Judith Pestaina Leader of the DFP says Internal Tourism needs to be Promoted, but Disposable Income and a Positive Mindset and Attitude are Critical Components of that Strategy                             Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Monday March 8 2010

Judith Pestaina leader of the DFP says internal tourism needs to be promoted, but disposable income and the right mindset is a critical component of that strategy. She expounded on what she feels is wrong with the perception of some persons within society as it relates to support among locals for locals and support from the local community to those in the Diaspora. Pestaina explains that persons tend to take on a negatively charged attitude towards other natives who they think have attained some level of success. Even Ministers of government, she added, attach a negative label to Diaspora Dominicans who return home, forgetting that these persons are critical to Dominica’s tourism.    

                                                                                                                                  Roseau Central Constituency Parliamentary Representative Norris Prevost says the UWP Boycott of Parliament is a Precautionary Measure to Safeguard Dominica’s Democracy                   Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Monday March 8 2010

Parliamentary Representative of the Roseau Central Constituency Norris Prevost says the UWP’s decision to boycott parliament serves as a precautionary measure to protect Dominica’s democracy. He spoke of the 100 day promise which the Labour Party Administration made during the 2009 election campaign and thereafter, saying Dominicans have yet to see any of the promises fulfilled thus far. Prevost also expressed his view that Dominica should have been much better able to deal with the drought conditions affecting the Caribbean region. He mentioned plans of the UWP for irrigation works to accommodate farmers on island but says these plans were cast aside by the Labour administration or initiated much later than initially planned by his party.

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Chairperson of the Local Branch of the CPA Alix Boyd-Knights says Commonwealth Day is Time to Reflect on Meaning of Membership in Commonwealth of Nations                         Reporter: Lakisha Labassiere- Monday March 8 2010

Women, men and children in more than 170 countries will celebrate World Day of Prayer today Friday March 5^th. The women of Cameroon are this year’s writers of the World Day of Prayer worship service and have offered the theme for 2010 as let everything that has breath praise God. The worship service emphasizes the importance that the people of Cameroon place on music and celebration in their praise to God. Services begin at sunrise in the pacific and follow the sun across the globe on the day of celebration. In Dominica, to commemorate World Day of Pray observed on the first Friday in March each year, an ecumenical service will be held at the Cathedral this evening. Representative of the Social League of the Catholic Church, Dorothy Henderson provides more details and also expounds on the need to form a National World Day of Prayer committee on island. World Day of Prayer was founded on the idea that prayer and action are inseparable in the service of God’s kingdom.    

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Dominica joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day
Reporter: Kimberly Benjamin- Monday March 8 2010

Today marks International Women’s Day and the Dominica National Council of Women and the Bureau of Gender Affairs is recognizing the occasion in a grand way. At the Public Service Training Center from 10a.m to 1p.m  today, over fifty students,  mainly young women from four secondary schools in Roseau and St. Joseph  will be engaged in a discussion on the topic” the history of the women’s Movement : Lessons for young women today.” The students will ask questions and express themselves in song or poetry in keeping with the theme and spirit of the occasion. Financial Contributions will be collected for the work of the Family Crisis intervention program in exchange for a pink ribbon.  Pink was associated with being feminine, therefore women are being reminded of the need to celebrate their womanhood. Also a women’s rally will be held at the Arawak house of culture from 5p.m today. There will be addresses, Testimonies and songs. The theme is:” Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for ALL.    

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Second Session of Dominica’s “PEOPLES PARLIAMENT” scheduled for March 9th 2010.                                             Reporter: Kimberly Benjamin- Monday March 8 2010

The Movement to Restore Democracy (MRD) and the Dominica Citizen’s Forum will host Dominica’s second “Peoples Parliament” on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 6pm at the Marigot Credit Union Hall. The Peoples Parliament is a public forum that was established to facilitate public discussions on important issues and to allow opposition Parliamentarians to do the work of the people even though they are protesting the proceedings of Dominica’s official Parliament. The first session of the People’s Parliament was held at the Harlem Plaza, in the Roseau South Constituency with standing room only. The Discussions of the first People’s Parliament session was described as interactive and lively, ranging on topics from public corruption to the economy. The second People’s Parliament will focus on a range of relevant current issues of both local and national importance. Opposition parliamentarians, who are boycotting the state parliament, will be joined by other Dominican citizens, including new voices in the political arena and representation from Dominicans Abroad. In addition to the issues of the day there will be interactive contributions on the role of the Constitution, the future of agriculture in the north and the revitalization of the national economy. Members of the public from all over Dominica are invited to listen and share their views on the important issues of the day. The Movement to Restore Democracy and the Dominica Citizens Forum are civil society committees which say they are dedicated to the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and other good governing practices. The opposition members of parliament are engaged in a boycott of parliament to register their displeasure with the alleged unlawful manipulation of the electoral process which resulted in an overwhelming Dominica Labor Party victory in the December 18, 2009 general election. The opposition parliamentarians intend to maintain the boycott until new elections are called with adequate provisions in place to ensure that the new elections are free and fair. The Peoples Parliament will be held at different locations around the island from time to time to keep the people informed.

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PM Skerrit denies that the new hemispheric organization is intended to replace the OAS                                               Reporter: Kimberly Benjamin- Monday March 8 2010

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has again reiterated that the establishment of a new hemispheric organization should not be seen as an attempt to replace the organization of American states. Latin American and Caribbean leaders agreed at their Mexico summit to set up the community of Latin America and Caribbean states. The proposed new body excludes the United States and Canada and has been described by analysts and others as an alternative to the OAS. However; Mr Skerrit says that that’s not the case. He was speaking at a recent impromptu meeting to clarify this matter among others.

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Dominica joins the rest of the Commonwealth on celebrating Commonwealth Day                                                           Reporter: Kimberly Benjamin- Monday March 8 2010

Today Dominica joins the rest of the Commonwealth in celebrating Commonwealth Day. Every year, on the second Monday in March, people all around the Commonwealth get together to celebrate the special partnership of nations, peoples and ideals which makes the Commonwealth unique. This year, the Arawak House of Culture will be filled with activity as Government officials, dignitaries, and students observe Commonwealth Day with formalities, music and artistic presentations. The Commonwealth Day Message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be read by His Excellency the President Dr. Nicholas J.O. Liverpool. The 2009 Commonwealth Day message from Her Majesty the Queen addressed the theme of 'The Commonwealth at 60: Serving a New Generation'. The message for 2010 will address the theme of 'Science, Technology and Society.' Numerous events and activities around the theme will take place around the 54 nations of the Commonwealth throughout the year including; Tackling disease and health system challenges, Ensuring sustainable use of natural resources and Bridging the Digital Divide. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of Independent sovereign states. They see themselves a force for Peace, Democracy, Equality and Good Governance.  

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Jamaica to open music museum
www.bbccaribbean.com - Monday March 8 2010

There are plans in Jamaica to open a music museum next year, which will feature rare pieces from the island's music history. Officials say some of the works to be included include an early album of the late reggae star Bob Marley. Museum curator Herbie Miller says a cassette tape from another reggae great, Peter Tosh, singing a blues song with the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, will also be featured. The museum will be run by the government through the Institute of Jamaica, which overseas cultural affairs.  

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TCI demand return to self rule
www.bbccaribbean.com -  Monday March 8 2010

The two political parties in the Turks and Caicos Islands will stage a demonstration on Monday, against direct British rule. The TCI constitution was suspended last August after a commission of inquiry found evidence of corruption in the then government. The Progressive National Party (PNP) and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) say they are not happy with how the territory is being run by the British officials. The PNP leader, Galmo Williams, told BBC Caribbean that a country should not be run by one individual - a reference to Governor Gordon Whetherell, who is in charge of the daily runnings of the British territory.     

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Jagdeo says party is still united
www.bbccaribbean.com -  Monday March 8 2010

Guyana's President, Bharrat Jagdeo has been quelling concerns about apparent divisiveness in the governing Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) in choosing a presidential candidate. Under the current constitution, President Bharrat Jagdeo is barred from contesting another election, having served two terms. For the first time in its 60-year history PPP executives are publicly announcing their interest in heading the party. Four candidates who have already announced their intentions are House Speaker, Ralph Ram Karran; the party's General Secretary, Donald Ramotar; Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee and government back-bencher Moses Nagamootoo.  

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