Dame Mary Eugenia Charles was the prime minister of Dominica in a Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) administration from 1980 to 1995. After fifteen years in government, the DFP lost to the United Workers Party (UWP) in the 1995 general election.
The following year (on October 10, 1996), Dame Eugenia was interviewed by US-based Dominican, Gabriel Christian, at his home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. According to Christian, the interview session spanned an entire day, from 9am to about 9pm, “with breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Posted below is a small part of that marathon interview. Please note that the interview was originally recorded on VHS tape which was later digitized.
Eagle -eyed, that is true as regards the actions of the US soldiers. As a citizen of the aggressed country though, it seems that you may be insinuating that Comrade Bishop was some kind of Saint. I hope not.
If we want to condemn wrongdoing, then let’s condemn ALL wrongdoings!!
Are you aware of the numerous CITIZENS who were MURDERED by the People’s Revolutionary Government??
This, however, should not take away from the many excellent and innovative policies that the SAME government implemented!!
Hate the dog but accept that it’s teeth are white 😉😉
HOTEP!
I have read the comments with a heavy heart and saddened by the fact Christian,that you all would idolize this woman who was irresponsible in her show of force and bad policing during the crisis which transpired in the kidnapping of ted honeychurch,which she made peter pay for paul,taking the lives of many innocent young sons of the soil,brutal was that campaign,anyone with dreadlocks deemed as illegal society,you are thrusting salt in old wounds,while many who were responsible are living and enjoying their wretched lives,and we wonder what’s wrong with Dominica,but as God above is judge,there’s going to be a judgement day,had not honeychurch been part of their bourgeoisie,would they have implemented that law,which was devilish as police and racism today,all respect to lenox still,but this was wrong we can’t right today.
Please remember that the dread act was originally initiated by Patrick John’s labour party. This idea of bourgeois and poor man is EXACTLY what keeps Dominica at the bottom of the trash bin . For the few ill advised measures taken by Charles, her measures to secure funds for Dominica ( which built roads, and allowed for better lighting and sanitation of the country to start) would have never been realized by anyone else( or would have been stolen like the presiding government is blatantly doing) We often look on people and point out their short comings. Things were strange in Dominica and she was merely trying to regain peace ( i agree that the dread act was a terrible strategy by engraining classism in the act) You have to remember that this was a major time of coups and communism and a global time of unrest … We must look for the errors of the dread act and vow to never use such inhumane force to reach for peace.
She had Blood on her hands when she invited Ronald Reagan to bomb little Grenada resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Grenadians. One should not forget the bombing of the mental hospital during that campaign, killing dozens of mental patients with one strike. I don’t think Grenadians will view Mamo’s legacy in the same light.
All in all thank you Bro for your efforts this was rather inspirational,,,
Where is the rest of the interview would really like to view this cherished moment,,,
Thanks again for your efforts
Mista didn’t see Mamo needed some more watah den!!!
Dame Eugenia was still sharp in her old years. DA needs another individual like her in office. Maybe then there would be more unity.
Some stories just need to be left in the archives.
Britain left D’A poor and broke and dependent on handouts, all these PMs have played their part keeping it so. Those in the past had a few millions, the current one has gone thru Billions and it’s still pretty poor and broke. You should only elect one for 10 years so that you’ll have a better idea who can perform in economic terms.
your comment is golden! THANK YOU!
LifeandDeath . That’s your political view we know your support is for the two failed party I don’t expect nothing more from an empty barrel.
I miss her. Her clear love for Dominica and things Dominican. She always wanted Dominicans to lead the development of their country. She respected civil institutions and understood their function in creating a modern and stable society. We owned Domlec, there was Dominica Cable and Wireless. Hydroelectricity. Respected world wide. Not perfect, started the CBI.
God bless you Mama Eugenia! May you continue to Rest in eternal peace with the ancestors. You were not perfect but arguably the best leader to ever walk in the Caribbean breeze. Sadly some will only remember you for imploring us to kick UWP out of office when they had the medicine to continue your legacy but for that you are forgiven. This simple advice has led us to blight, stagnation and victimization by those you thought would put Dca first.But after all we understand you were not perfect and a politician. Oh how we wish you were were still here Mamo.
Mamo and Edison are among the brightest PMs Dominica has seen. The incumbent does not nearly evoke any inspiration.
I am looking forward for the best part, when she slam her hands on the table before Ronald Reagan and said if you kill our bananas, the people will turn to drugs. Reagan said nobody never slam their hands on table for me before. And ask for an adjournment.
And then Clinton killed our bananas, and added mas incarceration to the lives of the many who immigrated to the United states. That’s cold!