The legal team representing Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Parliamentary Representative for La Plaine Petter Saint Jean in a much talked about dual citizenship matter, has said that it will be ready for whatever judgment is handed down by the courts on January 10, 2012.
Lead counsel for Saint Jean and Skerrit, Anthony Astaphan, said at a press conference recently that his team is currently preparing an appeal in the event that things do not go in their favor.
“We have prepared and we will be preparing if the inevitable is that we don’t win, we will be preparing a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution before the 10th. In fact we’ve started working on it already,” he said.
He further stated, “Only a fool will go in there thinking he’s going to win a fight without taking precaution that he might lose. We are not taking the court for granted. We are not taking anything for granted. We are saying nothing except what the issues were, that there was no evidence the prime minister applied for, had, or used a passport at all in the case. That gives us confidence that we’re going to win. But we are taking precautions in the event that we don’t.”
The United Workers Party (UWP) claimed through election petitions, that Skerrit and Saint Jean contested the December 18, 2009 general elections holding both Dominican and French citizenship, a matter not in line with Dominican law.
The UWP has also expressed confidence in their case.
thought u guys say all u will accept the courts rulling though matter which way it goes now all u talking appealling if its not in u all favour.Just keep fooling the people , bunch of good for nothing.
AT LONG last the time is nearing for Skerrit and St,Jean to go on out about their business with all the money that they took from us the poor people of Dominica.
It is so shameful that Dominicans do not hold hold their elected pal Reps to a higher standard of accountability.
WE ARE GETTING TIRED OF GOVERNMENT MADE MILLIONARES IN OFFICES IN DOMINICA. TIRED OF LABOUR IN PORTSMOUTH.I HOPE THE JUDGE FINDS THEM GUILTY.
SKERRO THE DOMINICAN PEOPLE ARE BEHIND YOU 100%
you mean 0.100% cuz your votes doesn’t reflect your statement…..its no longer 18-3
YOU SO RIGHT IT MIGHT JUST BE 18-0
RUN ALREADY ON THE RUN.
PREVOST BOAT LEAKING AND HIS LIFE JACKET. HAVE A HOLE
EDDO IS ABOUT TO COLLECT RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
SPAGGS NOT WORTH MENTIONING ABOUT.
THANKS FOR YOUR HONESTY.
so 3 constituencies vanish from the face of the earth…oooohhh i forget…if your not a LABOUR PUPPET you are nobody IN YOUR LAND OF BIRTH….
and you can get off the UWP pawol because my party color is WHITE
It is such a shame that the only person the opposing dominicans have a problem with is skerrit. what has he done to you guys?
But Skerrit is the government. Are you living in Mars?
Even the moo moo ministers who cannot represent their constituencies, are saying ‘Thank God for Skerrit’ even when a project is done in their constituency.I suspect your name is traveller. While travelling stop in Dominica and listen.
go stay in dominica and you will kno whats up
Utter nonsense, how can we as a modern nation allow something like this to take so long to settle. This is a matter that should have been determined within three months at most. Now after almost two years, a critical matter such as this is still undetermined and we are hearing of possible appeals, shame on us. The legal system has failed us and we must do something to fix it.
The issue of eligibility will come up from time to and if we want to continue to claim to be a democracy, we must have the proper sociopolitical infrastructure and mindset to have these matters adjudicated within six weeks of a legitimate challenge.
I wish there was the interest in our country to address this shortcoming. It seems like the persons best suited to deal with matters such as this are not yet actualized to the things of nationhood.
If anyone of you can show me the evidence that Skerrit or St.Jean has dual citizen ship then I will remain quiet…But you people need to educate yourselves about the process in court…Evidence is needed..I do not usually comment on these things but too many uneducated people just bragging about things they know nothing about…as I say you guys needs to get with the program before the program get with you….Read a BOOK!!! Get Educated Today!!lol
let the judge rule against him and let him try to stay there nuh….jus let him try that!!!!
Wat in de world u can or will do??
get Petter to send u back to school u so uneducated………..A fool will remains a fool foolly u are…………
You idiot you must go to school and try to glean a little knowledge.The problem/issue is not about dual citizenship.We all know that they have dual citizenship. It is rather if they have travelled on the french passport they got beyond the age of 18years.
Stop seeing red only and start developing a love for Dominica,and not for an individual, that have failed the country. WE ARE NOW THE POOREST COUNTRY IN THE OECS. Wonder if you knew that.
You talk about an individual that has failed the country…Can you list in order starting with the worse how he has done that…If he has performed worse than the UWP government before him I rest my case…All I see is red….TRUE!!! because that is what is bringing development to the poorest country in the OECS…by the way thanks for the little info…lol..(funny people)
Dominica so small………I jus pass Tim Durand in roseau wi…..you cunts are so full of shit with your spambot bullshit…
lets play!
people rell SOT….SKERRIT have them believing he alone that can bring development in a country….lol…….funny….if he cant do it no one else can….brainwashed citizens….under the spell of PM occultic seductive behaviour
DO YOU LIVE IN MARS,EVEN THE ALIENS IN SPACE KNOW THAT ST.JEAN AND SKERRIT REQUESTED A CONCELLATION OF THEIR CITIZENSHIP FROM THE FRENCH EMBASSY STATIONED IN ST.LUCIA.
You hear I warn all you….GET EDUCATED n leave Skerro alone!!!!!! YOU will not say I did not give a warning lol……hahaha
what you talking about warning??? if the COURT declare mister Illegal….and mister play wrong and strong is chimen fer business that going and happen there wi….illegal against illegal….what happen u wish for you MASSA to go to the HAGUE man to end his carrer? The best warning you can give that young man there, is to humbly retire with all what he pocket already….you really think THAT I THINK I WILL LIVE FOREVER????? THERE ARE WORSE THINGS THAN DEATH BOSS AND I AND EVERY OTHER PATRIOT KNOW WHAT WE WILL BE LAYING OUR LIFE DOWN FOR ON THE 10TH IF THAT YOUNG BOY THERE TRYYYY AND MALCAHWEHHHH WITH US….
I thought you were addressing the rule of DOMINICA’s law. Then why are you rambling on about UWP winning, UWPites, and 2 minus and 16 DLP.
The THE COUNTRY”S RULE OF LAW would win if the court does not favor Skerrit not UWP
We should feel proud as a Dominicans to see that the rule of law is up held in Dominica if the court does not favor Tony’s team. It’s okay if Skerrit secures his seat later. The objective is to secure the rule of law.
His government is eligal and all of his ministers and d operzition d speaka and prezident has to pay back to d state all day paid dem from d 18.12.2009. all crime is crime.
What a serious Constitutional CRISIS Dominica is in. What if the court’s judgement goes against Skerritt and St. Jean? It would mean that both politicians of the ruling DLP committed an illegal act against our electoral laws. They knew, they knew, they knew. Didn’t an Ambassador want to contest that same election of 2009 for DLP, but was discouraged to go up by colleagues, because of his US citizenship? Who wrote to the French Embassy requesting that their French citizenship be renounced? Why?
Application for stay of execution before the 10th. of July? Stay of what Asstaphan? Skerritt and St. Jean must be told to vacate their sits fortwith by January 11th. the day after the verdict is given against them. Citizens of Dominica must cry out loud and let their voices be heard.
Skerritt would not be able to bring the country together, sitting in the chair of leader, working as PM, signing Agreements, doing whatever, after he is found guilty of disobeying the Constitution and electoral laws of the land. Hope the Dominican people are not faced with that dilemma. What a travesty of justice that would be.
But in Dominica presently, anything goes. How could a leader of any country exclaim that No Law, not even the Constitution could prevent me from………. Even before and certainly after that statement several strange things have been taking place. Many allegations have surfaced. Facts, irrefutable evidence have exposed the many ills and corrupt practices that the people are not informed about by the authorities.
Dominicans have been kept in the dark.
Dominicans must be worried at the present state of affairs. It doesn’t auger well for the future development of our beautiful land.
NEVER again SLAVERY my people. MASSA DAY DONE.
Skerit and Saint Jean will be ask to leave office, so they will have to file their appeal from France.
I dont like the way tony sound….he sounds defeated…….he was my lawyer would be worried
I have dual citizenship. I have Dominican on my u.s. passport. Can I represent my villagers when I retire? I would like more information about dual citizenship.I believe Skerrit and St. Jean should remain in power, The people have spoken.
please define “the people” in the context that you used it
I am not going to judge anyone, Iam going to give my opinon on the situation of my country as I understand it from all the different tunes that’s been playing in this battle royal” passport; citizenship; diplomatic passport sales” this show and that show and the whole RoRo. We have a Parrot culture in Dominica, but there comes a time the talk must stop, people been having battle cries and what not,Martin luther king message does be playing,the message in it is not fantasy, it is real prediction, so here we are: at that junction of no return, either we go forward or forever stay back. I hope good judgement prevails in the minds and hearts of all. Little people on both sides make sure big boys boots are on the ground also. Them spin doctors like to set fire and then hide leave the masses to deal with it. Wise up brothers and sisters OK JAH BLESS. Guidance:
I am Dominica.Are you?It seems to me the way people are speaking its like they dont want good for the country.I think its time we stand together as one and stop bringing down each other.We need to ask important questions like if UWP wins the election what resources do they even have to start off with? will they be able to manage the country without the necessary resources and if so for how long.they have a prblm with the PM seeking outside help so it means they will try to do it with the little money we have in the economy and that will not work.We all have a conscience and I am sure you all know workers CANNOT run this country.zoh machastay mem mem mem.
our country will fall apart.
the decision made by the court whether or no Skerrit wins, He have left Dominicans with many improvements whether or not some are ignorantly saying they dont see it but the improvement is there.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion!! I rest my case.
foolish they were already runnin d country…
and d economy was much better
oh please dominicans. you all are always quick to judge. and repeat things u all hear from the street. when will u all learn?
Alas does that include Mr ron green?
it silly because you have all the trimings…..what about those that wake up in a place hungry day after day seeing no light at the end of the tunnel and wish they could just burn down that place and start all over again???
it is better to be violent than to put on a MASK of peace… to mask your impotence..
Mahatma Ghandi
Now I await the result
its amazing to see how unlearnt a few dominicans are when we live in a country where education is free. reading through the comments on dno makes a person with sense feel bad to b dominican. its always a politic and never a positive advise so one can balance or let me say hadly a positive comment so one can balance.its not about skero or eddo or about ron or petter its about dominica. i am a supporter of the dlp but if the courts should decide that skero and peter must vacate their seats then they have the right to do what they want as to appel or vacate,the same for the uwp they can appeal or live it alone but at the end of the day its the people who spoke they wanted skero and petter and they voted them.ron did also contest while holding dual citizenship why is it none of the uwp supporters have condem himwhen he has openly stated that he ran as a us citizen. have they proved that skero and petter ran as french citizens?thats whats important proof. ron condemedhimself and dont tellme he was being honest because if uwp had won he would b silent. if we truly love our country lets first be honest and call for change of that british imposed law. also lets see things for ourself and dont allow politricktians to fool us. i support labour but if they are wrong i will boldly say they are wrong.
I so much agree with you charles.IF Domininca was the land of the most uneducated before,I would kind of symphafy with them,but since skerit becomes prime minister he has done every thing in his power to make education his number one piority, for me to know that there are still so many unlearnt in dominica,sometimes i am so ashame I dont even want to read comment on DNO.Every thing now adays is skerro that wrong they not able to see the good that has already been done where development is concern but all they wish is that the countyr fails.My honest opinion is that the court should ruled in skerit and st jean favor cause they were not the first in the histroy of Dominica’s politices that contested having a forign passport,and if the ruling have to go against skerro and petter then those that was involve in the same act before should also face a penalty.What is good for the goose is good fot the gander. I’snt that fair? (Thats my opinion pliz don’t crucified me for being honest)
/
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHO IS PAYING FOR ALL THIS WIN OR LOSE…..THE TAX PAYERS ?????. WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER CASES THAT ARE POTENTIALLY BE PREPARED FOR COURT E.G PASSPORTGATE
It seems absurd to me that this lawsuit is proceeding now, after Skerrit has been in Parliament since 2000 and Prime Minister since 2004. He’s participated in election after election without any such challenge to his candidacy, and this lawsuit was filed only after he won the last election in 2009. Regardless of whether Dominican law actually prohibits someone with dual citizenship serving in Parliament (apparently a previously unsettled question of constitutional interpretation on which I have no opinion), the time to raise that challenge is when the names are being put on the ballot to contest their eligibility. Not after they have been certified as winners and have taken office. To declare in 2012 that the election in 2009 was invalid will cause nothing but confusion (what does that do to all official government acts and legislation since then?), yet it seems that is what the UWP is seeking. But I can’t tell from these DNO stories what result would actually follow from Dominican law if the UWP won.
I agree with this comment. The eligibility of anyone going into office to be part of any party should be verified and confirmed. The country should not wait till the man is appointed as prime minister and has represented the country all over and now to question his status. Our policies should be looked at and adjusted. We all as Dominicans look silly now the man is in office. Our focus should be on developing the country and we should all work together. I am no supporter of DLP or UWP.
And what happens if UWP lose???????My mind tells me that they are so sure of winning they gonna wait till next Tuesday’s ruling to prepare for an appeal(if they have anymore money left)..I hope you UWPites would acceot the role of law. I told you all already even if 2 minus from 16 DLP is still in power…lol..and those same seats will be recontested and will secure DLP candidates once again..even if it is a Scarecrow dressed in Red and have DLP flag….
That’s how dumb you red people are.\
\even if it is a scarecrow
you all alway have to insult somebody because they dont share ur view,you expect everybody to be against skerit? So many things that was said earlier by your click are they not dumb,why did’nt you say that to them.Once again I. prove that charles was right when he made his comment.
Who is the idiot Dominican that married you and allowed you to dumb down the place? Your role (and that was your word when you were trying to speak of the “Rule” of law) is to observe and keep quiet, let real Dominicans express their views on the matter, an oh by the way that that spouse of yours that it is their responsibility to go to Nassief and buy a mossle for you.
Angelo said on his programme last night that the decision is in and he knows for a fact that the court has kicked Skerrit out of the Parliament.
Dominicans are too ignorant, as a Caribbean National i,ve been listening to that Tony guy ever Saturday evening and this guy is preaching a lot of hatery and garbage on the nation radio station, to stereotype Angelo is not the only one talking on Radio, the PM his boys Tony and the rest are all guilty of the mess the island is in presently
Joan you are a carribean national but not a Dominican i supose,so what the heck you talking about tony preaching a lot of hatred and garbage.I’ve been listening to tony’s show and if you want to know who preachg hatred and gabbage ask blessing or grace mercy and peace or soso or matt or angelo or coipel they will tell you the truth in disgise and pliz stay out of dominica’s row row and study yours in the island that you from. I hope you get it wide and clear
The delay strategy – if the decision is such that the PM and St Jean are found guilty they are not staying. Dominicans must insist that they leave immediately. The court cannot declare you an illegal Pm and you are still seating making decisions- that is reason for riot. In fact the opposition lawyers should insist that they pay back the money , and go to jail.
We are depending on the courts to act on behalf of justice not on behalf of crooked politicians and senior counsels.
If the decision is against Skerrit we are not taking any directions from Skerrit as PM.
somebody had ever send no opposition leader to jail uh, some of us is do so never like so. all those that hungry for power u think is better they going to do uh, u think linton can handle people coming to him and tell them their children need medicals what all u want again in the country nuh?
they not suppose to come to linton. the government should have program in plce to deal with every public concern…this is how a country is run .by a goveren ment not a man..u all are just set of fools
I support that 1000 000 000 000 000 000 000%.
n who is going to make sure they are removed…you? zor tou sort….skerrit alone is not Labour and even if skerrit is removed labour still remains untouched and unmoved….go get with the Program before the Program get with you….
YOU ARE SUCH A BUFFOON…..ONCE SKERRIT OUT THEN WE CAN CONTINUE ALONG OUR MERRY WAY!!! ONE REQUIREMENT THAT TONY ASTAPHAN NNNNNNEEEEEVVVVEEEEEEERRRRRR SHOULD HOLD THE POSITION OF SENIOR COUNSEL AGAIN……ONE WAY OR THE OTHER HOUSE MUUUUUUUUUUUSSTTT CLEAN…. THENNNNNNNNNNNN YOU CAN TIE A RED FLAG AROUND YOUR bleeepppp AND RUN SHOUTING HOORAY ALL AROUND DOMINICA….
IIIIIDDDIIOOOOOTTTTTTT!!!!
I hope Dominicans wiil be prepared to reverse every deccision that the Prime minister has signed in his illegal capacity as Prime Minister
Peter will go back to Guadeloupe to reunite with his bro Francis sis Marie Claude and the rest of his French relatives so is the PM
TONY ASTAPHAN HAS BEEN BRAGGING SO MUCH HOW HE IS CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO WIN THE CASE,NOW HE IS FIDDLING A DIFFERENT SONG. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE WALLS OF ROME ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO TOMBLE DOWN.TONY MUST KNOW, NO LAW, NO CONSTITUTION,NO STAY OF EXECUTION, NO APPEAL CAN KEEP SKERRIT AND PATTER ST.JEAN IN OFFICE AFTER THEY HAVE LOST THE CASE, IF THEY DO, THE PRESSURE WILL BE RELENTLESS.I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE, I WILL NOT GIVE SKERRIT ANY ADVICE. HE PREFERS TO BE ADVISED BY HUMPTY DUMPTY,HOWEVER,I LOVE THE GUY,THEREFORE, I WILL STILL ADVISE HIM TO PACK UP AND GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. DOEN’T IT OCCUR TO HIM THAT HE IS A KNOCKED OUT BOXER AND THE TOWEL HAS BEEN THROWN IN THE RING.
A knocked out boxer who had been fighting on the ropes from round number 1. The only thing that was holding him up is the lower rope -symbolic of Tony – short and low
I read on fbk- on the page of Hector John, posted by a poto UWP suporter that they had inside info that the PM won his case!
Woye…so Dominica come when people can boldly post that they have inside info on the court’s decision before it come.
I am curious to see whether this UWP person was right and if so…what does it say about things in Dominica…
is not today things not right in dominica , all u making like skerrit is d worse that ever happen to dominica , we love u pm and who vex lost.
Are you sure….cause we are good friends… I get most post from his page and did not see anything about that, I went searching when I saw the comment and saw nothing….I will contact him and get back to you. By the way, your comment makes no sense to me…seriously? what is the point you really want to make?
win loose or draw
“win, lose or draw”, any way the decision goes there will be an appeal from either the petitoners or the respondents. That is expected. There are rules and procedures of the court that must be followed. If there are no rules for the orderly conduct of society, what do we have? Strife, chaos, confusion, riot etc. I suspect some people prefer the later scenario to an orderly settlement of this very important matter. We must not allow our emotions to determine how we move forward on the matter if the court was to rule against our individual biases. By the way. Once the court has ruled – next week or later in the year, will it answer the vexing question of whether we allow Dominicans with dual citizenship (French, British or American) to participate in our electoral process? Whether Messrs. Skerrit or St. Jean contested the elections illegally or not will certainly not put to rest the issue. We still have decide as a nation on the matter. Should we or should we not allow people with dual citizenship to participate in the electoral process. let us debate ther issue openbly and freely.
I learned a long time ago that “Where ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise”, but I could not help but comment on this silly post.
I will always remember the words of the latePierree Charles, when he made that very profound statement “That Dominicans wear their ignorance like a badge of honor”, you my friend have just added new meaning to that statement.
Up to this time you are not aware that citizens of the commonwealth are exempt from that? Why don’t some of you take some time to inform yourselves before making donkeys of yourselves. My God help this generation out of their ignorance, if there is any hope left for some of them.
i waiting to see if found guilty what this country gonna do….all who soooo love skerro and the oposition we dont even have any more… i waiting patiently to see… i’m not even checking the crime segment cause after this court order. it might have far more crimes being commetted. . . depending on the ruling is now dominica gonna go down to the bottom less pite… GOD FOREBID!!!!
so is dat all u calling for in the country. crime? linton, matt , edison and sprags cannot tell me they so love dominica and its people and people like all u calling for crime. the word crime is already chronic in ur minds and u all want to blame the priest and pastors nd th epm for all this shit, what the tongue confess shall so come to pass.
it’s about dual citizenship, not passport.
one can have dual citizenship and dont carry a passport.
the constitution forbids that sh**.
I don’t think so. I think that the premise here is … did Skerrit as an adult ask for/apply for or receive a French passport … that is it … and the answer will be NO.
I am not taking sides … it is that the whole thing has been blown up into a war of words and the whole point has been missed.
If he has a passport or not … not has he citizenship in France (as many here do).
It’s not a case of whether we like this or not … it is about facts …
If this case is about whether the PM and St. Jean own and travel on a French passport then it is a no brainer. There are many ways to find that out so if they own them they must step aside if not this should be the end of this case.
WE PREPARING TOO AND WE READY TOO!!!
Lord, protect Dominica from this enemy
Lord protect Dominica from the wrath of jealousy and evil.
jealous of what?? your last name???????????????
Wrong is wrong step down and pay back all the monies you all EARNED
war bout the money eddie prevote and sprag getting for not contributing to parliament u aint saying this one am no fan of both i never voted and dont tink i ever will but pack up
no one talking about Ron paying back the money he earned for the last 20 yrs..as a dual citizen
When will Dominicans rise up and face reality? Is it not time for us to see that Tony Astaphan and members of Skeritt’s legal team are the only winners in all these court battles? If thre is any doubt about who the winners are, go back to 2004 when Mr. Skerrit was made the pm and you will find that his legal team, team mates like Mano, and himself have become millionaires in 7 yrs, while the country on a whole has gotton poorer, So to keep money coming, Tony and his legal team are always busy to defend the pm and they care less about the state of the country, let alone, our pride as Dominicans.
Except of course that is has not got poorer. SOME have granted … but as a whole Dominica is growing … sorry I know you want to believe otherwise … but there you go..
The British got rid of Gordon Brown … because they were bored and stupid. Now they have a huge problem.
careful that you get what you wish for.
Thats the way to go.
I refuse to hop on board that roro train to bad talk the PM AND ST.JEAN I would rather veye my children to see where they will go wrong and clean dust from my home cause at the end of the day I will loose strength WHILST the PM AND ST.JEAN ARE OK. I learn what it is mind my buisness and stay away from roro and beff. Let keep an eye on our children instead we take part in beff what we ask for others might fall on us remember that.