Dominican leader, abandoned by entire Cabinet, will not quit

Press, 19 June 1979, Page 8

Dominican leader, abandoned by entire Cabinet, will not quit

NZPA-Reuter Roseau (Dominica) The Dominican Prime Minister (Mr Patrick John ) was physically and politically isolated yesterday after his last four Ministers abandoned him.

Reliable sources said Mr John was entrenched in his official residence high above Roseau, the Dominican capital, with a handful of supporters, some of them thought to be armed.

But despite the loss of his whole Cabinet, a night of fire, looting, and violence in the capital, and uncertainty over whether he still had the support of his 83-man Army, Mr John still clung to power.

In a statement given to the Caribbean News Agency, Mr John said he was attempting to arrange a meeting with the Opposition leader, Eugenia Charles, "‘for urgent and frank dialogue on the crisis facing our country.”

The statement was originally intended for broadcast over Dominica’s State radio. But the manager resigned on Sunday after being badly beaten by the crowd watching the fire which destroyed the courthouse and the other members of staff were taking part in a general strike which has paralysed the

The pressure for Mr John to resign has mounted steadily since May 29 when he ordered his troops to open fire on 13,000 demonstrators

— about one-sixth of the country’s population. Discontent had grown after reports that the Government was establishing ties with South Africa, allegations of corruption,. and suggestions that Mr John was involved in a plot to overthrow the Government of Barbados. Miss Charles, contacted by telephone from Barbados, said she had not yet been approached by the Prime Minister but was willing to meet him. “I believe you should never stop talking,” she said. Mr John’s support has eroded swiftly since the Agriculture Minister (Mr Oliver Seraphine) resigned to form his own Opposition party a week ago. The Minister of State (Mrj Wardswoth Langeudoc), the I

country for almost three Economic Affairs Minister weeks. (Mr Vic Riviere), the Health

and Welfare Minister (Mi Randolph Bannis), and the Communications Minister i(Mr Osborne Theodore) all resigned on Sundav. The

‘ other Ministers quit last week as did the President i (Mr Fred Dazegon), who left • the island for his own ; safety. Mr John appealed to Dollminicans not to take to the i streets again and told his > supporters not to seek ret venge. Police and vigilante i groups set up by the Com- , mittee of National Salvation, i in turn set up by the com- : bined Opposition, patrolled >ithe streets to prevent any i more looting. 11 The Army has not been Hseen in Roseau since last Imonth’s shooting. It stillguards the Prime Minister’s •Ihome but there were growling doubts about whether I the force, created by Mr John, was still solidly Ibehind him.