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DOMINICA 2005 GENERAL ELECTIONS
(ELECTION RESULTS BELOW)
Dominica's
Independence Celebrations
September - November 2007
"Building Country, Celebrating
Heritage"
National Folk Song Festival
10-Oct-07
Arawak House of Culture - 8 pm.
Heritage Day
21-Oct-07
Heritage Day – Colihaut
Creole in the Park
22-Oct-07
Week of Creole events, music, food and culture, held in the Botanical Gardens.
October 22nd to 25th, 2007.
Traditional Culture Night
24-Oct-07
Creole Fun on the Bayfront, Roseau.
National Wob Dwiyet Pageant
25-Oct-07
National Wob Dwiyet Pageant - Old Mill Cultural Center, Canefield, 8 pm
Creole Day
26-Oct-07
The day to wear, speak and celebrate Creole culture.
Market Day with a Difference
27-Oct-07
The Roseau Market is at its best with its display of fruits & vegetables.
Stalls are decorated in madras and market hucksters dress in traditional Creole
wear.
Creole in the East
02-Nov-07
Creole music and culture event held in eastern villages.
Flag Day
02-Nov-07
Display Dominica's Flag proudly!
National Day Parade & Cultural
Gala
03-Nov-07
One of the highlights of the Independence celebrations, the day starts with a
parade in the Botanic Gardens. From 3pm also in the Gardens is the Cultural
Gala, showcasing Dominica's heritage & culture.
Community Service Day
05-Nov-07
Community Service Day - Islandwide.
Isle of beauty, isle of splendour,
Isle to all so sweet and fair,
All must surely gaze in wonder
At thy gifts so rich and rare.
Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains,
All these gifts we do extol.
Healthy land, so like all fountains,
Giving cheer that warms the soul.
Dominica, God hath blest thee
With a clime benign and bright,
Pastures green and flowers of beauty
Filling all with pure delight,
And a people strong and healthy,
Full of godly, rev'rent fear.
May we ever seek to praise Thee
For these gifts so rich and rare.
Come ye forward, sons and daughters
Of this gem beyond compare.
Strive for honor, sons and daughters,
Do the right, be firm, be fair.
Toil with hearts and hands and voices.
We must prosper!
Sound the call, In which ev'ry one rejoices,
"All for Each and Each for All. “
The
Sir Vivian Richards Information and Facts 
Cricket
World Cup 2007 in Antigua 
><>
France
team page | Italy
team page | Tale
of the tape: how France and Italy match up | World
Cup final by the numbers | Zidane's
last stand | The
new Italy | History
of the World Cup
Since the Soccer World Cup Championship began in 1930 only seven countries have won.
BRAZIL : 5 ; ITALY : 3 ; GERMANY : 3 ;
URUGUAY : 2 ; ARGENTINA : 2; ENGLAND : 1 ; FRANCE : 1
JAMAICA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RACE 2006
ROSEAU,
Dominica, 16
Jul 2007 - Attorney Earl
Williams was sworn into office Monday as Opposition Leader promising supporters
that his next goal would be to reclaim the government on behalf of the main
opposition United Workers Party (UWP).
“My
next accomplishment is to be Prime Minister of Dominica,” Williams told
reporters after being sworn in by President, Nicholas Liverpool.
“I
am already ensuring that I have candidates in place and I will not be taking the
elections likely,” he said noting that he also had confidence in his deputy,
Ronald Green.
Williams
said he would bring his own management style to the post, adding “but I feel
with my energy and personality, and with my quench for the post of the prime
ministership, that I would work extremely hard and I will go out all to win the
next general elections here in Dominica. “
He
said his elevation as the new post is in keeping with a three-prong strategy he
had developed for ensuring the return of the UWP to office.
“First
I must become the leader of the United Workers Party, second become the leader
of the opposition and third winning the next general election.
“The
Leader of the Opposition is a vital step if one has to be a successful Prime
Minister. We have Mary Eugenia Charles, Hubert Ingram in Bahamas, Michael Manly
in Jamaica, Owen Arthur in Barbados and Edison James in Dominica; all were
successful Prime Ministers,” Williams said.
“If
someone ask me what is my top priority as Leader of the Opposition I would
definitely say to fight for relief for Dominica people.”
Williams,
who took over the leadership of the party last year, succeeds Edison James who
resigned last week and led the party since it was founded in 1988.
James
said he was confident that Williams would succeed in the post.
“Williams
has a track record of performance when he was the Minister of Communications and
Works. I don’t think that there is a Dominican who can doubt that. In the
meantime, while we have been in the opposition he has gone on the qualify
himself as an attorney-at-law. He is also an experienced parliamentarian; he has
been there since he was 26,” James said.
Williams
said he would also use his new position to safeguard the civil rights of
citizens as well as the constitution.
“The
Leader of the Opposition should be a champion of press freedom because his fight
against any form of oppression or victimisation can only be successful if there
is free media coverage.
“The
Leader of the Opposition sometimes may have to represent other political
parties. The Leader of the Opposition should be a champion to the cause of free
and fair election,” Williams added.
Meanwhile,
James told reporters that he had already been delegated new responsibilities by
Williams.
“The
new Opposition Leader has asked me to be the main spokesman on foreign affairs,
immigration and legal affairs. With respect to legal affairs, I intend to focus
right now on the question of corruption,” James added.
COURT
OF APPEAL DISMISSES APPLICATION FOR
EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE APPEALS CHALLENGING MAY 2005 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Roseau,
Dominica – April 6, 2006 …… The
Court of Appeal has dismissed an application by five losing candidates of the
United Workers Party for an extension of time in which to file their appeals
challenging the results of the May 5th 2005 General Election.
The
application for an extension of time was deemed by the Court of Appeal to be
improper. This Judgment by Justice of Appeal, Denys Barrow of the Eastern
Caribbean Supreme Court on April 3, 2006 signals the end for the United Workers
Party on this matter.
In
his ruling, Denys Barrow SC stated: “ On 16 November 2005 the petitioners
applied for leave to appeal. They also applied for an extension of time within
to appeal. But curiously the thrust of their representation is that they are not
out of time because time did not start running against them from the date of the
judgment.
“
It is not in dispute that the intended appeal is against an interlocutory order
and an appeal may only be brought if leave to appeal is first obtained. If no
leave is obtained a purported appeal is a nullity. The time within which an
application for leave to appeal must
be brought is stated in the Civil Procedure Rules 2000(CPR) in rule 62.2
(1)…..”
One
of the lawyers for the Respondents, Senior Counsel, Anthony Astaphan expressed
no surprise at the decision of the Court. Mr Astaphan said: “ The Court did
not even think it necessary to discuss the merits of their case. Their entire
application was considered a hopeless application.
“
For election petitions to have any chance of success, they must be pleaded in
accordance with the facts and the laws of this country and if they don’t
comply with the laws they will be struck out. That the judicial determination of
case is an integral part of our democratic system. And it is that judicial
branch of our democracy that has said that they have come to the court with
nonsense. “
The
Court of Appeal has also ruled that the Petitioners must pay their costs as well
as the costs of the Respondents.
Following
the May 5, 2005 General Election, the United Workers Party filed election
petitions challenging the results in five constituencies. On October 25, 2005
High Court Judge, Justice Hugh Rawlins, dismissed the petitions filed against
the victorious Dominica Labour Party candidates in the St. Joseph, Salybia,
Mahaut, Soufriere and Castle Bruce constituencies and the Returning Officers in
the aforementioned constituencies and the Chief Elections Officer.
This
Judgment at the level of Court Of Appeal means the result of the May 5, 2005
General Election which saw the Dominica Labour Party capture 12 of the 21 seats
and 52% of the popular vote, stands. There can be no appeal to the Judicial
Committee of the Privy Council in London.(Ends)
Dominica Labour Party General Secretary quits
The party’s General Secretary Dr William Riviere has quit, claiming that the party had abandoned the ideals and principles of its founding fathers.
Dr Riviere, who has held the position for the past two years, has made a number of pointed criticisms of how the party is being run.
But these criticisms have been rejected by party leader and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt as frivolous.
'Party is on a great high'
Vice President of the DLP, Cecil Joseph, told the BBC Caribbean Service that although the resignation was not unexpected, ‘there are a number of allegations that he (Dr Riviere) has made that we are not aware of in the party because the party is on a great high’.
Dr Rivierre maintains that the DLP has strayed from the ideals and structures put in place by previous leaders.
Speaking with the Caribbean Service, the now-former DLP General Secretary said that the party is 'now a mere shell of what it used to be'.
Opposition to DLP?
When asked if he intends to establish himself in opposition to the DLP he stated; ‘time will tell what happens’ but, for now at least, even though he has quit as General Secretary he has not quit the party.
‘The fact is that I am calling on the membership and
leadership of the Labour Party…to stand up and side for the life of the party
because it seems to me that we have lost our mission. The rank and file have no
role whatsoever in the development of the country.’
DAME MARY EUGENIA CHARLES
(1919 - 2005)
Dame Eugenia
laid to rest
POINTE MICHEL, Dominica – Dame Eugenia Charles, the first woman to head a
government in the Caribbean, was buried yesterday in her hometown in Dominica. About 1 000 people – including Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
and several former Caribbean prime ministers – filled La Sallette Catholic
Church in Pointe Michel to pay their respects to a woman whose tough stands
during 15 years as Dominica's prime minister won her the title of "the Iron
Lady of the Caribbean". Charles led her country from 1980 to 1995. She survived two coup attempts,
stood with former United States President Ronald Reagan when he announced the
invasion of Grenada in 1983, and had a man hanged for treason in Dominica's
first execution in 13 years. She died September 6 in the French Caribbean island of Martinique, where she
had been taken to be treated for a broken hip. She was 86. Charles had said she did not want a state funeral and wanted to be buried in
the tiny town where she was born on May 15, 1919. She had chosen her burial clothes and the music that accompanied the Mass,
said Bernard Yankey, a longtime associate. The marble headstone on her grave bears only her name and date of birth. The
Dominica High Court on Monday held a special session to pay tribute to Charles,
the first woman to practise law in Dominica. After founding the Dominica Freedom Party in 1968, ten years before Dominica
won its independence from Britain, she was elected an assemblywoman. She once wore a bathing suit underneath her black lawyer's gown in the House
to protest a dress code for legislators. A staunch anti-communist, she refused
to accept scholarships offered by Cuban President Fidel Castro to Dominican
students. (AP)
Thursday September 8, 2005: A former Prime Minister of Dominica has died. Dame Mary Eugenia Charles passed away at a Martinique Hospital on Tuesday evening at the age of 86. Charles was admitted to the French institution, after receiving a fall at her home in Dominica and damaging her hip. After surgery, her condition seems to have changed, where she took for the worst. Charles, who was a trained lawyer, entered politics in 1968, co-founded the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) in 1972 and became the first woman in the Caribbean to be elevated to the post of Prime Minister. In North America, she would best be remembered as the person who physically journeyed to the American White House in Washington, DC, the home of the President of the United States, where she pleaded with the then President Ronald Reagan, to send troops to invade the island of Grenada, where that country’s Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, was being held captive. In Europe, she would be best remembered as the spokesperson for Caribbean bananas, while in the Caribbean, she was considered as the ‘iron lady’ of politics. Dame Eugenia, who retired from active politics in 1995, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth the 11 at Harare, Zimbabwe in 1991 and was the recipient of the Order of the Caribbean Community in February 2003,by the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. ><> Caribbean political leaders have been paying tribute to the late Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, who died Tuesday evening at a Hospital in Martinique. Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has praised Dame Eugenia as someone who "dedicated her entire life to the service of the country." Former Prime Minister of Jamaica Edward Seaga has described her as a strong leader with a strong mind. The former Prime Minister of St. Lucia Sir John Compton has said of her passing that “a Caribbean beacon has gone out”. Trinidad foreign minister Knowlson Gift has said that her death "would certainly leave a vacuum" on the Caribbean political stage. Dominican historian and author Lennox Honeychurch has said that her passing has certainly marked for Dominica and the region, the passing of an era, while Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, has said that she was a monumental figure of her time and an inspiration for the Caribbean region. ><>
Napoleon Sanford, a Carib Indian boat builder, stands with the Queen's Relay baton on a beach in Carib Territory, flanked by exotic 'Haliconia' flower, locally known as the 'Bird of Paradise'
Governing
party said to win in Dominica
twincities.com
- Fri, 6 May 2005 02:46:05 GMT
Dame Eugenie for medical treatment
31-Aug-05: The former Prime Minister of Dominica Dame Eugenie Charles, was flown to Martinique for medical treatment yesterday. Dame Eugenie, 86, fell at her Roseau home on the weekend and broke her hip. She was admitted at the Princess Margaret Hospital and discharged, but later complained of pains. Doctors said that she may need hip replacement surgery. ><>
30-Aug-05 A Dominica-Haiti Friendship Association was launched today. Vice President of the assoc., McCarthy Marie, said it was timely, and they had already met with authorities on a variety of issues.
Tremor shakes Dominica
30-Aug-05 A magnitude 5.0 quake shook D/a at 10:02 today. Centred in the
Atlantic, 55 miles ESE of Roseau, 40 miles NE of Fort-de-France, Martinique, the
tremor was felt as far south as St Lucia. No damage was reported.
100 years old
25-Aug-05 Louisa Agatha Benoit is 100 years old today, and the event will
be celebrated at the Fort Young Hotel. She said her secret was not overdoing
anything.
Death
toll rises amid the devastation
August 31: The death toll from Hurricane Katrina was expected to soar
above 100 as more bodies washed up in US Gulf coast cities yesterday in one of
the worst natural disasters America has faced in decades.
For
many, misery starts in Katrina's wake
August 31: Levee breaks, bringing more death to New Orleans.
$26bn
and counting: insurers face one of their biggest payouts
August 31: Insurance groups worldwide were yesterday facing the prospect
of multibillion-dollar claims in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Oil
hits fresh high as Katrina wreaks havoc
August 31: Traders panic in London and New York after hurricane shuts
rigs and refineries across the Gulf of Mexico.
US
poverty figure rises for 4th year
August 31: The number of Americans living below the poverty line rose for
the fourth successive year during 2004, extending the gap between rich and poor
in the world's wealthiest nation.
Bush
is the real threat
August 31, Tony Benn: Now that the US president has announced that he has
not ruled out an attack on Iran, if it does not abandon its nuclear programme,
the Middle East faces a crisis that could dwarf even the dangers arising from
the war in Iraq.
Ted
Radcliffe
August 31, obituary: A key figure in the segregated Negro League baseball
of 1930s and 40s America.
Insurers
count the cost of Katrina
August 30: Hurricane Katrina will be the costliest single event for
insurers since the September 11 attacks, companies predicted today.
Newsblog:
'This is the real deal'
30.08.05:
Katrina death toll 'rises to 80'
30.08.05:
Fears of flash floods
30.08.05:
'The whole damn city is under water'
30.08.05:
High winds bring threat of 'storm surge' waves
30.08.05:
Oil prices close to record as Katrina shuts down production
Hurricane
lashes New Orleans
August 29: One of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the US in living
memory was today over New Orleans as forecasters and and emegency services
warned that gusts of up to 125mph and possible 15ft storm surges could leave the
city devastated.
29.08.05:
New Orleans orders 3m to flee as hurricane nears
29.08.05, in
pictures: Hurricane Katrina
Interactive
guide: hurricanes explained
ROSEAU, Dominica: The parliamentary opposition in Dominica has accused the government of "wanton abuse of state funds", saying the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) had used the money for its political campaign during the May 2005 general election.
The United Workers Party (UWP) told the local press: "Figures in the Supplementary Appropriation Act past last week in parliament point clearly to the wanton abuse of state funds for party political campaigning."
The bill, which had amounted to EC$13.9 million and is ironically entitled "An Act to 'Sanction' certain payments from the Consolidated fund of Dominica in excess of the sum provided for the services of the Commonwealth of Dominica during the year ended June 2005."
Opposition leader and head of the UWP, Edison James, said that, "Parliament was asked to ratify money which was essentially used as bribery in the election campaign."
Mr James questioned a budgeted sum of money to the Prime Minister's office for "housing assistance to the needy", explaining that that was the responsibility of the Ministry of Community Development.
A top official of the DLP has dismissed the opposition charges, noting that they "everything we do is above board and in the interest of the Dominican people."
President of the UWP, Ron Green, said he had concerns about the "abuses and irregularities" were having on the country's democracy.
"The party is not the state," Mr Green pointed out, "we do not expect to get in Parliament, the Labour Party budget."
The UWP has filed petitions in the local courts challenging the results in five constituencies in the last general election which the DLP won with 12 seats to the UWP's eight.
The other winning candidate in the 21-seat single-chamber parliament is an independent with close ties to the governing party.
ROSEAU, Dominica: On Thursday, August 4, 2005, the Dominica Parliament granted approval for the Minister for Finance to borrow and guarantee by means of fluctuating overdraft, a sum not exceeding in the aggregate EC$34,500,000 to meet Central Government current overdraft requirements and to guarantee overdrafts to statutory and public corporations for a further period of one year commencing from July 1, 2005.
This contrasts to June 2003 when the Government sought and received parliamentary approval to borrow the sum of $50 million to meet Central Government overdraft requirements and to guarantee overdrafts to statutory boards and public corporations.
In June 2002, the Coalition Government led by Pierre Charles, embarked on a programme of economic stabilisation and adjustment in order to restore the economy to fiscal health. The Government said then that there could be no growth without addressing the parlous state of Central Government finances at that time.
In his 2005/2006 Budget Address, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit reported significant improvements in the country fiscal and debt situation.
In his Budget address delivered on July 27, 2005, Skerrit also stated that as at June 2005, the balance on the overdraft had been reduced to zero, compared with a balance of $59.9 million in June 2003・
DOMINICA ELECTION CASE HEADS BACK TO COURT
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: According to a special report from the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development (CCHD), a copy of which has been obtained by Caribbean Net News, it is estimated that there are approximately half a million people living with HIV/AIDS in the wider Caribbean and 20 percent of these live in CARICOM member countries.
The report goes on to state that, given the current rate of infection, the figure is projected to be 672,000 come the close of 2009, and during the next five years, AIDS will kill a quarter of a million people in the Caribbean if the epidemic continues unchecked, the frightening report says.
In fact, in addressing the opening ceremony of the 26th Conference, Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, reminded the audience that the greatest threat to the Caribbean is the HIV/AIDS pandemic, adding that the leaders and people of the Caribbean have the " unenviable task to turn around our reputation of having the highest incidence of the virus in the world, second to Sub-Sahara Africa."
Mr Skerrit cautioned that a concerted regional effort is needed in order to "stave off" disaster.
Meanwhile, a release from the St Kitts and Nevis government states that Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas gave what is referred to as a detailed report on the status of HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues in the Caribbean at the recently concluded 26th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
According to the release, "In what colleague-Heads regarded as a rather detailed and thorough exposition of his stewardship as the regional spokesman on health matters,” Prime Minister Douglas informed the meeting that he was now more hopeful and satisfied that his colleagues had demonstrated their cognizance of the critical role of health in the economic development of the Caribbean.
However, a great many HIV/AIDS workers across the region have been expressing grave concern over the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region.
"Our people are not taking this matter as serious as they should and this only adding fuel to the fire."
Another major problem for workers is the stigma now attached to the illness as new efforts and strategies must now be put in place to combat the stigma, which is creating havoc as reported to Caribbean Net News by one worker following a conference in St. Kitts last year.
“...this stigma thing is really creating havoc right here in the Caribbean. People do not even want to go to be tested because of the fear of being labelled. Even in our own health system where you expect people to be more level headed, the stigma is having an adverse effect."
Observers say it remains to be seen whether regional politicians will recognise the potential for economic disaster in the region that will be brought about by the loss of a quarter of a million productive lives, on the basis of the CCHD estimate.
MIAMI, USA: The Three Rivers Eco Lodge in Dominica has been awarded the American Express and Caribbean Hotel Association 2005 Caribbean Green Hotel Award in the small hotel category, becoming the first on the Island to achieve such status for any small hotel category.
The award is based on performance in environmental management and stewardship, infrastructure, awareness, conservation and health and safety, which are part of the Caribbean hospitality industry痴 thrust to sensitize hotels in the region to foster a way to integrate better social and environmental practices into day to day business decisions, with the objective of achieving 奏he tropical paradise・
Selection of Three Rivers Eco Lodge was made at the just concluded Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami and attended by delegates from thirty six member countries.
Three Rivers Eco Lodge is set in a lush rainforest valley, surrounded by pristine rivers and comprises secluded self-contained cottages, isolated natural forest cabins, natural pools and rainforest, waterfalls and lakes.
There is accommodation to suit all levels of comfort and all size budgets. The self-contained wooden cottages are set in in large, secluded, organic gardens with fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. Each cottage contains a double bed, kitchenette, shower/toilet, living area and a balcony with hammock. Children痴 folding beds are available free of charge.
The latest addition to the various types of accommodation are a Carib Indian Jungle Cabin and a Bamboo Tree House, nestled in the heart of the rainforest in the mountains at the back of Three Rivers.
The award will give a boost to Dominica, recognized as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, being unspoiled for thousands of years and boasting spectacular tropical scenery of beaches, forests, mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
The Commonwealth of Dominica is the first country in the world to be officially benchmarked by Green Globe 21 as an eco tourist destination.
ROSEAU, Dominica: Conjoined twins born at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau, Dominica, last Thursday died at the weekend before their parents and doctors could decide on surgical options.
An autopsy into the deaths, which occurred separately on Saturday and Sunday, is scheduled for Thursday, a hospital source told The Times.
The news came just after their mother Daniella Fontaine said she was ready to face the possibility of surgically separating them.
The infants were joined at the abdomen when
they were born last week at the island's main health facility.
As medical experts pondered their options, Ms Fontaine said she was prepared for
the worst despite her faith in God.
"I feel a little down but I say God knows what he is doing. I cannot fuss, I cannot fight, and I just have to prepare for the worst.
The premature (34 weeks) baby girls were delivered by hospital staff who said they were amazed during their novel experience.
Ms Fontaine said although she knew she was expecting twins, having them conjoined was unexpected.
"Everything was a surprise to everybody because, although we knew they were identical, we didn't know they were stuck together," she said.
Ms Fontaine added that an earlier scan had
revealed that the babies were "hugged together" in her abdomen.
"The nurse said they were 'hugged up' but the scanner didn't show that they
were stuck together."
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominicans will soon be paying less for fuel as a result of the signing of an Agreement by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and twelve other Caribbean leaders in Venezuela last week.
The PetroCaribe initiative is expected to build on the Caracas Accord signed in 2001. The aim of the Accord was to deliver cheaper fuel to Caribbean countries. The lack of adequate storage capacity prevented Dominica and several other countries in the region from benefiting from the Accord.
Venezuelan President, Mr. Hugo Chavez, announced that his government would provide an expanded fleet of tankers to deliver fuel directly, bypassing intermediaries or 僧iddle men・ Dominica has already been identified as the hub to distribute petroleum products to other islands in the Eastern Caribbean.
The Government of Venezuela has also agreed to set up a US$50 million fund to assist Caribbean countries with social development projects, including housing and the provision of cheaper financing to the private sector for development. Every year an additional US$50 million is expected to be added to the fund.
The Venezuelan government has also expressed an interest in buying water and bananas from Dominica.
Meanwhile Energy Minister, Reginald Austrie, will leave Dominica for Venezuela this week for further discussions on the fuel agreement.
ROSEAU, Dominica: The Indian Government has promised a consignment of medicines worth US$20,000 to Dominica. The offer was made by the Indian High Commissioner to Dominica, Mr Virendra Gupta in a letter to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour, Charles Savarin.
The letter to Minister Savarin reads in part:
的 am happy to inform you that given the friendly and cordial relations between our two countries, the Government of India has decided to gift a consignment of medicines to the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica worth US$20,000 as a token of our support to help tide over the shortages caused by the incident of the fire in the Government Medical Stores ・
The consignment of medicines is expected to arrive in Dominica shortly.
Meanwhile the Indian High Commissioner is presently in Dominica. Today he paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit and Foreign Minister, Charles Savarin.
Diplomatic relations were established between Dominica and India in 1981, at the level of non-resident High Commissioner.
ROSEAU, Dominica: The Government of Dominica will convene a meeting with the Caribbean and international donor community in Roseau on Thursday, 23rd June 2005. Participating in the meeting will be representatives from the ECCB, CDB, USAID, UNDP, the European Union, CIDA and the People痴 Republic of China.
The purpose of the donors・meeting is for Government to give the donors a report on the performance of the economy under the ongoing economic programme and to solicit their continued support for the programme going forward.
The donor and Caribbean communities have played a vital role in the success of the Programme since its inception in July, 2002 through the provision of financial and technical support.
Dominica痴 Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit, will deliver the welcome remarks at the meeting.
At Thursday痴 meeting with representatives of the bilateral and multilateral donor communities, government officials will provide details on the ongoing and required technical assistance in support of the ongoing economic programme.
IMF Mission Chief, Mr. Sanjaya Panth will provide a progress report on Dominica痴 economic performance under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and the meeting will also be addressed by Dr. Ratna Sahay, Assistant Director of the IMF痴 Western Hemisphere Department.
Dominica痴 draft Growth and Social Protection Strategy (GSPS) will also be discussed. There have been widespread discussions with various groups on the GSPS over the last several months. The GSPS is a comprehensive social and economic development strategy for the country that will outline the Government痴 growth and poverty reduction programme up to 2010.
ULSAN, South Korea (AFP): Western governments and environmental groups have threatened and intimidated other states because of their opposition to a ban on commercial whaling, delegates from two Caribbean countries alleged Sunday.
Speaking on the eve of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting that opens Monday, representatives of Dominica as well as Antigua and Barbuda accused the West of neo-colonialism in trying to influence how they vote.
The allegations come at a time when the balance between pro-whaling countries and their anti-catch and conservationist critics is thought to be particularly tight, perhaps tilting control of the 66-nation body in favour of the pro-hunt lobby for the first time in more than 20 years.
"Dominica... is a country that has been threatened," delegate Lloyd Pascal told reporters in the former South Korean whaling port of Ulsan. "They think they can intimidate us.
"It's not only the NGOs (non-governmental organisations). Governments are sending their envoys to the Caribbean and intimidate our government to tell them that if you don't change your position you're going to risk how much aid... you get from us."
He refused to name the governments that had allegedly made any threats or to disclose further details.
"The islands of the Caribbean have been under tremendous pressure from NGOs because they do not follow the dictates of their instructions at the IWC," he added.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Massiah of Antigua and Barbuda said only that those behind the threats were "governments of the developed world".
"The agenda and the emotive sentiment that are being expressed by the NGOs and the anti-whaling camp are colonialist in nature and patronising in the extreme," she told journalists.
"What we have seen is an effort to stymie our tourism product by a misinformation campaign," she alleged, saying that NGOs were leading the campaign.
She further warned that an impasse at the week-long meeting opening Monday could push pro-whaling nations to walk out of the body -- a threat that leading lobbyist Japan has repeatedly made.
"If the hardline agenda which is being pushed by the anti-whaling movement goes too far to the right, then this will only ensure and result in nations taking their own responsibility and making the IWC more and more irrelevant."
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominican High Court Judge, Justice Clare Henry-Wason, has rejected an application by the losing United Workers Party candidate parliamentary candidate for the Castle Bruce Constituency, Mr. Leonard Newton, for leave to apply for judicial review of certain actions and decisions taken by the Returning Officer and Chief Elections Officer following the ballot count in the Castle Bruce constituency in the 2005 general elections.
The Applicant was not challenging the result of the election. The Applicant contended that after the recount on the morning of May 6th 2005, there was no public declaration of the winner by the Returning Officer as required by Section 43 of the House of Assembly (Elections) Act. Counsel for Mr. Newton argued that even with Mr. Newton being present at the final count of votes, the Returning Officer failed to “forthwith deliver a copy of the written declaration”.
The Returning Officer, Octavia Alfred filed an affidavit in which she stated that after the announcement was made that Mrs. Loreen Bannis-Roberts of the Dominica Labour Party had received 799 votes to Mr. Newton’s 798, pandemonium ensued in the Police Station. The Returning Officer stated further that by the time she was able to write up the “return after poll”, she could not find the Applicant, his Attorney or agents. After seeking advice, she delivered the copy by hand the following day.
In her judgment, Justice Clare Henry- Wason said: “Even if the Court accepts the Applicant’s Account, this Court can find no injustice to the applicant that would warrant the engagement of the Court’s resources in a full investigation and hearing. Furthermore the Applicant having already received the written declaration required by section 41(7), the relief sought appears to be purely academic.”
In her concluding statement, the Judge said: “The application for leave is denied with the following order for cost. It is ordered that cost be paid by the Applicant to Mrs Loreen Bannis-Roberts in the sum of $2,000. ”
The duly elected Parliamentary Representative for the Castle Bruce Constituency and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Loreen Bannis-Roberts told reporters she was not surprised by the Judge’s decision.
The two-time elected member for the Castle Bruce Constituency pledged to continue working in the interest of all the people of the constituency.
Meanwhile lawyers acting on behalf of the United Workers Party have filed election petitions in Castle Bruce and four other constituencies.
West
Indies Cricket Board (WICB) seeks new president
West Indies vs Pakistan 2005 Series 
West Indies vs South Africa 2005 Series
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: On Monday, thirty Haitian nationals who illegally entered Antigua and Barbuda were escorted aboard a LIAT charter flight back to Dominica where they originated.
The Haitians and their property were due to be handed over to immigration officials in Dominica on landing.
The 30 Haitians, eight of whom had no travel documents, disembarked from an unidentified vessel in the vicinity of Coral Bay in Barbuda on Saturday morning. They were transported to Antigua on Sunday 12th June, where they were examined by physicians and interviewed by immigration officials.
It is believed that the Haitians traveled to Dominica between February 1 and May 28, 2005 via the Dominican Republic on private charters. It is also believed that each Haitian paid between one thousand and twelve hundred US dollars to facilitate their journey from Dominica to St. Maarten, which was their intended destination.
According to the Antigua and Barbuda immigration authorities, the airfare from Antigua back to Dominica in the sum of US$2,500 was paid for by the Haitians, who pooled their resources. They have also returned to Dominica with a combined total of over US$6,000.
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica recorded its second murder for 2005 when Phillip Registe, an escaped prisoner, died of cutlass wounds on Thursday in Grand Bay, about ten miles south of the capital Roseau.
Police said 17-year-old Jennison Toussaint of Grand Bay will be charged on Friday with the crime which occurred at 8:00am in the southern village.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Cyril Carrette, both men were involved in an altercation.
The 35-year-old Registe from Powell escaped from Stock Farm Prison on Tuesday along with five other men who are being sought by the police.
Registe, who was on remand, was accused of raping his sister in February, the police official said.
On March 10, the island's first murder in 2005 occurred in Fond Cole, a low income community in the capital, Roseau.
Louise Julien, 17, has been charged with the murder of her friend Darren Latouche.
Meanwhile, the police spokesman said they are concerned about the security at the island's lone prison following jailbreaks on May 5 and June 7 which left a total of nine inmates at large.
Judge Rules In Election Case
Justice Claire Henry-Wason has ruled that the court
found "no injustice" in
the electoral authorities` decision to award the Castle Bruce seat to the
ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) last month.
The United Workers Party (UWP) challenged the east coast seat, it lost by
one vote, in the May 5 general election.
Preliminary results gave the main opposition's Leonard Newton the seat.
However, the final count, one day later, gave the incumbent Loreen
Bannis-Roberts the win, amid complaints by the main opposition party that
there were discrepancies in the counting process.
The UWP launched challenges to five of the 21 constituencies, claiming the
seats were rigged by the DLP administration.
In the first case on Friday, the judge is of the view that evidence
presented by the applicant, did not merit a full investigation and hearing.
Justice Henry-Wason also ordered the UWP to pay EC$2,000 in legal cost to
the DLP. –30-
Roseau, Dominica - June 2, 2005: Members of the opposition United Workers Party, have rejected a proposal from their leader Edison James, to vacate the post. James, a former Prime Minister, was defeated at the polls for the second consecutive general elections. James is yet to decide if he will abide by the wish of his followers to stay on as leader, or defy their wishes.
June 01, 2005
International Cricket Council
Cricket: Lara snatches top spot from Kallis in LG ICC Test batting
rankings
LG
ICC TEST CHAMPIONSHIP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London, 1 June 2005
Brian Lara has returned to the top of the LG ICC Test batting rankings
following his century in West Indies' win over Pakistan in the Barbados Test.
He is now just two points ahead of
Shivnarine Chanderpaul moves up five places to eighth following his
scores of 92 and 153 not out in the same match, with the result that he now has
a batting ranking over 800 points for the first time in his career.
For
Similarly in the bowling, wickets for Andrew Flintoff and Matthew
Hoggard have slightly improved their rankings so that the two bowlers are
at, or close to, personal bowling bests.
Hoggard has climbed to tenth while Flintoff shares 11th spot with
teammate Steve Harmison.
Current LG ICC Test Table, 31 May 2005
Position
Team
Rating
1
Australia
132
2
England
110
3
India
107
4
Pakistan
102
5
Sri Lanka
100
6
South Africa
100
7
New Zealand
97
8
West Indies
73
9
Zimbabwe
41
10
Bangladesh
6
Developed by David Kendix
31 May 2005
LG ICC Test Player Rankings
Batsmen
After Lord's and Barbados Tests
Rank (Change) Player
Team Points
Average Highest Ranking
1 (+1)
Brian Lara
WI 888
53.86 911 v SA at Cape Town 2004
2 (-1)
Jacques Kallis SA
886
56.87 896 v Eng at Cape Town 2005
3 ( - )
Rahul Dravid
Ind 872
57.86 892 v Pak at Kolkata 2005
4 ( - )
Ricky Ponting Aus
863
56.47 905 v Ind at Melbourne 2003
5 ( - )
Virender Sehwag Ind
848
55.98 854 v SA at Kolkata 2004
6 ( - )
Damien Martyn Aus
836
51.25 848 v NZ at Wellington 2005
7 ( - )
Adam Gilchrist Aus
819
55.65 874 v SA at Cape Town 2002
8 (+5)
S.Chanderpaul WI
804
47.86 804 v Pak at Bridgetown 2005
9 (-1)
Inzamam-ul-Haq Pak
786
50.02 852 v NZ at Lahore 2002
10 ( - )
Graeme Smith SA
752
55.50 756 v NZ at Wellington 2004
11 (+1)
S.R.Tendulkar Ind
750
57.25 898 v Zim at Nagpur 2002
12 (-1)
Andrew Strauss Eng
748 *
57.17 769 v SA at Johannesburg 2005
13 (+3)
M.E.Trescothick Eng
747
44.46 782 v Ban at Chittagong 2003
14 ( - )
Justin Langer
Aus 725
46.52 780 v SA at Sydney 2002
15 (-6)
Younis Khan
Pak 724
43.60 757 v Ind at Bangalore 2005
16 (-1)
Matthew Hayden Aus
720
53.46 935 v Eng at Brisbane 2002
17 ( - )
K.C.Sangakkara SL
706
48.13 813 v Pak at Lahore 2002
18 ( - )
M.Jayawardene SL
694
48.44 836 v Eng at Birmingham 2002
19 (-1)
Yousuf Youhana Pak
687
47.46 758 v WI at Sharjah 2002
20 ( - )
S.T.Jayasuriya SL
680
43.10 770 v Ind at Colombo (SSC) 1997
21 (+1)
Graham Thorpe Eng
678
44.22 793 v WI at The Oval 1995
22 (-1)
H.H.Gibbs
SA 676
47.09 825 v WI at Centurion 2004
23 (+1)
Chris Gayle
WI 650
39.74 663 v SA at St John's 2005
24 (+3)
Michael Vaughan Eng
635
45.03 876 v Aus at Sydney 2003
25 ( - )
Stephen Fleming NZ
634
38.64 702 v Ban at Chittagong 2004
26 (-3)
R.R.Sarwan
WI 632
41.08 697 v Eng at Manchester 2004
27 (-1)
AB de Villiers SA
619 *
53.72 622 v WI at Bridgetown 2005
28 ( - )
Venkata Laxman Ind
609
43.05 753 v Aus at Sydney 2004
29 ( - )
Nathan Astle
NZ 597
37.81 690 v Eng at Christchurch 2002
30 ( - )
Andrew Flintoff Eng
586
32.44 616 v WI at The Oval 2004
31 May 2005
LG ICC Test Player Rankings
Bowlers
After Lord's and Barbados Tests
Rank (Change) Player
Team Points
Average Highest Ranking
1 ( - )
Glenn McGrath Aus
897
21.22 914 v Eng at The Oval 2001
2 ( - )
M.Muralitharan SL
834
22.86 915 v Pak at Lahore 2002
3 ( - )
Shaun Pollock SA
787
22.09 909 v Eng at Johannesburg 1999
4 (+1)
Makhaya Ntini SA
784
29.21 807 v WI at Port-of-Spain 2005
5 (-1)
Shoaib Akhtar Pak
778
24.77 855 v NZ at Wellington 2003
6 ( - )
Shane Warne
Aus 771
25.51 905 v Eng at Melbourne 1994
7 ( - )
Anil Kumble
Ind 766
28.24 859 v SL at Bangalore 1994
8 ( - )
Andre Nel
SA 751
*
25.45 759 v WI at Bridgetown 2005
9 ( - )
Jason Gillespie Aus
739
25.72 812 v NZ at Adelaide 2004
10 (+3)
Matthew Hoggard Eng
722
30.57 724 v SA at Johannesburg 2005
11= (+3)
Andrew Flintoff Eng
716
33.86 716 v Ban at Lord's 2005
(-1) Steve Harmison
Eng 716
28.34 875 v WI at The Oval 2004
13 (-1)
Chaminda Vaas SL
708
30.02 735 v WI at Colombo (SSC) 2001
14 (-3)
Danish Kaneria Pak
690
30.42 715 v Ind at Bangalore 2005
15 ( - )
Harbhajan Singh Ind
688
28.17 765 v NZ at Wellington 2002
16 ( - )
Ashley Giles
Eng 599
37.15 668 v WI at Birmingham 2004
17 ( - )
Heath Streak Zim 595
28.13 794 v SL at Colombo (RPS) 1996
18 ( - )
Daniel Vettori NZ
589
35.65 681 v Aus at Auckland 2000
19 ( - )
M.S.Kasprowicz Aus
587
31.11 611 v NZ at Wellington 2005
20 ( - )
Pedro Collins WI
576 *
34.09 599 v SA at Georgetown 2005
21 ( - )
Chris Martin
NZ 559
*
35.59 643 v Eng at Lord's 2004
22 (+1)
Jacques Kallis SA
555
31.60 742 v Eng at Leeds 2003
23 (+1)
Stuart MacGill Aus
554
28.82 728 v WI at Kingston 1999
24 (+1)
Daryl Tuffey
NZ 552
*
31.16 750 v Pak at Hamilton 2003
25 (+1)
Zaheer Khan Ind 542
37.64 660 v Aus at Brisbane 2003
26 (-5)
Mohammad Rafiq Ban
530 *
34.50 587 v Zim at Chittagong 2005
27 ( - )
Irfan Pathan Ind 501
*
33.08 557 v Pak at Mohali 2005
28 ( - )
S.T.Jayasuriya SL
488 *
32.47 521 v Zim at Galle 2002
29 ( - )
Nuwan Zoysa SL
448 *
33.70 491 v Zim at Bulawayo 2004
30 (+3)
Abdul Razzaq
Pak 447
*
37.50 475 v SA at Faisalabad 2003
-ENDS-
OECS
Heads to Meet in
May 27, 2005:
OECS
Heads of Government meet in
This 41st meeting of the OECS Authority will cover a wide-ranging agenda of economic and social development issues, including measures to advance the process of building an OECS Economic Union. Heads are also expected to discuss the readiness for participation by OECS Member States in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The meeting takes place on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the June 18th 1981 signing of the Treaty of Basseterre which established the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
The Heads are expected to take time out from their meeting for a special ceremony to mark the anniversary.
NEW
YORK (May 27, 2005) – Visiting and resident Caribbean citizens will join in
one accord this Sunday afternoon at a special interfaith celebration to mark the
opening of “Caribbean Week in New York” from May 29 to June 5. The event
runs from
Regional
tourism ministers and directors, along with their aides, will join local
Caribbean-Americans from all walks of life at
Congregants,
who will include
Riley,
a national of Barbados and the head of the Caribbean Week planning committee,
promises that the interfaith celebration will feature gifted performances
from Trinidadian gospel sensation Gerard Placide, a three time winner of the
McDonalds Gospel Festival; soloist Patricia Nicholas of Antigua and Barbuda;
jazz virtuoso Arturo Tappin of Barbados; spirit-filled dancer Laveda Williams of
St. Kitts & Nevis; and The Chapman Brothers of Caribbean descent on
"ivory and steel." The main message of inspiration will be delivered
by the Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor, the Jamaica-born Vicar Bishop of the Episcopal
Diocese of New York.
The
offering will benefit the CTO Foundation, which provides scholarships to
The
interfaith celebration opens an exciting week of activities, which showcase
culture and cuisine at special events across the city while providing
opportunities for camaraderie and conversation at workshops and town hall
meetings with tourism ministers and Caribbean-American residents.
Caribbean
Week in
ENDS
ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominican High Court Judge Claire Henry-Wason reserved her judgment on Friday in the civil matter of Leonard Newtown vs the Chief Elections Officer, the Returning Officer, Mrs Loreen Bannis-Roberts and the Attorney General.
Newton, the losing candidate for the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), has challenged the Castle Bruce seat which the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) Bannis-Roberts won by one vote in the final count.
The preliminary result on May 5, general election day, gave Newton the seat. A subsequent recount a day later gave Bannis-Roberts the MP title.
Justice Henry-Wason said here that she recognised the urgency of the matter and would give her "decision as soon as possible".
The application on behalf of Mr Newton requested leave to apply for a judicial review of the election in the Castle Bruce constituency and for fresh election in the east coast village.
The court heard submissions from Counsel Roysdale Forde of Guyana on behalf of Newton and Counsel Alick Lawrence of Dominica on behalf of the respondents.
Mr Lawrence, in his closing arguments, described the application as an abuse of the use of the court and asked for the dismissal of the case with costs.
"It is an abuse of the court's process to pursue that objective by way of judicial review. The correct approach is by way of petition," he said.
Among Mr Lawrence's submissions was that the real reason of the applicant was to unseat Loreen Bannis-Roberts.
"Judicial review should be denied because the validity of the elections on account of the alleged failure of the returning officer to comply with section 43 is what is being questioned," Mr Lawrence argued.
Section 43 of the House of Assembly (Elections) Act Chap. 2:01 provides as follows:
'The Returning Officer shall, as soon as he has ascertained the result of the poll, forthwith publicly declare the result and announce the candidate to whom most votes have been given to be elected as the member for the constituency."
Both sides said they were confident that Justice Henry-Wason would rule in their favour this week.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Prominent nun, Patricia Ann Douglas – sister of Dominica’s former Prime Minister, the late Rosie Douglas and former Opposition Leader Michael Douglas – has lost her life i
