PM welcomes court ruling

The Prime Minister after court yesterday

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said he is welcoming a judge’s decision not to have him and Education Minister Petter St. Jean be called as witnesses for the petitioners in the ongoing dual citizenship matter.

Skerrit told reporters that his attorneys always felt that there was a problem with the subpoenas to appear to give evidence.

“We felt that there was something fundamentally wrong with that. If you have taken on a matter in court, it would have been a matter for you to prove your case. To allow us to give evidence in court as a respondent will certainly turn justice upside down. We are remaining calm on the matter. It’s a legal issue now. Let the lawyers’ determine (it),” he said.

Skerrit said he and his team will respect the judge’s decision regardless of what turn the case takes.

“We will respect the court’s decision and we are remaining humble as usual. We respect the independence of the judiciary system. We thank the people of Dominica for their support,” he stated.

He said it was interesting to note that United Workers Party leader Ron Green told the trial that he renounced his US citizenship on December 11, 2009.

“This matter is really unfair because someone like Ron Green who is taking us to court was a citizen of the US, the holder of a passport, at the time of elections. I guess that is part of politics,” he said.

Skerrit said his team is ready for the continuation of the trial.

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35 Comments

  1. my view
    September 9, 2011

    THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE CHANGED TO ALLOW NO ONE TO RUN FOR OFFICE WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP – PERIOD. YOU CANNOT SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO ONE COUNTRY FULLY IF YOU SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO ANOTHER. HOW CAN YOU SWEAR TO TWO OR THREE OR FOUR. IF THEY HAVE TO FIGHT – WHO DO YOU FIGHT FOR. OUR CONSTITUTION SHOULD NOT ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR ANYONE WHO WISH TO HOLD THE HIGHEST OFFICES IN DOMINICA – PERIOD!!!

  2. Conan
    September 8, 2011

    But wait a minute na…you mean Eddo, Lenny and the other ‘oppositions’ did’nt know that Ron Green had dual citizenship in 95. 2000, 2005…I mean what is really going on? Why is it that Lenny-Mr Journalist-can only uncover dirt on the other side of the fence but fails to see the rubbish that’s pilling up under his window?

  3. September 8, 2011

    I do understand all the points that you all are making here but you all are just fighting among yourselves. Stop it, stop it and stop it. This is surely a game of politics and all of you are getting weaved in it. Do you all really think that the former education minister of education and sports, revoked his US status; a height of stupidness. I am also sure that if anyone of those ministers had a chance to an European,American, Canadian passport, they would also take it (clearly a case of envy and greed). This war right now and I consider it a war between parties is just part of the new world order. Have you all heard of the illuminati? You should google it, they relate alot to the states but it is worldwide. They are here to divide and conquer. So people educate yourself before bashing the PM, the oppposition and even each other. It is not worth it. Let us live harmoniously, life is too short. :)

  4. spy
    September 8, 2011

    I REALLY THOUGHT READING COMMENTS ON D.N.O COULD HELP ME DEVELOPED.BUT I BETTER GO AND SIT ON THE BLOCK,MAKES NO SENSE. BUGGING PHONES AND HOT WIRING CARES ARE MORE INTERESTED.

  5. The unjust Judge
    September 8, 2011

    I did not know Justice Gertel Thom was from Guyana as well. I wonder if she knows the famous Supriya Singh or if it was just another well planned thing where UWP will continue to spend money in uselessly. We must remember that Supriya was a politician in Guyana and resigned from the PNCR opposition party in April of 2007. Her reason she gave was because she was not spending enouch time in Guyana since her business as designer had her very busy.. Justice Gertel Thom on the other hand was the same person that ruled in the favor of Ralph Gonsalves when a female police officer from St Vincent accused the PM of raping her. She again ruled in favor of PM Gonsalves and Finance minister (like our pm) and AG Judith Jones Morgan, when legal action was taken against them for allocating $EC 4Million to the ‘Vote yes’ campaign leadiding up to the Nov. 15, 2009 referendam. DNO what is wrong with my comments? This info is public knowledge and if you google Gertel Thom, you will find this information and more. So I don’t understand why you keep refusing to put it out. You put out so much dirty and nasty comments and yet you keep blocking mine. Be Fair to all guys!

  6. Free Thinker
    September 8, 2011

    I hope that God will be pleased with the court’s ruling and Mr Skerrit.

    The wrath of the Lord will be hard to bear if we deceive. Let God have his way!!!!

  7. what is going on
    September 8, 2011

    this shows the pm’S
    character. he knows that ron green citizenship is different from his, because he got it by his parent and not on his own.this is somebody with no regard for truth, and will perposely say things that he knows are not true.

  8. September 8, 2011

    The kid from Wesley, the mud boy likes the ruling also, and I suspect Skerrit will prevail!

    Double standard is a set of principles that applies differently, and used more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another.

    It seems to be a code of morals that applies more severe to some individuals.

    According to what I read in the following, there appears to be some double standards in the case of one of the petitioner, and the defendant.

    In the following Ron Green admits that while he served in the Edison James Administration, he was a Citizen of the United States of America, he sworn allegiance to a foreign country!

    Should we suggest that any function he performed as United States citizen while in the Edison James government, should be rendered null and void?

    And should we put him on trial as a spy who infiltrated our goverment, since he had not told the nation prior to the people voting for him that he was a foreigner, and American citizen, illegally contesting an election in our country.

    Isn’t that called double standards?

    In in the event, Skerrit committed a crime, of becoming a citizen of France while he is Prime Minister of Dominica, I would assume Ron Green committed the same crime, and under the same circumstances, so why should a man who has committed the same offence as the man he wishes to hold responsible for what may be or not be the same offense be punished, and the petitioner go free, without answering to the a similar crime!

    The only difference is that Skerrit is the Prime Minister of Dominica, whereas, Green was the minister of Education, when he broke the same law!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • looking in
      September 8, 2011

      I really thought you were an educated man. Please take a copy of our constitution and read the part which refers to the dual citizenship. After doing that,,,please comment. You all are such waste of timers.

      • September 8, 2011

        ” I doh doing that eh!”

        I know exactly where you are going with this, you want to tell me that Ron Green obtained his American citizenship, through his parent.

        I am suspicious, because Green is seventy years old or there about, perhaps older, and my suspicion is simply this:

        whereas he attempted to renounce his American citizenship just when he thought he had a chance of becoming Dominica’s prime minister, something makes me believe he has something to hide.

        Could it be he was worried that our nation would find out that he obtained his citizenship, in his adult years; rather than through his parents rights as Americian citizens?

        For that to happen he would have to be less than eighteen years old; assuming that he obtained his citizenship at the same time his parent obtained their citizenship.

        Remember I know how the immigration and naturalization system works here: been there done that, for myself, and my children, and trust me the fact that Ron Green denounced or attempted to denounce (or renounce) his American Citizenship, rise a serious red flag, and should aroused some suspicion to all concerned even you!

        No need to inform you if we want to find out what year, month and date Ron Green became a citizen of the United States, that is not difficult to find out, since such has long become a matter of public records, so he can run but he cannot hide.

        Anybody who has the time to dig can find out anything they want to know about Ron Green from the day he applied for entry, into the United States; to the day he entered the United States, and to the day he boarded an aircraft back to Dominica, and all of his activities even to when he was in the Peace Corp., can be verified, and that’s if he ever was in the Peace Corp!

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  9. fat jo
    September 8, 2011

    bless you my pm

  10. justice to be served
    September 8, 2011

    The sad thing is this, even if the PM loses Ron will still not be of Dominica. These are spitefull people I would never vote for them. It is wrongto hound a man when u are in the same position as he is..

  11. OMG
    September 8, 2011

    From what I understand for Tony’s submission for the PM and St. Jean not taking the stand was, “to avoid his clients from incriminating themselves”…… This in my humble opinion SPEAKS VOLUMES, can someone please help me understand just what Tony was trying to say with this.

    Thanks!

    • WIKILEAKS
      September 8, 2011

      When, where, how did Tony say that…Did Tony also said that Ron Green confirmed that he was a Citizen on nomination day?

  12. ineedfree
    September 8, 2011

    Progress;

    the truth will set Ron free; but Skerro is running from telling the truth.
    Choose your leader

  13. DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
    September 8, 2011

    Mr. PM, you have now been crowned MP in the PM.

  14. Foward we go
    September 8, 2011

    Skerrit God be With You…….Forward We Go

    • September 8, 2011

      what is ahead even people like you who shout FORWARD WE GO,will regret when u find out what’s ahead for fools like u

    • ineedfree
      September 8, 2011

      Forward we go

      The Almighty loves the truth and abhores deception. I thought you knew

  15. steve
    September 8, 2011

    IF i had something to hide i would never want to be questioned….. DUHHHH time will tell,,,,,,

    • WIKILEAKS
      September 8, 2011

      Damn right on this…if you accuse me of having your “girl”…you think I will tell you yes nuh…you a mad man…find out for yourself ti marco

      • September 9, 2011

        @WILKILEAKS

        Nice illustration!

        That is what the UWP has to do, bring out the evidence they have for taking the PM an Mr.St Jean to court, not them providing the evidence against themselves.

        They have an accusation, but they cannot prove that accusation for themselves, expecting that the accused will tighten the string around their own necks. Who will do that nuh?

  16. LND
    September 8, 2011

    Wisdom is better than knowledge the ability to choose between right and wrong the abitlity to make the best decision.Ron were you a citizen of the US when you were minister of education and sports.You renounced citizenship 0n the 11th day of December 2009.You and Petter St Jean were on a level playing field.Both of you could run on dual citezenship that was ok ,for you should have kept your US status.Your move was malicious and Uwp should never spend all that money for such a case.If you say that the justice system is flawed why waste time anyway if you new the outcome of the case.
    Take that money form an organization buy a boat find markets for farmers assist the farmers cry assit the government to build the economy.
    As statesmen UwP should spend more time building their party which is rapidly disintegrating.As statesmen you should give the people of Dominica an alternative by leading by example.My friends wisedom is better than silver and gold

  17. looking in
    September 8, 2011

    Mr Skerrit. You know and you should be truthfull to the general public on the diference of Mr Green citizenship and yours, where the constitution is concern.Educate the public please. You got yours through your own will while you were an adult and becasue of that it was not constititionaly correct for you to contest the general election. Mr green got his as a child,,,not by his own doing. For the love of the God you always give praise to…educate the people you have following you like they lost.

    • Truth B Told
      September 8, 2011

      For the record, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, received his French citizenship as a chid when he resided in Guadeloupe with his mother.

      HE DID NOT GET IT AS AN ADULT.

      • mouth of the south
        September 8, 2011

        stop talking rubbish…. then why did he need a french visa to visit guadeloupe as minister of education…. u all so gullible

    • boots ready
      September 9, 2011

      SO YOU TRYING TO SAY ron green HAVE HIS AMERICAN PASSPORT FOR FIFTY YEARS NOW MAN.LET THEM FOOL ALL YOU UWPWEE STILL.MAYSHASTAY.

  18. The unjust Judge
    September 8, 2011

    Imeant to say, the allocation of $EC 4 million

  19. 1979
    September 8, 2011

    in a way i agree with you unno PM. it will be to late for anything to be done about whatever you amass by the time you are out of office, then all we can do is talk like we doing now anyway…..this is the price we will pay for not minding our business and shouting labour and uwp and freedom when we should put country first.

  20. Anonymous
    September 8, 2011

    Mr. Skerrit, Mr Green is leading by example by testifying truthfully in Court. Why can’t you and Petter.

    • justiceand truth
      September 8, 2011

      Anonymous i could not agree with you more. As a young person it saddens me to see what our country has become. Shame shame shame. Low men in high places.My dear PM please lead by example and just come out with the truth.

    • Truth B Told
      September 8, 2011

      Ron Green is testifying as the petitioner, he is the one that brought the case and he is obliged to say why.

      The Prime Minister, as the respondent, is cannot compelled to testify on behalf of the other side. This is one of the key tenants of the modern legal system.

  21. mouth of the south
    September 8, 2011

    wow old man mr green has more testicular fortitude than u…. smh to see who’s our leader… a lil boy… don’t worry like egypt there’s always facebook.. what!!! allu vex.. dat allu yah wii

    • Progress
      September 8, 2011

      @ mots & anonymous : Are you all really serious? tell me you all are joking. He is only telling the truth because he is under oath.

    • boots ready
      September 9, 2011

      mouth,YOU REALLY THINK ron green HAD HIS AMERIKKKAN PASSPORT FOR AT LEAST FIFTY YEARS eh.mayshastay.

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