Former Dominica President Dies at 81

ROSEAU, Dominica - Former Dominica Premier Edward Oliver Leblanc, described by some as a founding father of the Caribbean island in its transition to independence, died Friday at his home. He was 81.

Leblanc, who died of unknown causes at his home in the community of Vielle Case, was premier from 1967 to 1974, when the island had internal self-government under British rule. The island obtained full independence from Britain in 1978.

Leblanc was responsible for introducing island-wide cultural festivities leading up to Dominica's independence day on Nov. 3, and he died during those very festivities, which include the speaking of French Creole and traditional foods and dress.

Current Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described Leblanc as not only the cultural and social father of modern Dominica but also "my political father."

Skerrit said it was "Leblanc who encouraged me to go into politics" and that he helped guide him along the way.

Leblanc joined the Dominica Labor Party in 1957. He was also a member of the Trinidad-based Federal Government in 1960 and was first elected to the Dominica House of Assembly in 1961, as political leader of his party.

Leblanc was chief minister in the British colony starting in 1961, and when the island was granted internal self-government in 1967 became premier _ a post he held until he retired in 1974.

As a leader, Leblanc championed the cause of the rural poor "little man," a term he often used that has endured as a political catch phrase of the Labor Party.

He is the island's only political leader to have contested three elections in three different constituencies and won. Some mused that if Leblanc "dressed up a broomstick" and asked voters to vote for that broomstick, they would.

In a move that surprised many on the island, Leblanc resigned as premier in 1974 at the age of 50.

He gave no reason, but in his effort to forge a classless society, he made a number of political enemies, whom he accused of sabotaging his social agenda and creating conflict in the country.

Historian Lennox Honychurch described his resignation as "a self-imposed political exile," as Leblanc took no part in public life from then on and refused to grant media interviews.

There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements or survivors.