Is PM Skerrit being investigated by the US, after arrest of Ex-Dominican Diplomat, Alireza Monfared?1/30/2017 Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit denies that he is being investigated by US authorities, following the recent arrest of Iranian National Alireza Monfared after an international manhunt, based on allegations that he sold a Diplomatic Passport to Monfared. An Article to that effect recently surfaced on an internet blog site, written by Kenneth Rijock, a banking lawyer who for ten years allegedly became a career money launderer, and who eventually became a compliance officer, specializing in Enhanced Due Diligence, and a Financial Crime Consultant.
In an address that was reportedly made from Greece early on Saturday morning (28th January 2017), where the office of the Prime Minister announced that he was on a working visit, Mr Skerrit described the entire affair as a “treasonous campaign” by members of the opposition and “their allies abroad.” Prime Minister Skerrit stated, “For the record, I have not been approached, nor have my assistance been sought in any of the matters referred to in this article. I have been assured that I am in no way considered a person of interest, or relevance, to the sanction evasion case, nor any case in Iran against Mr. Monfared.” In his article, which spread throughout social media, Rijock alleged that reliable sources confirmed that Mr Skerrit was under investigation by an agency of the United States, but he did not name the agency. The article stated that “The investigation is said to be into Skerrit’s actions, in facilitating the delivery of a diplomatic passport to a known international sanctions violator, Monfared, who was a part of a massive 400 million dollar Iran oil-for-gold sanctions evasion operation, involving his alleged partners, Babak Zanjani, and Reza Zarrab; Zarrab is awaiting trial in US District Court in New York. Whether Skerrit will later be named as a co-conspirator in the Iran sanctions case cannot be determined at this time, but considering the zeal with which the United States Department of Justice is conducting that case, and given the amount of money the Zarrab organization earned, for selling Iranian oil, in violation of international and American sanctions, he could face a very, very long prison sentence. Obviously, Skerrit failed to conduct his own due diligence, or he would have learned that Monfared was operating in very dangerous waters, against the world’s most powerful adversary.” However, in his address, PM Skerrit dismissed the allegations, describing them as “a carefully crafted smear job, which pieces together snippets of truths to create a completely false story. How one can sit and create a link between the regular issuance of a diplomatic passport, to an alleged violation of international sanctions, is certainly incredible to behold”. He declared that if any information is requested from him, he would be willing to assist; he added “However, I have no information that would be of any relevance to this matter”. Mr Skerrit attempted to assure citizens of Dominica, both at home and abroad, that the entire matter is a treasonous campaign by opposition forces and their allies abroad. He said such a campaign will not succeed in distracting the government “from the important work that we have to rebuild this country, or in undermining the progress that we are making, in order to get rid of Roosevelt Skerrit.” He said “This is no longer about the political demise of Roosevelt Skerrit. This is a calculated, targeted and dishonest attack on Dominica. All right-thinking nation-loving Dominicans need to take a stand against the antics of Opposition Leader Lennox Linton and his UWP cohorts, and say enough is enough. Stop before it is too late. As a responsible Country, we have to condemn this calculated actions on their part, all geared towards undermining the economic well-being of Dominica.”
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New Flow 1 TV Channel on commencing today with new entertainment and exclusive regional content1/30/2017 Flow customers will experience a fresh approach to regional and international programming, plus on-the-go access, the next time they tune in to their local Flow TV Channel, which becomes Flow1 effective January 30, 2017.
Cable & Wireless Communications' consumer brand, Flow announced that Flow1 will replace the channel formerly known as FLOW TV, and will join Flow Sports, and Flow Sports Premier, as the Company’s Flow-branded regional channels. Flow1 also has some exciting new perks for customers of all ages, including newly acquired, popular international shows, as well as exclusive regional content like Caribbean’s Next Top Model (CaribeNTM), the third season of which premieres at 9:00 pm on 30th January 2017. The channel will also feature live Caribbean events. A new component for this year's National Queen Pageant is the requirement that queen contestants engage in activities to promote their platforms. In this respect, Ms NCCU, Jade Romain, has chosen "Mental Illness" as her platform for the Queen Show, to be held on 24th February 2017.
As one of the activities to stimulate awareness, and fight the stigma associated with mental illness, Ms NCCU has organized a health walk on Wednesday 1st February 2017 from 5:00pm. The Walk commences at the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard in Roseau. The route is to Lindo Park via the Goodwill Link Bridge, down to the Pottersville Savannah, and then back to the Bayfront. Proceeds from the Walk will be utilized solely in the campaign to improve public knowledge, in all aspects of mental health, and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. An invitation is therefore extended to the general public to Walk for Mental Illness. A small registration fee of $5.00 per person is solicited. For further details, everyone interested can contact Ms Romain at romainjadie@gmail.com. Participants are kindly asked to wear a white T-shirt and something green, this being the universal colour for mental health awareness. In the words of Ms. Romain, "Mental Illness is real. It impacts us all. Join the Walk, and take a step towards breaking the silence, and breaking the stigma" UWP Leader not surprised by UK Government action against Dominican born Baroness Patricia Scotland1/27/2017 Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Lennox Linton says he is not surprised at the recent developments surrounding Dominican born Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Recently Britain took over Commonwealth operations from Baroness Scotland. Sir Simon Gass, a recently retired senior official with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), has been appointed acting chief operating officer at the Commonwealth Secretariat, in an attempt by the British Government to shore up the troubled organization, amid concerns over the leadership of Dominican-born Baroness Patricia Scotland. Meanwhile Lennox Linton speaking on Q95’s Hot Seat show with host Matt Peltier today Friday, said he was extremely offended by statements made by Baroness Patricia Scotland, during her last visit to Dominica, and had written to her, and respectfully informed her of his opinion. He also believes the Baroness should have known that telling people to “Suck salt”, would not sit well with the majority of Dominica’s citizens.
Linton says even before the recent action taken by the British Government against Scotland, he never had any faith in Scotland’s leadership qualities, because of the way she went about conducting business. UWP Senator say DLP Government tricked Dominicans & hindered their development for over 17 years1/27/2017 UWP Senator Monelle Williams says the DLP Government has tricked Dominicans, and hindered their development for over 17 years.
Monelle told a large gathering of UWP supporters at a rally in Lagon Roseau last night, enough is enough, and that the time has come to take Dominica from the hands of corrupt criminals. Williams made a call to DLP supporters to stand against the corruption of the DLP Administration, and to do what is right. Government gave $500 to each Layou Farmer affected by construction of the Yorke Valley Bridge1/27/2017 St Joseph MP Kelver Darroux confirms that Government gave $500 to each Layou Valley Farmer, who was affected by reconstruction of the damaged Yorke Valley Bridge located in the Layou Valley. Darroux says Government has thereby reaffirmed its commitment to his constituents. On Wednesday, Dominica's Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers visited the construction site of the Yorke Valley Bridge. Darroux says Government will continue to meet the needs of its citizens. MP for the St Joseph Constituency Kelver Darroux
Tourism Minister Senator Robert Tonge has outlined his vision for the Roseau Central Constituency1/27/2017 Tourism Minister Senator Robert Tonge has outlined his vision for the Roseau Central Constituency. The Minister who has been spearheading a campaign to clean up the streets of Roseau on a daily basis, said the ultimate goal is to make the Roseau Central area a place of pride. Senator Tonge was addressing the youth of the Roseau Central Constituency, during a meeting this week. Tourism Minister Senator Robert Tonge
Dominica Police destroy Cannabis & crack/cocaine with street value of approximately $5,205,4301/27/2017 Dominica Police have destroyed Cannabis and crack/cocaine with street value of approximately $5,205,430, this morning. Police Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste said the drugs which were incinerated at the Police Training School Morne Bruce facility today included:
Cannabis weed 928 387 grams, valued at two million and forty- five thousand, one hundred and twenty dollars; Cannabis seeds 1.25 pounds, valued at one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. Cannabis plants 303 pounds, valued at three hundred and three thousand dollars, Cocaine 105.78 kilograms, valued at two million eight hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars Jno Baptiste said “matters pertaining to narcotics have been dealt with in the High Court, for a number of years. When the matters are done, and there is no appeal, we have to destroy the drugs. We don’t keep them. We don’t cover up anything, or any wrong doings in the Police Force. We don’t encourage any police officer to be involved in any illegal act. We take action when we have to”. Jno Baptist called on the public to support the police in their search for illegal substances and other cases saying, “the police can only do so much. If the public doesn’t assist us, how do we protect you and your children? Because these people do not care about you being their cousin, or your schoolmates, all they see is ‘how much money will I count?”. He added, “We need the public to continue working with the police, because we cannot protect you if you allow those who are seeking to destroy you, to get a free ride. When they destroy, they destroy everything in their path”. According to Jno Baptist, the police “cannot stop them and protect you, if you are not with us in stopping the criminals. The job we do is for you, the job we do is for the public. We want you to be safe”. St Martin Primary School today embarked on an Anti-Bully/Anti-Drug march in the city of Roseau1/27/2017 Photo Credit: Dominica News Online The St Martin Primary School today embarked on an anti-bully/anti-drug march in the city of Roseau. The march was aimed at sensitizing the general public on the effects of drugs as well as bullying. Head of the infant section of the St Martin Primary School Anita Williams spoke to the media following today's march. Miss Williams says the school takes pride in instilling positive messages to the students at an early level. Head of the Infant Section of the St Martin Primary School Anita Williams
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