The establishment of a permanent mission of Dominica to the FAO

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought the approval of the FAO for the appointment of Francesco Corallo as Permanent Representative of Dominica to the organization

It has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of  the Commonwealth of Dominica that over the past few days, many  negative comments are being promulgated with respect to the character and integrity of an Ambassador Designate of Dominica to the Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO.

The facts are that this proposed appointment was guided by standard policy as it relates to the selection of both nationals and non-nationals willing to serve and represent Dominica in an Honorary capacity in Honorary Consulates, Missions and Trade and Investment Offices in strategic capitals, or as Non Resident Ambassadors.

Following a Cabinet Decision of June  2011, Government agreed  to strengthen Dominica’s presence at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO. By letter dated June  21 2011, the Ministry of  Foreign   Affairs sought the  approval of the FAO for  the appointment of Mr. Francesco Corallo as Permanent Representative of Dominica to the FAO. Recognizing the strategic importance of the FAO to Dominica, Cabinet  has also advised that a suitably  qualified technical Official  from Headquarters form part of the staffing of the Mission.  The Ministry is still awaiting formal communication from the FAO, so as proceed

Under the Headquarters Agreement with the Government of Italy, the  FAO is required to clear all appointments with the relevant Government Authority in Italy. Through discussions with the FAO, Dominica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was assured that the process was cleared in principle and that a date was being finalized for the presentation of credentials to the  Director General. In order to facilitate the process the FAO, requested copies of Mr. Corallo’s CV, information on the location of the Mission and the first two pages of his diplomatic passport. A letter was also issued by the Ministry of Interior of Italy, as evidence that Mr. Corallo was sufficiently cleared by that Ministry.

In keeping with the letter and  spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations, Internal relations practices and the  request from FAO, official documentation were issued to Mr. Corallo to facilitate the presentation of credentials to the Director General of FAO and to treat with the Authorities in Italy in the actual establishment of the Permanent Mission.

It was not  until that time, that the  FAO’s Protocol Office informed the  Ministry of  Foreign Affairs in Dominica that  Mr. Corallo’s  appointment with the Director General of FAO had to be rescheduled as the  required No Objection from by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy had not  been formally requested by the FAO. In that case, the FAO would have to await  the ‘No  Objection,’ from the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Italy before it could  proceed. To date, the  Ministry has not  received any formal communication and the appointment is  still  pending. The  Ministry of Foreign   Affairs in Dominica has also not received any  formal communique or word from the Italian authorities or Mr. Francisco Corallo in respect of the present allegations in the media.

The procedure for  formalizing such appointments is standard International relations Policy and  practice.   The sending  State  having  identified an  individual, conducts background checks.  Thereafter, and  consistent with International Laws  and  practice, the  process  of appointment is then triggered as follows;

-Government makes the initial appointment.

-Government then communicates to the organization or the state seeking agreement for the said appointment. The agreement of the receiving State and or the  Organization is extremely important to the  process  as it allows for  another phase  of  due  diligence which is this  time  conducted by the  respective state or organization.

-The  receiving State or Organization then has to communicate its approval or objection of the said appointment.

-If the appointment is approved then arrangements are made for credentials to be presented and  where  applicable missions established. It is only  then that  the process  is complete. If the initial appointment does not  receive  the  approval of the  receiving State  or organization, the  process  can’t  continue and  as such the initial appointment is cancelled.

This process of appointing Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Honorary Consuls and Permanent Representatives to international Organizations is transparent and involves not just Dominica but the  receiving State and or Organization. All activities are governed by well  established conventions, agreements and internationally accepted norms  and practices. Any abuse can easily be identified and  address by all parties under clear provisions of  International law spanning several  decades.  Dominica   has always acted within the remit of International Conventions and intends to continue with its track  record of Transparency, Respect for the Rule of Law and  Sovereignty of all  States and  Good  Governance for which it is well recognized by the international community.

Dominica currently has missions in Washington, United Kingdom, New York (United Nations) Paris (UNESCO) and Cuba; Join OECS Missions  in Geneva(Technical  Mission) and Brussels; Honorary Consulates in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Jamaica, Greece, Switzerland, and Cyprus. Dominica also has appointed Non Resident  Ambassadors to, Japan, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, ALBA, CARICOM and OECS.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This release was sent to other media houses but not to Dominica News Online. It was obtained from another source.

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110 Comments

  1. Referee
    August 7, 2012

    This is a clever attempt by government to exercise some damage control. But I am afraid there is a limit to which damage control can repair the damge to the credibility of a government that is now embroiled in a controversy that could have been avoided in the first place.
    The fact remains the entire story is a textbook example of what can go wrong when a government decides to do business with people that are not properly vetted. The man in question was issued a diplomatic passport. Did we know enough about him to entrust him with a diplomatic passport? What value was received by government for the issue of the passport?
    It seems a mute point for government to claim that the FAO appointment was not finalized. This is totally irrelevant to the fact that a holder of our diplomatic passport is wanted by the international police.
    My mother used to say that when you lie in bed with dogs you end up getting flees.
    The flees are all over us right now and the international community will pass judgement.
    This entire embarassing episode is a metaphor for the shame that the prime minister has visited upon us with this programme of selling diplomatic passports.
    Sadly, the chicken has come home to roost.

  2. Reason
    November 29, 2011

    Oh My what short memories! That FAO position has been vacant for years. The last time it was held by a Dominican was by a wealthy diaspora Benjamin man over 25 years ago. Then Mamo gave the position to his wife who was a central European and she held it for years.

    All this was to save any cost to the governmrnt of Dominica. Then after Mrs. Benjamin, the post became vacant for years. So now they trying to fill it again without having to pay masses of money.

    That is why we have no High Commissioner in London. Any of you all want to do it for free!!!

  3. Nkrumah Kwame
    November 29, 2011

    We were ONLY given this “EXPLANATION” after the news came out that there may have been errors committed!! Why did not the govt inform the public in a communique,BEFORE?
    They just playing smart with stupidness!!

  4. HMMMMMMMMMMM
    November 29, 2011

    wait so allu beating at fountaine when we the people were never in on this papa allu bad—look at the picture — we as citizens never knew of this now we know thanks to the New UWP Leader

    • Well Ya
      November 29, 2011

      new uwp leader? 8-O

      • Anonymous
        November 29, 2011

        FONTAINE

      • Cutie
        November 30, 2011

        Well since Skerro was voted in for his dimples, why not Fontaine? He is a far more
        handsome man!

  5. ...........
    November 29, 2011

    If 50 of the 78 people commenting here, plus the other 100 that call the radio in the morning would just stand in the streets and air these very same concerns, maybe these issues would have been resolved already.

    Comment, comments, comments, very few brave enough to stand up publicly.

    • traveler
      November 29, 2011

      So why not post your true identity so others can follow.

  6. What-i-know
    November 29, 2011

    So tell me in simple english:
    Why do we need a “non-Dominican” as our Ambassador? Corallo is loaded so instead of Government paying him, he volunteered to pay us? . . . well you know d saying about “freeness is worryness”? Thousands of qualified Dominicans all over the world would love an Italian posting!
    Why 5 months plus delay before a confirmation if the candidate is acceptable?
    Why provide a Diplomatic passport before the candidate is approved as Ambassador? Does he return the Passport if the host Government has objections?
    Before Dr Fontaine’s revelations, Was information about the Cabinet Decision of June 2011, and the letter dated June 21 2011, available to the public? Where? If not, why not?
    Mr Minister, ‘Spinning” is just not as effective when written.

  7. Cassandra,
    November 29, 2011

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release is well crafted but reveals little except to say that procedure was followed and that:” to date the Ministry has not received any formal communication and the appointment is still pending..”.

    Such diplomatic appointments are subject to both the Vienna Convention (on Diplomatic Relations) and a headquarter Agreement between the organisation, in this case the FAO which is part of the U.N., located in Rome.

    The first thing to remember is that, under the Vienna Convention a receiving country (Italy) can refuse to accept a diplomat proposed by a sending country (Dominica) without having to disclose any reasons.

    The Ministry should have known that the appointment of Mr.Corallo was, and is unlikely to succeed under the rules of the Vienna Convention:

    Art 8 (2):Members of the diplomatic staff of the Mission may not be appointed from among persons having the nationality of the receiving State, except with the consent of that State, which can be withdrawn at any time.

    Art 31 (10:A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State. He shall also enjoy immunity from its civil and administrative jurisdiction, except in the case of (C)An action relating to any professional or commercial activity exercised by the diplomatic agent in the receiving State outside his his official funtions.

    Art 42: A diplomatic agent shall not in the receiving State practice for personal profit any professional or commercial activity.

    (This provision ties in with qualifying conditions under the Headquarters Agreement, which make it clear that a diplomatic envoy must perform his diplomatic duties directly related to the Mission or Agency – in this case the FAO – on a full time basis and have no other employment in the receiving State)

    I’m afraid that junder the circumstances the appointment of Mr. Corallo may well remain pending indifenitely.

  8. Conscious
    November 29, 2011

    Quiet clearly, whoever wrote this do not know much about international diplomacy. A person, like Mr. Corallo, who has significant economic interests in a country cannot be appointed as an Ambassador to that country. The writer of his lame statement is either clearly not aware of this or is deliberately ignoring to address it. Second, the Italian media is reporting that Mr. Corallo is indirectly or directly associated with the Italian mafia. Is the Govt aware of this?

  9. ?????:
    November 28, 2011

    What has Dominica became to?, God help us.

  10. vex
    November 28, 2011

    By letter dated June 21 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought the approval of the FAO for the appointment of Mr. Francesco Corallo as Permanent Representative of Dominica to the FAO. Recognizing the strategic importance of the FAO to Dominica.
    THE EXACT WORDS FROM THE NEWS I WOULD BE NICE IF SOME OF US WOULD JUST TAKE OR TIME AND READ”” AND UNDERSTAND …

  11. WIKILEAKS
    November 28, 2011

    I have to come to the conclusion, the worst thing that can happen to a DOminican is to be part of the uwp…have you seen how far this uwp thing have taken fontaine..all of a sudden the man is reduced to calling matt in the morning and agreeing with blessings.

    This is ambassador appointment is a UN mandate that has to be done through protocol…why are you goons beating up yourself over some FAO appointee.

    • Yep
      November 28, 2011

      Your comment makes no sense. Have you heard UWP talking about this. Who told you Thompson is a UWP. Get your facts straight sir. Who told you no one is part of UWP. Why can you people open your eyes for once and see the ills that is going on in this country.

    • Lougaoo Mem
      November 28, 2011

      Pity, pity, pity for you eh!

    • Domniq
      November 29, 2011

      I will support any other party against this regime. Even Pappy will get my vote. Big mistake I had to fly from the US to vote for this gov’t in. Wish I could take my vote back.

      • littleboy
        November 29, 2011

        I say just like you my friend because I made that same mistake in the 2000 elections not knowing what was about to come.

      • Curious
        November 30, 2011

        Who bought you guys ticket?

    • katie
      November 29, 2011

      This is not a UWP thing. What makes it that. This is a Dominica thing. What UWP? I am not a UWP supporter. You seem to be too blind to see that your country is in real danger. When will you open your big head and think for once.

    • Papa Dom
      November 29, 2011

      Jack855, that is exactly the point! The protocol was not followed in this case as it wasn’t in the previous case. The gov’t of Dominica knows what the protocol is but chose to ignore it, so what exactly is your point about UWP & Thompson? Do you really believe that skerritt was not aware that the man was not accepted? I weep for my country and the children because with people like yourself leading them there is no hope.

    • November 29, 2011

      RUBBISH
      YOU LABOUR PEOPLE ARE CORRUPT TO THE CORE

      THERE IS NO GOOD IN YOU

  12. vex
    November 28, 2011

    :?: I would like to know if there is NO, (NONE) BRON Dominican citzen with the Education and qualification, in good and regular standing as citzens of the commonwealth of Dominica to hold the position as Diplomat to FAO or the position that this man who clams to be a Dominican is holding…

  13. BRAIN DAMAGE
    November 28, 2011

    Some biproduct of the next level.

    From day one the majority of Dominican people love the grind that are bestowed upon them by this administration.

  14. whiz
    November 28, 2011

    So the Gvernment standing by there decision…..WOW amazig and Dominicans accept dat WOW 8-O 8-O :( :?:

  15. A Voice
    November 28, 2011

    This is a clear attempt at damage control!

    It is obvious now that something is seriously amiss with the sale of Dominica’s passports.

    The issue now is to follow the money trail.

    I bet you right now it have some big boys in the government that starting to panic.

    I watchin’ still!!!

    • Really?
      November 29, 2011

      Right now if you froze the assets of the cabinet members accounts and did some research there would be no where for them to hide. The truth is some people don’t want to know the truth because Dominicans hate to admit they are wrong. So much wrong being done.

  16. SMH
    November 28, 2011

    As a Dominican citizen, try getting a passport before all u paper work complete?
    Why they don’t like us, cause we poor.

    • Cerberus
      November 29, 2011

      For a diplomatic posting the candidate must

      a) be a citizen of the country that proposes him/her.
      b) be in apossession of a diplomatic passport of that country.

      A diplomatic passport on its own, without an approved attachement by a foreign Govt. to a recognised Mission or Agency in that country has little value but on the contrary may draw unwanted attention when using it for travel, trying to claim immunity or fiscal advantages.It may give the bearer some kudos or “bragging rights” but little else beyond that.

  17. mouth of the south
    November 28, 2011

    i think my fellow dominicans have said what needs to be said.. aylas dominique… but i know for sure those who benefit don’t talk much…. this leads me to believe WIKILEAKS is one of those who get a lil sheet of plywood.. a 50 bucks and some red cap every election.. this is why he/she is defending like that… have to keep talking to keep the lil bit coming in b4 it run out… nothing personal nah WIKI but i’m not seeing what u defending there… there’s nothing to defend.. u don’t even believe in what u writing… give it a rest.. u can’t agree that due diligence wasn’t done… so skerro does no wrong.. papa u all putting to much faith and trust in men

  18. littleboy
    November 28, 2011

    1.This explanation is very iffie and leaves me with more questions than answers.
    I find it strange that they gave a date (day, month, and year June 11,2011), when they sought the approval of the FAO for the appointment of Mr. Corallo but they could not remember the day in which cabinet met to decide on such an important subject. All they said was June 2011. What day in June? Was it the day before the letter or the same day the letter was sent? Very fishie.

    2.They gave all the back and forth that took place between the government of Dominica, Government of Italy, the FAO and others, but not one date is given. The only time they gave a valid date was when they say they sought the blessing of the FAO in June 11, 2011.
    3.I find this thing was rushed. According to them, cabinet sat on it in June 2011, what day in June only God knows; by the 11th of the same June 2011 a letter was already in place seeking the blessing of FAO, and by November 2011, the man has already recieved status from the government of Dominica? Oh boy! we seem to be faster than the USA man. Is this what the PM meant when he addressed us last week on Kairie? Did he say that due deligence is made and one is well scutinized before they recieve citizenship?

    Just too many questions and since they see it necessary to adress this scandal, I wish they had made all letters (sent and recieved) available to the public to see if what they are saying is what really happened or if there is a dead body (something that stinks) hidden somewhere.
    I am just not foolish enough to buy this one

  19. ?
    November 28, 2011

    GOD HELP US. ALL WHAT COMING TO LIGHT IS SO DISGUSTING TO THE DOMINICAN CITIZENS, IMAGINE WHAT THAT WILL NEVER BE REVEALED…

    MONEY TRULY DOES MAKE THE DEVIL DANCE

  20. ?
    November 28, 2011

    this making me remember ‘may his soul rest in peace’ masterline labad.
    TIME WILL TELL

  21. so what
    November 28, 2011

    Dominicans like de thing so…

    dominicans are proud to be ignorant on current and world issues period..

    its difficult to get sense into the average dominican in terms of basic ablilty to discuss, be balanced and objective..

    them things above arent no where close to the shores of Dominica, and no rip current going to bring it to their shores..the currents are destined for places who embrace knowledge and understadings, not the island of Dominica…

  22. Yes I
    November 28, 2011

    As citizens of Dominica, we have a right to know about these appointments even before they are done. Why wasn’t Dominicans made aware of this Diplomat by our government before he was appointed. Now Dr. Fontaine let the cat out of the bag, now they trying to defend their decision. Totally unacceptable. Governments don’t operate that way. Only in Dominica this can happen. Poor us!!

    • Anonymous
      November 28, 2011

      TRUE DAT.

    • Really?
      November 29, 2011

      Lots of things only happen in Dominica. Where in the world do you go to a lawyer to pick up land papers and they tell you come back after lunch. When you come back after lunch lawyer in a meeting, When you come back when meeting supposed to be over lawyer gone home for dinner, and this goes on foe 4 month. NO WHERE ELSE. Dominicans allowing the Palace to be built even if they don’t want it because no one is speaking about it. PM will continue to do all of this unsavory business as long as he is not held accountable. Just asking him to be accountable is not enough. Every Dominican must strike. Strike from work, Strike from Farming, Strike from receiving boats, Strike from checking in illegal cargo, STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE until someone has to come forward, then pray it is not Tony who will spin it until you are so dizzy you vomit. MAKE A PEACEFUL BUT SOLID STAND AND TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK!!!!! We already have a whole generation of teenagers who think it is a job to rob and steal and kill. That will take years to fix. STAND UP NOW. OCCUPY DOMINICA!!!

      • 1979
        November 29, 2011

        The will of the people are broken, like a horse, whipped into submission. We have been press into this mould of compliance and subserviance for so long, it has become the custom to be poor and fearful. I wait for the day when the men and woman of dominica stand and show their power of self determination.

  23. Citizen
    November 28, 2011

    My only question about this so-called citizenship scheme right now is, WHERE ALL THAT MONEY FROM THIS PASSPORT GONE? inquiring minds want to know. We will know sooner or later.

    • ,,,,,,,,,,
      November 28, 2011

      I have asked this very question several times…Some people should answer questions.. TIME WILL TELL.

    • Aye Dominique
      November 28, 2011

      My exact question too….where is the money??????? Dominicans need to demand accountability from this government, one way or the other….this is Dominica’s money, the passports do not belong to Roosevelt Skerrit and his gang.

    • Stop
      November 29, 2011

      Please, please, we need an account of our country’s money for the selling of passports. Why couldn’t the minstry give us a statement on the monies received by the program. Instead, they sending crap to the media houses, like they so innocent. WE WANT ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE WANT IT NOW.

  24. TED Lewis
    November 28, 2011

    They Doesnt Hear

    Please permit me the opportunity to repost your comment.

    1 Where is BUWO?

    Where is Wait A Minute?

    Where are all the Anonymous’s?

    We tired tell allu, before allu put allu hand in fire, KEEP QUIET and await the rest to come.

    When the man used Dominica name and claim he is diplomat, right away allu say that’s impossible. Allu say the man don’t have any passport and no passport was found in the raid.

    Look Ministry release a statement standing on the side of the man and confirming what alot of allu had major doubt about.

    I hope allu beginning to understand what’s really going on in Dominica under that Labour Party there.

    Go back and read the original story, then read allu comments, tell me if allu not feeling stupid now! hahahaha

    • linky
      November 28, 2011

      u are so wright

  25. tutut
    November 28, 2011

    Ask de chosen ones who was on the internet measuring fancy Italian suits and boasting is 500 euro suits they wearing who paid. The pics were on numerous Dominican sites. When he will take out his custom made shirts and jacket on all you and ask for his money back play with mafioso still.

    • ?
      November 28, 2011

      ha ha, they bribing them for a fist full of money and fancy suits..
      i am a suffering(civil servant) financially yet i wiill not bow down and refuse to ask for anything of this government.. that would be morally wrong.
      i shall stand my ground and wait for the raging waters to calm..

  26. Watching Still
    November 28, 2011

    That entire letter is decietful. Why is the government still putting on this farce about waiting to hear from the Italian authorities, when they ALREADY have and it was clearly stated the man’s appointment has been denied since he has too large a private business interest in Italy to be made ambassador. The Italian press has all the publications. So those of you who see this as two sides are plain mischievous and easily mislead.

  27. WIKILEAKS
    November 28, 2011

    An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization.

    Sometimes countries also appoint highly respected individuals as Ambassador at Large who are assigned specific responsibilities, and they work to advise and assist their governments in a given area. The word is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent certain professions, activities and fields of endeavor.

    In everyday usage it usually applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country.

    The senior diplomatic officers among members of the Commonwealth of Nations are known as High Commissioners, who are the heads of High Commissions. Representatives of the Holy See are known as Papal or Apostolic Nuncios, while the head of a Libyan mission is a “Secretary of the Libyan People’s Bureau”

    • That you hear WE
      November 28, 2011

      and your point is what exactly?….

      WHY WAS CORALLO NOT GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR BY THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT?

      ANSWER THAT YOU IDIOT!

      • Peeping Tom
        November 28, 2011

        “A letter was also issued by the Ministry of Interior of Italy, as evidence that Mr. Corallo was sufficiently cleared by that Ministry.”

        why did the Italian Ministry of Interior give teh all-clear signal?

      • WIKILEAKS
        November 28, 2011

        IDIOT…Garcon all you don’t understand politics….make blessing explain this to you …oh no…try Hector John

    • Drake
      November 28, 2011

      WIKILEAK what the F!!!!! are you saying. You plagiarize somebod’s work just make yourself an idiot. What a shame!!!. It would have been better to remain quiet than to confirm your assinine character

    • Hit the floor
      November 28, 2011

      “… they work to advise and assist their governments in a given area…”

      Do you notice ‘assist their governments’? In other words, these ambassadors are usually from their native country. Where is Corallo’s country? Dominica?

      • Cerberus
        November 29, 2011

        Corallo had to be in possession of a diplomatic passport of Dominica before the Ministry could even submit thier application to the the Italian Govt. So yes, mr. Corallo was already a Dominican by virtue of that passport.

  28. out of nowhere
    November 28, 2011

    can someone please tell me why a non national should represent Dominica in a foreign country.

    • BRAIN DAMAGE
      November 28, 2011

      He must be one because he has our Passport.

    • Informant
      November 29, 2011

      A foreign national representing a country is not a strange thing, this happens in almost every country, that you have a few non-nationals representing a country. This is standard practice.

  29. ?????
    November 28, 2011

    When will Dominicans stop recieving insults from these government people? Insted of selling passports, revitalize the dying Agricultural Sector, empower the poor amongst us,create sustainable jobs for the people, create employment for the poor,be above board in your dealings,stop the cheating,be patriotic.Our passports are not bananas.

  30. 4u2c
    November 28, 2011

    Dominca Governemet did NOT do any Due delligence….For all the qualified Domincans we have world wide that is the best we can come with? MAGWAY SAH!!

    ..

    • Peeping Tom
      November 28, 2011

      Short of having our own cops do a background check on the intended nominee, what else could our government have done? As per standard procedure, the receiving state indicates if it has a problem with the intended diplomat.

      One part of the Italian State said no problem and another remained silent.

      Something went wrong there but it is inaccurate to say that we did not do due diligence.

      • Malatete
        November 29, 2011

        Cabinet have discretionary power to overule or ignore due diligence report. They in charge, not ministry.

  31. T
    November 28, 2011

    Can we get more details about the character of this man, both in Italy and outside of Italy?

  32. WIKILEAKS
    November 28, 2011

    There is always an agenda in politics…also note, that people never complain when it suits their agenda.

    Why would DA not want a multi-Billionaire represent them in Italy?

    I hope Fontaine and his older english godfather did their homework.

    I hope this englishman is not using Fontaine to do his dirty work???

    I hope , I hope, I hope.

    • That you hear WE
      November 28, 2011

      What none sense that one talking there nuh?

      All apologist jumping off the ship, you still there kah hope…u hope..u hope…

      hahahahaha

      • WIKILEAKS
        November 28, 2011

        Who are the apologist??? I hope these people put Hector John up for election???

        If you call Crispin an Aplogist, I feel for you

    • Papa Dom
      November 28, 2011

      What part of “a person with significant business interest” do you not understand? The rule says as a business person in the receiving country, one CANNOT be an anbassador.

  33. SCHOLAR
    November 28, 2011

    What are the allegations?

  34. UPTOWN REBEL!!!
    November 28, 2011

    This statement could only be written my one man;….The mouthpiece of the Govt..(A trained Lawyer)….”many negative statements are being”PROMULGATED”)?…And it was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?.Are you kidding me?,No way!….That is a Legal term…And the way in which it was written,has one man all over this one. Beyond the shadow of a doubt…Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt…..

    No offense,but…I can almost guarantee you that almost no one in that Ministry knows absolutely nothing about “Promulgate”….
    If that statement came from the Ministry of Legal Affairs,then I could understand..But no way,no how..Not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…..

    And by the way,is that Lawyer part of that Ministry, or even part of the Govt.?….Oh I almost forgot; he is a hired “gun”.

    Boy,I almost fell off my chair…I am still laughing…loud and hard…..According to that guy..”wey,wey,wey,wey, boy all u not easy…

    Peace…..

    REBEL!!!.

    • Anonymous
      November 28, 2011

      You must seek to know the professions of many of the employees in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

      When you have done so come back and write again.

      Mean time the joke is on you!!!!!!!!!!!

      • REBEL..with a cause.
        November 28, 2011

        Ok….here I come again….I am not asking you…I am telling you that this letter/ statement , did not come from anyone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Period!.

        So it is quite alright to join me in laughing.
        It won’t cost you anything, it’s free…Oh, but then again,I’ll take that back,….it may very well cost you your job.(lol).

        Peace…..and…..All the best to you.

        REBEL!!!.

    • ..........................
      November 28, 2011

      The PS in foreign Affairs studied law; i’m just saying.

  35. eee
    November 28, 2011

    When will a list of all those who have obtained our passports through this Economic Citizenship Programme be published for all and sundry to see? How much money has been recieved/collected over the past 2,3,4,5,years via this sale/ huckstering of the passports and what visible and viable investment is on the ground empoloying hundreds and maybe thousands of Dominicans as a result of the sale of these documents? CAN ANY MEMBER OF THE CABAL ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?

  36. November 28, 2011

    i smell a rat

    • Anonymous
      November 28, 2011

      I smell a Huge Huge Rat! cover up can’t work here.!

    • WIKILEAKS
      November 28, 2011

      Hold your nose (real tight) when you are talking

      • Anonymous
        November 28, 2011

        @ WIKILEAKS Cause what you are writing has a stench..It’s rotten and it cannot work,with people who have brains…Wish you had, instead of that hollow air space you possess.

  37. Citizen
    November 28, 2011

    Lol, this does not even begin to address the issue… talk about smoke screens !!!

  38. Asterix
    November 28, 2011

    So why was he given a passport (as confirmed by Mr. Alvin Bernard of the prime ministers’ office)before all this was done? He should have been given the passport only after receiving the green light from the italian authorities and this was not so. The cart was placed before the horse and I wonder why? If these issues were not raised in the public domain we would not be hearing this lame attempt to clear the air and so much more has to be done to make this side of the story bleivable because its just not.

    • That you hear WE
      November 28, 2011

      GOOD POINT! I didn’t even think of it that way. Why did he get the passport before getting the green light from FAO and the Italian Authorities?

    • WIKILEAKS
      November 28, 2011

      Check the UN Protocol…try a site called google.com

      • That you hear WE
        November 28, 2011

        hahahahaha.

        WHY WAS THE MAN GIVEN A PASSPORT WITHOUT PROPER BACKGROUND CHECK?

        WHY ARE THEY STILL STANDING BEHIND HIM EVEN AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED AND IS BEING CHARGED FOR TAX EVASION AND ETC ETC?

        WHAT SECRET HE HOLDING FOR THEM?

        ASK YOURSELF THOSE QUESTIONS TO DROWNING APOLOGIST!

        SEE YOU, YOU DOH KNOW HOW TO TURN AGAIN TO DEFEND THEM FELLAS. HAHAHAHAHA

  39. Disgusted Dominican
    November 28, 2011

    I wonder who is lying the Italian ministry of foreign affairs or Dominica’s. It ios factual that the Italians have said that Corello was not cleared and does not meet the criteria. By the vienna convention i am convinced that the government of Dominica is lying.
    I would also like to ask the PM and his cabinet – why did we have to find out about ” OUR” Embassador Corello thruough such embarassing circumstances? Can we see what this man hase achieved on our behalf since becoming ambassador? I’d be very surprise if the financial gains made it to our treasury so I will not ask for an account of the Corello transaction.

  40. Donald Tusk
    November 28, 2011

    :-P Ban the SALE OF OUR PASSPORTS, if u care about the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica!!!
    Ban the sale of our passports..

    • veille case man
      November 28, 2011

      you mad how i going to make my money

  41. ....................
    November 28, 2011

    This statement is a long piece of writing but is really empty,and shameful.When will you all stop taking Dominicans as fools.. Stop the issuance of our passports..This is what must be done. We have gathered/ammassed enough about this man already…Nothing there is news to us.This piece of writing is a waste of time…I REJECT IT! The international community is referring to this government as a rogue government.

  42. They Doesnt Hear
    November 28, 2011

    Where is BUWO?

    Where is Wait A Minute?

    Where are all the Anonymous’s?

    We tired tell allu, before allu put allu hand in fire, KEEP QUIET and await the rest to come.

    When the man used Dominica name and claim he is diplomat, right away allu say that’s impossible. Allu say the man don’t have any passport and no passport was found in the raid.

    Look Ministry release a statement standing on the side of the man and confirming what alot of allu had major doubt about.

    I hope allu beginning to understand what’s really going on in Dominica under that Labour Party there.

    Go back and read the original story, then read allu comments, tell me if allu not feeling stupid now! hahahaha

    • Anonymous
      November 28, 2011

      We are all here and we have no fear!

      When you finish we always have the last laugh.

      Why?

      If you think we tiff waif for the opposition to get in and you all will quickly say all our mistakes were kids play compare to what these bunch will do!!!

      So why you think they want us out? You think they love Dominica more than us?

      The point is time is not on their side; they are getting older since they are older than us already and the majority of the electorate are within our age group and they know us personally; not as Facebook friends, but as persons they can eyeball and read our consciences through our eye movement and head movements.

      You are compelled to vote for us next time!!!

      We keep our promises and we deliver for all of Dominica.

      All who was with us and hate us now is because their intentions were saturated with corruption and deception and cared less about poverty alleviation of the masses. They came to the DLP and Skerrit gave them open access to him and allowed them to reveal their true intentions without one bit of interference; they have all gone the distance by saying to Skerrit’s face that as leader of the Country no man or woman can question or should question anything you do for their benefit!!!

      They think we and Skerrit stupid. There is never a statute of limitation on the business of government.

      These people refuse to realize that it is Skerrit and his cabinet and senior public officers who face the IPO annually to account for their wealth while in public office. The families of every politician both government and opposition – elected and appointed senators and the speaker of the house and the families of senior public officers are under scrutiny and that scrutiny continues years after they have retired from public life.

      You really think that after all the examples the world has produced for all of us to see that we will be so blinded by political power which is never permanent by the way ( oh yes, just ask Mr. James and Mr. Green and Mr. Prevost) and behave without fear of the law and its consequences?

      The Hon. Pierre Charles gave Mr. James and the UWP a break from investigating any wrong doing that may have been executed when they were in government and in charge.

      This was at the request of the very same church leaders that are today being lambasted by the very opposition that the Church saved from a possible Lifetime JAIL sentence. Instead of thanking the Church they abuse the Church. No wonder why God is vex with them. But one day the hand of God will touch them and they will openly confess to the electorate and say openly that when they were in office from 1995 to January 2000 that they made some very regrettable mistakes and initially took more than 15 years to admit their transgressions!! My dear brothers and sisters it is only then that they will begin to regain credibility as a party.

      • Nabes & Patat
        November 29, 2011

        Well what can I say? Very good response!!!!!

        Let them know that Kenny Anthony is back and we already know who cannot touchdown Antigua and now St. Lucia!!!!

        Alas d man is in d powder weight category of political consultancy; Tony is in d heavy weight category and has a successful track record of political campaign consultancy victories.

        We now realize that he never won Antigua as he made it appear on a radio station years ago with tape recordings. Antigua did it for themselves.

        Foolish!! St. Lucia was pregnant with issues and d man was never suited as a political animal to lead an election to begin with. Behind closed doors he knew he should have cleared the way for a more dynamic leader to take UWP into the election. St. Lucians had respect for old man Crompton and that was only the reason why yellow got a chance over Kenny.

        Crompton now dead and so there was no nostalgia to skew the results this time around!

        D consultant doh know his political history well enough and we nah tell him anything about Helen of d west. We keep watching him in Lucia and he never made us out!!!!

        And doh come with no spin for Dominicans and say how they reject UWP and we in Da can reject DLP

  43. Jean Coulibistrie
    November 28, 2011

    So tell me,
    is there any qualify/educated born Dominican (either on island or oversees) that could be employed to represent Dominica at these institutions? Is the country’s unemployment so stable that our government doesn’t see it fit to employ a local instead of these unknowns?

  44. kai che
    November 28, 2011

    Tim Tim Bois Shess. Mesiea kwik mesiea kwak

  45. Anonymous
    November 28, 2011

    How did the government come to know Mr. Corallo? Did he present himself to them or was his appointment or rather recommendation to be appointed to represent Dominica at the suggestion of FAO or someone else?

  46. Fairplay
    November 28, 2011

    DNO is in possession of a commentary on the passport affair submitted over the week end.
    Why has DNO not published the commentary titled “passport selling akin to Human trafficking”?
    Come on, DNO. It seems you have been instructed to withhold this commentary which is an important contribution to this important public matter.
    The story you have just published about the FAO ambassador is not the last word on the matter as it is a GIS version which must be weighed against other opinions.
    I am getting increasingly concerned about your impartiality.

    • lol
      November 28, 2011

      and trust them to approve your comment to make fun of you

    • WIKILEAKS
      November 28, 2011

      The joke is on you my boy

      • That you hear WE
        November 28, 2011

        WIKILEAKS HAVE A GUTS WE.

        LEMME SEE HOW MUCH LAALEEN YOU HAVE!

        LOL, STAY TUUUUUUUUUUUUNNED

  47. investigation made
    November 28, 2011

    Chupes, read the article well, because last week they say they does not know of him; now that the story unfolding the ministry of foreign affairs clearing their name? so if he was not yet accepted at the FAO and no communique was received from him or of him how comes he could produce a diplomatic passport to the Italian Government? Zor quer toot dominichen sot?

  48. Anonymous
    November 28, 2011

    This Media Release says nothing to ex-culpate the Government, it just gives us information on the international law with respect to the appointment of diplomats/ambassadors accredited to international organizations eg FAO.

  49. ineedfree
    November 28, 2011

    Thank you for that statement.

    We are now awaiting a press conference to answer questions on the financial aspect of the ambassadorial and passport project.

    why so many foreigners representing Waitikubuli when there are so many locals who are legit.

    where is the artorney general?

    Is there a price to be an ambassador now adays?

  50. Dominican
    November 28, 2011

    Boy oh Boy. How much simpler can the process Talk of due process. Is it that other countries,personalities can undertake due process but Skerrit and the career diplomats cannoy?. Is thatwhatwe want to say? I await the tongue twisters in the “spin zone”.

  51. OLD TEACHER
    November 28, 2011

    I cannot believe that this is an official document from a Government Ministry, Foreign Affairs no less. The writer has no regard for tense and sentence construction. Have we slid down the slope so far since the “good English” days of S.J. Lewis, George Fingal, S.L. Jolly, to name a few?

    • veille case man
      November 28, 2011

      people they place there with out due diligence, hahaha even in ministry and police force it happening

  52. gee
    November 28, 2011

    One realy has to listen to both sides. AMEN.

    • dang!
      November 28, 2011

      lol…ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

    • Madd
      November 28, 2011

      Both sides of what!!! They have not cleared the air at all. We already know all this. The ministry should come better than that.

      • forreal
        November 28, 2011

        madd,how ironic, you must a mad person,the ministry the ministry does not have anything to clear,because the ministry is not on trial here,even if the ministry had approved of the fao’s appointee,his back ground check would have been done by the fao,there is no way his record would have shown him as corrupt at the time, because his actions were found after the fact,at the time he was the candidate,there was no record of his wrong doings,and further this man is not dominican,this man is not working out of dominica,this man was not sent by dominica, you see the thing is,you guys are looking for anything to slam the government,you people are sick,this government was not only elected,but got elected by massive wipe out 18-3,and you no what the very same persons that are slamming the government,are the same persons on the governments pay role,you all just think,that you all are smart,but time will tell.

    • Oh Lord
      November 28, 2011

      You doh even realize the ministry has contradicted what many of your said here. When the man called Dominica name, people like you were immediately trying to say the man was lying and he had no passport. Allu went on to say oh…they did not find the passport in the raid of his home.

      Look now, the government has confirmed everything that was reported. The man is infact a Dominican Diplomat. You talking about both sides? lol

    • No Mule
      November 28, 2011

      What is both sides to you. Go read for yourself; See that the Vienna convention that they mentioned and did not quote says something totally different.Corello could not have been cleared under his circumstances.Read article 29 and 31.1 and have a third and honest side; let it be your honest interpretation; stop being a mule and and stop being lead by those who deliberately wish to keep you in the dark. You have access to online information READ.

    • .
      November 28, 2011

      Is there a second side other than what we knew? SURELY NOT!! SHAME ON THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR HUCKSTERING OUR PASSPORTS…!

    • jay
      November 28, 2011

      you are such an idiot……. one has to wonder whether or not you even understand the whole issue….

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