Bernard Gousse Designated for PM - President Answers Critics

Before leaving the country for Spain, the President Martelly presented for the Nation the new Prime Minister designate "...I leave you a new Prime Minister designate in your hands, in the person of Bernard Gousse, a person who is right, who knows how to work and that will help us bring order and discipline in the country [...] I ask you to have a lot of patience [...] I know there are many parliamentarians who want the change that I want, and I hope that all parliamentarians, or the majority understand that it is time that the country unblocks, it is time that the policy and that the personal interests cease to prevent the development in the country, I rely on them, I rely on you. I had to do a tour in Europe but I think that the urgency of the situation makes it necessary that the eyes of the Presidency and of all its advisers must be on the ground to ensure the smooth running of the debates that will take place [...] I would like that on my return this weekend to see that the ratification process is well advanced..."

Nothing is decided yet for Bernard Gousse

Jean Tholbert Alexis, the deputy of Croix-des-Bouquets (ANSANM NOU FÒ), President of the Parliamentary Group for Renewal (GPR) has declared for his part that the designation of Me Gousse is irreceivable and inappropriate, and that the members of the GPR would file a petition in the office of the Board to declare "irreceivable" the choice of Prime Minister-designate.

For Steven Benoît, Senator of the West (ALTENATIVE) the choice of Me Bernard Gousse, former Minister of Justice from 2004 to 2006, can be imposed "only by using force."

While Francisco Delacruz (ALTENATIVE), for the Alternative Platform believes that Mr. Gousse has the profile of a good Prime Minister.

Edwin Zenny, Senator of South East (INITE) wishes that the two chambers ratify Mr. Gousse to allow the country to begin its march toward stability and change. We are not supporters of the continuity, we do not want a Prime Minister with its own political agenda" he had declared.

Simon Dieusel Desra, Senator of the Centre, had wished that the President renounce to this candidate, saying that this eventual candidate has no chance of being ratified. Remarks confirmed by parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Group for Renewal (GPR), most of them have vowed to derail the possible candidacy of Bernard Gousse, accusing him of being a GNBiste and a fierce anti-Lavalas.

For Joseph Lambert, Senator of South East the choice of Martelly does not take the road and is lost in advance, he invites the President to find another Prime Minister, because the vote that will be made ​​will be political. "This is a choice that will raise much controversy, first it is a choice questionable for some but hotly contested by many parliamentarians, politicians and even a fairly important part of the international [...] we had strongly advise the President to direct his choice on another person [...] one thing is certain is that today the Senate of the Republic, the GPR and many allies can not guarantee a favorable vote for Mr. Gousse and we strongly hope that the debate will takes place in the Senate, to be as expeditious as possible, to put the president in a much more comfortable situation, so that he can designate as quickly as possible another Prime Minister..."

Right now we can only say that nothing is decided yet for Me Bernard Gousse, the Prime Minister-designate. Recall that Daniel Gérard Rouzier was designate on May 16, 2011 and rejected on June 21, 2011 and that it was necessary to wait until July 6, to have a second name !

Who is Bernard Gousse
Bernard Honorat Gousse is born on October 22, 1958 and raised in Port-au-Prince, graduated from the Haitian State University School of Law and Economic Science in 1981. Upon graduation, Mr. Gousse traveled to France where he completed a degree in International Relations in 1983 and attained a DEA and Doctorate in Law from the University d'Aix-Marseille III in 1989. Mr. Gousse has been practicing law since his admission to the Haitian Bar in 1991. He is one of the founding members of Pasquet, Gousse et Associés.

Mr. Gousse was appointed Minister of Justice and Public Security in 2004 (2004-2006). During his appointment, he laid the groundwork for the new legislation organizing the judiciary as an independent branch of government. He was also responsible for abolishing all discrimination against women in the penal code.

Mr. Gousse has taught Family Law, Contract Law, Tort Law and Private International Law at Quisqueya University School of Law where he also served eight years as its first Dean.

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Martelly’s nominee for Haitian PM sparks outrage
PORT-AU-PRINCE- Haiti CMC – Some Haitian parliamentarians have expressed outrage at President Michel Martelly’s nomination of a former justice minister to be the country’s new prime minister.

The legislators contend that they have repeatedly warned Martelly in meetings that Bernard Gousse, a 52-year-old lawyer, was an unacceptable choice, and that his nomination would be rejected.

Haitian observers have also struggled to understand the selection, querying whether it was a tactic to re-appoint caretaker Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, who is opposed by some in Martelly’s camp, or if he’s seeking to use Gousse’s nomination and possible rejection to blame parliament for further paralyzing the French-speaking Caribbean country.

“This is a risky strategy that can easily backfire as Martelly could be portrayed as intransigent and incapable of compromise,” said Robert Fatton, a Haitian expert at the University of Virginia.

“Moreover, without a functioning government, the country’s reconstruction cannot really begin and this could lead to serious political instability and unpredictable outcomes,” he added.

For his part Gousse has declined to speculate on his chances, telling reporters that the process has just begun.

“We have to wait for the final vote, but I will work and meet with every political group,” he said. “This is a parliamentary regime, so we have to deal with it”

Gousse was appointed minister of justice and public security in 2004 during the interim US-backed government.

He resigned a year later amid mounting international pressure over his handling of security and the prolonged imprisonment of former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune.

In addition, critics accused Gousse of leading a “witch hunt” against supporters of ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Among those who were also jailed under Gousse’s watch and then later released were Miami, Florida, activist Gerard Jean-Juste.

Haitian observers worry that Gousse’s nomination will open old political wounds. His nomination was among three that had been discussed in recent days.

The others are Bellerieve, who some Martelly supporters object to because he represents continuity, and not the change Martelly has promised; and former presidential candidate Jean-Henry Ceant. While some of Martelly’s supporters have pushed for Ceant, others claim he is a personal friend of Aristide.

Mark Schneider of the Washington-based International Crisis Group said both Martelly, who is mid-way through his first 100 days in office, and Parliament need to figure out a way to get a government in place quickly.

Two weeks ago, the Haitian parliament rejected Martelly’s first choice, US-educated businessman, Daniel Rouzier.

“The question is whether he’s competent, whether he’s honest and whether he can perform the functions of a prime minister,” said Schneider about Gousse.

“If parliament says “no”, then the president needs to find someone else,” he added.

Meantime, Martelly on Saturday expressed confidence that legislators will approve Gousse, even though more than half the senators have asked him to pick another candidate.

Sixteen senators said they are troubled by Gousse’s tenure as justice minister in the interim administration after Aristide’s 2004 ouster.

Martelly claims he has the support of about 18 of the 30 senators.

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President Martelly answers Senators who disagree

On his return from Spain, Saturday, the President Michel Martelly, in the power struggle between him and the Parliament, which a part rejects the candidacy of the Prime Minister designate, the Head of State has reiterated his firm commitment to have Me. Gousse as head of his Government.


"There are many people who are waiting a Government [...] no one is more eager than me [...] I had the open-mindedness to submit a list of ten names [...] Commissions have removed seven names on this list, that means that any of the three remaining names, can be good [...] It is true that there has been some reluctance, following my choice, there are people who do not understand. I asked to have the chance to choose the person with whom I will have quickly a rule of law, with whom I will soon drive a movement of order and peace in the country and finally out the country of the deadlock."


About the resolution taken publicly, by 16 Senators to reject by anticipation the Prime Minister designated Me Bernard Gousse, the President Martelly has found this approach "inelegant [...] there were ways to discuss, they could call me if there was something [...] I confirm you that Mr. Gousse is and remains my choice and he will be present at the chamber Tuesday [...] I can not even imagine the possibility that Mr. Gousse does not pass [...]


So far I do not know if it's a game or politics, but according to my team, we have nearly 18 Senators who are prepared to ratify Mr. Gousse [...] This is when they will lift the arm, before the people, before the nation that we will know really, but for the moment, according to the negotiations, according to the consultations, we have nearly 18 senators who are favorable. [...] I will continue to meet with the parliamentarians [...] We will wait that the chambers or the Assembly decides, and from this moment on, we can say how we will move forward..."


It is nevertheless true, that it is impossible in a Senate composed of 30 Senators to have 16 votes against et 18 votes for, unless some Senators, who have publicly declared against the choice of Mr. Bernard Gousse, play a double game...
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Offensive anti-Gousse on all fronts Haitilibre 7/14/11

The Prime Minister-designate, Bernard Gousse, should file this Thursday morning, the documents of his candidacy file, after the meeting postponed of Tuesday. The tension is at its maximum. For the opposition, all the means are good for blocking this candidature, including the disinformation, without worrying about the risk of causing a major crisis in Haiti, with uncertain consequences.

As this was the case with Daniel Gérard Rouzier, the protesters to Bernard Gousse are trying to sow doubt on the integrity or the "color" of the candidate for Prime Minister.

A law firm in Haiti has asked to the Legislative Assembly to open an investigation to shed light on allegations, to the effect that Bernard Gousse, had committed crimes while he was Minister of Justice...

The group of 16 did not hesitate, in the words of the Senator Moïse Jean Charles (INITE/GRP) to assert that the U.S. government did not want the ratification of the Prime Minister-designate and that the United States welcomed the resolution taken by the Group of 16. Statements which made react strongly the U.S. ambassador in Port-au-Prince, Kenneth Merten "I had no conversation with a member of the group of 16 senators," has strongly stated the Ambassador which strongly denied the rumors of the existence of a dispute between his country and the Prime Minister-designate. Recalling that the political actors are not allowed to make statements on behalf of the American embassy.

For his part, the Senator Jean Charles did not hesitate to use arguments based on the color of the candidate, alleging that the successive choices of two people from the elite "light-skinned" show according to him the intention of the Head of State to restore the ancient tradition...

Despite this situation "explosive", Bernard Gousse met yesterday morning, several parliamentarians, some of which belong to the group of 16 opposed to his candidacy, in order to avoid confrontation and find a solution to the situation, while there is still time to avoid the crisis.

For his part, the President Martelly made ​​a surprise visit to Parliament yesterday afternoon. Several Senators and Deputies were present at the time of the visit. Michel Martelly met separately with the offices of both chambers and has personally greeted all the parliamentarians present. At the time of greeting, the Senator Moïse Jean Charles very hostile to the Head of State and leader of the Opposition against the Prime Minister-designate, has accepted "a fraternal embrace of Michel Martelly"...

"...my visit has no aims to force a person or to bow before a person, never ! This is not the character of the President, is a question of openness, to show that I can sit and talk, even with those who do not like Martelly. The fact that they are exposed in the press [The Group of 16], they may not want to be disassociated now, but there was a lot of negotiations. I take this opportunity to tell them that if they feel in the deep of their heart they want to dissociate themselves to let change happen, so that the population find a breath, not to be embarrassed, not ashamed, I went to Parliament today without shame [...] I would also like to tell them that if they feel that there is a way to leave aside problems, suspicions and the hatred that they have in their heart against our candidate [...] to do it [...] it is an opportunity to tell them, not to let the letter that was signed, put them in a position of no return, which hurts the people..."

A visit seen by many as an attempt by the Head of State to intervene in the file of his Prime Minister-designate and to influence the vote, while the President Martelly justified his presence as a courtesy visit...

For Paul Evans, this visit is part of a policy of charm, on the eve of filing of documents of the Prime Minister-designate. Recalling that in 1991, Jean Bertrand Aristide had used the same strategy when he encountered difficulties in the ratification of the Prime Minister, René Préval...

A visit that did not prevent the Senator Jean-Charles to reaffirm the loyalty of his colleagues of the Group of 16, to the rejection of the candidature of the Prime Minister former Minister of Justice. "The file Gousse is closed [...] Anyone who says that Gousse has a chance are liars, there is no 18 senators to vote for him as alleged Martelly."

Kelly C. Bastien, former President of the Senate, firmly maintaining his position "A visit can not change the position of the 16 senators," "We have signed a pact, we are bound to respect it..."

The Senator of the Artibonite, Willy Jean-Baptiste, a member of the Senate Committee of ratification, lamented that five members of the Senate Committee, have already ruled against the Prime Minister-designate. "It may affect their objectivity and analytical capacity..."

Everyone are not against the Prime Minister-designate, thus the National Network for the Defence of Human Rights (RNDDH) is in favor of this choice and in a statement rejects all the allegations of violations of human rights brought against Bernard Gousse by some parliamentarians. According to Pierre Espérance, Mr. Gousse "is an honest man, upright, which can be designated as Prime Minister," he admits that things can be charged to the Transitional Government, as the arrests of Lavalas parliamentarians to Radio Caraïbes. But Bernard Gousse was directly responsible? Mr. Espérance calls to the respect of values and do not give the impression that it is only the dishonest people who can do politics in Haiti...

Jasmin Joseph, the Minister resigned in charge of relations with Parliament, considers that the hostility of the 16 Senators against Bernard Gousse is a "psychological warfare", hoping that the ratification process take its normal course...