ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Newly appointed ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Charles Cobette says he will use his tenure in Havana to deal with issues affecting Dominican students studying in the Caribbean Communist country.
“We have several students in Cuba, so that will be the first order of business to ensure that the citizens of Dominica; that some of the problems, difficulties that they experience in Cuba; that I will be able to facilitate them and find solutions to these problems,” said, Corbette, who takes up his new assignment on September 1.
“So the idea is to access the students all over Cuba, identify the common problems and address these issues,” he added.
Corbette, a Cuban graduate, replaces Clarkson Thomas as the new Dominica envoy to Cuba and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Alvin Bernard, has said that the appointment is part of the government’s ongoing plans to strategically review its foreign policy and diplomatic relations and missions around the world.
Bernard said the new appointments will be based on “which countries best serve Dominica’s interests” and against “the prevailing economic situation in Dominica and the wider world.”
Government recently announced that it had nominated business woman Jennifer Aird to be its first ever non-resident ambassador to Brazil.
its not a matter of being ungrateful its a matter of doing his job and that is where he slipped. Everyone keep talking about oh they let go clarkson, they ungrateful, bla bla bla, but the real concern here are the dominican students who are studying in Cuba, we need someone to be there to help us no matter what the conditions or circumstances so for those dominicans who are not students or were not students in Cuba who keep talking about being ungrateful and dirtying pple name Shut up!!!! you have no idea what it feels like to be in a place like Cuba with no one to help you not even your own ambassador.
this has nothing to do with being ungrateful, its a matter of doing his job, and that is where he sliped. pple keep talking about oh they let go clarkson ,how ungrateful, bla bla bla, but the concern here is about us, the dominican students who are studying in Cuba, we need someone who will be able to help us no matter what the conditions or circumstance. so for those Dominicans who were not students or are not students in Cuba and keep talking about being ungrateful and dirtying pple name Shut up!!!!! You have no idea what it feels like to be in a place like Cuba with no one to help you not even your own ambassador.
Dominicans just ungrateful for true and like to dirty ppl name.. so they stay
I glad they take out mister for real…Lets move on for better development
i am so happy that they finally change clarkson, i have been in cuba for 3 years now and i dont even know what the man looks like, not even a phone call to my school. i remember in 2008 after the summer vacation i went up to cuba the same day there was a hurricane travelling, and when i reached cuba they were going to close the airport and i didnt have any where to go because i didnt know no other dominicans in who are at the schools in havana because my school is all the down in camaguey which is like 8 hours away, so i called him and explain the situation to him, and he said to me, oh i cant to anything for you, i cant accomodate you at the embassy,so i was like, arent you the ambassador if you are help me who will, and he was like well i cant do anything. what the waste. thank God those days are over. I hope and pray the new one will do a better job, or should i say will do his job.
Why allu always have to bash the pm like that? and so what if we using fake names on here all of us using fakes names so get a grip shait thank God for Skerro and D.NO.
Give the man a break..some of you’ll just talking and running your traps not knowing a thing
Thats the next level 4 real we
@ South City U are sooooooooooo Right
Thats the next level pap pap pap
well i think it was aout time to replace clarckson its been too long an i dont think the need of the students were being address,i know because was there.
we need new people with a different commitment and way of thinking who cares about their citizens
I recently sent an invitation invitaion letter to my son which he had to certify ,dont know why but he did
and he charged $80us to get that letter certify,never heard of anything like that, want to know what that money was used for I think I deserve a refund
@Eyes Wide Open:
Having a problem in Cuba is not just misconduct, he was not helping everybody and we all know is not every single person he could help and I agree with you that some people put themselves in unnecessary problems. Do you know that a lot of Dominicans applied to study particular careers in Cuba from home and when they reached in Cuba they seeing their name under a different course? Govt went up there and evaluated what he was doing, they were dissatisfied and they choose another person. His unprofessional attitude and discussing students private matters with others? Are you supporting that?
@Comrade forever:
Recently is was Crispin Gregoire…now it is Clarkson…..Pierre charles would cringe in disbelief.
Comrade and friend I congratulate you and wish you well! Over the years I have known you, I find you quite personable and that can only auger well for providing good representation for both the students out there and by extention the Nature Island of “the world”!
As a Dominican I have a HIGH note of appreciation for both the government of Cuba and Dominica for placing education AT ALL levels especially tertiary, high up on thier agenda and for allowing so many ordinary people to gain professional status and EDUCATION IS THE KEY OUT OF POVERTY!
@ comrade forever Dominicans not all of us but some of us are just plain sad to say ungrateful..Everything is for a time.
Who said Clarkson was fired? He is being recalled which is what (if my memory serves me right) the government said it would be doing in its new term. An ambassador position is not permanent but is only for a time so the persons who are appointed should not get too comfortable and figure they are there for life like is their family business.
For those who are making a big deal about remembering how clarkson did “this” and “that” for students etc i ask you this – wasn’t that his job?? So quit bellyaching like some injustice was done to the man. As a matter of fact I think that ALL ambassadors should be given a shorter fixed term in that position to avoid all that drama when they have to be recalled. Give another person a chance man.
p.s I dont know Clarkson
you mean skeritt really did that to clarkson??????????????? DOMINICA DEAD FOR TRUE
CLARKSON BOY HOLD STRONG ………. love to your wife and daughters
our parl rep again
intellectual jealousy …. blackmoore still cannot fill your shoes
THANKS FOR ALL WHAT YOU DID FOR US IN THE FREE EYE PROGRAMME
@Former Cuban Student:
Well you know what, former Cuban student; being an ambassador doesn`t mean that every time a dominican student get`s themselves in trouble you have to come to their rescue. I studied in cuba too, and at my time, the amount of students that were getting themselves in problems was unbelievable. Your parents sent you to study, you have no right to go looking for problems in those people country, you are not in your country. So when Mr. Thomas would be confronted every single day with a student in problems, hell yes I`d say he had a right to get a bit upset, but in the end he always tried his best. What all the students who would apply for a career here in dominica and when they get up to cuba, then decide that they want to change, Clarkson was the one who had to go and beg for them to get their change. Where are they now, not one would come out and say thanks to him. Dominicans are just too ungrateful. Anyways Mr. Clarkson, you served your country well, don`t worry, the Lord has something better in store for you. God bless
@Claudia:
@ Claudia I was in Cuba and I know what I talking about! Who that in the heat that feeling it and its very unprofessional to be in a job and making negative remarks to the public about your boss!
@Comrade forever:
@ Comrade forever … and get you all facts straight, he was not getting a monthly salary, what about the stipend he was getting, Isn’t that money?
Mr. Clarkson did not help all students, he had an attitude with some and all what is hidden shall be made manifest! When complaints were made some years ago, a govt employee from the Forgeign Affairs ministry said he was doing a perfect job!
@DURO: I would like to agree with you in saying that Charles Corbette would so better at the Vet Unit, but I don’t think so… I hope that he’ll do better by our students studying in Cuba.
Jobs for the boys once again ………………..DLP doing just fine…………………The longest rope has an end!
Skerrit and his dictatorship must FALL!!!
@McCoy Tyner: Mentally enslaved and not ashamed to expose that sentiment. Blindly follow the PM’s stated goals or directives rather than the country’s foreign policy directives? Are you aware of the words you are using on this DNO blog? Service at the PLEASURE of the PM? That’s a recipe for dictatorship. OK, I follow your drift !!!!!!!!!! Case close. Dominicans beware. Don’t say you were not foretold by McCoy re. the dictatorship approach
On the behalf of my Uncle I want to thank all those who supported him,then and now.It is a sad day for Dominica.This man has served Dominica for a very long time without looking for monetary gain.He an Former PM Rosie Douglas were best friends and shared the same political beliefs.He was responisible for the building of river walls in Massacre and also helping co-ordinating the relief support after Hurricane David.He was instrumental for DCP trading its products in Jamaica,Cuba andTrinidad, stated already.I too studied in Cuba and I know first hand how much he help so many students,not just Dominican students but students from the Caricom islands.For years he used his own meagre resources to help students,it did not matter which political party in power.During the 70’s he was responsible for welcoming Foreign dignitaries.When Dame Eugenia Charles came into power she moved him and others from their positions simply becasue he was a staunch DLP.Now he is treated ungratefully I must add by a new generation of DLP with no respect for its elders,nor what they did for Dominica and to a lesser extent the DLP.This is a blessing in disguise.Almighty God is a just God and he is a rewarder of them that dilligently seek him.Dominica needs our prayers and even our PM needs our prayers regardless of misguided and heavy handed choices he makes.Apres Bon Dieu C’est la Terre.
All ambassador’s serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. Who would have an ambassador not following the PM’s stated goals or directives. He was fired and rightfully so. The Ambassador is not an independent position or an elected one. Follow the line or get out.
There is nothing that you can do about it….follow the PM or sit on the side.
Former Cuban Student stop being a punk and hiding behind that phony name. Give Mr. Thomas a break..stupes typical Dominicans ..So because he criticizing some of Governments policies what’s wrong with that? wtf..seems like we in Cuba ..no freedom of speech..Grateful Dominican I agree with you some of us Dominicans too ungrateful
Most countries change ambassadors every few years
@Workers: Clarkeson Thomas was not a YES MAN and the Skerritt GOVT. would not tolerate such independent thinking comrades. Brother Clarkeson was FIRED for questioning certain irresponsible actions and activities of those unscrupulous politicians who have forgotten all what Clarkeson has done for students of Dominica and in fact Dominica by extension over all those years. The brother would represent all students whether they were students in the time of UWP. Clarkeson was instrumental in getting the Cuban Govt. to free those Dominican students who got into serious drug related problems in Cuba. The brother worked many years with NO PAY, even using his own meagre resources. Clarkeson would NEVER, REPEAT NEVER attempt to amass riches quickly through illegal means, NEVER.
Dominicans should never forget the role Clarkeson played in facilitating DCP to sell its soap to Cuba, when DCP’s sale were dropping and many workers would have lost their jobs. It was because of this patriot’s negotiating skills and love for country, he persevered, toiled hard and enabled the Trade deal to be a success. it did not matter to Clarkey, whether at the time, many DCP top personnel and other workers were not supporting the Cuban revolution. He did it for country. That is the humble, honest, dedicated, committed person Clarkeson is.
@Former Cuban Student: Clarkeson all through his life supported, promoted, worked feverishly with DLP. He would put his life on the line for the DLP. He was not the first to be treated with such contempt and vindictiveness. He was not the first to be stabbed in the back by his own DLP friends and he will not be the last. Mark my words. What we need in Dominica are more INDEPENDENT THINKERS like Clarkeson, otherwise this beautiful land of ours will degenerate into an isle immersed in CORRUPTION and Nepotism Clarkeson’s mind is now more at ease than ever before, knowing that he is no longer in the company of backstabbers and arrogant men and women out to victimize their own, when they dare question. It is the human being’s right to question and to hold different views at any time? What kind of dictatorial motives are being portrayed in this country? VICTIMIZATION To the highest degree. Is that what you all do to people with honest hearts? Clarkeson many thanks for your dedicated services to your country. You must survive. The guilt and shame is on those who treated you disgracefully. Their hearts are troubled.
Just wanted to extend my thanks to Mr. Clarkson Thomas for his many years of service as the Dominican Ambassador to Cuba. He has dedicated many years of his life in service to Dominica relations with Cuba and to the Dominican-Cuban students. Throughout the years we have had to deal with many a trials and Mr. Thomas has always been willing to help. So hats off to you sir, and good luck on your future endevours.
Grateful Dominica
the issue of the amount given as stipend should be revisited, i don’t blame some students for doing what they do to get by since the amount given for a year barely gets you through a semester
Clarkson Thomas… How can an ambassador, a person with such a position be making negative comments about the govt? It was about time … there drawing tax payers of Dominica money …
I think the doctor would do better in the vet.. unit.
So where is Comrade Clarkson Thomas…..? why the sudden change to Charles Corbette?…….