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Volume No. 2 Issue No. 25 - January 07, 2008 |
The News in Brief from The Dominican.net News Desk
South Africa � January 7, 2008
South Africa squares the cricket series
South Africa defeated the Windies by seven wickets on the fourth day of the second test match in South Africa, thus squaring the series.
Chanderpaul was once again unbeaten in the second innings scoring 70, and Gayle batted at number eleven with a broken finger to smash four fours and three breathtaking sixes in contributing 38 to a 70-run, record last-wicket partnership with Chanderpaul that lifted their second innings total to 262.
Scores in the match, West Indies 243 and 262, South Africa 321 and 186/3.
The third and final test starts on Thursday.
South Africa - January 03, 2008
South Africa closes on West Indies first innings score
Dwayne Bravo grabbed 3 for 46 but that ws not enough to prevent South Africa to pull to within 25 runs of the West Indies first innings score at the end of the second day of the second test match in Capetown, South Africa.
Earlier, the tourists were bowled out for 243 after choosing to bat first. Only Chanderpaul with an unbeatean 65 provided any real resistance to the Soouth African bowling.
West indies won the foirst test of the three test series.
South Africa � December 29, 2007
West Indies defeats South Africa in first test match
The West Indies won their first away test match in seven years when they defeated South Africa by 128 runs on day four of the first test.
West Indies sealed their first win in South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. Requiring 389 for victory, South Africa were bowled out for 260, with Jacques Kallis (85) and AB de Villiers (61) being the only ones to offer resistance.
Marlon Samuels was named Man of the Match having scored 94 and 40 in the second innings.
Scores in the match: West Indies 408 and 175; South Africa 195 and 260.
The second test begins on January 2, 2008.
South Africa � December 28, 2007
West Indies in tight contest with South Africa
The first test match between South Africa and the West Indies was evenly poised at the end of day three following the spectacular second innings
collapse of the West Indies batting line-up.
At the end of day three, the West Indies were 146 for 8 still 359 runs on thanks to a first innings score of 408 and successfully dismissing South Africa for 195.
A century from Chanderpaul (104) and 94 from Marlon Samuels contributed to the tourists big first innings total. South Africa was skittled out for 195 with superb bowling from Dwayne Bravo and Jerome Taylor.
South Africa must now be thinking that they stand a chance of coming back into the game as they look to restrict the West Indies batting further.
The West Indies reasonably good showing comes just a few weeks after beating Zimbabwe 3 � 1 in a five match contest; one game was ruled out.
Roseau � December 14, 2007
St Lucian police (SSU) is said to be on alert to assist in Dominica following arrests
Officers of the Special Services Unit (SSU) in St Lucia
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Police in Dominica have arrested two fellow officers for their part in the shooting death of Stan Bruney of the Carib Territory.
The arrests comes just two weeks after Bruney was killed by the officers following an altercation in that village. Reports indicate that the two officers charged shut down the station on the night in question for a night on the town. It is alleged that the two officers shot and killed 32-year old Bruney in their drunken stupor.
Meanwhile, a radio station out of St Lucia is reporting that members of St. Lucia�s Special Services Unit (SSU) are awaiting orders to ship out to Dominica at any minute. If they get the order, the SSU officers will join their counterparts from the regional security system, to uphold law and order in the sister island.
The RSS made a request for St. Lucian officers after two Dominican police officers were charged with murder on Tuesday. Other officers in the commonwealth of Dominica police force have threatened to lock down the country as a result of the charges.
The St. Lucian SSU officers are on alert and should be ready to ship out within hours of a call. If necessary, the St. Lucia SSU will leave onboard a Barbados military plane.
It is also been reported that police stations in Dominica are operating with skeleton staff as many officers are protesting the arrest of their fellow officers.
Grand Bay � December 5, 2007
Normalcy Returns to school following a series of bizaare occurences that left several students hospitalized
Principal of the Pierre Charles Secondary School in Grand Bay, Benedict Charles is reporting that classes are back to normal at the school.
His remarks come just two weeks after a series of strange occurrences at the school resulted in several students been admitted to the psychiatric unit of the Princess Margaret Hospital.
In late November, more than thirty female students at the secondary school were said to be behaving strangely and making strange animal noises. They were also reported to be shouting praises for Satan and denouncing God. It also proved very difficult to restrain them.
The students were eventually taken to the hospital where they were prescribed valium. At the time, Dr. Griffin Benjamin who attended to the students noted that some remained awake and highly agitated even after receiving a dosage that would normally put an adult to sleep.
A few pastors in the evangelical community in Dominica were quoted as saying that the students may have been possessed by some spirits. However, members of the medical community cautioned that it was quite possible that there was a medical explanation for this bizarre behavior.
Interestingly enough, the students could not remember the events of the previous day when they were finally released from the hospital. Education authorities have launched a full investigation.
Principal Charles reported that the affected students had still not returned to class and were recuperating at their homes. He indicated that arrangements would be made to have them do their final exams early next year. Charles also revealed that an investigative team would soon be making a report to the ministry of Education on the bizarre occurrence.
Roseau � December 3, 2007
Carib Indian Killed by Police
Police in Dominica are investigating the shooting death of a Carib Indian man, 30 year old Stan Bruney. He was reportedly shot over the weekend by a police officer following an earlier altercation.
After the shooting incident, Carib Chief Charles Williams strongly condemned the police action and called for a complete and total inquiry. The Carib Chief said that the entire Carib community denounced the police action.
He recalled that following a similar incident in 1995 when a local Carib was killed by police, the officer who did the shooting got away on a supposed technicality before the courts.
Meanwhile, relatives of the victim decried the police action and voiced concerns that the Carib people were not sufficiently respected by the authorities.
Roseau � December 3, 2007
Government Announces Urban Renewal Project
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt has announced an ambitious plan for the capital city of Roseau. It will involve new road construction, rebuilding of sidewalks, new drainage, and the removal of overhead telephone, electricity and cable lines to underground.
The plan also involves the building of new apartments for residents who will be displaced as well as to allow regular commuters to the city to purchase apartments.
According to the Prime Minister, discussions were currently underway with the Bank of China on the possibility of providing the required financing for the project.
No date was given for when the project would start.
Roseau � December 3, 2007
Dominica is the New OECS Boxing Champions
Dominican boxers have won the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship for the first time in the country�s history.
Seven medals were collected including 2 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. 22 year-old Leonard Bannis of Good Hope was named the most outstanding boxer of the event.
The most recent success signals the resurgence of boxing in Dominica, and was made even sweeter considering that a junior Dominican team competed against senior teams from the other OECS countries.
Roseau � December 3, 2007
Government Pledges EC $20 million for the Banana industry
Agriculture minister Matthew Walters has said that his government is committed to the banana industry as he announced an EC $1.2 million contribution to the Dominica Banana Producers Ltd (DBPL).
The money will be used by the DBPL to purchase much needed fertilizer inputs. The minister also promised to make available over EC $20 million in the near to medium term to the industry to ensure its continued survival.
New York � November 30, 2007
Dominica heads list of countries having medium human development
Dominica is ranked number 71 out of 177 countries among the best places to live in, according to the latest UN Human Development Index. Dominica topped the list of medium human developed countries based on life expectancy, literacy, education, and standard of living.
Seventy countries are ranked as having high human development, led by Iceland with the United States ranked at number twelve. For Caribbean countries only Barbados, Bahamas, Cuba, St. Kitts, Antigua, and Trinidad and Tobago were ranked ahead of Dominica.
Although ranked 71 overall in the Human Development Index, Dominica was ranked 42 for life expectancy, 70 for adult literacy, 55 for combined primary and secondary schooling, and 90 for GDP per capita (measure of standard of living).
Dominica�s life expectancy at 75.6 years is ranked number forty-two in the world. Japan with the highest is at 82. 3 years.
All of the twenty-two countries in the world ranked as having low human development are African countries.
In 2002, Dominica was ranked at number 68.
South Africa � November 27, 2007
U.S. opens against Barbados or Dominica
NEW YORK -- The United States will open 2010 World Cup qualifying in June against the tiny Caribbean nations of Barbados or Dominica and is likely to wind up in a politically charged semifinal group with Cuba.
While the U.S. team is ranked 19th in the world by FIFA, soccer's governing body, Cuba is 70th, Barbados is 124th and Dominica is 129th. The opener of the second-round series will be a U.S. home game.
The United States is 2-0 against Barbados, meeting twice in 2000 during the semifinals of qualifying. The Americans won 7-0 at Foxborough, Mass., then faced possible elimination when they went to Barbados for the semifinal finale. Clint Mathis score the first goal in the 63rd minute, and the U.S. team won 4-0.
The United States has never played Dominica.
Roseau � November 25, 2007
Minister warns of alarming dependence on imported foods
New Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Matthew Walter has expressed alarm over Dominica�s food import bill.: �as an independent nation of 29 years, we must strive to be in a position to produce a greater proportion of our food for our population. Our increasing dependence on imported food is alarming, and this will impact negatively on the population as the prices of food increases on the international markets.�
Hon. Walter also gave some advice to farmers, agro-processors, exporters and technicians in the context of the new opportunities now available as a result of the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
�Let us convert our cassava, banana, plantains and breadfruit into breakfast foods, our fruit and vegetables into snack foods, our fish into smoked and dried products and our livestock into hams, sausages and bacon etc . The opportunities are ripe for exploiting.�
�I pledge to work together with you to build the sector and to make Dominica the food basket of the Caribbean region,� Hon. Walter concluded.
Roseau - November 21, 2007
Work to begin on Roseau � Goodwill road
The initial phase of the Roseau Road Reinstatement Project will see the construction of a bridge from Bath Road leading into a new road to be constructed to link Rose Street in Goodwill. A car park will be constructed parallel to the Roseau River, while River Street will be extended to Valley Road alongside the northern side of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.
Other major capital projects to begin within the next twelve months include the Valley Road Improvement Project funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the West Coast Road, to be funded by the Government of the People�s Republic of China.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt made the pronouncements as he addressed the Dominican public at the country�s celebration of twenty-nine years of independence.
November 2, 2007 - Roseau
Representatives from several countries to participate in Independence celebrations
Representatives from Governments around the world are expected to fly into Dominica this weekend to participate in activities in observance of Dominica�s 29th Anniversary of Independence.
Representatives from the following countries are expected here: United States of America; United Kingdom; Republic of Korea; Argentina; Mexico; Brazil; Russia; India and Canada.
As well as the visiting dignitaries, officials from the People�s Republic of China, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Cuba will also participate in activities marking Dominica�s 29th year as an independent Nation.
The highlight of the independence activities is the Parade of Uniformed Groups which will take place this year at the new �People�s Stadium� at Windsor Park in Roseau on November 3rd from 4pm.
The Parade of Uniformed Groups will feature the National Day Address by Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit. There will also be the presentation of Meritorious Service Awards; Inspection of the Parade; Parade March Past and the Presidential Salute.
Roseau, Dominica � October 27, 2007
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza visits Dominica
Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), His Excellency, Jose Miguel Insulza recently vivited Dominica.
While there, Mr Insulza paid a courtesy call on the President of Dominica, His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and other members of Cabinet.
Mr. Insulza, from Chile has been Secretary General since May 2, 2005.
The Organization of American States (OAS) brings together the nations of the Western Hemisphere to strengthen cooperation on democratic values, defend common interests and debate the major issues facing the region and the world.
With four official languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese and French) the OAS reflects the rich cultural diversity of the hemisphere�s peoples and cultures. It is made up of 35 member states: the independent nations of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Roseau � Tuesday October 23, 2007
Dr. Donald Peters Appointed CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board
Dr. Donald Peters has been named as the new chief executive officer of the West Indies Cricket Board, succeeding Bruce Aanensen, who resigned in August after less than four months in the job.
Peters, a Dominican, has a wide academic and sports background. He has served as a college president, provost and university vice president in the USA and Bermuda. He was elected as the youngest general secretary of the Dominica Amateur Sports Association and subsequently was appointed one of the country's representatives on the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control and manager of the national cricket team.
Peters has an exceptionally successful track record at senior management level in several different academic institutions. He has demonstrated success in leading programmes that have helped organisations to meet their institutional objectives and increase their revenue streams in very complex environments.
Peters describes himself as an achiever and believes in results-oriented management. He has been invited by international organisations to facilitate workshops and present papers on areas related to strategic planning, revenue generation, and organizational behaviour. He has lectured at major international institutions including Oxford University and has managed budgets ranging from US$7 - US$435 million. He has distinguished himself as a leader with strong skills in resource mobilisation and financial management.
"I am excited to be selected as CEO and look forward to working with the organization to provide the support and administration necessary to make our team move once again to the top of international cricket," Peters said.
He assumes his post on November 5.
October 19, 2007
Car jacker kills reggae star Lucky Dube
Reggae star Lucky Dube
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Dominican artists are today paying tribute to fallen reggae star Lucky Dube. The international artist was killed in a botched carjacking in Johannesburg, South Africa, he was 43.
Local reggae artist Nasio Fontaine praised the singer for using reggae music to raise the consciousness of black South Africans, and for been a special messenger to the people.
Ophelia Marie also had words of praise for the singer stressing that his words and music will live on long after him. A clearly shaken Michele Henderson told a local radio station that this senseless act would not stop artists from promoting a message of peace like that done by Lucky Dube.
Lucky Dube was widely popular in Dominica where he performed live on a few occasions and his music was a constant presence on the nation�s radio stations.
Dube�s death comes more than twenty years after the slaying of another reggae great Peter Tosh.
Roseau � October 18, 2007
Internationally acclaimed local reggae artist Nasio Fontaine to headline 2007 C&W Creole in the Park
Reggae artist Nasio Fontaine
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Internationally acclaimed local reggae artist Nasio Fontaine will feature as the headline act at this year's 5th annual Cable and Wireless Creole in the Park to be held from October 22 to 25.
Nasio, who hails from the South-Eastern village of Bagatelle, will be performing in the land of his birth for the first time, having toured major cities around the world. Some of his hits include Armed and Dangerous, Wanna Go Home, Under Attack, and When.
This year's line-up also features a number of veteran performers, several new bands, and the introduction of a gospel component.
Read More
October 13, 2007
Around the World for Free Comes to Dominica
Alex Boylan of Around the World for Free is in Dominica where he has been visiting this exotic island for the past six days. Viewers to CBS�s The Early Show would have seen Alex as he fell in love with Dominica and broadcast breath-taking views on arguably the most beautiful country in the world to millions of viewers.
Around The World For Free is the brainchild of Alex Boylan, Zsolt Luka and Burton Roberts and is produced in association with online social networking pioneer FanRocket.
It's the only multiplatform series where the audience is literally in control for part of the show. It is being billed as the first truly interactive travel reality series.
Now view video of Alex�s adventure to the Nature Isle of the World (below).
Around the world for Free - October 8
Around the World for Free - October 9
Around the World for Free - October 10
Around the world for Free - October 11
Around the World for Free - October 12
Around the world for Free - October 13
Visit our website at www.dressdominique.com
Roseau � 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.
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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