Dominica’s participation in ALBA valued – Venezuelan diplomat

Venezuelan Ambassador Carmen Martinez de Grijalva and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

The Bolivarian Alliance known as ALBA, of which Dominica is a member, values the participation of the nature island in that organization, according to Dominica-based Venezuelan Ambassador Carmen Martinez de Grijalva.

On at least two occasions Dominica has distanced itself from controversial decisions taken by the Venezuela-led ALBA, after having reportedly signing on the dotted line along with other ALBA member states.

The latest incident deals with ALBA’s position on USAID, with the organization advising its members to expel the American agency from their countries.

While a communique carried in the official Cuban newspaper Granma listed Dominica among the countries which agreed to do this, the government in Roseau has rejected the claim and said it signed no such agreement.

USAID just last week announced here that the agency was initiating a programme that would benefit Dominica and the rest of the OECS countries.

“The position is we have a common bloc for solidarity, for cooperation,” de Grijalva explained when asked about how the ALBA bloc was interpreting what appeared to be Dominica’s confused position on decisions taken by ALBA.

She said ALBA was made up of larger and smaller countries, and that the organization respects Dominica’s “internal affairs”.

“We don’t impose conditions, that is very important to clarify – ALBA don’t impose conditions”.

The Venezuela diplomat said “If Dominica for example don’t accept some decision – we respect that”.

“We never criticize any decision that Dominica takes – we are happy with Dominica, we don’t have any any problems with Dominica,” she said.

“The proof that we are happy with Dominica is that we are still working in Dominica,” the Venezuelan diplomat said.

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17 Comments

  1. Emile Zapatos
    July 8, 2012

    Dominica should not compromise its relationship with either side ,but it should use its diplomatic influence to normalise relationship between its two friends ,.Because we have more than 100,000 dominicans in the U S A we cannot replace the U S A with Venezuela.Futhermore we all belong to the O A S AND SHOULD NOT PROMOTE ANY DEVISION.

  2. Morality
    July 7, 2012

    :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?: Diplomacy,trickery or lies?Can these people come clean with honesty and truth?I know they won’t,cause they came from their father the devil who is the father of lies.Just like him these evil polititions holding on to power illegally will kill and destroy.They are not interested in good governance and will side with anyone who can dangle dollars in their face! :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?:

  3. ROSEAU VALLEY
    July 5, 2012

    So the participation of Dominica in the Bolivarian Alliance- ALBA, is well respected and valued.-Great use of diplomatic language- Noted

    ALBA respects Dominica’s “internal affairs” and if Dominica does not accept some decisions –ALBA respects that – Great diplomatic posturing. Noted

    ALBA does not impose conditions- Great display of diplomatic sensitivity- Noted

    ALBA never criticizes any decision that Dominica takes – Great diplomatic support. Noted

    ALBA is happy with Dominica. It has no problems with Dominica- Excellent

    Now Madam Ambassador Carmen Martinez de Grijalva, tell us the truth. No diplomatic niceties

    1. Is the news release of the official Cuban “Granma” news agency of 21 June 2012 reporting on the ALBA resolution false and/or incorrect?

    2.Did Dominica sign or give support for the ALBA resolution/declaration to expel the USAID from the region?

    3. Is it necessary that each of the governments listed as supporting the said resolution must sign the document or can consent be given in support by some other means?

    4. If the answer to question 1 above is positive, should Dominicans expect an official apology from ALBA for tarnishing the public image of Dominica?

    5. If the answer is negative, don’t you think that the Government of Dominica should apologies to the people for lying to us?- Well sorry, ALBA does not interfere in the domestic affairs o Dominica- next question.

    6. Is it true that ALBA’s resolution to expel USAID was more of an erratic reaction to the actions of the US to stop US aid to certain ALBA state governments like Daniel Ortega’s in Nicaragua?

    7. Finally Madam, Please tell us who is telling the truth and who is really pushing the politics of lies and classic diplomacy on us?

  4. July 5, 2012

    Dominica if Venezuela and ALBA like what you doing just keep on doing it. Play the two-faced game.

  5. tect nee cal lity
    July 5, 2012

    Dominica must stick to it’s decisions, nothing wrong in having relatoin with countries with diffrent ideologies,every countries have their relations with who they think can enhance their developement,we just need to be man about it and open too.
    in life man or woman can do as much as they want when he or she is in charge,but they can never do as long as they want,
    everything as well as human must come to past.

    • July 6, 2012

      I Dominica stand with the decision by signing the document what do you believe will happen with you relatives in the UAS so dont just open your mouth before you think things thru you may not care but I do because I love both USA and my home land.

  6. Observer
    July 5, 2012

    Did the Dominican government said it did NOT sign, or did Tony Astaphan said so? Can someone verify?

    • Correction
      July 6, 2012

      The Government through it Permanent Secretary to the UN categorily denied signing any such document…

      What else you want to hear?

      Try listening to other radio stations rather than just Q and maybe, just maybe, you will be more enlightened… it all depends on how far down innthe dark you are!!

      • tactical
        July 8, 2012

        Well you should post that to the people who subscribe to Granma-and Lennox Lawrence website thats where the story is printed – so for your information it wasn’t Q that wrote the story or even broke the story, they just sought to want clarification on the matter; But I honestly think you are to deep down in the dark whether or not you listen to all radio stations – I recommend that you try doing some research and reading that would then allow you to have a more independent mind.

  7. me
    July 5, 2012

    I thought Granma was the most reputable newspaper in cuba and 99.9% of what the paper write is true. Now I am confused and don’t know who to believe now, we might have to get the original documents.

  8. Anonymous
    July 5, 2012

    Please excuse my ignorance, but I do not understand the contents of this news report. Please explain so non-diplomatic people like me can understand what the Venezuelan Ambassador allegedly stated.

  9. Met Yo
    July 5, 2012

    Boy and them wicked we booy!

    You see allu kinda fellas?

    “On at least two occasions Dominica has distanced itself from controversial decisions taken by the Venezuela-led ALBA, after having reportedly signed on the dotted line along with other ALBA member states.

    The latest incident deals with ALBA’s position on USAID, with the organization advising its members to expel the American agency from their countries.”

    WHERE ALLU GOING WITH THAT DREAD?

    • Correction
      July 5, 2012

      Yea Met yo i agree with you, where they going with that statement? it was not even part of the interview with the Ambassadoe, now read what she said on issues dealing with Dominica not participating in the decisions made: “We don’t impose conditions, that is very important to clarify – ALBA don’t impose conditions”.

      The Venezuela diplomat said “If Dominica for example don’t accept some decision – we respect that”

      Right there should have erased that statement by DNO.

      BTW the USAID statement was controversial to who again?? I know it was not to the USAID so to whom??

      DNO stop doing like Lennox and Angelo, cha man all you better than that!!

    • acer banton
      July 5, 2012

      she is a diplomat, what do you expect her to say

      • Correction
        July 6, 2012

        Boss you thinking too damn deep!!!!

  10. hmmm
    July 5, 2012

    What’s it’s going to be :-|

  11. Deleoncourt
    July 5, 2012

    Great and intelligent woman personal friend of mine I hope the cooperation continues Dominica should thave cordial relationships with all reasonable countries

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