Caribbean news. Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, said the barring of the media and the public from witnessing his swearing-in as leader of the opposition, is more evidence that Dominica is in a state of dictatorship.
Today, Tuesday December 23, 2014 Linton officially took the oath of office and got his instrument of appointment at the State House in Roseau.
The ceremony took place in the office of President Charles Savarin in the presence of Linton’s wife and two hand-picked media houses, state-owned DBS Radio and the Government Information Service (GIS).
“I don’t feel good about it, I don’t feel good at all,” Linton said at a press conference at the Prevost Cinemall after the ceremony. “I see more and more evidence that we are living in a police state, a state of dictatorship, in a state where those in authority feel the necessity to abuse their privileges and to abuse their powers. And I don’t think it is a good thing for Dominica at all.”
Linton had earlier told privately-owned Q95 that he was told because of “space constraints” only the other five elected members of the United Workers Party and his wife could attend the ceremony. He said he was also told that only DBS and GIS were invited to provide coverage and he could invite Marpin, if he was so minded.
He said after careful consideration, he decided to invite journalist Carlisle Jno. Baptiste instead. Jno Baptiste freelances for a number of media houses in Dominica, including Dominica News Online.
However, Jno Baptiste was prevented from entering the State House on the basis that his name was not on the list of invitees. “I had one option and that invitation was declined.” Linton stated. “This morning at the President’s office, he was denied entry claiming that he was not on the list.”
Linton said Jno. Baptiste informed him of the situation and when he went to smooth things out, the President said that granting him access was not going to be possible.
He said he has to apologize to Jno Baptiste “for inviting him to a function that he could not come.”
Linton noted that he will always remember the incident as Opposition Leader and he also told the media “to take note.”
“I will always remember this as Opposition Leader,” he said. “Because my first act as Opposition Leader to invite one member of the media to attend the swearing-in ceremony was denied by the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica in this season of peace on earth and good will to men, in this season of olive branches, in this season of let’s move on. I ask the media to take note of that because it will accompany me through this term.”
Linton also questioned why the ceremony was not held in the State House Conference room but the President’s Office.
He said now is the time to calm down.
“I think we need to calm down,” Linton stated. “I think we need to remember what the party in government is trying to let us remember, that election is over and as they say it is time to move on.” Article courtesy http://dominicanewsonline.com/
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