CaribbeanNewsNow published the following Article today Monday 30th January 2017, said to be written by Kenneth Rijock.
“Dominica's citizenship by investment program, which confers upon those it accepts visa-free entry, as a member of a Commonwealth of Nations country, is dangerous enough for compliance officers, but its free award of diplomatic passports to dodgy foreign nationals, many from high-risk countries, is just cause to substantially raise country risk on Dominica, until such time as it abolishes the legislation permitting non-Dominicans to hold such passports. Dominica's deliberate violations of the Vienna Convention on diplomacy, through issuing such passports and permitting the holder to reap commercial profit from his status, are unconscionable, and many of the country's citizens have written to me in agreement. Furthermore, the ministry of foreign affairs is in total denial about the lack of effective due diligence regarding the Alireza Monfared* scandal. If I knew Monfared was a full participant in a massive Iran sanctions evasion scandal, dealing in tankers full of untouchable Iranian oil, at anchor off Labuan, Malaysia's obscure, yet effective offshore tax haven, then the ministry is guilty of gross negligence, or worse, corruption. There was no “comprehensive due diligence investigation” worthy of the name, using foreign sources, or they would have reported it. In my world, we call that malpractice. The fact that Monfared routinely used his middle name, Morteza, as a first name, to conduct his illicit trade, and that his actions were not discovered by the ministry, means that simple database checks and not a proper field investigation was conducted. No wonder many of the foreign nationals with Dominican diplomatic passports seem to be running afoul of the law outside Dominica. The investigations are merely superficial checks. The last straw is the fact that the ministry has engaged a consultant to assist it, but that his report is not due until June 2017. Does the minister think that there will be no more Monfared’s exposed (and arrested) between now and then? So long as anyone with a big bag of cash can buy a diplomatic passport from Dominica, I regret to report that ALL Dominican passports presented to bank officers abroad, of any kind or type, are suspect, and country risk should be elevated to a high level. If we learn at a later date that the records of Monfared's Dominica-registered vessel cannot be located, then there will be some serious finger-pointing toward both PM Skerrit, and one of his attorneys, recalling his urgent trip to Greece to visit the offices of one of his "diplomats”.” NB: Kenneth Rijock is a banking lawyer, turned career money launderer for ten years, turned compliance officer specialising in enhanced due diligence, and a financial crime consultant. His autobiography “The Laundry Man” was published in the UK on 5 July 2012.
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Opposition Leader Lennox Linton questioning the purpose of PM Skerrit’s current trip to Greece1/30/2017 Leader of the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton is questioning the purpose of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s current trip to Greece.
Linton spoke on Saturday night via Facebook, following statements made by Skerrit during a live address from Greece earlier that night, where he denied reports that surfaced on an internet blog site, to the effect that he is being investigated by United States Authorities, in relation to allegations that he sold a diplomatic passport to ex-Dominican diplomat, Alireza Zabahalat Monfared, an Iranian national, who was arrested recently after an international manhunt. Last week a government press release stated that Prime Minister Skerrit went on a working visit to Greece, and was being accompanied by non-resident Ambassador to that country, Attorney Lennox Lawrence. But Linton is questioning wants to know the real reasons Mr Skerrit is in that European country. Linton raised the questions; “You are in Greece, at the moment, and we understand that you are in the company of Attorney Lennox Lawrence, an associate of a Greece law firm; but are you in Greece to consult with your financial advisor? And since Mr. Lawrence is with you, is this about ships registry business?” he questioned. Linton is asking Mr Skerrit to be specific as to what business he is undertaking on behalf of Dominica in Greece. He called on Mr Skerrit to “come clean” with the people of Dominica. Bureau of Standards seeking to improve Market Competitiveness of Dominica Fresh Produce Exports1/30/2017 Photo: Dominica Vibes The Dominica Bureau of Standards is seeking to improve the market competitiveness of Dominica’s fresh produce exports. In that regard, the Bureau will commence inspections of fresh produce bound for export markets from 1st March 2017.
The Bureau encourages all fresh produce exporters to have their commodities properly cleaned, graded and packaged for inspection, upon which, an inspection certificate will be issued once the standards are met. Inspections will take place at Longhouse and Woodbridge Bay Ports, and the Multi-Purpose Packinghouses in Roseau and Portsmouth. The Bureau is therefore inviting all fresh produce exporters using the Woodbridge Bay Port, to a meeting on Wednesday February 15, 2017, at 10:00am at the Multipurpose Packing House in Roseau. Fresh produce exporters using the Long House Port are invited to a meeting on Thursday February 16, 2017 at 10:00am, at the Multipurpose Packing House at Long House, Portsmouth. The Bureau wishes to ensure that all matters concerning the inspection of fresh produce are thoroughly discussed, and Fresh produce exporters are therefore encouraged to make every effort to attend. UWP Leader says too late for PM Skerrit to say whether he harboured Alireza Monfared in Dominica1/30/2017 UWP Leader had earlier asked Prime Minister Skerrit to disclose whether he had harboured Iranian Fugitive Alireza Monfared in Dominica. Now however, Linton says “we are not begging for you to come clean anymore; it’s time for you to go. Because you were given the opportunity to speak honestly with the people of Dominica, about the circumstances surrounding Alireza Monfared; and the fact that while the Iranians wanted him to face trial in Iran, he was being harboured by you and your friends in Dominica, after he was alleged to be involved in a multi-billion-dollar embezzlement scam in Iran.”
Linton said, it’s no fault of the opposition that Dominica has found itself in this ‘very difficult situation.’ “It is the result of your reckless, unacceptable behaviour as leader, that the country finds itself in this very difficult situation internationally”. According to Linton, Dominica is being looked upon, as a “rogue nation” He added, “We are being viewed as a country that doesn’t give a damn about global security, because we have some petty, personal economic interest to protect in the Government, nothing in the people’s interest, because the people will survive and will go on”. Linton went on to say that the opposition has a right to stand up, where the interest of the country is being injured, he added, “we will take a stand. You are not going to prevent us from standing up, and you are not going to prevent the massive demonstration that will come against your administration”. Linton called on Dominicans to stand up, rise up and save Dominica. He urged Dominicans “Don’t allow yourselves to be fooled, or to be tricked or deceived. Keep your head on, focus on the truth, focus on the facts, and all will be well. Our country belongs to all of us, and we will act together for God and for country, the Commonwealth of Dominica.” Leader of the United Workers Party Lennox Linton is advising supporters of Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland, to address their concerns to the British Government, as regards putting alternative arrangements in place for carrying out certain functions at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Recently, Britain allegedly took over certain Commonwealth Secretariat functions from Baroness Scotland. Sir Simon Gass, a recently retired senior official with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), has been reportedly appointed acting chief operating officer at the Commonwealth Secretariat, in an attempt by the UK Government to shore up the troubled organization, amid allegations of concern over the leadership of Dominican-born Baroness Patricia Scotland. Here is Linton with more: Prime Minister & Minister for Finance Roosevelt Skerrit expresses dissatisfaction with, and is accusing International Financial Institutions of tardiness in getting projects started in developing countries like Dominica. Skerrit is blaming the tardiness of projects as being largely due to the delay of resources from the International Financial Institutions. He was speaking following a site visit to the ongoing works on the Yorke Valley Bridge, located in the Layou Valley Bridge last Tuesday. Skerrit says work on the West Coast road will commence during the first half of this year. PM & Minister of Finance Roosevelt Skerrit
Health Ministry says emergence of Vector Borne Diseases hindering its ability to address other needs1/30/2017 Dominica's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health & the Environment, Helen Royer, says the emergence of Vector Borne Diseases has hindered the Ministry's ability, in addressing other health needs. Royer was speaking at a National Consultation on Vector Borne Diseases and epidemics, at the Princess Margaret Hospital. The consultation was hosted by the Ministry of Health & Environment in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). She notes that the ministry has been able to shape its health policies, with the assistance of other Government departments. Dominica's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health & the Environment Helen Royer Meantime, Advisor for Sustainable Development & Environmental Health at PAHO Sally Edwards highlighted the need for an inter-sectoral approach in combating Vector Borne Diseases. Advisor for Sustainable Development & Environmental Health at PAHO Sally Edwards
IT Minister advises youth to refrain from any violence during the 2017 Mas Domnik Celebrations1/30/2017 Information Technology Minister Kelver Darroux has urged youth on island to refrain from acts of violence during the 2017 Mas Domnik Celebrations. Darroux highlighted the importance of keeping Dominica's culture alive by embracing all of the activities peacefully. The Minister made the appeal while addressing some youth in the Roseau Central area last week. Information Technology Minister Kelver Darroux
Health Ministry PS Ivor Stephenson sees no one approach to reduce the vector population & diseases1/30/2017 Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health Ivor Stephenson is of the opinion that, no singular approach by itself can reduce a vector population and also reduce other diseases. Stephenson made the remarks at a national consultation on Vector Borne Diseases and Epidemics last week. He says however; the use of chemical methods can be utilized to shorten the life-span of the vectors. Meantime, Stephenson says the consultation reiterates Government's commitment for improving public health. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health Ivor Stephenson
Twenty calypsonians have advanced to the Semi-Finals scheduled for Saturday 11th February 20171/30/2017 Thirty-three (33) calypsonians competed during the Quarter Finals at the Newtown Savannah on Saturday 28th January 2017, to gain a place in the Semi-Finals.
Twenty of those calypsonians found favour with the judges, and have advanced to the Semi-Finals, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 11th February 2017. The twenty (20) who made it through are; Janae, Jenius, Stephan, De Healer, Beno, Jamma B, Mighty Omee, Checko, Jaydee, Observer, Tasha P, Webb, Sye, Comforter, Karessah, Daddy Chess, Lugarz, Bobb, Leona and De Wizard. The other calypsonians who competed in the Quarter finals are Checker, Chris B, Haxey, De Nacheal, Della, Earl White Jr., Picky, Shadow Flow, Soul Puss, Sting Ray, Third Eye, Trinity, and Tronada. These thirteen (13) calypsonians did not find favour with the judges & will have to try again during the eliminations competition in 2018. Meanwhile Q95’s commentators Ossie Lewis and Andy Carter, were again happily inundated with texts and WhatsApp messages from listeners worldwide, and as usual, they were happy to acknowledge the names and read out their comments and messages, in full recognition that Q95 embraces and cherishes the listeners at home and abroad, as integral members of the Q family, and as essential components of the national calypso shows, as well as the calypso tents. |
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