Dominica’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), His Excellency Vince Henderson, says a news report about a CARICOM foreign ministers meeting in New York last Thursday which attempts to put Dominica in bad light with other CARICOM governments, couldn’t be further from the truth.
The foreign ministers meeting was held during the current sitting of the UN General Assembly.
Regional online newspaper, Caribbean News Now, reported that Dominica put other CARICOM foreign ministers in a state of “confusion and embarrassment” by what it refers to as the government of Dominica’s insistence to sponsor the candidacy of a sitting member of the British parliament and former minister in the British government, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for the post of Commonwealth secretary-general when the office comes up for election in November 2015.
The article states that the start of the CARICOM foreign ministers meeting was delayed when Scotland, a Labour Party peer in the British House of Lords, was found to be occupying Dominica’s chair. CARICOM representatives objected, according to the report and following a “hurried discussion outside the meeting room,” the Baroness was “quietly asked to leave the room.”
The position of CARICOM governments on several sensitive international matters was scheduled to be discussed at that meeting, Caribbean News Now stated.
But Henderson says this “is the furthest thing from the truth.”
He told Dominica News Online in an interview on Monday that at no time was Baroness Scotland asked to leave any meeting.
“As is customary at these meetings, and of course Baroness Scotland, a Queen’s Counsel, is no stranger to that, when a matter in which someone has a personal interest is being discussed, the person must excuse himself or herself. That was done with decorum and befitting of a Dominican who has attained such high office. She left and returned after the matter was discussed,” he explained.
The article stated that Scotland is supported by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit because she was “born in Dominica” despite the fact that she has never worked in Dominica or the region and surmised that her presence “appeared to be an obvious attempt to promote her Commonwealth candidacy even though other CARICOM nominees for the post were not at the meeting.”.
Henderson’s response is that Dominica government is pledging its “unwavering support to the candidature of Baroness Scotland,” and that the United Nation’s General Assembly presented an excellent opportunity to provide a platform for her to present herself.
“A Dominican anywhere is a Dominican. That is a matter for the other countries if they want to put that up, let them put that up. They have also said that Dominica have a secretary general of CARICOM and the Director General of Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), we shouldn’t have a third position of that high level,” he said. “If Dominicans want to agree with that let them say that. But I don’t agree with that and I know that my Government don’t agree with that.”
Political Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton, has his own take on the matter.
He said on “Hot Seat” radio program that the issue is not whether or not Scotland is qualified to hold the post, but CARICOM would have concerns as to who their nominees are and whether the individual can “be sensitive to and representative of the interests of CARICOM.”
Linton said while Dominicans are proud of her achievements as a servant of Britain, it is being suggested that CARICOM don’t believe that she is necessarily the person to fill that post.
That is where the CARICOM heads are in their assessment of this,” he remarked, adding that he is questioning the DLP’s motive for bringing Scotland on board.
“It seems to me that there is a lot there that needs specific answers for. The public has a right to know what is going on.”
But Henderson says he is disappointed that “the leader and supporters of the UWP have joined non-Dominicans” to campaign against the candidature of Baroness Scotland. “This is so un-Dominican.” he concludes.
Baroness Scotland is one of three candidates who have put themselves forward from Caricom for election as Commonwealth Secretary General. According to Henderson, Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago have nominated the other two candidates.
Based on the CARICOM Heads agreement in July, 2014, it is expected that only one of these nominees will be CARICOM’s candidate for election as Commonwealth Secretary-General at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015.
SAD to say that some of our people really fail in the fact of just being DOMINICAN. We seek to become TRINIDADIAN, BAJAN and ANTIGUAN in issues which are meant to degrade DOMINICA to the lowest rank in all aspects of governance. A prophet has no right in his country and it’s a true fact.
I am DOMINICAN and I stand with Dominica’s nominee for SG of Commonwealth, a British based Organisation in which Baroness Scotland is qualified as a Dominican and British National is fit to fill.
CARICOM is just a failure in the caribbean. Look we still in the first phase of trying to be a one single market community.
I just wish you had the brain like this little black boy from St.Joe. I have always said what you have learned no one can take it from you.
I’m so proud of this little black boy!!!! He is smart and intelligent!!!!!
TAKE THAT!!!!!!!!
not only did he embarass the caricom,he embarass the poor lady to .having to leave when they dont want her to hear or know what the discussing .what a shame
He embarrass CARICOM with what? Because Scotland is more qualified than those other guys and by extension being a DOMINICAN?
Hey! Pump up the publicity… Like Rebecca Theodore
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Theodore/213240145414678
All i can say its time to move out labar zor mal travy
The Hon. Baroness S is both from or has roots in both St. Joseph and Vielle Case. It may be a Moulillon connection. On the other hand some people, other than the Baroness now, I am not referring to her, carry names or have acquired adopted names. One never know the connections when these associations, recommendations, nominations are made. Could also not only for political needs but based on associations, connections, convenience etc. I really don’t know – you know what I mean!!!!!?
If you really wanna know, go ask these DLP, Skerrit alliances people, Jong….sexual favours connections etc.
Now tell me something, we doh have to a play by Alwin Bully`s PAT anymore yo know to get belle tory in Dominica. The DLP cabal are bunch of unprofessional actors. Never learnt the script, do not know down stage left, up stage right….exit etc….. they run their foul mouth so loud that the script is in the hands of all immature stupid people and then the audience run away from them.
Dominica needs new and professional people to run this stage…this DLP theoretical performances is a bool and outdated. We cannot pay for this dirty devious script anymore.
CHANGE IS A MUST
TEAM DOMINICA
An aside…
youtube it. lol.
I think they need to watch snagglepuss. He knows the script/stage quite will.
On what premise diplomatcially is the mandate for BARONESS SCOTLAND — A HUGELY CONSPICUOUS BRITISH POLITICAL FIGURE .Do we not realise that proud as we are of her accomplishments as child of the west coast that a BRITISH DIGNITARY OF SUCH PROPORTION signifies that we are as a REPUBLICAN STATE should have no reason to appear to be recolonised ?
I agree .What about you? If you are so knowledgible about D/can History you should not hide behind ur penname. Like on Fox % BBC TV CNN etc be a source for logical discuss. Be like the Baroness be Conspicous as she is. Saqway hipoquite must be a old DFP poto.
all of allu commenting vince this and that and labour this and that take a look dno’s new report concerning this matter…just show’s how gullible and stupid you all are
What about you. Seem like you enjoy finish school at all.
Small mindedness is a highly contagious disease. These people are focusing on a potential candidate allegiance before the person is nominated. Yet they haven’t used ‘two words’ to describe share or inform the public about the purpose of the CARICOM meeting, the discussions in the meeting, the goals set from the meeting and what we should look forward to. ALLUDOHREADYET!
Seem we need to be reminded of our past to evolve.
I recall that DOMINICA in joining the NAM- NON ALIGNED CONFERENCE in HAVANA CUBA 1979 that the then PM OJ Seraphin sent an Envoy Bernard Wiltshire to represent Dominica .
Rosie Douglas had left Guyana where he was leading the Guyana Caribbean freindship society and headed to Cuba for that conference without getting the protocol to do so unaware of the official presence of WILTSHIRE .
Rosie Douglas was unceremoniously removed from the conference as the offical delegate -Bernard Wiltshire – mandated by the PM and then MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS was given the official seat of attendance DOMINICAA
Do we know or learn by History ?
Vince my brother, I know you know better.
That laba dada is like the boy who constantly cried wolf. ..ple believed for awhile but now ple just cant afford to do that anymore so a the next polls ple wont respond to their call again…nothing strange time for change!!!!
you mean DR and mr shillingfordwho you fooling boy.grason long dead
As a Dominican, Baroness Scotland has a right to apply for the position. Any other country would do the same thing so people it is time we support Mrs Scotland and Dominica.
Baroness Scotland has every right to present herself as a candidate
But no, not every country would do that in the bullish manner Skerrit did. I ni encor mauvai maniere.
As someone very versed with the history of Dominca as it pertains to foreign policy it is intersting that history here repests itself
I can recall the demise of OJ SRAPHIN who represented Dominca shortly after independence as the Foreign Minister-at the ACP-EEC BAHAMAS when someone a caucasian European appointed by Leo Austin without the knowledge of Cabinet appeared as the Brussels based Domincan Ambassador for the ACP ..
Seraphin was unceremoniously removed from that meeting with that Ambassador who was thought to be an European spy ,by Regional Caricom patners .
A similar fate was meted out to the Minister in TRINIDAD at the ACP conference there when he was removed from the meeting as CARICOM members feared collusion between that Ambassador and THE EECand the divulging of trade strategies on Bananas and sugar regimes .
An Ambassddor to the HOLY SEE was also appointed clandestinely without the knowledge of the members of GOVERNMENT .
So here we go again …why Savarin and not Vince to speak a the UN- AMBASSADOR/ DOCTOR in absence of the PM or indeed the MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ?why waste the tax payers money so frivolously ..what is a PRESIDENT doing at the UN where meetings of CARICOM foreign Ministers is to follow as indeed thwE meetings referred to ?.
On what premise diplomatcially is the mandate for BARONESS SCOTLAND — A HUGELY CONSPICUOUS BRITISH POLITICAL FIGURE .Do we not realise that proud as we are of her accomplishments as child of the west coast that a BRITISH DIGNITARY OF SUCH PROPORTION signifies that we are as a REPUBLICAN STATE should have no reason to appear to be recolonised ?
A country without examinig and be reminded of its history is destined to repeat mistakes of the past
This is why we should educate ourselves and stop listening to these politicians fulling people heads with gabbage! smh!
http://caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Editorial%3A-Shooting-even-the-presumed-messenger-23000.html
The fact that this woman is a Dominican has no bearing on the matter. She is not an active member any government agency or office and as such we should be questioning why was she brought into the meeting.
She was asked to leave the meeting as her loyalty is with the British Govt – moreover, as a potential candidate for the position she should have declined to attend the meeting.
Dominica and the DLP just cannot do anything right – there is proper protocol – follow it!
Dominica have lot’s of intellectual people who can represent the official business of the country, she’s one of them, in the times of needs. she put her self forward in helping Dominica, she galvanised, us in the United Kingdom, to help Dominica, it doesn’t matter which party, in power. all that matters, was Dominica needed help. and we all helps.
you know what’s bad , with lots of you so called Dominica n’s , lots of you people don’t like good people, don’t look at parties, corporate with who’s the government of the country, pure jealous talks about a particular person. I’m very proud of the decisions, that was made by the other commonwealth head’s of state. The right person got the job, end of storytelling,
UWP, DLP, support who the people elected to govern the country, I’m a Dominican born. support whoever doing good, for the benefit of Dominica, the people that have an axe to grind. do something useful with your time. be a good farmer, cultivation is good for…
Stop overlooking the issue! It seems that the real issue is conveniently being overlooked. The issue is not whether she is fitting for the position. The question is what is the motive for inviting her to the meeting? Why were the other candidates not invited? Why wasnt CARICOM aware that she was invited.?These are the issues up for discussion rather than her suitability for the position
Unfortunately, there is very little truth coming from the mouth of the DLP leadership these days. This is the same Vince who, some time ago, denied his participation in a DLP meeting in Florida to recruit U.S./Dominicans to return home to vote for the DLP in the upcoming elections. For the DLP, everybody always have things wrong! Everything said about the DLP is claimed to be wrong! This time around, the trend continues; Caricom and the news people have it wrong again! Vince boy, you are part of a team of perpetual liars. “Stay silent”, is my advice!
Vince has basically confirmed what the article said. Vince was more interested in eliminating the indication that there was embarrassment.
If the lady was there sitting in the chair of Foreign Minister for Dominica why it is that she had to leave when sensitive issus were to be disscussed. Is Vince telling us that we sent someone to represent us who was unable to sit in on matters that are critical?
The more these guys lie is the more they expose their ominous activities
What else is untrue Vince? The sun did not shine this morning or it did not rain last month?
Calling self Doctor !(so does the press lol)
In D/can Parlance we would say ” Ou ca bar cow Vourge !”
Vince, you and Skerrit think ppl stupid. The fact of the matter is the woman was born in Dominica, but she left the country at age 2 and has been living in Britian all her life. Who do you expect her to be loyal to, Dominica or Britian?
It’s not about loyalty. It’s all about protocol. I agree that our delegation had a serious lapse in protocol. Whoever the Secretary General of the Commonwealth is, there’ll be no difference in the level of cooperation and benefits to Dominica.
Commonwealth policy decisions are not made by the SG. The SG position is an administrative position. If Caricom chooses either the Antigua or Trinidad nominee, there is no guarantee that he/she becomes the Secretary General. As a matter of fact, Baroness Scotland can still become the SG without Caricom’s support
Did the Secretary General from India put Dominica, or Caricom, for that matter, at a disadvantage? Was there any advantage for India, except for the prestige? Does South Korea have any advantage at the UN? What if Baroness Scotland becomes the Secretary General of the Commonwealth? The Brits can use their influence but the Commonwealth is not a one man show even if the Brits pay the lion share of the budget.
More DLP Lies
so the article is essentially true, except where it says she was asked to leave (and that is if we take vince’s word for it).
He did admit that when it came to sensitive issues she was asked to leave.
COLONIALISM on Caricom
If someone or a country serves as observer at a meeting or conference, this person can only participate at specific agenda items. This is international protocol. When sensitive agenda items are being discussed, all observers are asked kindly to vacate the conference room until that item is dealt with. This is nothing new and this is how the process works. So what’s the big deal that the Baroness was asked to kindly vacate the room during such specific moment.
Some of us that seems very eloquent needs a crash course on international protocol and ethic.
And there you have it!
The big deal is that she is not a member of the Dominican parliament and should not have been there in the first place
Another result of the daily UWP Vigil directed at seeing everything go wrong in Dominica. The UWP and its supporters go to bed every night dreaming and waiting patiently to hear that something has gone wrong with Dominica. They cannot stand to see any thing good about Dominica. It is music to the ears when they hear that something has gone amiss with Dominica particularly as it reflects on the government of Dominica.
Did I hear that Caricom agreed to nominate one person for the position? Did I also hear that Antigua and Trinidad has their own nominees? Then what is wrong with Dominica identifying someone – a national with such impeccable qualifications and stature? Caricom will meet and decide on a nominee from among the lot and then the region move. The original writer of the article should be ashamed. Like others before it, it too will go away. Shame on Workers led by a self acclaimed political “NOVICE”.
She shouldn’t have accepted to impose herself on CARICOM at the UN becasue this is what this is. This arrogance of PM Skerrit of always wanting his way is wrong. This lady has done nothing, not one policy that favours Dominica muchless the region, so it’s unfair now for her to want to sit in such a lofty position by using her Dominican birthright! Baroness left Dominica at age two and I dare her to show anything she did to benefit Dominica or the wider region. We need to be fair. There are Dominicans abroad attached to Dominica and there are some detached. Vince needs to stop with this anti-Dominican rant, soon he will say it’s because she’s from St Joseph( he go to defense for sympathy).
Dumb mi ni cans lol never want to hear the truth. Hungry and brokes yet they still defending smh.
We voting “YES” for Baroness Scotland!
Vince u lying, you and skerrit lying at caricom, OMG what kind of Govt we have in this country! We need to protest. Vince should resign he is not fit for office, u are lying lying lying
From caribbeannewsnow
Dominica is attempting to inflict on the Commonwealth a creature of the British government as the Caribbean nominee for the post of secretary general of that organisation on the pretext and sole qualification that she was born in Dominica and lived there for the first two years of her life.
Furthermore, this is not the first time in recent months that Dominica has attempted to foist its nominee on CARICOM meetings, each with predictable results, leading us to question the state of mind of the decision makers in the Dominican government in the context of Einstein’s theory of insanity.
On the first such occasion, Baroness Scotland appeared without prior notification as part of the Dominica delegation at the 17th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in Georgetown, Guyana, on May 20-21, 2014.
In a prelude to events in New York last week, her presence in Georgetown caused much embarrassment then because several Caribbean government delegations did not want to discuss their governments’ and the region’s external relations agenda in front of a sitting member of the British upper house of parliament.
In a repeat performance last week, the start of a scheduled meeting of CARICOM foreign ministers in New York in the margins of the UN General Assembly was delayed when those attending found Baroness Scotland sitting in the Dominica chair.
CARICOM representatives again objected to her presence at their meeting at which the position of their governments on several sensitive international matters was up for discussion.
Following a hurried conversation outside the meeting room, the British baroness was quietly asked to leave when several sensitive matters were due to be discussed, including candidacies for international positions.
A critical statement in this contribution is simply not true. At both the UNGA and the COFCOR meeting in Guyana protocol was not breached. Dominica is free to present its candidate for any post it wishes. At COFCOR Baroness Scotland was allowed time to present her case for the SG post. She was not part of the main meeting.
Sometimes I get the impression, the Skeritt led Administration would do better as a cricket team then a political party. That would be a team with the most spinners. “While Dominicans are proud of her achievements as a servant of Britian, it is being suggested that CARICOM don’t believe that she is necessarily the person to fill that post.” Mr. Linton doesn’t suggest that she is not the person to fill the post, he says CARICOM, therefore, why should Vince believe he is un-Dominican. According to Vince, she paid her own expenses to be at this meeting and used that oppotunity to promote her. That cannot be fair to the Caricom leaders, when their nominees were not present and maybe were not informed they could also promote their nominees at the meeting.
I really thought I heard all, LL are you a Dominican? you wondering what’s the motive for bring her on. Could it be she is qualified for the job? unlike you Sir. Why are you worried about what other Caribbean heads worry about? these people want their own people for the job just as the PM wants his own for the job may the best person win. The PM was bright enough to have his person present to show the others what they can expect in her, there you go again not understanding how government works even more there’s the chance to show your biasness when it comes to your country but no, here’s your chance to show you can work with other people and show for once you stand with the PM, you show your support for these other islands. Linton you understand why I keep saying we cant have you leading the country.
HAHAHA keep passing it.
one of our occasional columnists of Dominican origin was wrongly accused of writing the article in question.
Oh so Rebecca is one of your occasional columnist? This stinks Rebecca all the way.
http://caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Editorial%3A-Shooting-even-the-presumed-messenger-23000.html
the original article was stated by CARIBBEAN NEWS NOW itself as a COMMENTARY. It should then have ALSO put the name of the author. Bad jounalism at minimum, more likely political mischief-making at worst!
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a damned shame that a field as potentially dynamic and vital as journalism should be overrun with dullards, bums, and hacks, hag-ridden with myopia, apathy, and complacence, and generally stuck in a bog of stagnant mediocrity”. Hunter S Thompson
Check your facts DNO.
Vince what is un Dominican about wanting answers to a query? As Dominicans we should be proud of Baroness Scotland but what has she done for Dominica and the region? Aren’t there other Dominicans who could be chosen? Whose decision was it to send the Baroness to the meeting? Get real Vince and stop being a puppet.
@Again. Vince did not say what you are saying he said. Here is his statement: “As is customary at these meetings, and of course Baroness Scotland, a Queen’s Counsel, is no stranger to that, when a matter in which someone has a personal interest is being discussed, the person must excuse himself or herself. That was done with decorum and befitting of a Dominican who has attained such high office. She left and returned after the matter was discussed,”