Saturday, May 23, 2009

Reflections on Eugenia Charles - The Eugenia I knew

By Ambassador Dudley Thompson QC - Flight Lieutenant RAF WW II



Memory takes me away, back to the end of the 1940’s while I was studying at Oxford as Jamaica’s Rhodes Scholar. One of the many memorable persons studying with me at the time was the Mary Eugenia Charles of Dominica.

She was among many distinguished students in London at the time some of whom became heads of government later. These included such names as Forbes Burnham, Allan Rae, and Michael Manley I was President of the Union and formed a close relationship with the West African Union WASU under Joe Appiah. She took an active part in the West Indian Students Union WISU.
eugenia charles
Eugenia Charles served as Dominica's Prime Minister from 1980 - 1995.


I recall her tall, impressive figure full of vitality and ideas. Even then she had clear visions of her island home, Dominica. I recall overhearing vividly heated conversations between herself and the late Errol (Dipper) Barrow, another RAF veteran who as Prime Minister of Barbados established himself as probably the leading Caribbean politician of his generation.

Their opinions differed markedly in politics. One belief however they shared in common, was that such leading politicians like Dr. Eric Williams of Trinidad, Norman W. Manley, Q.C. of Jamaica (my early mentor) all set the tone of political integrity of the highest order.

They behaved in open, honest transparency and earned the respect they deserved from the people they served. Their hands were clean. I regret that, since then, many of our leaders have deteriorated severely in this respect.

I recall on one of my early visits to Dominica, Eugenia introducing me to the delicacy of frog’s legs and local cuisine. We did not complete visiting the 365 rivers of her country that she boasted of.

Eugenia did impress me with her determination to maintain Dominica’s habitat and natural beauty. She was resolute against interfering with Dominica’s pristine beauty.

Later, we differed over Grenada’s revolution and [its leader] Maurice Bishop. As leader of the rump Parliament of the West Indies Federation, Eugenia supported the U.S. invasion of Grenada.

I regard our failure to consolidate the West Indies Federation as one of the great setbacks, indeed a tragedy, in Caribbean history. Our leaders neither prepared the people for it nor shared the same visions of its advantages. I am however optimistic that we will, some day, step to the same drum beat in the march of history.

I represented her as counsel both for her and also later her father in the island’s Court of law. He [John Baptiste “JB” Charles] was a remarkable man who traveled the world in his 90’s.

Eugenia, my friend, certainly carved her own niche on the pantheon of Caribbean History.

(In tribute to the British West Indian veterans who served in World War II and as a prelude to the event Caribbean Glory set for June 19, 2009, The Dominican will be carrying several articles by the veterans and others of the Caribbean generation who went through World War II and transformed the British West Indies from colonial states to free associates of the British Commonwealth of nations).


Google
| Home Page | Dominica |Welcome Message | Prior Issues|Flag and Symbols | Dominica Constitution | Bulletin Board |Contact Us |Local Headlines |Discussion Board |Radio & TV |Cricket | Current Issue

Comments:
This piece really touched me, how appropriate to our curent situation in Dominica.......

"They behaved in open, honest transparency and earned the respect they deserved from the people they served. Their hands were clean. I regret that, since then, many of our leaders have deteriorated severely in this respect"
Go bless this lady and the Freedonm party ofr the values, and discipline and for protecting Donminicas money and assests.
 
"I regret that, since then, many of our leaders have deteriorated severely in this respect"....Domininca and the Labour government of today are again under scrutiny as the concerns of questinable deeds, corruption pervades our airways and the corridors of government. Government and governance in Dominica has deteriorated drastically and we curently lack the leadership to steer Domininca forward. Every week a new era of corruption and dealing are leaked while the honorable men in government who knows better sit aside and allow this to continue. On principle they (including Charles Maynard) should disassociate themselves from this and practice and what you have told us before of government and nation building shoulkd now be theme for a change of government to promote credible and good government in Dominica thanks Mamo and the Dominica Freedom party. YOu all have been the best and most credible party in Dominica, the others find it hard to follow because of their greed.
 

Post a Comment

Please Provide Opinions and Comments on This Article.



Links to this post:

Create a Link



<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

Subscribe to Posts [Atom]