St. Kitts and Nevis announced Wednesday afternoon the immediate suspension of its Economic Citizenship Programme to nationals of Iran living in Iran.
“Our Economic Citizenship Unit of the Ministry of the Office of the Prime Minister has taken a decision to suspend any granting of St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship to Iranians who are living in Iran at the point of their application for investment in the Economic Citizenship Programme,” Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, The Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas announced as he wound up his monthly Press Conference.
“We do this in strong support of the unfolding events coming from the international community in observing what is happening in Iran. We are a country friendly to all and enemy and hostile to none,” Dr. Douglas told reporters.
Dr. Douglas noted that the international community has become increasingly concerned that Iran “continues to flaunt whatever support it might have had in the international community with regard to its nuclear programme.”
He noted several countries have imposed strengthened sanctions in recent days and pointed to the action taken by the British Government including the closure of the British Embassy in Tehran and the Iranian Embassy in London.
This is bad order.
Because Iranian peple not involved UK embassy subject. Iranian pepel want to freedowm, so you must look differents witbeen iranian govenment and iranian peple.
I think this will become internationalism matter….Good move ST. Kitts !
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONE MANS’ FREEDOM FIGHTER IS ANOTHER MANS’ TERRORIST. ALL THESE PEOPLE WANT IS TO EXIST WITHOUT THE WESTERN POWERS BASHING THEM.
ON THE OTHER HAND I STRONGLY CONDEMN IRANS’ REFUSAL TO RECOGNIZE ISRAEL RIGHT TO EXIST.
this is just stupid. why single out iran….only europeans american and other middle eastern and asian business men have been found guilty of crooked business dealings. instead of singling out iranians caribbean governments need to wake up and end economic citizenship program period. all money is not good money
After reading these comments, I’m convince that Dominican don’t have a mind on their own. They use the media and others to make up their minds. Everybody complaining about Iran. The IAEA keep releasing the same information and claiming they have new evidence Iran trying to build a bomb. Wasn’t this the same song from 9 years ago when they were about to invade Iraq? Iran haven’t invaded another country in over a century but yet they are a danger to world peace? FOHWTBS
Who will raise the alarm, lest the people burn in their slumber???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Can we please have a petition frive to abolish the economic citizen program in Dominica? All in favour sign that petition and present to all concern? No polictical group or organization should be involves
How can we start this – any suggests?
Marian
Are Dominica’s passports, diplomatic or ordinary, being sold for plenty money? It is not the Farmers, fishermen, artisans, ordinary folks who are selling our passports. Our property is being sold, but we are in the dark as to exactly what is happening in that scheme.
Many of those who buy and are issued diplomatic passports have questionable dealings. DNO knows that. Dominicans are aware of that. There are examples to show. Nothing to do with investments into our economy. Convince us, inform us of the amounts that have been invested and in what sectors.
What due diligence? It is all about the huge sums of money that are being made. A few making Millions. They do not want to stop making their millions and will seriously come up with all kinds of defences, twists, excuses relative to the FACTS revealed. Are all sales agents listed officially?
I challenge the authorities to follow the wise move of St. Kitts. I would be taken aback if they do. Internationally, Dominica’s name is being stained as a result of that short-sighted policy of selling Dominica’s passports.
DNO could you help your readers to be acquainted with,be more knowledgeable about what is going on? Could DNO do the necessary research and inform us by publishing the list of all Goodwill and/or other Ambassadors, especially, non-Dominicans, who have been appointed and representing Dominica abroad? At least in the last decade or so or even before. We would be grateful.
The print and electronic media owe it to the people who are seeking information on pertinent national issues that affect their lives. The truth must prevail. No lie could last forever. What happens in the dark, must come out in the light. Let us wait and see who will suspend or stop that programme that has put the country and its citizens in alot of problems.
“DNO could you help your readers to be acquainted with,be more knowledgeable about what is going on?”.. Wait and See. you seem to know alot more than DNO so probably you could help us understand what is going on.
didnt you people hear Mr.Skerrit say the same in refererence to dominica`s programme?that this very same provision has been in place long ago?but then again we always prefer to listen others rather than our own PM.
The PM of St.Kitts has a monthly press conference? Wow, here’s a great idea Skerro.
A Freedom of Inforamation Act is long overdue in our country. It is unacceptable for us to vote people into power, only for them to turn around and tell us it is none of our business as to how they manage the affairs the country, regardless which party they represent! As things stand we have a democracy in name only.
Another Small-islander jumping to the tunes of Uncle Sam. I remember when China was also demonised by the West. Now who’s at the doors of the Chinese on their knees begging for financial aid? (Uncle Sam and his bunch of Western hypocrites). Well, we’ll see the day when things really brown in the west and China says “no more”, we’ll see our little-islanders flocking to Iran for aid like we are now seeing with China. It is time we little-islanders start to think own our own rather than jumping to the tunes of America and Europe. What are we getting from them? (nowt).
Begging China for financial Aid? You people o not understand what’s going on in the world!
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2011/11/15/is-u-s-financial-aid-giving-china-an-economic-edge-over-american-businesses/
you are referring us to foxnews of, all things?
Uum, you actually read Fox News? wow, I thought everyone knew how biased their reporting was.
You want take it from Fox?? Here it is!
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/11/15/politicians-insulted-by-foreign-aid-to-china
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9947673
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_china/2011-11-17/-feeding-the-dragon-us-aid-to-china-criticized.html
My friend. You cannot come on DNO and make a serious contribution on world affairs/issues if you only watch or read that garbage you get from Fox News. Open your mind to other medias around the world and get a more balanced view on world affairs.
Fox news? You having a laugh my friend!
Read the following excerpts taken from your article:
Nisha Desai Biswal, the assistant administrator for Asia at the United States Agency for International Development, offered a spirited defense of the China aid before skeptical lawmakers, claiming the $125 million in aid over the past decade fundamentally advances America’s own interests in the country.
According to Biswal, USAID does not give money directly to the Chinese government. Instead, the money is used to fund public advocacy initiatives in China to raise awareness about issues such as climate change and the illegal trafficking of endangered species.
She said that as much as a third of particulate pollution in California is due to coal-fired power plants in China, so the financial incentives are geared toward encouraging the Chinese to cut back on their environmentally harmful or illegal practices for the sake of Americans’ health and economy.
Who needs who? China is capable of taking care of itself, dude.
keen eye eagle eyed….when will the black man wake up and realize no matter how much we try to appease the white man they will never do anything in our best interest so why keep trying
denzil is staying in good light with the american government,which just stated that any country doing business with the iranian central bank, might be disallowed to do business with the united states,seeing that the iranians ambition is to build a nuclear bomb,clear cut common sense,you guys need to be factually straight,is dominica selling passports to people in iran?and even with that enforcement by the united states,their hands are tied up,they are saying,if the rest of the world do not buy oil from iran,there is going to be shortage,which can escalate high prices which could hurt american peoples pocket in this election year,but like the saying goes,beth douvan bwe glo fwe,that does not mean,that skerrit has to panic,just make sure,that there is strict protocol and transparency in place to govern the sales of the economic passports,because you guys can not deny that dominica needs investors,and that was the main objective of the economic passport sales.
So they said about Iraq less we not forget you ignorant people! Where is the proof, US propaganda media? Please take note of the intent of the US and their allies to target all oil rich nations!
Mr. Douglas, please call Skeritt and advise him on two things for us:
1. Tell him that because of information you gathered from dangerous Iranians who hold Dominican citizenship, you had to take a decision to preserve the name of your country.
2.Tell him that you hold a monthly press coference with your people to inform them of the governace of their country and that you have nothing to hide from them.
Please advise him for us because his advisor is leading him astray.
very well saidd.
Littleboy I am saluting you on that.
what the government does has nothing to do with the people of Iran.There are so many Iranians that are unhappy with the situation.Suspending this programs is just closing doors to freedom and will make people feel more oppression.
Now see here….another example of why other Caribbean countries will always be way advanced that Dominica.
In Dominica, labourites will say to Mr. Skerrit that he can do as he please.
In other countries, leaders are held accountable.
But doh dig man, allu getting west coast re-surface and de country sweeeeeeeeeet.
i hope you guys realize that he didn’t say he is suspending the programe – he is suspending to persons IN IRAN… those living there and applying…not to all Iranians.
That’s a great step…. solidarity!
even worse.those who live outside of Iran have already found their way out.this program is more vital for those inside
mr skerrit already said such individuals are excluded from dominica`s programme
Please sir give skerrit a call.
St. Kitts may have also have been motivated by the allegations that Iranian terrorists may be holding Dominican passports.
I think the decision by the Kittian PM is a wise move.
People ask Ron, Dominica do not sale passport any one from Iran from 1996. Get your facts right.
Man Shut the F up if that is what you have to say. UWP was 14 years ago who cares besides we boot them out for the very same reasons. Do you want to talk about Rosie, Mamo or Leblanc.
AT LEAST YOU SMART TAKE INFRONT. I AGREE LET THOSE WITHOUT HAVE EYES N EARS CONTINUE TO MAKE MILLIONS.
Now here is pragmatic move!! Them in Dominica continues with their nonsense! Getting Dominica deeper, and deeper, and deeper into the lake of fire
You did it again DNO! Idiocy defines what is happening in Dominica, so why do you insist in censoring my speech when I call things by their rightful names!! Maybe if someone says it, they will realize it and try to do better! Let the people speak DNO! I know, if I don’t like it, don’t come back! Same vein f you are not with me you are a terrorist.
NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL COMMON SENSE DOMINICA WATCH OUT
you listening Dominicans in political office, it is not just about lining your pocket.
Well done MR PM
man of principle, i do hope skerrit will follow your steps..
or he may not be able to stop since most of his passport transaction may be questionable