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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 54 - Monday January 26, 2004
The Prime Minister Made the Tough Choices
by Thomson Fontaine


A few months before his untimely passing, I sat down for an exclusive discussion with Prime Minister Pierre Charles. We spoke for well over an hour on issues of politics, the economy, his personal life, social and other varied issues.

I came away from this discussion with a renewed confidence in the Prime Minister�s ability, and a deep respect for the way in which he carried the burden of the country, one which to this day continues to tether on the brink of economic disaster. In the middle of a collapsing economy, the Prime Minister stood tall and took the tough decisions, which given time, in my view, will go a long way in turning the country around.

I recall the Prime minister saying to me that given Dominica�s economic situation, he would not wish his job on even his worse enemy. He understood and appreciated like none other what it would take to turn the country around, and the depth of pain and heartache that Dominicans would have to bear in making that transition.

When he decided on making some daily paid workers redundant as part of an economic package worked out with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), I could only imagine the depth of anguish, which he had to bear. Faced with a ballooning government deficit largely on account of falling government revenues, the decision to cut government spending was paramount.

The decisions which he had to make were never popular and always painful. Consider being criticized from every corner, lampooned on radio, mercilessly cut down by opposition voices, berated by the less informed for not having a college degree, and having to face every conceivable accusation possible. I often wondered how and if the Prime Minister would ever survive this unrelenting barrage of criticism and ill-will. In the end, the strain and stress of it all proved too much for even this most gallant of souls.

Coming from humble beginnings, he well defended the �common man� and the more vulnerable in society. His record of public service and putting others before him is well documented. Rather than take up an opportunity to study in Cuba, he willingly stayed back to support others quest for educational advancement. He worked tirelessly with the youth of Grand Bay in sports, and personal advancement.

Contrary to what many believed, the Prime Minister reached out to others for insight, ideas, suggestions and ways in which to turn the country around. Town meetings throughout Dominica, in New York, London, Miami and other places where Dominicans reside all attest to that.

On my last visit to Dominica, and as I was finishing an interview on the local radio station, I received a call from the Prime Minister asking me to come to his office. He had just heard I was on the island and was eager to get my counsel on some matters of economic interest. It is so easy to criticize others. To pretend that given the same circumstance we would do better. I tend to believe that Dominica�s economic problems are such that any Prime Minister in office between 2000 and 2004 would be in the same situation as Prime Minister Charles.

I know enough about Dominica to know that the Prime Minister should not be blamed for its current woes. What about the supporting cast? The public servants? Parliament? And others entrusted in carrying out the bidding of the Prime Minister? A time indeed to examine and reexamine our place as citizens of this country.

In the end, he did what was necessary to set in motion a chain of events that will resound to the good of the country. He gained the respect of Regional leaders and regional and international lending institutions, two key ingredients for fostering change. He carried the office of the Prime Minister with dignity, pride and self-assurance. He loved Dominica, and his quiet resolve to bring about change was forever cut short.

Such is death, and so too is the ways of life. Everything changes, yet nothing does. As a Nation we must continue to move forward. In the process, we should examine ourselves, our actions, the way we regard those in authority, and our ability to understand and appreciate the truly selfless among us.

History may well judge the late PM as the person most responsible for turning this country around. This will be the ultimate honor for someone who paid the ultimate price in the service of his country.


Comments about this article? Email:
editor@
thedominican.net
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1-703-861-9411
Fax:
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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 54
PM Charles Made the Tough Choices
And the Lord Made This Land
On the Passing of PM Charles
Adieu Pierro
Tribute to the Late PM




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