Dominica-Libya relationship still intact – Henderson

Vince Henderson, Dominica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. * Photo credit: junglekey.com

Dominica is maintaining diplomatic relations with the African region of Libya at least for now, despite questionable actions by the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Several people were killed in widespread anti-government protests in Libya over the past month with clashes being reported between forces loyal to the Gaddafi regime and pro-democracy people.

Gaddafi’s regime was reported to have turned helicopter gunships on protesters, killing close to 20 people, adding to the hundreds that had already lost their lives in the unrest.

Questioned by BBC Caribbean on Dominica’s stance on the matter, Vince Henderson, Dominica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said while Dominica hopes the situation will come under control the government here has not taken any decision to sever ties with the Gaddafi regime.

He dispelled suggestions Dominica is not taking a tough stance against Gaddafi and his actions because of financial gains.

“People have a right to speculate… Countries are always guided by self-interest in conducting their foreign relations, that is not to say that countries do not take decisions in the interest of other nationals from other countries.

“In some circumstances, decisions to have or not to have diplomatic relations, is determined on the domestic situation in the other country… but as far as Dominica having any financial benefit from Tripoli, that is not the deciding factor,” he told the BBC.

“At this time the government has not taken any decision to sever links with Tripoli,” Henderson said.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

34 Comments

  1. lucky lilly
    March 26, 2011

    Well that goes to show what breed of men we have in power in Dominica and who is willing to follow them. All those ministers have their mouths shut.

    Innocent people who have had enough of corrupt rule, finally united, decide to come together for the good of their grand and great grand children are being tortured, demoralized and killed and so called men in authority in Dominica wont denounced these actions, instead they want to defend Ghadifi and his millions.

  2. Democratic lover
    March 26, 2011

    Dominica, poor, poor and poorer.
    Dominicans who enslaved u, and left Dominica poor and undeveloped, was it Gadaffi? Who stole the banana industry from us and left us scrambling to leave the island, forcing us to sell our land and heritage, to emigrate was it Gaddafi.?
    Dominicans used your brains after 200years what have the West done for Dominica, we leave our homeland and work as paid slaves, never being respected.
    Did Gaddafi do that to us.? Who condemn us to a life of poverty, was it Gaddafi.

  3. Hugo Grotius
    March 24, 2011

    Gaddafi Army Killing Civilians
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72wub-X_6Kc&NR=1

    شاهد كيف يُقتل الثوار في ليبيا

  4. worried dominican
    March 24, 2011

    my bro vince cantbelieve yor saying this,the regime is coming to and end,but we know is skerro that told you to say that,the us is going to get rid of gadhafi in a few days so i am waiting to see what will be your next respone,a man that is killing his people come on my friend.

  5. En Ba La
    March 24, 2011

    So you think Lybia was giving you all money for free then. The “red clinic” gave locals money – guess what UNDYING SUPPORT NO MATTER WHAT- One of the “Mother Red Clinc” gives money guess what UNDYING SUPPORT NO MATTER WHAT.

    Birds of a feather flock together. Fwekante chien ou ka tapay pisse

    I love this guy for this – LET THE WORLD KNOW “WHO WE ROLLIN’ WITH”. Yes!!!!

  6. Rolle
    March 24, 2011

    I actually thought Vince had a brain…

  7. Anonymous
    March 24, 2011

    WOw great reply from a dam fool, what did you all expect everyone is trying to disassociate themselves and thats all you can say YET. What will it take to cut those ties.

  8. DPM
    March 24, 2011

    A total waste of the Dominican taxpayers money.

  9. pagwa
    March 24, 2011

    Eh EH Vince surface. After MIA – Tell us what you actually doing in NY sir. Don’t lie because there is evidence out there.

  10. Gee
    March 24, 2011

    ************Thank you DNO for the GRINNING Photo*******************************

    All I can say is that this “filed” photo of Mr. Henderson……….. GRINNING his teeth out is just perfect!! It actually represents what a BIG JOKE our foreign policy is on this matter!!

    We are basically in support of evil and we seem to be proud of it!!

  11. Lady
    March 24, 2011

    You mean all it took from Henderson who has been missing in action is one report from the UN and he resurfaces? wow.
    Un should have submitted a report long ago, that would have awaken him from his slumber. As for his statement…. goes to show huh?

  12. outrage
    March 24, 2011

    talk about sit on the fence, in one hand we accept things from de UK like the canine dogs, and eqipment, then in the other hand the goverment are not comdeming what America the UK, europe and canada, are trying to stop, again i am sure a lot of people will say it is about oil, and yes i am sure it is, but killing children and innocent people is not some thing i would want to support, even if a country has its own rights, the world is a community, would you sit by in your neighbourhood and watch the guy across the road beat his children to death, no you wouldnt.

    dominica has to many ties with these extreme countries, and it always worries me, that when push comes to shove, what are we going to have to do to in return, for all the monies and favours

  13. Nathaniel Peltier
    March 24, 2011

    VERY DISTURBING Comment.

  14. naturelover
    March 24, 2011

    Hey folks,Diplomatic Relations are between Countries not between the individual leaders ,so if any country has internal issues no need to suddenly break up links,just have to review and wait, Did USA,ENGLAND, FRANCE -who benefits million times more than us break-relations??,Respect for Dominica~position quite savvy i think.Cudos for the Hon,Vince on that one

  15. Anonymous
    March 24, 2011

    One thing lennox can do things oui pal. The Ambassador all over now talking boy. The bid wigs must have given him a wake up call after Lennox expose him. I’m embarrassed to have this man represent me at the United Nations, we have soooooo many distinguished men and women from Dominica. Ahhhhhhhhhh that is just unfathomable to me but it is the reality.

  16. child
    March 23, 2011

    what a wicked smile

  17. -----
    March 23, 2011

    Ah las! what will we do when Gaddafi and Chavez are gone, where will we turn to for help.

  18. Beware
    March 23, 2011

    Dominicans must listen well and decipher for themselves. The Govt. has yet to denounce the atrocities and attacks on peaceful civilians by the Gaddafi Regime. The Libyan people are demanding democratic reforms, an end to corruption and dictatorial rule. Libya is a rich in oil and natural gas but 1/3 of the population live in poverty. Gaddafi’s sons and family own properties worth millions of $$$$$$$$$$ in other parts of the world. But there are disturbing trends right here to be aware of.

    Why in Dominica Govt. refuses to implement ELECTORAL REFORM? Why do you all think that a personality cult, as if is Jesus sent, is being established with Skerritt as the Saviour seen to be giving the handouts, the $$$$$, the scholarships, the concessions for vehicles, etc., etc., etc., What about the heavy influencing of our institutions, judicial system, the courts, the Electoral Commission etc., etc., etc.,? How comes after 7 years, the Electoral Commission is still refused financial help for the production of VOTER ID CARDS and CLEANING the VOTERS’ LIST? How comes after 15 months, the case of DUAL CITIZENSHIP involving Skerritt and St. Jean cannot even begin? Although the Law states that such matters should be dealt with QUICKLY?

    What about all the cases of fraud, corruption and other criminal acts that have been committed and nothing happens, No INVESTIGATION? What about the issues where TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY have BEEN THROWN out of the WINDOW? What about Agreements with foreign countries that our Govt. have signed on behalf of the people? Do the people know about those agreements? What do they entail? Those are trends that the people must be aware of. Because the situation in Libya did not occur in one day. Bad Governance and corruption was allowed to become entrenched over time. Until the world saw the obvious outcome, the innocent killings of a people fighting for their freedom. Dominicans beware. A stitch in time saves nine.

  19. Always Concerned
    March 23, 2011

    Well, in Vince’s defense, he was questioned and as a government official, it would not look good to just say nothing. He clearly said that Dominica has not made any decisions YET. I guess he and Skerro waiting to see what happens instead of putting their feet in their mouths. Dominicans will vex if they give up on Gaddafi and later, Gadaffi stays in power and stop giving DA his money.. Good move..Wait and see what happens before making and decisions.

    But for the life of me, I cannot understand why Skerro won’t tell those guys to stay away from the media and keep their mouths shut…They cannot talk and when they try, they turning people against them, against Skerro and against Dominica. Mr, PM, please put a muzzle on your cabinet and the others who try to speak on your behalf and that of Dominica.

    One more thing, does this mean that all you not going and put a room in the State house for Gaddafi? Has anyone called and invite him yet? Pease tell me you did…

    DNO, how about another poll? Should the Dominica government invite Gaddafi to DA to seek refuge?

    • En Ba La
      March 24, 2011

      No one has to invite him – HE IS A SHAREHOLDER OF DOMINICA who gets dividends -so no invitation necessary :lol:

  20. Quasi Transparency
    March 23, 2011

    Well, what the heck Hendo after a 3.1% rating for appearance at the United Nations I hope you don’t over do it now in terms of appearances and speeches to make up for the 96.9%. Oh great smile it’s a bankable smile.

  21. natural dominican
    March 23, 2011

    stupid is what stupid does….why mr henderson would you publicly make such a statement…this is our ambassador….is he even aware of what is going on in libya….well mr henderson i can say that you are definately not speaking for this dominican

  22. MAMA
    March 23, 2011

    grin from ear to ear vince your bread is buttered on both sides miss africa aka wifey can live large now in the BIG APPLE, the poor people of Libya will continue to die so you n yoour pm pockets can stay filled. I thought better of you ,even that you were different but no MONEY N THINGS CHANGES MEN, GREED!!!!!!!!!!!! BLOOD MONEY PEOPLE DYING, MY GOD DOMINICA HAVE A HEART

  23. DA
    March 23, 2011

    where are all the people that think the goverment is doing everything right .dominica side with gaddafi for money that is a shame.life is more important than $……If dominica keep on the track it is going we will end up like these countries.

  24. Ace
    March 23, 2011

    Alas wii pal Mister should have kept his mouth shut.That just wasn’t diplomatic at all,now america and england going to try to punish de malaway diplomatically.No visiting visas etc…….

  25. Anonymous
    March 23, 2011

    All of a sudden our dear Amb resurfaces.

  26. CARIBBEAN MAN
    March 23, 2011

    How about having realtions with the government of Libya and not with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, because when he is forced out and make no mistake he will be gone from Libya sooner rather than later,then who would the government of Dominica have relations with, would it now be the government of Libya after you guys did not have the humaine and decent thing to do,as to support change. Instead you (the government of Dominica hide behind Colonel Muammar Gaddafi gifts,very shameful.

  27. Traveler
    March 23, 2011

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! All you kill me!

  28. M
    March 23, 2011

    we so hungry in dominica, even international shame and disgust wont prevent us from stretching our hands out…. how sad.. I give up on yall

  29. yout
    March 23, 2011

    how could it be intact ….silly statement….when the UN security council is bombarding the place

  30. Sprinter
    March 23, 2011

    LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!! I guess you guys must be on bended knees praying this man stays in control. What is the death of a few or a hundred persons compared to an empty pocket?

  31. Seriously?
    March 23, 2011

    With all due respect Mr Henderson that is NOT something you go and announce on the BBC. Now you and the government will be hated domestically, regionally AND internationally. You know better than me I hope you had a good reason for doing this.

  32. gwobeck
    March 23, 2011

    well they better do now

  33. black Queen
    March 23, 2011

    why would Dominica want to have anythingto do with someone who is so terrible. Stop thinking about the money and have some morals. Our Island is bless we do not need libya

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available