Fellow Dominicans, our country has been engulfed in a sea of controversy surrounding the granting of our diplomatic passports. In recent weeks, such controversy has come to the fore through the story – Passports for Sale – aired on the CBS 60 Minutes programme on January 1st2017; this matter has been widely debated in Dominica.
We too the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) took some time on Wednesday 4th January 2017, on our radio programme aired on Q 95 FM, to share with our listeners frank views on the matter. But it is clear to us that the CBS programme called into question two broad areas, first our capacity to do adequate due diligence regarding those to whom we issue economic citizenship and secondly – our honesty.
More recently, there has been the story by TDN concerning the Iranian man – Alireza Zibahalat Monfared, who was arrested by Interpol agents on accusation of helping embezzle billions of dollars from the sale of Iranian oil sold in violation of international oil trade sanctions against Iran.It is reflected in the said article that Monfared who together with Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit were involved with the My Dominica Trade House (MDTH), was issued a diplomatic passport in 2015 as well as a regular passport in 2014. The article when on to say that following his arrest, it was revealed that he (Monfared) used his various passports to help evade capture.
The controversy was further compounded on the release of an article on Kenneth Rijock’s Financial Crime Blog entitled – Prime Minister of Dominica under criminal investigation in the United States. The article notes that reliable sources have confirmed that the Prime minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, is currently under investigation being conducted by an agency in the United States, for his role in selling a Dominica diplomatic passport to Alireza Zibahalat Monfared. Moreover, Caribbean News Now! noted in an article that: “contrary to Skerrit’s denial, US law enforcement sources have since told them that his possible collusion with Monfared in providing travel documents that enabled him (Monfared) to evade arrest, is indeed under active scrutiny by the US Department of Justice.”
These recent disclosures/allegations are very troubling to the Dominica Freedom Party. These disclosures/allegationsare very troubling to the People of Dominica.
This is about preserving our good name! A good name is better thanriches – Proverbs 21:1. We put it to you the people of Dominica that one of the most important things we will need to enable our country to overcome our current economic and social difficulties is our good name!
Our young people are struggling and yearning for a better way of life, for better social and economic opportunities, for better recreational opportunities; our families need jobs so that in dignity we can send our children to school, take care of our sick and care for our elderly; our senior citizens want to leave behind children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that have a real future in our great country; and we disparately want to live in a country that is tranquil, caring and crime free!
Some of our working people are still struggling to make ends meet and the jobless cry daily, though it is unfortunate that some of us who seem to have good paying jobs for the time being seem not to hear their cry!
The mission is great and we in the Dominica Freedom Party believe that the tide of this country can be turned once again to an upward trajectory the way we left it when the party demitted office in 1995. The Dominica Freedom Party had a good name back then, and so we know how important a good name is to development as we used that good name to the benefit of the people of Dominica.
The web-site – http://luke1428.com, puts forward 3 reasons a good name is better than riches. An excerpt from the first reason says “When you have a good name people can trust you. That trust is a stabilizing factor in your relationship with them. They know what to expect from you and can lean on your decisions with absolute surety, knowing they were made with pure motives. Those whose good name has been tarnished have a difficult time building trust. Their motives will always be questioned as insincere. They are more or less seen as looking out for themselves and taking little consideration for the needs of others.”
Fellow Dominicans, let us understand that the loss of our good name will hurt us! It will only lead us down the road of underdevelopment. It will affect our ability to attract help and investments from abroad; it may harm our very way of life and our ability to travel!
But we must be frank with you our people. Our country has been losing its good name for some time now. The explanations given so far by the current government have been inadequate. They do not adequately address the fundamental issue of: whether Dominica’s due diligence process related to the issue of diplomatic passports or the economic citizenship programme is robust enough; whether the due diligence process is adhered to at all times and taken into consideration fully at all times and if they are, why are there so many instances of our diplomatic passports and regular passports falling into the wrong hands – nefarious characters as described on the CBS programme- and falling into these hands much too often for comfort or for it to be considered co-incidental; whether the arrangement surrounding agents in the economic citizenship programme is adequate and does it leave room for agents to be tempted to sidestep due diligence processes or to collude with government officials to get around them; whether diplomatic passport are indeed sold; or were any benefits given that should not have been given in return for the issue of some of these passports that have come into questions; whether political figures, or political parties have been personally or directly benefited from the sale of passports; and other questions of that nature.
It is not enough for the government to unilaterally order an investigation and expect that would suffice. For the people of Dominica to have full confidence in an investigation, due attention must be paid to the selection of the persons who would do the enquiry or investigation. These persons must be chosen in a way that would cause all to be satisfied with their suitability.
In our current political context and our “gang-political culture” it is sometimes hard for our people to decide who is telling the truth. But, you can continue to count on the integrity of the Dominica Freedom Party! We will always be truthful, fair and frank with you the people. The truth is that our country is viewed as being corrupt, and there is a very real possibility that if we do not stop and turn the corner we the people will pay the price forour government’s actions that are being perceived to be placing the security of other countries at risk.
We could pay by losing access to visa-free travel to some countries;we could face greater scrutiny when we travel; we could have greater difficulty accessing travel visas; financial and other sanctions can be placed on our country which could make our lives very- very-very difficult, and these sanctions could affect even our ability to receive money from our families abroad and our ability to send monies to them, especially our students who are studying abroad. Moreover, we could pay dearly if bona-fide investors who we need to help move the country forward, stay away!
We should not expect those countries who think that our actions related to the granting of diplomatic passports, compromises their security, would sit and do nothing! The Dominica Freedom Party supports the Economic Citizenship programme in principle, but we insist that it must be well run, open and transparent,so that it does not damage the security interest of other nations. Sanctions that could be imposed by aggrieved countries could well turn out to outweigh the funds that we have been collecting from the economic citizenship program. Moreover, government elected officials and others who may be complicit in breaking international law and placing other countries security at risk may pay a high personal price if they are pursued and found guilty by these countries.
As fellow Dominicans, we do not wish ill on these persons. However, we call on the government not to side-step the real issues. People of Dominica, let us treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves. Moreover, we urge the government to be frank with the people concerning the prospects for continued collections under the programme. Given the competition from other countries, and the value of our passport (in terms of access to visa-free ravel to countries) can we continue to expect the investment flows under the programme that could support the hotel projects that the administration has recently touted? Are there other avenues to attract bona-fide investments into Dominica? And this is where a good name really counts!
That is where true creativity and hard work count. Is this administration creative enough to take this country forward? Are they capable of doing the hard work that is required? Why is there an over-dependence on the sale of passports?
We need to stop the bleeding! Our country is hurting too badly! For the sake of the people of this beautiful Dominica, and given the seriousness of the issues, we call on the Labour Party Government to immediately set – up the commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of this passport scandal.
This will either clear the good name of our beloved country or it will allow us to have a fresh start. Failing this, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and his administration should tender their resignations and make way for the formation of an interim government with the involvement ofcivil society with a mandate to stabilize the country and to hold general elections in 18 months-time.
We ask the current administration to do the right thing. Fellow Dominicans, we have to warn you to brace yourself for possibly even worst news and accusations. But should the government not heed our call, peaceful, non-violentpressure should be brought to bear on them by all Dominicans at home and abroad to put an end to this very serious scandal surrounding our diplomatic passport and the poor governance practices of our country’s affairs by the Roosevelt Skerrit administration.
Honestly, I am very worried about what is going on. I hope everyone can put themselves together and come to a peaceful agreement.
Where are the church leaders in Dominica?
Why don’t they meet with the leader of the DLP, DFP,UWP and President of the Island?
Something is telling me the DFP is going to pull an upset in the next general election.
I must give DFP credit for been very neutral on this issue.
DFP our country good name is being carried through the mud by none other but some selfish and envious people of her own who would will take part in destroying their own country. Not by foreigners but by Dominicans like the 60 Minutes attack. That was the start. When the Opposition Leader shoved Dominica under the bus with your blessings. You should be ashamed of talking of Dominica’s Good Name?
Shameful for the DFP to join the UWP after what they did to Mamo and when the anniversary of her death comes, shed crocodile tears and say what a wonderful and great leader she was by using her name for your propaganda.
Would you at your next Memorial for Dame Eugenia Charles remind the audience what Mamo told the DFP about the UWP that they should never again form the government.
Shame on you DFP. Shame.
Just Passing; your kind does not even have any commonsense; you have no conscience!
If anybody has taken, or is taking Dominica down into the gutter, and spoiling Dominica’s good name, as you claim; it is the government, and people like you who supports corruption, and evil in the country. Explain to Dominicans why an Iran criminal who was wanted by the government of Iran for crimes he committed against the government of Iran should be sold or issued a Dominica Diplomatic Passport?
That Iranian crook was not in the service of the people of Dominica, he had no diplomatic status representing Dominica, in any nation, he was never assigned to country in the world to represent Dominica, so can’t you see you are making yourself fool defending something that is crooked?
If there was no illegal sale of Dominica Diplomatic Passports, there would be no CBS investigation of the matter, blame Skerrit and the Labor Party for whatever, the nation will suffer as a result of their…
Some of you should really go back and do some research about your history. DFP did a lot for DA after the fall of PJ. We are right back in that cross road. Do your research don’t go by what you hear. D/cans please save DA. We all in it.
Once, directly from the horse’s mouth I heard these words….. “I like politics! I like politics!” that was quite some moons ago and it was then I pronounced Dominica’s death. by….politics.
Politics is a profession; a serious, complicated and in it’s true sense a noble one. Politics is too serious as matter to be left to the politicians but the world of politics is always twenty years behind the world of thought. A Politician always think of the next election; a statesman, of the next generation. When the student is ready the master arrives.
The Dominica Freedom Party is now talking about the good name they once had. Well, it’s the same DFP that joined hands with this current regime to form their so-called coalition government that led to the defeat of the UWP. Remember? you helped them get into power! now you’re singing a different tune because it back-fired on you guys. Your membership defection from the DLP is complete and now you’re standing alone.
There should be an immediate halt to the issuance of Diplomatic Passport. Anyone doing business on behalf of Dominica and Dominicans should be known to all Dominicans. The issuance of Diplomatic Post and Diplomatic Passports should be a Parliamentary procedure where the ruling administration provides the names of the prospective diplomatic appointees in Parliament. The opposition will then have time to vet and research the prospective appointees, give their recorded objections/approvals and then vote for the appointment of such diplomats. Till this is done, there is going to be bribes and other sketchy practices in the issuance of these Diplomatic Appointees no matter the administration.
As far as the current position, my advise to these politicians, is to stop all the divisive rhetoric and take your case to the people for the next election. Stop running on Q, every time an ass bray or a dog bark. If you want change, you “MUST reach out to the supporters; not just cater to your…
base
We have five active political parties to oppose that one Labour Party. All parties should form a united front to face that beast, aka the party of Roosevelt Skerrit that keeps on spittting venomous lies and trampling on our diminishing freedoms. This is not about in-fighting for political positions, come a potential coalition formation, or about old rivalries. This is about what is doing what’s best for the Dominican people. This is about clarifying and enforcing electoral rules, such as Article 5, Registration of Electors, and augmenting electoral reform. This is about getting the most probably corrupt administration of out office by 2019/2020.
DFP alive nah. Papa where have they been i thought the president had join with the DLP
You, the Freedom Party Claim to be firmly rooted and perched on integrity, law and order; so I’m surprised that you wouldn’t fully support the fact that this matter is being taken before the courts to get a legal resolution. Isn’t that what you so vehemently claim to want in your piece?
I find it interesting that you have not quoted any hard data or presented any findings from any local, regional or international authorities supporting these allegations of corruption, but have rather quoted sources which are historically averse to the DLP (because of their ownership); have not presented any facts themselves; and which are not legitimately recognized news outlets, because they don’t adhere to the standards of other sources such as CNN or BBC etc,.
Don’t you think it is wise to have the courts make a determination? Or is it a case where you don’t trust the courts? Or maybe, just maybe, a bluff has been called and now the only end game is to disrupt the match(pun intended).
The same DFP that was unable to fill a SINGLE candidate in the last election is now calling on elected people to resign! SMH
Wait. The Dominica Freedom Part is quoting “the dominican.net” as their news source??? What sculdoggery is this?? Further more why is there no author to this? Unsigned by anyone really? Stupes moving right along….
John Jules check your facts! Co Galatians for speaking out.
Hurricane once sang, The same hand that put them in will remove them” & a young person I have very little confidence in politician.They all seem to swallow dictionaries to regurgitate words that the majority of uneducated people seldom understand. Additionally, they delve into the latest gossip to appease the uneducated who feast on it, because many of them live their life to bring each other down. Finally, it was the Freedom & Labour Party who thrust the allegation of corruption against UWP and subsequently cause the rise of the Labour Party. So, in typical King Hurricane song the reverse is true that the hand that put Labour in is now doing it’s part to remove them. I believe a part of the bible speaks to the same thing of dishonesty. In summary, I do not trust any silver tongue politicians & prefer to see the record of community work of people before trusting them with my vote;anything else to vote for a person without a proven track record of community work is like a lottery…
There is good reason for concern with regards to who gets diplomatic passport. Upon, issuing the passport; the person in question could have a good record and then when receiving the passport decided to do bad deeds; this would be no fault of the government. I do think there should be a clause “if such matter has risen the passport should be withdrawn from them”.
The government should be more open with the CBI programme finances; and what, where and how the money is spend in the country. There should be a financial community to avoid such concerns arising in the future. I do hope that the CBI programme is helping to develop the country in some way or form; especially after the devastation of Erika and all the heavy rainfall.
On calling for resignation for the PM and his cabinet is “out of order”. Dominicans has voted them in; in a democratic election. No such matter should be taken place until the tern of the Labour party has ended and election has come around again.
Your statement seemed well thought-out and reasonable. Yet given the negativity that this simple reasonable message has achieved you wonder if anything will ever be enough for Dominica. We have a country where less the half the citizens work, hardly pay the same level of taxation that others do in most countries, demand services that they are not willing to pay for, infrastructure that the country can’t afford and yet they complain about CBI. They complain about the Chinese, the Venezuelans. They complain about everything but offer nothing in return.
I am a supporter of DNO and is grateful for all the information it has given to us, in terms of problems facing the country, in particular the CBI program. Since the arrest of Doc Sam, things have gotten very serious or disastrous and not only old talk, but a massive demonstration carded for Tuesday this week, demanding the immediate resignation of the Skeritt led Administration. We have heard of the seriousness of the demonstration by Mr. Linton on radio, the blog and facebook, why has DNO not reported of the scheduled demonstration, is my disappointment.
Agreed. After the latest scandal Dominica is in the cross-hairs and is on the radar of the US like never before. This CBI program has failed Dominica and Dominicans. There is no longer any investment in agriculture – in fact – there has not been a major investment in developing the agricultural sector since 2014. There is no tourism – and the tourism Minister is an absolute failure. I mean, look at all of these “so called” hotels being built, with no real plan on how to get the tourists onto the island and into said hotels.
I don’t care about Linton – in fact – I wish Dominicans had another, better alternative. What I do care about is the level of corruption, the lack of transparency, the detention of our citizens who speak up, the dictatorship that currently exists on island. We are in trouble Dominicans. Our name is mud – our passport is worthless – our industries are dead. MAKE NO MISTAKE – WE ARE IN TROUBLE!
DFP is the reason why many Dominicans left to find better living. DFP regime turned away the proposed International Airport, DFP turned away the Heineken Factory. DFP had the country in Darkness. If the foundation was set a long time ago then we would not be in that state.