The OECS Commission has extended congratulations to Dominican-born Baroness Patricia Scotland, on her historic elevation to the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
In extending congratulations on behalf of the Governments and people of the Member States which constitute the OECS, the Director General of the Organisation, Dr Didacus Jules, referred to the feelings of great pride experienced by the people of the region in this achievement by one of its illustrious daughters, and the great expectation by the OECS that under her leadership, the Commonwealth would experience an enhancement in its already positive global impact.
The Director General noted that while acknowledging that as Secretary General, Baroness Scotland’s responsibility would extend to the entire Commonwealth, it would not be unreasonable to expect that under her leadership, the organisation would pay even greater attention to the plight of the more vulnerable of its members.
In this regard, he expressed optimism that the Commonwealth will continue to vigorously promote and champion the cause of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Small Vulnerable Economies (SVE’s) in general, a cause which in his view, Baroness Scotland would be uniquely placed to understand and to identify with.
The Director General expressed the wish that in this and other areas of mutual interest, the OECS and the Commonwealth would enjoy a close working relationship.
It is only right for the rest of the region to recognize and appreciate the ascension of Baroness Patricia Scotland as our new General Secretary of the Commonwealth. Although her nomination was criticized by some of our neighbors in the region prior to her election, that is now water under the bridge. It should be now recognized that Baroness Patricia Scotland’s nomination was a brilliant and strategical maneuver that kept the Caribbean block of the Commonwealth in the race and ultimately in the position to win. Baroness Scotland is the best candidate for the position given the backing of the more powerful countries within the commonwealth. For sure, she will be a great asset to Dominica in our recovery effort. She is now in a position to bring more countries on board with regards to providing assistance to us in our time of need. She is, in fact, our International Relief Coordinator. It’s simply perfect timing. Our Supreme Leader is brilliant. 30 more years for sure!!!
The EU or the Commonwealth? Britain can have both. In 1961 when Harold Macmillan first applied to join Europe and again during the 1975 referendum, the core emotive question was the choice Britain would have to make between Europe and the Commonwealth. Abandoning New Zealand butter for foreign stuff was, for many, Britain betraying its old friends. But after Suez, Commonwealth trade was stagnant, and Europe booming. Europe was seen as a zone of modernity and prosperity and the Commonwealth as an unwanted burden holding Britain back.
Today, the Empire is striking back. Europe is now portrayed as a deadweight, begging for alms and pinning global Britain down. The emerging economies of the Commonwealth suddenly look rather exciting. Papers and comment sites are filled with articles asking why on earth the British threw their lot in with the losers in the first place.
Why should we give you people reparations when u all love your colonizers?
They are people too. One side of our ancestors (some) are colonizers, some from Great Britain, as we know too well. We had no decision in it. Life’s circumstances made it so and probably destiny as some would say. Therefore, why should we hate them? For one, those who are especially Christians are not to hate. They are to love. This pertains to those who, today, you refer to as colonizers.
You would be happy and peaceful in practicing the godly virtue of love to everyone in general. Why not try it? You will like it.
Praise be to God!
British Rule de world.
Thank God it is not you!
Thank you Dr. Jules and the OECS Secretariat, for sharing the pride that we should all feel on the achievement of someone born in Dominica and more so who was nominated by Dominica. Historic indeed!