Former attorney general Bernard Wiltshire is accusing the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of reneging on an election promise to get rid of the country’s economic citizenship programme.
Wiltshire, who served as attorney general between 2000 and 2001, said he was not only now speaking out on a matter he feels strongly about.
He says while serving as AG “I tried to stop it in Cabinet. First of all I tried to review it in the cabinet”.
According to attorney Wiltshire, the DLP “had promised the people that when we came in we would have abolished, that we would have stopped it”.
He says once the Labour Party came into power it began telling a different story, that what it had promised to put a halt to was the “re-engineered” programme that had been advanced by the United Workers Party administration.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in the face of criticism of the current programme, recently described it as a transparent one being unfairly attacked.
\However Bernard Wiltshire says he has real concerns that despite Dominica’s small population, the authorities appear bent on selling citizenship to thousands of foreigners.
“In Dominica you are talking about less than 70,000 people … and we have already sold about 10,000 of these things,” He told Dominica News Online.
“Do you know 10,000 people if they came to demand to come here to Dominica, what impact this would have on the society,” he queried.
He says the government is not thinking long-term and of the likely impact widespread sale of Dominican citizenship could eventually have.
“There is no condition that they mustn’t come here,” he observed, contending that there was already one area in which the programme was having a negative effect.
“You’ve noticed the changes in the commercial ownership in Roseau, where do you think that comes from, it comes from the citizenship programme” Wiltshire said.
There have been complaints that Chinese businesses springing up in the capital are putting local enterprises out of business.
Wiltshire says his concerns are not far-fetched, because many Asians hold Dominican citizenship and could end up in the Nature Isle.
“Most of these passports sold to Chinese were sold in southern China between southern China and Taiwan,” Wiltshire said, arguing that if war broke out between Taiwan and China many of the people there holding Dominican passports might head to Dominica to avoid that war.
China considers Taiwan one of its provinces, under its One-China policy, while Taiwan boasts of being an independent nation.
He says a wealthy Chinese class here would be very powerful and leave the local population at a disadvantage.
“The local population would leave in large numbers, they will go wherever they can, and that will see the dissolution, unraveling of what history brought about, which is our existence in this island,” the former attorney general said.
He added that people who consider that assessment far-fetched are being short-sighted.
HERE’S SOME OF WHAT ATTORNEY BERNARD WILTSHIRE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMME:
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Wow, a drop in population? with so many Haitians and Chinese in Domnica.
What are you people really scrared about or letting others scare you with? All i hear is this or that going to happen to Dominica,well if it’s happening then to me it’s to the world. This one calling that one a fool or find they blind because they see things differently, like supporting another political party. Some of we people does put so much emotion into our own personal opinions as if to think what we believe is the truth and everyone else must accept. I am not saying that people shouldn’t complain but atleat it should be positive unlike so many senseless comments. I often hear people say things are so bad here and suggesting it so much better elsewhere, that i won’t accept. The point of that is all to cause others to accept what they say to be true and most times because they cannot (manup) to life expectations. Most people who complain aren’t doing a thing for themself far less country “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”.
Most dominicans donot understand what it is to be a minority ethnic group. If what Wiltshire say is true then bal pwe neg dominic. Just see how those bougeois carry on in Roseau, imagine this every turn u make in da. And remember chinese are very efficient in taking over. they can have as much children as they choose to
Dominicans are expressing concerns regarding the non- arrest of two Lawyers.
(1) The Chief Magistrate issued a warrant to arrest a certain Lawyer. The court sent the warrant to the Police for further action. Remember my people? Up to today, NO ARREST. The Chief of Police did not carry out the court’s order. The excuse was that he was out of State, so the arrest could not be done. The court has said or done NOTHING, although its ORDER was disobeyed. You all know about the 42 charges filed against that Lawyer.
(2) Wiltshire was arrested twice for alledgedly signing 1,yes one, passport form. However another lawyer, who it is alledged, signed 40 of those passport forms. No arrest up to now.
Justice? Just East? Just this? Dominica is sinking deep into the quicksand of injustice and dictatorship. All should be equal before the Law. Tell me frankly Dominicans, is that so? A stitch in time saves nine. Time will tell. Truth must prevail.
I WANDER HOW MANY PASSPORT WAS SOLD SECRETLY
BY THESE LAWYERS THROUGH GREED NONE OF THEM
ARE TRUSTWORTHY.
Dominicans, here and overseas, could express concerns or honestly advice Skerritt and the DLP Govt., from now until Kingdom come, to STOP the SALE of our Passports, they just would not listen. The business of selling our passports is too lucrative, it brings in too much money to the Few, for them to STOP that anytime now.
No Freedom Of Information Act and so the Govt. knows that it cannot be forced to provide any information about those sales to the Dominican public. We hear of non-Dominicans appointed as our Ambassadors to foreign countries and they possess our diplomatic passports. How much was paid for our diplomatic passports? Dominicans are not even informed or aware of those things. But yet, ask no questions. Say nothing. If you ask, you become the villain to be demonised. How many Dominicans really love this Nature Isle, nuh? So You all do not even worry if you become a 3rd. class citizen in the land where you were born? Enslaved again and again and again.
Instead of being argumentative the DNO reporter should have taken the opportunity to listen then go back to his office and ponder upon what Mr Wiltshire was saying. The reporter tried his very best to make Mr Wiltshire look like the bad guy who was being anti immigrant. If Dominicans can sit back and really claim to be happy with what is going on in Dominica Re- the invasion of China then it is frightening and shameful.
Jamaica or Trinidad can allow 2000 Chinese, Indians or whoever simply because of the size and population. Countries like Dominica can’t notwithstanding the invasion of these Chinese such that they dominate the merchant sector of our economy. 500 Chinese can significantly influence our election in Dominica. (Simple maths 500/21 is 24. Send 24 Chinese to each voting constituency and the rest is history. These are the little nuisances that the DNO reporter failed to conceptualize.
It is interesting though that the very same reporter had not been so engaging and argumentative when he interviewed Skerrit a few weeks ago on the passport issue. Woolf in Sheep clothing. Just a matter of time before the bottom give way to expose the ownership of DNO
America is the Greatest Nation in the world and it is dominated by aliens.So whats the problem with Chines in Dominica?
No freedom of Information Act. So even citizens, journalists, DNO would want certain information about passport sales to inform its readers, such info is like looking for a needle in a haystack. DNO and the other print and electronic media, journalists, please help us in Dominica. Find out from Govt.:
How many passports have been sold, especially Diplomatic ones, at least in the last 10 years?
How much money was made?
How much went to our Treasury?
What investments have been made as a result of those passport sales?
What are the names of all those non-Dominicans, with our diplomatic passports, appointed as Dominica’s Ambassadors to foreign countries?
Lastly, did Susan Olde receive a diplomatic passport? How much did she pay? To whom or where did all that money go to?
So do not ask any questions or make any comments on that serious matter of passport selling?
Awaiting for a reply DNO. Pleaseeeee help us. Wishing you success in your research. Otherwise it will be further confirmed that information is really hard to get from authorities in Dominica.
WHY DONT YOU GET BACK ISUES OF THE DOMINICA GAZETTE WHERE ALL PASSPORTS ISSUED JUNDER THE ECO CITI PRO IS FEATURED?
i’ve always said to deal with these things… you need to put certain laws such as… only born dominicans can own more than 1 plot of land… and also have a limited amount of how much of one plot of land a foreigner who became d/can citizen can purchase for personal use… if one who is an investor decides he wants a large plot of land then it has to be for commercial purposes… which if he/she decides they want to do away with… then the land should be sold…
some may not agree but protecting our land is very important
Listening to wiltshire only tell me that this man is really suffering with a complex cause i cannot understand he is talking about we bing short sighted for not seeing the problem that may occur in the future but he when he had to oppetunity to sign them passport he did, but now hatred have filled his heart so he is now attacking.He said if D/can have to run they’ll go anywhere but he have a problem if a war broke between china and tawain those who has dca passport will come there so what’s his point.My view is the world has become an estate where anybody everywhere can go live at any time so its not about dominica or china or europe or canada or elsewhere its we belong anywhere so whether passport are sold or not it will be so.
Are ther not thousands of Dominican living all over the world? So what will be wrong even though those who become citizens of D/ca come to live here.Why blame the chiness for opening buisness there? Is our locals that shutting and giving them their premises to open their stores.Remember most of us have benefited from the chiness stores so give the chiness a break pliz.And by the way why you have so much to say now wiltshire is it because you was arested for passport scam you attacking skerit and the government for you failure.Give Skerit a break stop that hate be a man and take responsible for ur action.
On many occasions, Skerritt and his DLP Govt. have been heard calling for Dominicans to come together to build the country. However, On many occasions, Dominicans have expressed genuine concerns as regards the path the country is on, and have given advice after advice, but to no avail.
People have been calling for information about passport sales, where all the money is going, who have received our diplomatic or other passports, how much was paid, who are those non-Dominicans appointed as our Ambassadors? But, No answers.
On the building of the State Palace, concerns were raised, still Govt. did not listen. Chinese businesses taking over Roseau and displacing locals. Dominicans should say NOTHING? Many examples could be shown where genuine concerns are raised, good advice given, yet there is a reluctance to even listen, much less to look at those good advice.
In Parliament, the Opposition tried to ask Govt. about the granting of a diplomatic passport to Susan Olde and the whereabouts of the US$400,000.00 in exchange for the passport. Initially, they were charged almost 1/4 million dollars for trying to ask a genuine question on behalf of all Dominicans.
In fact, instead, those who dare ask questions, or give advice are demonised, cast aside. Members of Govt. go as far as telling people not to support their local business. Victimization just like that for exercising their RIGHTS to access, seek and impart information that the citizens have a right to know since their lives are affected by the decisions of Govt.
Nothing could be wrong with selling our passports, right, left and centre with no transparency? Nothing could be wrong with child, women or men abuse? Nothing is wrong by selling our Sovereignty. Nothing is wrong by locals being displaced and made to be 3rd. class citizens in their own land? Nothing is wrong with engaging in Corrupt practices or acquiring massive wealth througn dubious means while in Public Office? It is those brave enough to alert the nation of evil, corrupt, secret deals who are the devils.
Some people boldly tell the world and are convinced that is Papa God who chose Skerritt to Rule Dominica and Dominicans. So if Papa God could do no wrong, it follows that the one he chose to rule us could do no wrong. You see what we are faced with? The struggle is not an easy one.
Convince us those Christians, followers of Christ, believers in his teachings, that selling our passports to whoever have the $$$$$$$$$$$, is the correct policy? where are the projects or investments from those sales Convince us that Dominica has been better off selling passports to all and sundry. How many of you really LOVE Dominica?
And yet still Skerrit Sued Dr.Fontaine–‘yo sue’ and our country is going down…….
It will continue to go down, till those who can’t hear will feel. BAB GOVERNANCE POOR COUNTRY!
all u like to cry died before all u die.Every country have economic citizen passport scheme. Yet all u ppl just open all u moth without thinking. All u making ppl tink everything is bad in Dominica. Dominica is the best country in the region. Stop craying down the country. And stop blaming Skerrit. All he is done is good for this country. I was in Barbados and the people are asking for Skerrit to be their Prime Minister. But again a master is never appreciated in his own castle. But God is good one day Skerrit will not be dere and all u will cry for him. as the saying goes never get rid of wat u have for someting else.
Ha ha ha – you have jokes. Barbadians like others think the man is out of his comfort zone- which on the hill in Vielle Case.
Are you serious trying to compare Barbados to Dominica. Lol.. did you take a good look around when you got to Barbados? go head give them skerrit so he can mess them up like he did Dominica.
As a Dominican it concerns me about programme,since there are so many allegations
made about the illegality of the programme
the Administration should be more transperent .Let the people know about the programme ..how many passports were issued and the total amount of money made from this programme. But mostof uscan relate howmany
Dominicans who migrated and have become U.S
citizens Canadians etc.Has there been anyone
who have been issued passports that have
committed any major crime? I have heard of allegation yet to see anyone prosecuted.
and convicted. Live, Laugh Love.Peace
Wondering!Did Mr Whiltishire just realize
the negative impact that this programme is
having in the country? Was’nt he the one signing the passport.?He could tell us how many passports that was issued legally and how many he issued illegally? Can he say whether or not he spoke with The Prime Minister about his concerns. I presume he did not, because if he did i am almost certain he would mention that
. Now he get catch he is complaining about the implications.He is an attorney in my opinion he is trying his case in the media. I am no attorney, but a lil common sense
is good for the soul He should stop using the
media.My mama use to say”how u make ur bed is how u sleep”
SMDH WELL ADMIN…..I GUESS I CAN GIVE UP RIGHT NOW…..MY FINGERS TIRED MY THROAT SORE AND I TIRED CHANGE NAME……I GUESS YOU HAVE YOUR SECOND CITIZENSHIP IN ORDER ALREADY….OR ARE YOU AND I IN THE SAME BOAT??? I DOUBT THAT IT IS THE LATTER………THANKS…
Are we saying that one day soon when we go to a carnival fete and Alex Bruno says = raise your hands if you are Dominican more Chinese hands will be in the air than …… I was going to say Dominicans but they will be Dominicans too – garcon well look it!!
think ive given up on Dominica…
dont see any light at the end…
this just continues without any serious answers…..and on top of that the citizens
love how things are in Dominica…haha
ALAS SO HAVE I…
sleep with eyes open still because of politricks smh
What I’d love to know is whether or not that “10,000” figure is indeed correct. Of course the government would deny it… But is there a way – independent of the heavy curtains of government bureaucracy – to verify that number?
If this figure is even remotely correct, consider this: the government supposedly receives US$75,000 per citizenship (although families have discounted rates). Let us assume that 9,500 individual citizenships have been “granted” over a 15 year period at US$75,000 a pop…
Basic arithmetic gives us US$712.5 million OR EC$1.92 billion over the course of the programme.
Well… where has this money gone? What structures (public buildings, roads, bridges, dams, etc) have been built with this substantial income?
Personally, I refuse to believe that 10,000 citizenships have been sold (and their requisite fees paid into the Treasury). IF – and that’s a big if – that number is correct then may God help us.
Note: Family citizenships cost in fact more, a min. of U.S.$.100,000
The government will deny it. The electorate is largely ignorant and poor,so the government is riding on this ignorance.
10,000? Dominicans 10,000? and instead of worrying about the programme you all worrying about why when ex-Labour people are fired they have so much to say! The government is dishonest so is really the only time we knowing the truth. And by the way how much revenue has all this passport sale generated? Why won’t Skerrit tell us . . . oh I forgot it is none of our damn business! Well soon the negros will be a monority on this island! That house slave skerrit selling our birthright to any bidder.
That’s exactly what I heard mr. Wilthire predict just a few years ago, that in twenty five years or so our native population of African descent will be in the minority, and all because we are selling our birthright.
What is the “ONE-CHINA POLICY”. Do not tell me google it. It came up again and I heard PM saying this during the opening of the bridge.
TAIWAN IS TRYING TO CLAIM OR HAS CLAIMED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM CHINA, HOWEVER CHINA STILL SEES TAIWAN AS ONE OF ITS PROVINCES….SO UNDER THE ONE CHINA POLICY TAIWAN DOES NOT EXIST IT IS SEEN AS JUST A PART OF CHINA…..IRONIC ISN’T IT???? THE SAME LABOUR PARTY WHICH FOUGHT FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM BEING A BRITISH COLONY IS NOW REFUSING TO RECOGNISE THE SAME INDEPENDENCE FOR TAIWAN FROM CHINA…..THIS SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE IF YOU ASK ME…..THEN WE CLAIM AMERICA SUPPORTS DICTATORSHIPS FOR WHAT BENEFITS THEY CAN GET….NOW I ASK, AREN’T OUR GOVERNMENT DOING THE SAME THING????????????
They need to live and let live.
One thing that Mr. Wiltshire has not touched upon but has serious consequences is the deterrent this poses to further integration of the OECS, ironically one of our P.M’s pet objectives. One of the main pillars of this plan provides for the freedom of movement of our citizens within this area. Countries that do not operate an economic citizenship programme like we do, are understandable reluctant to agree to this if Dominican citizenships provide a backdoor for unrestricted entry- & settlement of people over which they have no control
OOps my bad wrong post
it`s ok
It was real good to see objective engagement by the DNO reported and the former AG.
However I genuinely want to know why is news being created with Mr. Wiltshire almost every day on DNO. Is there special access to him? Arent there many other newsmakers or newsworthy items that need investigation and reporting?
If you do have to bring back Mr. Wiltshire, I am sure we would be more interested in knowing about the case and evidence brought againts him. This interview either helps him to put some smoke in the mirrors, or simply is poking fun at him.
What the man is saying makes perfect sense. 70,000 people in Dominica, we have already sold 10,000. We can multiply 10,000 x 3, since most people form families at some point. This is 30,000, half of our population already!
You see problems….but tomorrow, I hope Dominicans don’t say if we knew. We take everything at face value, however, politics got us into slavery, it got us out of slavery and it will bring us back into slavery. Greedy people who decide to run countries for their own personal benefit.
Later will be much greater Dominicans, carry right on.
Yep. The man on the street cannot process this.
If you were not born in Dominica and you have a child who was not born here as well you can give them a passport even if you a passport.
CAN NOT GIVE A PASSPORT.
Every time someone gets fired or arrested; stories jump out.
I wonder why? Is the grass not greener on the other side?
The sad thing is that fifteen to twenty years from now or even sooner, we will all see what Mr Wilshire is alerting us but it will be too late to turn things around. Thanks to Mr Skerrit,we will be strangers in Dominica and he will be somewhere in the south of France enjoying life in his expensive chateaux .
More like Monaco. Far less tax to pay, we have our own ambassador there and you don’t have to show your passport between there and France.
so whats wrong
It will not take 15years.Less than that! Those who can’t hear will suffer more than you. I for sure will fly out.