Thursday, April 23, 2009

Opposition Leader to attend Dominica conference in New York

By The Dominican.net Newsdesk

ron green
Ron Green leader of the United Workers Party will be present at the New York conference.

Leader of the United Workers Party Ron Green is expected to participate in this weekend’s Dominica International Conference in New York.

Green, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Dominica Parliament will fly in from Dominica on Friday. Michael Astaphan, former leader of the Dominica Freedom Party will also attend as his party’s representative.

Organizers of the event say that while an invitation was extended to the ruling Dominica Labour Party, they have not indicated whether they will participate in an official capacity.

The conference in New York was borne out of a desire by many in the Diaspora community to seek urgent political, social and economic change for Dominica.

It comes on the heels of allegations leveled against the ruling Dominica government on issues of governance, including the sale of Dominica passports, and the appointment of ambassadors of questionable repute.

Eyebrows were recently raised in Dominica when the government awarded a contract to a Russian owned business to develop the geothermal resources on the island. This, despite the offering of a strong bid from a local company stressing a government stake in its ownership.

Also of concern, is the continuing marginalization of the Dominican Diaspora that seeks to take a more active involvement in social and economic issues on the island.

Questions have also been raised about the escalating levels of crime on the island, and how that negative trend can be reversed.

While the event is set to attract representatives of the political parties in Dominica, key organizers continue to reiterate that the conference is intended for all Dominicans and that it is built on a platform of Unity and Progress.

According to Hendrix Pierre who initiated the conference, “this is a time for all Dominicans to come together and see how best we can address the issues that confront our country.”

Another spokesperson for the organizers Shirley Allan stated “it is time for us to work together to regain our country. We cannot sit idly by and see our country overrun by people who might not have the best interest of the country at heart.”

Hundreds of participants from all over the United States, Canada, and Dominica are expected to turn up for the event, which will be streamed live over the internet on various outlets including theDominican.net, toprankingradio.com", and will be carried live by Q95 FM.

Host of Q95 the “Hot Seat”, Dominica’s most popular talk radio program, Matt Peltier will be present along with noted local and regional journalist Lennox Linton.

The conference will hear from several panelists on issues ranging from economics, to social development and governance.

Organizers expect some concrete proposals to include projects and a declaration on the current state of affairs in Dominica to come out of the conference. Registration for the conference is still open and persons are encouraged to register at abetterdominica.org".

The conference starts at 8:30 a.m on Saturday and will be held at the First United Church of Jesus, 3936 Bronxwood Ave, Bronx, NY 10466; (718) 881-4479. E-mail to a friend

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Comments:
That's a good move of the part of the UWP leader. It shows that he values the input of the Diaspora compared to the DLP.
 
One should always strive to be factually accurate, in the smallest detail. West Indies Power Dominica Ltd. is a company registered in Dominica, in which the local govt. holds a 10% stake. It is a subsidiary of West Indies Power B.V. registered in St. Maarten, no doubts for fiscal reasons. Its C.F.O is mr. Dimitrijus Apockinas, a Lithuanian by birth, a Dominican citizen and Chairman and C.E.O of the Griffon Bank registered in- and operating from Dominica He is a BA graduate from the Institute of Modern Business in Moscow but also obtained an MBA from Warwick University in the UK.It would certainly sadden him being referred to as a "Russian". Whilst in favour of a nation being in control of its own resources I hope that this does not lead to the establishment of a doctrine that dictates that all Dominican businesses must be owned and operated by Dominicans regardless, especially where it concerns a monopoly. There are ample examples in Europe of public utilities owned by foreign entities without problems regarding sovereignty and security. For instance EDF (France)/ Thames Water(U.K.) and Essent (Holland)and RWE (Germany) spring to mind. The paramount consideration here should always be the interest of the country and those of an individual (or individuals) never more than second. Have a dynamic and fruitful conference.
 
Pray tell! What exactly is the point of the author of this last piece? What qualifies a naturalized/economic citizen to claim of a contract to be involved in exploration for Geothermal energy in Dominica more than BORN DOMINICANS! The issue is not even that he is RUSSIAN which he is and can NEVER be Dominican no matter how many Dominican "passports" he holds. It reveolves around the DISHOESTY of the Skerrit-led administration in the PROCESS of awarding that contract. And what is the boast in the government of Dominica having only a 10% interest in this project. Please enlighten me here!
 
The guy who owns Harrods has never been given, let alone condisered for British Citizenship, when he retires he goes back to Egypt. Rupert Muddoch, Australian tycoon himslelf never received British Citizenship, now enjoys Americian, despite his intial investnent in the Britain. So it is not automatic, there are conditions, rules criteria etc.
 
Is is not the same Shirley Allen who was the campaign manager of Ron Green?
 
No member of the DLP or Any Government Official was invited
 
The issue is not that an indiidual who is an economic citizen or foreigners winning contacts, it is the non-transparent way by which the conract was awardwed. The minister responsible for energy was not even aware of what was in the contract? Also we are talking about DOminican Naturel resources. How can this be compared with Harrods or a multi-national news tycone? Please do not mix apples and oranges; Especially when one considers our PM sold two diplomatic passports to Madame Oldie and created a fraudelent NGO "Citizens for a Better Dominica" to channel about EC one million dollars to the Dominica Labour Party, and when some of their lawyer spindoctors and advisors knew the actions of the PM was corrupt and criminal and chose to side-tract DOminicans from the real issue with their RED Herrings expertise. This begs questions like: Have we lost our sence of outrage? How much abuse will Dominicans take before they show contempt for this level disrespect by our elected officials?
A concerned Dominican
 
THEY WERE INVITED, THEY JUST WONT SHOW UP, THE DLP IS FULL OF CORRUPTION
 
Should the Kalinago people be throwing the Africans decendants out of Dominica.Should the Native american be deporting all dominicans from America and Canada, should the English, saxons be deporting all the dominicans in England and Europe.
 

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