Re: – Dominica Users Group – Press Censorship in Dominica Allegations

On the final day of 2010 consider carefully this June 2008 exchange of correspondence between David Hsiu and Roosevelt Skerrit. Hsiu remained as Skerrit’s ambassador to Beijing until March 2009. Only where the press is censored or has censored itself could a story of this magnitude remain so inadequately reported and further pursued. Dear Prime Minister,

I must say I am indeed extremely disappointed in the
position which you take in the Court Proceedings in relation to Shangri-la. I
am most shocked to note in your evidence, that you have seriously distorted the
facts in denying all that that had happened to the Clark Hall Estate Project.
You know very well that the Project could not progress during the past three
years was due entirely to the fault of Felix Chen, whom you dislike so much as
to complained to me on several occasions that you would like him to disappear
from Dominica completely. I do not wish to find out what dealings you have had
with Felix Chen that changed your mind and led to your denial of the truth
surrounding the Clark Hall Estate Project. What I would like to say is that I
feel terribly sad on your betrayal of my continued dedication and commitment to
the Labour Party and your Government, as well as my personal friendship and
loyalty to you. I have told Mr Ng about the current position which you adopted
in the Clark Hall Estate Project, who was equally astounded by your betrayal. I
am still convinced that you might not have been properly advised by your legal
advisors in doing so, as I believe that they are ignorant of all the “personal
dealings” we have had during the past years. Apparently, in the absence of any
insight on these “personal dealings”, they would certainly fail to appreciate
the risks that would expose to you if these “personal dealings” are made known
to the public.      

I regret to inform you that your evidence has prompted a
very unpleasant decision by the board of directors of Rich Victory. The event
which leads to such a decision was that the legal advisors of Rich Victory
while preparing my affidavit, uncovered the complete record which relates to
each and very item which I spent on you and the Ministers during the past
years. These comprehensive records noted the exact date and amount of cash I
gave to you prior to and after the General Election, watches, jewelry,
computers, clothing, sexual entertainment in Macau
for you personally and your Ministers, cash and gifts to the Ministers so on
and so forth. The legal advisors requested me to submit to the BVI Court these
records in the form of additional evidence to reflect on the credibility of you
as a witness and as a Prime Minister. They further informed me that they are
considering turning these records to the attorney of the Opposition Party, and
is currently seeking my assistance in arranging a meeting with Mr Earl
Williams. I am reluctant to do so at the outset and is still hesitant to do it
now, as disclosure of all the advantages which you and your ministers have had
received from me and my associates would severely damage your Prime Ministerial
as well as the Government’s position. Prime Minister, if I have had a choice, I
would not like to trigger an event that would lead to the downfall of a Party
which I have been trying so hard to maintain in the past. More importantly, I
have no wish to ruin your life. You know very well that you will never fail
with my support to you and the Labour Party in the upcoming election, and I
would like to offer my continued support if I do have a choice!

Although Rich Victory is confident in winning the case at
the end of the day, yet in order to avoid any unpleasant development in the
eventual Court Proceedings, you may perhaps wish to consider retracting the
Government position so that the case could proceed to a rightful conclusion. I
hate to say so, but if the Government continues with its present stance in the
Court Proceedings, I would envisage that the matter would become
uncontrollable. I therefore urge your careful consideration so as to avoid the
matter turning into a political scandal.

Government of
Dominica

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Fax: (767) 448 4506                                                                          Financial Centre

Tel:  (767)448 2401 Ext. 3300                                                                Roseau

Email:
pmoffice@cwdom.dm                                                                      Commonwealth of Dominica        

June 18, 2008

Ambassador David Hsiu

Embassy of the Commonwealth of Dominica

Beijing

People’s Republic of China

Dear David,

I must
confess my deep disappointment at the contents of your email dated June 9th,
2008. Throughout our relationship you continuously professed deep friendship
and affection to the extent where you referred to me repeatedly as your younger
brother.  

The only
gifts I recall receiving from you were given at your insistence and as gifts of
friendship and in this context of friendship only.

At no time
did I request or act corruptly or accept any bribe, money or corrupt gift from
you or anyone else in exchange for any favour, particularly any State or
official asset, contract, concession, right or privilege whether in relation to
Clark Hall Estate, your appointment as Ambassador or the recognition of the
People’s Republic of China or otherwise.   

Having said
this, I must register my profound disturbance at your threat of blackmail with
what you have described as “personal favours”. Kindly rest assured
that I consider your threat to blackmail me and my Government most unfortunate.
Accordingly, I will not accept your threat to blackmail me.

Indeed, if you persist in
making threats or carrying out your blackmail, I will have no alternative but
to bring this matter to the attention of the relevant authorities and the
Government of the People’s Republic of China.  

Also, if you persist in
this threat I will instruct the Government’s Counsel to take all necessary
action in the BVI to deal with your extraordinary threat in the pending
proceedings. I cannot and will not accept this threat, which is entirely
baseless and a wholesale betrayal of your position of trust as Dominica’s Ambassador
to the People’s Republic of China.