are smarter and will always ask Mr.Skerrit, to come clean first re track all his damaging statements, implement the id cards according to the electoral laws, come clean with DBS,come clean with the passport scandals. the Villas issue,the cast of the fire bombings of Mano’s home..
there is alot to bring to the table and trash out Mr.Skerrit your childist tricks wont fool those who have the ability to think and see the bigger picture, no amount of money could you bring into the UWP camp will case them to be blind of fall over easily…..thats the pill you must swallow firstly to come clean the ills out!
facts…
man…i’m impressed with comments like yours…it was about time some people start speaking sensible around here.
I’d think that if anyone knew the judge’s decision before it was read in court, then our justice system is severely FLAWED
This guy is so presumptuos! “I forgive you…?” lol was someone begging or asking for forgiveness? Forgive who for what? SMH …. SMH
hmmm i want to knw what the opposition parties goin an say about that.i guess they’re gonna do as usual run and talk sort.stupes
so its not win, lose or draw again?
hahahaha
what part of olive branch dont u understand? stuups
What a joke? No more redand blue gloves in the ring again. He is really taking all fools in Dominica to a new level. ABUNCH OF JOKERS.!
That’s the draw. Nobody, but Dominica, wins.
admin? wat was so wrong or insultin in ,my comment for it not to be there? all i said was wat part of olive branch dont u understand?
When a man is offering an olive branch that man has to be willing to be humble. The opposition is asking for a simple thing- Voting regularities. Is that olive to heavy for the branch? To me that is a simple request that should benefit all political parties. If the PM wants to paint himself as the bigger man in that regard then take the high road and do the simple and honorable thing. The UWP does not have to come to your office for that – something else not that.
Year after year we hear the same talk about peace and unity yet no one is willing to do the simple things that will foster unity.
At $10 a pop a voter ID may cost the state less than two hundred thousand if we allow the voters to carry a small percentage of the cost. We spend money on stuff that are not required yet because of the “bigger balls” ego and the “we on stage syndrome” we are not prepared to spend so little on something which is essential for our true democracy and ultimately peace and unity.
Put your money where your mouth is Mr PM- I am not a UWP ite (believe it or not) but somebody must give and if you are offering an olive branch what are you willing to give up in this simple matter.
Yawn. You people keep blabbering about nothing. If the man says to discuss, “matters of state,” isn’t the issues surrounding cleaning up the voting system matters for the state?
Lord, help my people. Unclog their minds.
Mr.Priminister,you’re truley a strong and humble leader.A leader that is close to his people and endures over and over again, the same embarassments from the oppostion,in not attendind thier duties,not even for a minute!, in Parliment.I have never heard such violence,hatred,jelousy,misrepresentation,in the minds of peolple who have different views in the policies of this country. If the opposition really and truely want to lead this country,why are they asking the future businessmen,doctors,nurses,police officers,teachers to start burning our green and beutiful island.Ex(“Boots on the Ground”,”We are not coming to Parliment,unless there’s electorial reform”,”Confiscate hotels and land”,”Shut the contry done”etc………..What I am orbserving is frightening,fasten you seatbelts people ,listen.In Dominica their are people who take the law in their own hands for political gains and destructions on this beatiful island, (The CommonWaelth of Dominica) ,so thanks again Priminister for trying to bring Dominica where it should be.
Maybe if you quit sucking up you will see the light. There is haterd and anger in the country becuase people are fed-up with Skerrit games. Even his own ministers are complaining behind closed doors. The population have lost faith in the administration and all trust is gone. Cant wait to see some ministers after they are out of office.