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Volume No. 2 Issue No. 12 - September 19, 2007 |
The News in Brief from The Dominican.net News Desk
around the worldRoseau � October 2, 2007
Opposition Leader accused of courting the Taiwanese
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has alleged that opposition leader Earl Williams is supplementing his income with financing received from the Taiwanese embassy in St. Kitts.
Skerrit told a gathering of his Dominica Labour Party delegates that Williams has been making twice monthly trips to St. Kitts and is promising the Taiwanese that he would reestablish diplomatic relations with Taiwan if his party succeeds at the 2010 general elections.
Williams in response has said that he would hold a press conference to address the prime minister�s allegations.
Tensions between the two political parties have heightened in recent weeks following the call by Williams for the immediate resignation of the prime minister in the wake of a Times newspaper article titled �Million dollar assets, $5 000 salary�. The paper alleges impropriety by the prime minister in the purchase of two portions of land.
Williams recently complained of the lack of support from the two other political parties on the island, the Dominica Freedom Party and the People�s Democratic Movement, in calling for the prime minister�s resignation.
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September 29, 2007
Minister of Tourism Yvor Nassief Resigns
Hon. Yvor Nassief who has served as Minister for Tourism,
Industry and Private Sector Relations for the last two
Years has resigned from office effective Friday, September 28, 2007.
No reasons were given for the early departure of the minister but he will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 11am
in the Press Room, Financial Centre.
Following the 2005 general elections, Nassief agreed to join the Skeritt government and to accept $1 dollar a year as remuneration. During his tenure, he presided over the breaking up of the National Development Corporation (NDC) into two separate entities; one for tourism (Discover Dominica) and the other for industry. Most of the staff were let go and some were rehired.
Roseau � September 24, 2007
Legal Action against Matt Peltier and Times Newspaper Escalates
Lawyers acting on behalf of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has raised the stakes in the legal suit brought against journalist Matt Peltier and the Times newspaper for two recent publications.
Attorney Alick Lawrence today issued an amended statement of claim and a second separate claim against the local journalist in the Roseau High Court. The amended claim seeks monetary compensation and the payment of legal fees over the publication of the article titled: �Million dollar Assets, $5 000 salary. When the law suit was first filed last week, it demanded an apology and retraction from Peltier and the Times newspaper.
The second claim is for libel in a different article written by Peltier titled: �Lies to the Rescue�. Lawyers are again seeking monetary compensation and the payment of damages.
Meanwhile, journalist Matt Peltier has labeled his actions and recent articles as one of a �battle for democracy and the people�s right to know.� He said that he has �no hidden agenda and was simply in pursuit of the truth.� Further, any notion that the process was hijacked by political operatives as was the contention of government spokesman Anthony Asthaphan had nothing to do with him and his pursuit for the truth. He also expressed confidence going forward with the legal process.
Attempts by overseas based Dominicans and the Caribbean Media Association to mediate between the two parties have both failed and it is now clear that the court action will proceed. No date has yet been given by the High Court for when the law suits will be heard.
Roseau � September 24, 2007
Prosecutors release two persons originally brought up on murder charges
Prosecutors in Dominica have released Erskine Hypolite for lack of evidence after he was charged as part of a six member gang currently been held for the 2004 murder of 27 year old Cornel Adams of Gutter.
Hypolite was released as the September criminal assizes got underway in the Roseau high Court. The five others continue to face murder charges.
Also today, prosecutors released Mable Joseph on murder charges of her husband Joe Joseph, who was killed in 2006. Another suspect Eloi Bethelmy who police initially said conspired with Joseph to murder her husband remains in jail and will face prosecution during the September criminal assizes.
Port-of-Spain � September 21, 2007
Caribbean Media Association seeks Mediation
PRESS RELEASE
The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) has been following the ongoing developments in Dominica involving Prime Minister, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit and the Editor and Publisher of the Dominica Times newspaper Mr. Mathias Peltier, who is also a member of the Media Workers Association of Dominica (MWAD), an affiliate of the ACM.
In an effort to bring about an amicable solution to the issue, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers had offered to mediate and in this regard the ACM President Dale Enoch and the Vice-President Peter Richards held discussions with both parties hoping for an out of court settlement.
We are however still hopeful that such a resolution can be reached within a reasonable time frame.
The ACM's code of conduct outlines our determination to uphold the highest form of professionalism in the exercise of our duty and it is in this context that we offered to help bring about a successful end to this controversy.
Signed - Dale Enoch, ACM President
Roseau � September 19, 2007
China to Provide $7.2 million to Dominica
The Government of Dominica will receive $7.2 million ECD from the Chinese Government as a result of the signing recently of an agreement on Technical and Economic Cooperation between the two governments.
In addition, the Chinese Government has agreed to provide grant aid of USD$100,000.00 in cash for disaster relief.
Hon. Ambrose George and Hon. Wang Chao also held discussions and exchanged opinions on bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Dominica.
Apart from attending the Second China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, the Dominica delegation also attended the Eleventh China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT).
Miami � September 15, 2007
Ingrid Fades to Depression
Tropical Storm Ingrid faded to a tropical depression Saturday, done in by "hostile winds aloft," according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 11 a.m. ET, Ingrid's maximum sustained winds had diminished to 35 mph (55 kph). The system's center was about 510 miles (820 kilometers) east of the Lesser Antilles, headed northwest at about 10 mph (16 kph), according to the hurricane center.
Forecasters said it should continue to weaken during the next 24 hours because of a strong westerly flow above it.
"Ingrid is becoming a just large swirl of low clouds with a few patches of intermittent convection," NHC senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila said in an online discussion.
Computer models showed the system turning more northward and staying out in the Atlantic.
Miami � Thursday September 14, 2007
The ninth storm of the year forms to the east of the Lesser
Antilles
At 1100 pm on Thursday the center of tropical storm Ingrid was
located near latitude 14.7 north longitude 48.7 west or about 840
miles 1355 km East of the Lesser Antilles.
Ingrid is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph 9 km/hr
and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph 65 km/hr with higher
gusts. A small increase in strength is possible during the next 24
hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 50 miles 85 km
from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure from a NOAA hurricane hunter
aircraft is 1002 mb 29.59 inches.
Roseau � September 12, 2007
Twenty Million Dollars Approved for Reconstruction
The Dominica Government�s efforts to secure financial and technical assistance to address the serious challenges confronting the country brought about by the passage of Hurricane Dean is continuing to bear fruit.
The Bureau of Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has approved the sum of $20.76 ECD million for Dominica to be drawn down from the CARICOM Petroleum Fund.
That disclosure was made by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit in an interview with the Government Information Service on Thursday.
According to the Dominican leader, the sum of $4.05 million will go towards the rehabilitation and recovery of the agricultural sector, a sector which suffered colossal damage as a result of Hurricane Dean. The resources will be channelled mainly into the banana and non-banana sectors, fisheries, poultry and on farm access road rehabilitation.
The sum of $13.5 million will be used for road infrastructure, a sector that suffered significant damage in certain parts of the country. Part of that amount will be used to address sections of the Imperial Road which suffered significant damage during the hurricane.
The Education and Health Sectors will receive $3.9 million, some of which will be spent on repairs to schools and on the Princess Margaret Hospital.
This is not the first time Dominica has received money from the CARICOM Petroleum Fund. Last year the Government of Dominica received the sum of $25 million ECD from the Fund to undertake a number of infrastructural projects across the country.
During the interview with the Government Information Service, the Prime Minister expressed his profound gratitude to the present Head of the Bureau of Conference of Heads, Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Hon. Owen Arthur, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Patrick Manning whose Government capitalises the Petroleum Fund, Secretary General of CARICOM , Dr Edwin Carrington and his staff for the role they played in assisting Dominica in drawing down the financial resources from the Fund.
Roseau � September 11, 2007
Prime Minister to Respond to Allegations Files Lawsuit
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit today announced that he would not be sidetracked by the allegations made by the Times newspaper concerning his acquisition of land.
Skerrit said that he was �extremely focused on leading the people of Dominica� and that he had no time to be distracted by calls for his resignation.
According to the Prime Minister, he would respond with a massive labour convention to prove that the people of Dominica were still firmly on his side. He urged his supporters to get their red outfits (the labour party colors) ready for a huge rally. No date was however given for the support rally.
In the meantime, lawyers for the Prime Minister have filed a court petition against Matt Peltier owner and editor of the Times Newspaper. The court documents alleges that Peltier willfully damaged the reputation of the Prime Minister through his article in the Times newspaper titled �Million dollar assets $5 000 salary,� and through his radio show "Matt in the Morning.�
Lawyers for the Prime Minister are seeking damages for libel and slander including aggravated and exemplary damages and an injunction prohibiting the further publishing or causing to be published the said article. They are also seeking costs on the basis an indemnity and/ or wasted costs against Peltier.
Roseau � September 11, 2007
Dominicans complain of harassment by Guadeloupe authorities
Dominicans traveling to Guadeloupe are reporting that they are constantly been harassed by the French authorities when attempting to enter that country.
Former Mayor of Portsmouth Adenayeur Douglas, himself a regular visitor to the neighboring French Islands said that he was recently detained by immigration authorities, kept in a holding cell all night without food and water and then put on a boat out of Dominica the following day.
The allegations coming from Douglas is one of several being echoed by Dominicans attempting to enter Guadeloupe who are summarily detained or barred from entering that country.
In June, France relaxed visa restrictions for Dominicans visiting the countries for less than 15 days. However, visitors have complained that the attitude of the French officials has not changed and that Dominicans are made to feel less than welcome to that country.
The French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique are Dominica�s closest neighbors and have a long history of movement of peoples between the countries. In 1902 following the eruption of Mount Pelee, thousands of Martinique residents sought shelter and refuge in Dominica. During the second world war, thousands of French nationals including Franz Fanon spent several months in Dominica in order to escape the German occupation and to later join the Free French.
Douglas called on the Dominica government to intervene on behalf of its citizens and to file a complaint against the French authorities for their continuing mistreatment of Dominican travelers.
ROSEAU, Dominica � September 09, 2007
Dominica opposition Leader Seeks Inquiry
A Dominica opposition leader called Monday for Parliament to authorize an investigation into real estate owned by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
Dominica Freedom Party chief Michael Astaphan said a public inquiry is needed to probe recent allegations that Skerrit paid up to five times less than the assessed value of two parcels of land in 2005.
''There is too much public debate,'' Astaphan said. ``An inquiry will set things straight.''
In his weekly radio address on Sunday, Skerrit denied the accusations and accused rivals of scheming to damage his reputation. He asked his attorneys to seek an apology from the local newspaper, The Times, which he claims published an ''injurious'' article about the land deals.
Skerrit's spokesman, Anthony Astaphan -- the opposition leader's cousin -- said one of the properties was ''given as a gift'' to the prime minister by the previous owner. He did not disclose further details.
Since becoming a government minister in 2000 and prime minister in 2004, Skerrit has purchased three parcels of land on the island -- one of the Caribbean's poorest. He recently said he was building a three-bedroom house in his hometown of Vielle Case valued at $149,810. Associated Press
Roseau, Dominica � September 6, 2007
Venezuelan Government Provides Additional Assistance to Dominica
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has once again come to the aid of Dominica as the country continues to recover from the passage of Hurricane Dean.
On Tuesday, September 4, 2007, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Dominica, Her Excellency, Carmen Martinez De Grijalva presented a consignment of materials and supplies to the Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore.
The materials and supplies included shovels, wheel barrows, picks, mosquito nets and quantities of food.
This gesture by Venezuela is in addition to the medical supplies, food and water provided by the Venezuelan Government within days of the passage of Hurricane Dean.
In addition, a team of Venezuelan engineers working on the Air Access Expansion Programme at the Melville Hall Airport also assisted in the clearing of roads blocked by landslides and fallen trees following the passage of the hurricane.
Venezuela also dispatched a team of twenty volunteers to Dominica to conduct an assessment of the damage done by Dean.
On August 17, 2007 Dominica was struck by the Category Two hurricane. It caused widespread damage to the island�s agricultural sector, which contributes over 20% to the island�s GDP and significant damage to road infrastructure.
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