In recent times, the name of our beloved island has been headlined in the local, regional and international media for all of the wrong reasons.
The arrest of the Iranian fugitive Alireza ZibaHalat Monfared and an admission by the Government of Dominica that he was appointed a Diplomat between March of 2015 and January of 2016 is of serious national concern. This is compounded by similar admissions of other such persons who became Dominican citizens either through the Citizenship by Investment Programme or other means and were found to be embroiled in deeply objectionable scandals which have tainted our good name.
The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) views these as occurrences with implications for all citizens to include our members and their families.
We believe that the right to the Citizenship of any country is sacred and is one of those possessions that one cannot put a price tag on. It is this level of significance which requires our Government to tread with utmost restraint with any programme through which unknown foreign nationals with a history can smoke screen a due diligence process and then be found wanting a few months later.
These recent happenings have sparked local, regional and international outrage and the union view a call for a Commission of Inquiry as reasonable especially in light of the recent public outrage, and is requesting the Government to accede to that call.
This outrage was displayed locally at a recent public meeting in the city of Roseau at which a section of the population called for the resignation of the Honourable Prime Minister and his Cabinet; as well as the meeting held with the US congressional delegation with some concerned foreign based Dominicans on that same day.
The union believes in the respect for the constitutional right of every citizen in Dominica to demand and receive answers from a democratically elected Government.
We however do not condone or support acts of violence, arson and vandalism which put lives and property at risk. The union supports reasonable, constitutional civil disobedience which brings attention to matters of national concern without causing aggravated harm to any of our citizens or official authorities. The Police, likewise, must uphold the rule of law and treat with all criminal actions swiftly and justly, regardless of the perpetrators.
The actions by a group of dissenting individuals which followed the public meeting held at upper Kennedy Avenue on February 7, 2017 must be condemned. The attack on public facilities and destruction of private property is not a dignified or legal means of obtaining answers and only serves as an inane distraction.
Attributing blame for what has occurred to certain individuals without any evidence can only contribute towards greater anger, and division among our citizens. A proper investigation and enquiry into what happened should be pursued. The Union therefore calls for a proper and independent investigation or enquiry to determine where the blame falls.
We call on leaders on both political divide to find resolutions that address ALL the recent issues that has compromised and sullied the good name of our country.
We call on the Church and Civil Society leaders to condemn all the aforementioned worrying occurrences that have compromised the good name of Dominica.
Additionally we urge the Government of Dominica to address positively all other issues including the call for electoral reform and the cleansing of the voters list.
The lack of attention towards those matters is contributing to the political friction among our populace.
The DPSU is interested in a civil discourse of religious, political and civil leaders for mediation on indelible solutions which is in the best interest of Dominica and Dominicans.
As we venture deeper into the carnival activities we implore upon the general public to do everything it can to ensure that all laws are obeyed, and good behaviours are practised thereby resulting in a peaceful and accident free celebration.
Even though Letang is unhappy as to what happened on Tuesday, on the other hand he must be happy on the inside. Skeritt is loosing popularity rapidly and only way he could stay in power a bit longer is by giving public servants a sweet deal when negotiation time for increases come along. He first said he could only give the public servants zero, zero and zero percent, factually, he has frozen their increases over a three year period. He has been spending millions of dollars lately, therefore their is absolutely no question of paying the public servants a decent increase or they will walk out on him. I believe the public servants will receive three, three and five percent increases. If he doesn’t, his stay as Prime Minister will be short-lived.
Letang’s come out there with your BS. As chairman of the public service union you should seek to condemn the acts of violence displayed recently. Yiu should also address how the UWP head incited and condone the very riot. Use your office to call for them to stop that foolish antics and try to get the government out through the ballots and not by force. You trying to push your own political agenda by supporting these fools. You are a big fool your self.
what is that last word in your name? Coue? Apparently you didn’t win in English or spelling. The word is COUP. To stop what foolishness? maybe you were not in town that night to see who was actually doing the madness in Roseau. It was drugged and alcoholed up young men who had no allegiance to politics or politicians. Just to themselves and saw a way to express their frustrations through violence.
Thomas Letang as a former classmate of the 70’s(mid) I am so disappointed in you. also another guy who might just be a couple yrs older than you & I Bruno Rock what a let down. Is it for the money you serve as executive director and board member of the Post graduate school of Alick Lawrence Enba pie mango -la? sad, sad, sad. I could have sent you both a few Pounds sterling monthly if things are so acute old chaps! .You 2 have put the nails in DA.
Cannot say Cheers.
When it all crashes what you gonna do?
get a life!! US congressional delegation with some concerned foreign based
Dominicans on that same day. please! if it’s so you all want to come into office this will not happen
I just cannot believe people that claim they love Dominica so much is willing to do anything to take Dominica down. This is about the country kid from Vieille Case called Skerrit. Guys when you show me proof/evidence Skerrit took money then I am with you. I need to see emails, wire transfer, videos, photos or taped conversations. Until then stop the nonsense you would not like if someone is doing that to you. Stop dirtying Dominica name because one man name Lenox is obsess with power. Lenox started with whether Skerrit was born in Dominica and he just will not stop. But I don’t blame lenox I blame the people that thinks he is a leader.
Don’t let the dimples fool you. There were con men like Sanford in Antigua. He will never see the streets again. Bernie Madoff , New York, another con man, he too will never see the streets..So it doesn’t hurt to listen to the other side, even though you may think they are not what you are looking for.
Dominica isn’t the only country that sell Diplomat passports the PM hasn’t commit any crime he’s helping our country he still have my vote
thats not the point. Selling passports isnt crime. the crimes may be money laundering. the people want to know how many passports have been sold and for how much. Because only as of 2016 we start to enjoy cbi money. meanwhile the program has been in place since labor came in to power 17 years ago. only now the money starting to come out. what was done with it previously? that is what the issue is. transparency.
Yes it is my recommendation also that there should be a commission of inquiry into the issuing of Diplomatic Passport and to whom they were issued. The members of this commission must be independent and should not be appointed by Mr. Skerrit, on the ground s that far too many allegations have been made against him in this matter in fact is believed that he is at the center of it. The issuing of Diplomatic Citizens Passport to undesirable persons have made Dominica a safe heaven for drug lords and international criminals. Strange enough when the opposition Parties collect the facts and inform the public they are threatened with law suit or law suit are file against them or the police is used to arrest them whereby they can be silenced. Yes I here by welcome the call for a commission of inquiry so that we can get to the root of this matter and all those who are found wanting will be prosecuted to the full extend of the law.
lookout!
Dominicans please open your eyes. Remove you r bias political blinders. Stop your personal greed and selfish motives. The sale of passports to wanted criminals of such magnitude is dangerous for our small island. Again we need to stop seeing good government as one who give handouts. If a man feeds you all the time and never teaches you how to find food for yourself, then you are a slave. We have come too far as an independent nation, to now return to a form of dictatorship that is unrecognizable by the people who have voted. Listen to the prime minister when he speaks. He always says my government. That in itself is arrogance. This is not your government, Mr Prime Minister, this is the people’s government. They are the ones who voted. The country does not belong to a selected few. If every day you feed a man, one day the bread will run out. If you teach him how to bake, he will find a way to continue feeding himself. Stop making the people dependent on you.
Mr. Letang had no choice but to write this intelligent statement. He represents some of the most educated persons on the island. He could not insult our intelligence in any way.
Sir, I am still waiting to hear you on the 0%,0%,0% increase for public servants.
lol Letang is not the issue, yes he will have to be more forceful but the members have to come out in full force. They are all afraid of begin victimised but now is the time or never. The members have to come out Letang is not blame. Is no point paying into the union if you are not going to support. Wake up dummies in a can. The world is watching. Do your research, read for your selves other wise throw out the tablets and computers in the bin. The bishop should talk the truth and encourage skerrit to do the must decent thing and resign. To have peace in D/ca. We out side and the world is watching.
. Taiwan was going to help DA build an inte/ airport and Jacob told Esau and the DLP that Dominica can’t afford it(Jacob & Esau).
Be unformed, it is not only that Taiwan was going to!
The government of Taiwan gave a grant of ten million dollars to the government of Dominica, never to be paid back. The government of Taiwan also made a loan available to the government of in the amount of ten million dollars at an interest rate of 4%.
The People’s Republic of China, the China government gave the same amount. The Government of Trinidad & Tobago loan Dominica Government 80% of the total cost, on one condition, and that was the Airport was to be constructed by engineers, and contractors from Trinidad and Tobago. The complete cost was just a little over three hundred million dollars.
Under Edison James and the UWP, the contractors were in Dominica, the Airport was in its first stage of Development, when the coalition government led by Roosevelt Douglas, chase the people from…
Continue:
When the coalition government led by Roosevelt Douglas, chase the people from Trinidad out of Dominica, and shut down the construction.
The secondary school in Wesley was part of the project they tried to shut that down also. By the way the same amount of money China and Taiwan gave to Dominica they gave the same amount to St. Vincent, whereas Ralph Gonzales ensured he build Argyle International Airport, with the money he obtained, Skerrit waste all of our money on Douglas-Charles swamp at Melville!
I do not want to remind anybody the Douglas boys said the money they got from China, and Taiwan was not enough okay. (if allyou doh believe me ask his majesty Athie Martin who it oui!). Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
My friend be straigh and condem the recent acts of violence. Stop trying to cover up while at the same time justifying the recent acts of violence.
Col. Dr. Skerrit, Knight of the Order of Bobol, Sir, your time is up.
You are a millionaire – a millionaire! How did you get to be that from your salary as a public servant? Does this have something to do with the $95 million dollars a month you take for passport sales?
When your and your minions can explain your wealth to us, then we will believe your lies.
Go!! I say to Dominicans, MOIGA (make our island great again!).
“We call on the Church… to condemn…” Mr. Letang I enjoyed reading the letter until I got to the first five words of the above sentence. What Church you calling upon? Is there still a church left in Dominica since Skerrit became PM? Left to the so called church Dominica would be a country that is totally sold to do evil. No doubt no one respects us in Dominica. Most of our pastors and Evangelist have bowed their knees unto Baal, as it were. There is no sense of conviction in most of them as they call evil good and good evil.
Take the nonsense of Pastor Wilson Yesterday in the name of Evangelical Churches and tell me if you
they can help. If he was not embarrassing enough to Christians then think of Griffin Daniel today, a much younger man, who spoke like a drunk person would have spoken and tell me if the Church can help? I mean as a pastor his call is for them “to be punished to the max.” instead of a call for all concerned people to come together to see how to fix the…
man stupesssss tan…my $20 you getting every month will stop coming
BRAVO LETANG! WELL DONE!
It has been done before the ruling party create their trouble and accuse the opponents I’d doing so. Therefore mr. Skeritt will have reason to continue to disrespect the DA people. Least we forget the minister without portfolio.
Mr. Letang should not only condemn the violence of Friday night, but also the statement made by the Prime Minister concerning the overthrowing of his Government by Linton. Linton wrote to several recognized organizations, concerning the problems facing Dominica. Linton had an interview with a reputable T.V and news agency, CBS. Linton knew their are approximately two thousand American students on Island. Linton knew about the meeting held between Dominicans residing in Washington and a US congress delegation. Mr. Linton knew of the many international news papers which have been reporting on CBI, de-risking and the alleged sanction-busting. The meeting ended at approximately 5.30 pm, several of the UWP supporters including Linton left the area and went back to their homes. Linton returned to the area to help solve a problem involving the movement of a truck, having known and done all that, wouldn’t it be madness to still want to overthrow the Government.
This is what the ignoramuses dont want to comprehend. Instead continue to create all kinda of possible stories with the base message uwp came to overthrow the government. It was not a coup it was a peaceful protest. It was just that. After, the police made a poor decision which escalated a situation and the people, not the UWP officials, reacted.
………and now we are awaiting word from the most executive honourable member of the 1979 Kool_Worsch_ Brigade.
Sir,
Your comments are in tune with the norm.I have heard all comments and conspiracy theories about Skerrit, Lennox and the rest and i have no problem with that.What i do have a problem with, is that, there is an abundance of all this CBI monies going around and you settling or asking for 15% salary increase over three years for Civil Servants. Then within a couple months if we do get an increase, Social Security claims back that little increase we got, by jacking up your monthly contributions.You want to be part of the big league: fight our cause ,give us a reason to fight with you. The government with all its utterances cannot say they do not have money .Every body getting, NEP,people getting brand new houses , new vehicles all over the place, ,properties being bought all over the place,projects cannot done,business places getting after the riot etc…….Sir, what about us civil servants who have sacrificed for so long?When the going was really rough, we bend over backwards!
Mr Latang no wander you members has no respect forr you and will not follow you in any thing because you are to political. we all know you are a die hard supporter of the UWP so please shot up. is that your statement sir< shame on you.
Go over the garbage you just wrote..Seem that your mind was totally shut down..Go to school!
This is preposterous. Trade unions are traditional in support of working class people and the labour movement sprang forth from trade unions. Read the history of Dominica and you will see that is true here also. Our current President and Prime Minister come from the Freedom party, a political movement more akin to the conservative party in the U.S.A. What happened in Dominica is that opportunists hijacked the labour party for their own political and material gain. There are many genuine labour party supporters I know, who are very uneasy, if not upset, what happened to their party and even if they cannot bring themselves to vote for the opposition, they will abstain comes the next election.
Respect. You and Charlie should be apologising to Glossier Joseph and the proprietors of Frans and the other merchants who were looted and the ministers were terorrised to resign after the unfortunate events of MAY 29th……hypocrites…40 days the country was shut down for….? Hurricane David came after….you know why?
Tell Skerrit if he is honest as he says…..let’s get that the Independent Commission Inquiry in place. We will subpoena Tony aka pet food peddler and Susan Olde and her partner as the first witnesses. Why are you freedomites turned laborious so angry? Let’s get Skerries vindicated. No fake lawsuits from Tony.
I believe the civil servants,teachest, police officers, prison officers, teachers, nurses and doctors deserve a 10 percent increase in their basic salaries along with travel allowances and health insurance as well as repairing our many roads but he is busy campaigning with the passport money even sponsoring Reggie’s t shirt band. What a waste of tax payers money. Thats what you people are encouraging ….shameful!
His statement seems bias. this a national cricis . U must tell it as it is irrespective of your political views
Letang is no diehard supporter of UWP. Look at where he from. Pichelin. Look at his boyhood and current friends from the same Pichelin: Colbert, Davis Letang, Clarence etc…………. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Just t be fair and balanced.
you just stated everything you felt was wrong with it, then said not that there is anything wrong with it. That in itself was wrong. I have no idea who his friends are, now you just gave me the whole list. why do you dominicans think putting someones personal business out make you more of a desirable person?
He is a die hard supporter of the RIGHT CAUSE – wherever it may be: DLP, UWP DFP.
At the moment, the right cause is on the UWP and the DFP side.
Too political ? You are and idiot, ignoramus and know nothing of politics let alone the history and purpose of the a Trade Union movement. That’s how most the political parties emerged all over the world. Letang is right on Q and as matter of of fact, he should be leading the civil service on a protest all over Dominica, just like Savarin did, not he Savarin, is seating in luxury as he compromised his principles for a corrupt PM and Labour government, now he is President. Can you imagine.
LOL this is one is the probles in DA , Your comment says it all
Tony even a school child can google the names of all these people and they will see and read about Allison,Monfared,Pedro and others. People do not have to go by what UWP say but instead do their own research and stop listening to you. D/cans wake up. Truth and Rasta do your research. Tony this is 2017 not 1960s/70s. Stop making a fool of yourself. Every time I hear you on the air is lies and more lies. God bless Dominica.
Poor MAN poor, so sad
An inquiry is the best solution to this. The people of Dominica is entitled to the truth since we are the citizens of this country. I hear the PM say over and over he is not answering Lennox or is not their business. Which Leader responds that way. Please I all for the Inquiry, Investigate, Interrogate.
Did we get an investigation on the fire at the Airport in Melville Hall ?.. Did we get an investigation on the fire that almost killed Mr & Mrs. G. Emmanuel ? , Did we get an investigation on the guns that came thru the custom?.. And that’s the state of affairs when it comes to those that suppose to be doing their job, instead they would rather will seek out the young people and lock them up.
Stay strong, Mr. Letang. Ignore the apologists for wrong doing.
It’s best you stay quiet if your statement is going to be so empty…
It a very good statement……I like it.
Your brain is actually empty,not the statement.
That was no empty statement. Other Union leaders could take a page from that book. Nothing inflammatory, nothing untruthful, nothing disrespectful. A call for Dominicans to do the right thing as they see it. Great statement, Mr. Letang.
Wonderful statement
Mr. Letang – it is time to show those who thiink you have no power to demand response from Skerrit. It is time to call your members to action – this was what Saverin did. Call your people to action to force the Government to address the issues. If not i call on all union members to cancel their membership with immediate effect.
Letang, I agree and support this statement. Call your workers to protest in the best civil manner. We deserve it, the country deserves it. The country has deteriorated to poverty and lack of investment since this Skerrit came into office. Only manufactured devious and questionable deeds. they thought they could get away, hunt Hon Linton have them reeling.
I’t’s a question,, does any one know if Letang or any of the Unions were part of the organizers at the meeting last Tuesday evening just wondering.
Don’t you think he would if he could? Do you not see from this puerile article that Letang, like you, is part of the anti-Government forces and and can barely bring himself to ‘condemn’ the rioters and looters? My friend, much as you would like Letang to call out his members, even more than you, he wishes that he had the influence to do so, but sadly for him he does not. He is of no consequence.
U have my support 100%+
Could you write a piece on de sale of passports? An account that is clearly understood.
And we will still find Dominicans who look at the situation with eyes shut, listen with ears cocked and blame it all on the opposition. Lennox may need a few lessons in subtlety but one must not ignore the points he brings across nor the the things our beautiful country seems to be involved in, unbeknownst to us until very recently.
Very good post from the DPSU. I love the way it put things into perspective, and not embark on “duns-cyat” talk like what Simeon and Tony are doing of Kiari FM. But maybe it is not Simeon’s deliberate fault; We will make the sign-of-the-cross for him.
But on another note, Letang looking well tired. He would do well with a deep, long sleep.
Mr. Letang be real drive to the point you are always on Q95 with these people they are your friends; all when they were calling for another 1979 you never utter one word, not even to protect the private sector businesses. I thought you were wiser than that, think about the number of Iranians and many other citizens from the middle-east who owned American passport causing crimes in America have you ever heard the people of America ask any president to step down? Think about those monopoly countries, have you ever heard the people ever ask their government to step down or stop selling passports. Development comes with a cost. Remember we have the FMOP(free movement of people). When we start to use the same passport and the same currency around our region what will you say? Will stop them from coming in Dominica? When policemen are recruited don’t they ask for a clean police record? I believe Yes. can a clean police record prevent someone from committing a crime? You must…
Excellent points. Same as employing new staff. They may have all the credentials and experience. Who knows what their personal lifestyle is like? It could be a matter of time that their true colors will be exposed., when they do something wrong.
These UWP supporters appear not to have any sense. They do not think clearly.
Pierre Charles of blessed memory was right, some of us really wear our ignorance as a batch of honour. President Bill Clinton was impeached in 19998 and so was Andrew Johnson in 1868. Richard Nixon came very close but decided to leave office of his own accord just before he was certain to be impeached in 1974. And there are a number of other U.S. Presidents that were subject of impeachment action ( asked to step down), which were not successful. Please, read the history books.
True say
A very balanced response.
Thomas, you have obviously swallowed the Cool Aid poison dished out by the UWP leaders and their operatives in the Diaspora, without checking out the ingredients! Have you made any effort to determine the source of the information appearing in news organs purporting to be reliable and independent? Had you done even a cursory search you would have discovered that those organs were mere BLOGS that were being fed fabricated information by Thompson Fontaine, Gabriel Christian and other UWP operatives!
The most recent example is an article written by Greg Copley entitled “Dominica Passport Scandal Reveals Iranian Sanctions Busting and PRC Intelligence Focus on the “Third US Border” in the Caribbean”. Copley is someone to whom Gabriel Christian is known – Gabriel wrote a flattering review (dated July 9, 2015) of one of Copley’s books. Copley is the Editor in Chief of Defense & Foreign Affairs publications in which the article appears.! Mr. Copley resides in Washington, where Gabriel…
You are so good in connecting the dots between Dr Christian and Mr Copley but appearently gets lost connecting the dots between Skerrit, the 11 tankers, the Iranian man, etc etc! BIAS MUCH??!!! Now, who has drank the red kool aid and has happily applauded for wool being pulled over their eyes!
If you have a computer go to THE JOHN BATCHER SHOW and take your time and read the articles and stop the nonsense because these men didn’t fabricated any information, from your comments you have information but you just can’t help yourself so blame the guys instead, well we are all in shock.
I find that you are out of place to ask the union leader to write what is flattering to you and your evil gang..Have you ever told Skerrit as a leader Dominicans expect him to do what’s right?You have not!So you are an accomplished hypocrite..Mr Letang has a mind of his own,and it seem to be straighter than yours,which seem to be replete with evil.
HAHAHAHAHAH That shake allu very foundations wi……………..standing ovation for Mr. Letang!!!! scramble scramble scramble…..the public service waking up way lay lay lay pam pam HHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHA
Good honest people want to distance themselves from the falllout that is coming….more and moree people are going to start crossing the floor ……. hip hip hip… .
He has not stated anything convincingly to warrant the meeting/protest and the violence which occurred in Roseau of the destruction of DLP supporters’ properties.
“These recent happenings have sparked local, regional and international outrage and the union view a call for a Commission of Inquiry as reasonable especially in light of the recent public outrage, and is requesting the Government to accede to that call.
This outrage was displayed locally at a recent public meeting in the city of Roseau at which a section of the population called for the resignation of the
Honourable Prime Minister and his Cabinet; as well as the meeting held with the US congressional delegation with some concerned foreign based
Dominicans on that same day.
The union believes in the respect for the constitutional right of every citizen in Dominica to demand and receive answers from a democratically elected Government.”
Thank you Mr. Letang we appreciate your open honesty ….. lets see what kertiste has to say For the very LEAST…
79 forever get a life!! US congressional delegation with some concerned foreign based
Dominicans on that same day. please! if it’s so you all want to come into office this will not happen
This I can give my 100% support to. No name calling, no blame game, no derogatory terms, no sensationalism!
Right on Point!
Jacob is PM Gonsalves of STV ; Esau is Skerrit.
“Meanwhile, LIAT has announced as of Tuesday, February 14th, 2017, all flights into and out of St Vincent will be operated out of the new Argyle International Airport (AIA).”
How Jacob tricked Esau:
1. Taiwan was going to help DA build an inte/ airport and Jacob told Esau and the DLP that Dominica can’t afford it
2. Esau listened to Jacob and kicked Taiwan outfor China, but Jacob embraced Taiwan
3. Jacob got Taiwan to help them build inter/ airport, but Esau got night landing
4.Tuesday 14, 2017 Jacob opening brand new airport with ALL LIAT flights ; March Esau losing another LIAT flight
5.. Come Tuesday, Jacob opening NEW airport while Esau going to hell with protest
6. Jacob says NO to sale of Passports; Esau says IF not CBI then what?
7..Jacob says NO to the Baroness; Esau says Baroness is best
Key verse: Esau said, “His name is Jacob.. That is the right name for him. He has tricked me twice. Gen 27:36 ERV
lol i enjoyed that
i like this one
Esau preferred to hide at Melvillehall than to go on the test flight to signall the beginning of night landing..Esau also preferred to hide than to go and defend “The Goose that Lays the Golden Egg” on the CBS60 minutes programme…Esau has a Phd in hiding..
ki taiwan s
Dear Editor,
It appears not even the DPSU can get the facts right. I do not intend to repeat any argument on Monfared or diplomatic passports. Nuff said. But the DPSU goes on to say
“This is compounded by similar admissions of other such persons who became Dominican citizens either through the Citizenship by Investment Programme or other means and were found to be embroiled in deeply objectionable scandals which have tainted our good name”
Mr Letang owes it to the public to tell us (i) when were these ‘ similar admissions’ made; (ii) who are these persons who were granted citizenship under the CIP program ‘ or other means ” who ‘were found to be embroiled in deeply objectionable scandals which have tainted our good name”; and (iii) the ‘ other means.’ by which citizenship has been granted, and by whom.
I look forward to hearing from him before I comment further.
Man go and get other work to do.. !!
That is the problem, he has become unemployable.
If you are the real AWA, I feel sorry for you having to spend your time on all blogs/electronic news papers around the region writing on technicalities. I feel your pain. I read your comments on Caribbean News Now, your contributions to DA vibes, listen to your views on Kairi and recently the response to Ms Williams.
P.S (i) when were these ‘ similar admissions’ made;
“The arrangement of Mrs. Madueke serving in an honorary capacity, with no direct remuneration from Dominica and Dominica facilitating her travels across Europe and Africa with the issuance of a diplomatic passport, was entirely in accordance with existing convention, protocol and practice, until the very recent and unexpected development of the investigations by UK and Nigerian authorities. This development was not foreseen nor anticipated by the due diligence..” http://www.opm.gov.dm/?p=1611 Much like Monfared’s Due diligence could not forsee…
This is a confused contribution. Lest you forget, or perhaps you are not aware, Alison Madueke is currently ensconced in London, where I believe it is alleged that she met the PM and received the diplomatic passport. She clearly therefore did not need a Dominican diplomatic passport to travel to and through Europe as you claim.
Truth Knowledge… I did not claim anything what was posted above is a quote from the Press Release the PM did in response to the maduke issue!
“This is compounded by similar admissions of other such persons who became Dominican citizens either through the Citizenship by Investment Programme or other means and were found to be embroiled in deeply objectionable scandals which have tainted our good name”
Admittedly, one was a citizen of Dominica and the other wasn’t; however, the cause of recent outrage has mainly been the issue of Diplomatic Passports, no so much citizenship.
Both Maduke and Monfared had been issued diplomatic passports, allegedly prior to the former’s investigation and the later’s arrest. On both occasions the government revealed that its due diligence had not red flagged those individuals.
I can only hope that the government has taken a rigid/thorough approach to future screening and is engaging in a “re-screening” of current Diplomatic Passport holders in the hopes of preventing a third (prior or current) DP holder from any future arrests for crimes they may or may not have committed years…
by the way, does the arrest of Monfared terminate his regular citizenship? Or is that illegal?
But this man’s passport was revoked since January 2016. At the time of his arrest he was not a citizen of Dominica.
DA Girl, the Man’s DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT was revoked in January 2016, no mention was made of his citizenship being terminated, nor his regular passport which he obtained by CBI (I do not know if it is legal for the gov to do that in the case of his regular pasport and dominican citizenship). But if you can lead me to where it was stated that his regular passport was revoked, i will be happy to apologise
Yes he still has a Dominican passport, he is still a citizen,its only his Diplomatic passport that was canceled
Ng Lap Seng and Alison Madueke
Don’t forget Francesco Corallo, alleged member of the Sicilian Mafia and now under arrest as well, introduced to Roosevelt Skerrit by premier Schotte of Curacao, who has been sentenced to three years in jail.
We want our f$^%&* money!
Alas Astaphan you are a terrible Malady to Dominica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are like a continuous dropping!!! Shut up!!!
Anthony Astaphan, the DPSU has no time for your endless political spin. Anytime somebody or or any organisation says something that does not sign the praises of Skerrit or criticises, even constructively, the government, you seem to see red meat and behave like a rabid dog, attacking everyone as if you own the Government of Dominica.
You are no different where Lennox Linton is concerned.
Tony has a right, just as you to respond. Allow him his right as we do your right.
same with Liton and his henchmen It goes both ways .I sure u listen to Q95. Stop playing ignorant
Tony
WHy aren’t you advising the Prime Minister to suit John Batcher and World Tribune and ANderson Cooper, CBS 60 minutes etc – WHat happen you don’t have to balls? or the counter lawsuit would be too much?
Tony, I think Letang was referring to Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was under investigation in Britain for alleged corruption while in office while holding a Dominican diplomatic passport. Although she has not been charged, just her being investigated is enough to raise red flags.
Also Francisco Corallo claimed Dominican diplomatic immunity when his home was raided in Italy. Where is he now?
These are similar to the Monfared character. Stop taking Dominicans for idiots.
Tell Tony, go on remind him He is a man in denial and back peddling and meddling. The nonsense is open for all to see.
Tony… until you are ready to have an inquiry into the CBI programme we will remain dissatisfied with what you and the PM say.
WE NEED A PLATFORM TO QUESTION AND RECEIVE HONEST ANSWERS, so we can be satisfied the matter has been dealt with in a civilised way.
In absent of that, there will be more protests, demonstration and strikes.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Anthony Astaphans, you need to earn our trust because we cannot trust you anymore! L
@ Tony : Are you the GOD of Dominica? Explain to us your statement” When he stretched out his hands they bite it….” Who are “THEY.”
Is Manfared carrying a regular passport and if how did he get it?
You claim that Manfared passport was cancelled in January 2016. Was it cancelled because of his reputation since it is alledged that he is a criminal? If so why was he now residing in D.A.
Can you explain it to we Dominicans who are not spin doctors but intelligent sons of slaves.
Bob Marley says” You can fool some people some of the time but not all the time.”
Finally sir can you explain where police sent to Lennox’s home for as was alledge leaking IPO information.
Can you confirm who leaked it and why?
Awaiting your response!
Tony you were born in Suriname, stop talking your **** to Dominicans
A union has no business asking any government to such request. though the observations are merited, it is beyond the scope of the union to enter into political matters that are not directly affecting the labour of it’s membership. This is the very issue of Politics in Dominica. Everyone wants a say.
all the man is asking is to allay the fears of Dominicans… you think more secrecy and division will solve this problem we all have on our hands
when these decisions affect the union’s members then it has the right. the unions were a major part of the 1979 issues.
and my dear, eveyone has to have a say in politics if for no other reason that we all have to hold our governments accountable to us
SD you are ill informed . The Labor party derived from the Trade Union from Jamaica to Guyana. It was not enough that workers’ concerns were voiced; they found it necessary that their station be represented at the prominent level.
not political , not trade but labor sir,
labor union, so you are ill informed, do they go to him when they’re sick, ask yourself, he negotites your insirance, but he does’nt feal with your medical management
Another Blog?. Mr. Letang is repeating, almost word for word the very same a issues the opposition UWP has been repeating for years now and without evidence. What Mr. Letang has failed to do is to recognize the work of certain Dominicans in contributing to the bad press he is referring to. No one like to know that their country is regarded as a rogue State. It is true that a lot of the information published mostly on social media from blogs are provided by Dominicans. So when a group of Dominicans in Washington visited their congressional office to complain of happenings in Dominica, they are the ones jepordizing our country. Mr. Letang’s statement failed to request those who supply the bloggers with “alternative facts” to stop what they are doing. Stop washing our dirty linen in public. The violence in Roseau has to be laid at the feet of the organizers of the D Day which was planned as a protest and with the sole objective of removing Prmie Minister Skerrit.
Pure and absolute garbage..You can’t tell mr Letang what to say..Should he say the things that will please you,even if they may be wrong?Why not tell Skerrit instead what to say or do?For sure his passport agents have given and or sold many of our passports to crooks and criminals..Why not tell him to stop it?
@Rasta: The incidence involving the stabbing of the nurse son during carnival, was the Government, DOC or the person who committed act responsible. Based on your argument above then the killings taking place in Dominica falls squarely at the feet of the Government. Wise up people!
Mr. Letang your document was well written. The truth offends but is always the TRUTH!
God bless the wise !!!!
The truth is inalienable.
This statement came straight from the pens of Lennox Linton and Thompson Fountaine. Give us a break Thomas Letang! Who do you think you are fooling (apart from the usual blue fanatics)?We all know you did not right this, even if you are part and parcel of the blue bunch.
sorry meant “did not write this”
if this beautiful piece of penmanship comes from Lennox Linton and Fountaine , then this speak of their intelligence and brilliance in the art language and penmanship. Thank you for acknowledging the brilliance and intelligence of these gentlemen. i must say that it is indeed a brilliance piece. Now i urge Mr.Letang to call out his members to discuss way forward.
yah right, he will turn them blue
and skerrit help you to write (not right) yours. ……
The truth is you guys are so scared. All the defence to lay at Skerrit and his corrupt government neither of you have the balls to ask him to declare his assets. clear the progress of the passport CBI programme.
Recall he was found with pants down when HOn Linton presented all the facts re the Bin BObol, after pleading not true. Only when it came out they stop their lies the facts direct ij the faces and today you asking us to trust him, no way, once bitten twice shy. You ask your leader Skerrit to come clean and Tony Astaphan to back off.
Well you have said it all. Honourable Linton and Dr Fountain are indeed brilliant…We knew that already anyway…I don’t believe that Mr Letang is there to answery your puffery about who write what….It would better serve your purpose if you question your PM!!!
Now i am forced to comment. Because this is a statement of the Union. Written by the Executive. A well put together statement.
So why are the government apologists so afraid of a commission of inquiry which would bring clarity and provide answers to Dominicans including the union members?