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Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- Five years ago, Patrice Millet learned he was in the advanced stages of a rare bone cancer. A stem cell transplant was his only hope for survival.


The businessman from Haiti underwent the procedure in the United States. After nine months of treatment and recovery, his cancer was in remission. Millet returned home in May 2007 determined to start living the life he'd always wanted: helping children from Haiti's poorest slums have a brighter future.

"Every day you see so many kids in need -- so many bad stories, tragic stories," said Millet, 49. "All my life, I wanted to do something good for my country, for the kids. (So) I said, 'This is the time. I have nothing to lose.' "


That summer, Millet sold his construction supply business and started a program called FONDAPS, which stands for Foundation Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours (Foundation of Our Lady of Perpetual Help). The program uses soccer to help children stay out of trouble and learn valuable life skills. Millet calls it "education by sport."
"I want the kids to be very good citizens," he said. "In soccer ... you need to give, you need to receive, you need team spirit, discipline, sportsmanship. ... It's not all about soccer, it's about life."
Millet started by focusing his efforts on children from Solino, one of Port-au-Prince's most dangerous slums. But going into the neighborhood to recruit young participants was risky.
"My wife didn't want me to go. She said gangs (would) kill me." But Millet was undeterred.
"I said, 'I'd rather die doing something good than die in bed.' "


While Millet was first greeted with suspicion, he was eventually accepted by the locals and children flocked to join his program. Today, hundreds of children have benefited from FONDAPS.
Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2011 CNN Heroes
Soccer programs for children are rare in Haiti, and players generally must pay to participate. In Millet's program, the equipment, uniforms, shoes and training are all free for participants. He also pays the transportation and entry fees for players to compete in soccer tournaments.


"When you live in the ghetto, you don't see the world outside," he said. "I try to bring hope for them, ... to show them that (their) life is not only the reality."
Before the earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, Millet's program had expanded to three neighborhoods and involved more than 600 children, including more than 150 girls. But the quake devastated Solino and halted FONDAPS' momentum. One of the children in the program died and many lost friends and family members.


"When the earthquake came ... it became harder for the kids," Millet said. "Now, most of them live in tents. ... They have to fight for everything."
Two of the three fields where Millet had held soccer practice became large tent cities. His remaining field is located on the outskirts of Port au Prince -- too far for many of his former players to walk. But about 200 boys still make the journey. Millet believes that the difficult times have only increased the need for his work.
"In Port-au-Prince right now, there is almost no soccer field," he said. "It's very important for a kid to play. ... I try to give them joy, give them their childhood."
The children, ages 9-17, practice five days a week. And Millet often arranges games on Sundays.
"When they win, they are happy and they know that it's because they worked hard for it. ... That is the message I want to tell them," said Millet. "Sometimes you win, sometime you lose. ... But this is the way you win in life."
Since many of "his kids," as he calls them, lack father figures, Millet also acts as a role model and mentor. After practice, he and the other coaches regularly talk with the boys about what's going on in their lives. Millet constantly stresses the importance of education to them, and at times dips into his own pocket to pay their school fees.


"They don't have to steal ... or (join a) gang. They know that they can do something. They know they can believe in themselves," said Millet.
While FONDAPS is basically a one-man operation run on a shoestring budget, Millet is always looking for other ways to help his players. Usually once a week, participants receive packets of pasta, rice and beans to bring home to their families. He is also working on getting a bus to transport children to practice, and he hopes to one day establish his own school with athletic fields and programs in music and art.


Despite the challenges to keep his program going, Millet is not lacking in motivation.
"To see the joy in the face of a kid ... and you know what he's living (through) ... that makes me happy," he said. "It's so wonderful to see the progress they make in soccer, in their own life, in everything."


For Jeff Fouvant, Millet's program has been a lifeline. The 11-year-old lost his father in the earthquake and is living in a tent with 10 family members. Fouvant's entire family depends on the food he receives from FONDAPS, and Millet also pays for his school fees.
"Mr. Patrice ... he helped us a lot," said Fouvant. "He is a hero."


In 2009, Millet's cancer returned, but he's treating it with medication. He recently spent several weeks in the U.S. undergoing radiation treatment, but he insists that he's feeling good. Though cancer is a reality that Millet can't escape, he said he's happier now than he was before his diagnosis. And he's determined to do as much as he can with whatever time he has left.


"I realized how important life is, every moment," he said. "I am not ready to die yet. I have many, many things to do."

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Note de presse : Sommet Ibero-Americain au Paraguay

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères et des CultesBureau de Presse

MAEC/BP/007

Le Chancelier Laurent LAMOTHE expose les grandes priorités d’Haïti au Sommet Ibéro-Américain au Paraguay

Port-au-Prince, samedi 29 octobre 2011.- Le Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et des Cultes, S.E. Laurent LAMOTHE, a participé les 28 et 29 octobre au 21^ème Sommet Ibéro-Américain à Asunción au Paraguay, réunissant  la plupart des Chefs d'Etat et de Gouvernement de l’Amérique latine et de la péninsule Ibérique.

Un déjeuner de travail a été organisé, le vendredi 28 octobre, par le Secrétariat du Sommet en l’honneur  des  invités spéciaux. Cette réunion a permis aux organisateurs de faire l’inventaire des multiples thématiques connexes à celui du sommet intitulé : « Transformation de l’Etat et développement »  La variété des thématiques témoigne des regards croisés de divers secteurs dans l’opinion publique.

Au cours du déroulement de cet important sommet, samedi 29 octobre, un Plan d’action pour la mise en œuvre de la coopération dans la région Ibéro-Américain a été élaboré. Il prend en compte, entre autres, la nécessité d’une nouvelle équation, Etat/société, dans laquelle l’Etat doit avoir un rôle prépondérant. A cette fin, les participants se sont mis d’accord sur la nécessité d’améliorer l’infrastructure de base nécessaire à la promotion de l’investissement et celle d’une administration publique, efficace et efficiente, centrée sur la citoyenneté. En ce sens, l’Espagne en a profité pour réaffirmer ses engagements vis-à-vis de la région Ibéro-Américaine.

Vers le renforcement de la coopération Sud/Sud au profit du peuple haïtien

Le Chancelier LAMOTHE a eu, par ailleurs, plusieurs rencontres bilatérales avec des Ministres des Affaires Etrangères de la région sur des questions fondamentales liant Haïti et ces peuples frères de la l’Amérique latine. Avec l’Argentine, les discussions se sont déroulées, entre autres, au sujet de la Mission des nations unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti (MINUSTAH). Le Ministre LAMOTHE a, par ailleurs, requis de son homologue, le Chancelier Héctor Timerman, une assistance technique en forme de bourse de formation au profit des étudiants haïtiens dans les domaines  de l’agriculture et  du sport. M. Laurent LAMOTHE en a profité pour lancer une invitation aux entrepreneurs Argentins à investir en Haïti.

Le Chancelier paraguayen, M. Jorge Lara Castro, dont le pays assure, à partir de dimanche, la présidence de l’UNASUR, envisage une visite d’exploration en Haïti pour renforcer la coopération avec Haïti dans les domaines de priorité du gouvernement haïtien et prévoit la signature d’un accord de base de coopération technique et de transfert de technologie dans plusieurs domaines, dont l’agriculture.

Pour sa part, le Brésil, à travers son Vice-ministre pour l’Amérique Latine et Caraïbes, M. Antonio José Ferreira Simões, envisage une coopération avec Haïti dans les domaines de l’énergie (Construction de Central Electrique dans l’Artibonite et éventuellement dans le reste du pays) et de l’agriculture (Projet « Zéro hambre » « Non à la Faim », destiné à toucher 100 milles mères de famille leur permettant de pourvoir au besoin alimentaire de leurs enfants dans le cadre du programme d’éducation gratuite du Président Martelly.)

Le Directeur Général de la Coopération du Mexique, M. Jose Octavio Tripp, prévoit des projets dans le domaine de la  santé. La construction de trois cliniques à Port-au-Prince et de 14 marchés publics, font partie des promesses faites à Haïti par ce haut responsable mexicain. Tout en assurant de la continuité des programmes de bourse aux étudiants haïtiens, il promet de faire la promotion d’investissements en Haïti, notamment dans le secteur de l’énergie.

Avec son homologue de la République dominicaine, Ing. Carlos Morales Troncoso, le Chancelier LAMOTHE a agité la question de la redynamisation de la commission mixte haïtiano-dominicaine à travers laquelle tous les sujets d’intérêts seront abordés. Des thèmes liés à la migration, à la sécurité, au commerce, à l’énergie, à l’éducation et à la promotion de l’investissement, ont été également au menu des échanges entre les deux Ministres des Affaires Etrangères partageant l’ile caribéenne.

Le Chancelier espagnol, M. Trinidad Jimenez, en marge de sa rencontre avec le Ministre LAMOTHE, a promis de supporter Haïti comme membre permanent du Sommet Ibéro-Américain. Un nouvel accord de coopération sera paraphé, selon le Chancelier espagnol, dans les domaines de l'eau potable, de l'éducation, du transport scolaire et de l'assistance technique. Le Ministre espagnol qui a offert, en cette occasion, des bourses d'étude au profit des jeunes haïtiens, a invité son homologue haïtien  à effectuer une visite en Espagne dans 60 jours.

Le Président du Suriname, S.E. Désirée Delano Bouterse,  et son Ministre des Affaires Etrangères, M. Winston Lackin, ont annoncé la signature, avec le Ministre LAMOTHE, d’une convention de coopération sur la construction. Des bourses d'étude seront offertes aux diplomates haïtiens au Suriname. Les autorités surinamiennes qui ont également octroyé 5,000 visas de travail dans les secteurs de l'agriculture et de la technologie aux ressortissants haïtiens, ont invité le Chancelier Laurent LAMOTHE à se rendre au Suriname.

Avec le Chancelier chilien, M. Alfredo Morales, il est prévu la signature d’un cadre de coopération bilatérale qui comprendra, d'une part, l'offre qu'une partie du contingent chilien au sein de la MINUSTAH soit réorientée vers des projets de développement (routes, ponts, entretien de routes...), et, d'autre part, une proposition d'accompagner Haïti au niveau de l'éducation et la formation professionnelle. Le Chili promet aussi de  supporter  l'adhésion d'Haïti dans le Sommet Ibéro-Américain.

Le Ministre panaméen des Affaires Etrangères, M. Roberto Henriquez, a plaidé, de son côté, en faveur du renforcement des relations diplomatiques entre les deux pays. La régularisation  des activités commerciales des haïtiens au Panama a été aussi au cœur des pourparlers entre le Chancelier LAMOTHE et son homologue du Panama.

-FIN-

Contact : Bureau de Presse

Phone : +509 33 96 88 88

Email : chancellerie.haiti@gmail.com

Two Billings volunteers head for Haiti to build homes

By CHELSEA KROTZER Of The Gazette Staff 

A 200-square-foot room made of four plywood walls covered by a tin roof atop cement flooring sounds like a description of a work shed.  

To Haitians who lost everything in the 2010 earthquake that killed or injured hundreds of thousands and left a million homeless, it will be a place to call home.

As many as five Haitians could be living under the roof of just one of these humble houses.

“It’s just to cover, to keep them out of the weather,” said Cheri Chevalier, crew leader with Habitat for Humanity.

Anything would be better than the temporary housing families have been living in since the quake.

Two habitat volunteers will get a taste of the conditions during their weeklong stay in Haiti, where they — along with an estimated 400 volunteers in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project — will work to build 200 houses in just 10 days.

Chevalier and Jesse Y. Gonzalez, a Habitat for Humanity board member, will leave for Haiti on Nov. 5.

It doesn’t cost a thing to send them, thanks to the money that the Billings Habitat for Humanity chapter tithed from last year to Habitat International, according to Kathleen O’Neal, director of the Billings chapter.

With $19,000 this year, the Billings chapter was able to send two volunteers to Haiti.

O’Neal said the chapter has tithed $147,317 to build almost 50 homes abroad since the chapter began 19 years ago.

“The tithe money goes to build houses in third-world countries where they don’t really have the ability to raise money themselves in most cases,” O’Neal said.

The money can also go toward areas devastated by such disasters as tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes.

Once the decision was made to send all tithe money to build in Haiti, the only question left for O’Neal was whom to send.

Chevalier and Gonzalez stepped up to the plate.

Initially concerned, Chevalier couldn’t get the idea out of her head.

“I thought about it, and I wasn’t too sure because there are security issues down there,” Chevalier said. “But there are people living in tents and tarps — I can go and make a difference and give these people some hope and show them some happiness.”

Gonzalez felt a similar urge to volunteer.

He’s been with Habitat for Humanity either as a working volunteer or board member since its seventh build in the mid-'90s.

The organization recently broke ground on its 57th home in a subdivision on the South Side.

“I believe we all have gifts and they don’t belong to us,” Gonzalez said. “It’s our mission to pass that on and help others, and what an opportunity — to help someone with such a need.”

Their time abroad will not be a vacation; it will be hard work in the most basic of living conditions.

When volunteers aren’t building, they will be staying in tents at a secured compound. From what Chevalier has been told, they won’t be allowed to leave the compound. Local vendors will have to come to them.

Showers will be limited. The bathrooms are outside.

They will have to watch what they eat and drink.

“We are very happy for these folks and glad they wanted to go, too,” O’Neal said. “These are going to be very primitive conditions — they warned everyone that security will be tight.

“It’s not exactly like McDonald’s will be down the street. These conditions are unknown to the folks in our country.”

The pair were given a proper send-off on Sunday at the Little White Church in the Heights.

There, about 25 people joined in prayer and song, wishing the best for the two longtime volunteers.

They all gathered together in prayer toward the end of an hour program, bowing their heads and placing their hands on each other’s shoulders with Chevalier and Gonzalez in the middle.

“Lord, be with Jessie and Cheri as you call them on a journey to build houses, to build safe homes for people to live in,” Pastor Mark Morgenstern said during the blessing.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_42d30cc8-eaed-52ea-aba4-5cdd4392a3a3.html#ixzz1cNOZnnXt

Beginning of the awareness campaign on road safety

The road network is the main means of transportation in Haiti, but also one of the most dangerous and costly in human lives. Errors due to the negligence of drivers, vehicle defects, coupled with environmental conditions, the precarious of the infrastructure and the lack of signs causing countless traffic accidents.

To eradicate this scourge, it's necessary to have concerted action from various sectors involved in the management of road, drivers, pedestrians and all road users. Such an undertaking must normally be spread over the short, medium and long term.

In addition to the remedies, the problem of traffic requires constant awareness so that people can marry a better attitude in their own interest and that of their families. The aggressive behavior of individuals must be systematically discouraged.

That's why last Friday, the National Police of Haiti (PNH), supported by the component of the United Nations Police has launched an awareness campaign on road safety.

Gary Desrosiers Deputy Spokesman of the Haiti National Police made an inventory for the years 2010 and 2011 "...the police Friday has officially launched a road safety campaign [...] the service circulation recorded many cases with victims and injuries, in 2010 there were 3.566 people who were victims of a traffic accident, 122 with fatalities, 804 with physical damage, 11 with material damage, 2.629 between vehicles. [...]

This year from February to September the police recorded 2.724 people who were victims of traffic accidents, including 101 with loss of life ... the year is not yet finished ... it is usually towards the end of the year that the accidents are repeated, already and I do not wish it, we realized that we could overcome the 122 of 2010 ... 553 with physical damage, 16 with material damage, between vehicles 2,054..."

"The campaign will last six months because it's all a comprehensive education program, it will pass in the media, in commercials, on posters, billboards and also on the Internet..." specifies the Spokesman of the HNP. The objectives of this campaign are among others to improve the knowledge of the population in terms of road safety and to bring the motorcyclists to be aware of the vulnerability of a two-wheeled motor vehicles and to encourage a responsible behavior.

The themes will be road safety for schoolchildren, the vehicle overloading, the speeding, the wearing of safety helmets for motorcycles, the use of seat belts and the use of mobile while driving. This campaign targets the car and trucks drivers, motorcycles drivers, passengers, pedestrians and school children but also the transport associations, the driving schools and the service of road signs.

The Minustah is also supporting the campaign by the production of awareness products to the service of the PNH for this campaign.

"We know that the road is dangerous and we must be careful in respecting the rules of the road, of the school zones and we have all benefit by adopting safe driving."

HL/ HaitiLibre

Minister of Education at the 36th Conference of UNESCO

29/10/2011 haiti libre
 
Réginald Paul, the new Minister of National Education and Vocational Training participates in the 36th General Conference of UNESCO opened on October 26 in Paris, at the head of a Haitian delegation. This 36th General Conference of UNESCO will determine UNESCO's work and policies and fix its programme and budget for 2012-2013. Education is the largest programme of all, and therefore presents specific challenges.

Challenge number one is to ensure a more coordinated approach in working towards the EFA goals for the 2015 deadline and beyond. A new architecture of the global EFA coordination mechanism is expected to allow for UNESCO to take the lead in coordinating efforts among the numerous stakeholders in the Education for All (EFA) movement, including UNESCO Member States, the five EFA convening agencies, civil society and the private sector. Challenge number two is a balancing act: to ensure a holistic vision of education while focusing on particular thematic areas - especially in times of financial constraint. UNESCO promotes a holistic approach to education systems. This typically requires quality teacher training and management, strong higher education systems, development of curricula to nurture global citizenship, coherent policies and the promotion of education outside schools. However, in difficult financial situations, the challenge is to ensure that UNESCO continues to work in all relevant areas while focusing on particular areas for greater impact.

The Haitian Minister of National Education and Vocational Training made a speech before the Assembly.

Speech of Réginald Paul, Minister of Education :

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Republic of Haiti has always been committed and will continue to do it along the UNESCO. Despite the profound socio-political crises in the past and several natural disasters that have intensified the weakening of the state, the determination of government allows us to predict progress in the areas of intervention of UNESCO.

Thus, thanks to the commitment and the dynamism of the President of Haiti, not to mention the support of partners, Education for All (EFA) has just received a new impetus in Haiti. Indeed, the process of free access to the school that advocates the President of the Republic, has enabled 772,000 children to benefit from free educational services, of which 142,000 had access to school for the first time. To this end, our efforts will converge towards achieving free education to 1.5 million children at the end of five-year term, which will allow Haiti to achieve the millennium goals in this area.

Also as part of initiatives for Education for All (EFA), the Haitian state has assured, with the support of the World Bank, the Development Bank of the Caribbean, Canadian Cooperation and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a free access to the school for 235.000 children.

Meanwhile, efforts to improve the quality of education and strengthening the governance of the system continues with the support of our international partners.

To face the whole of the problems which were accentuated under the impact of the earthquake of January 12th, 2010, the Ministry has developed an operational plan of refoundation of our education system which is being implemented.

Similarly, we keep mobilized the young people, through the Haitian network of Associated Schools of UNESCO, around the reforestation, the problems of water, of education to climate change in order to contribute to a sustainable development.

During the past two years, the Haitian government has made many efforts to develop the programs Sciences. In addition to the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), we focused the energies towards the implementation of actions listed in the program on the Man and the Biosphere (MAB). Also, we are pleased to inform the Assembly that, after a long process, we completed the proposal for the creation of our first biosphere reserve in Haiti. This is an opportunity for us to thank the UNESCO and the Spanish government for their valuable contribution to the project of creation of this reserve.

Thanks to the support of UNESCO, we have also made ​​great efforts in the cultural sector, especially in the field of heritage, in terms of inventory, recovery, protection, backup and transmission.

Madam President,
Ladies and gentlemen of the Heads of Delegation
Distinguished Delegates,

We are aware of the limitations of our Organization. But we must be equally aware that UNESCO is an essential structure in the pursuit of ideals of peace, tolerance, respect for others, of dialogue, of protection of the environment by the promotion of education, of the culture, science and technology. They are also the main routes to cope with various crises that threaten us, because it is by there that people will develop the skills necessary to the recovery of new challenges, will improve the living together, will make emerge the attitudes conducive to the flourishing both individually and collectively, and, finally, will establish the beneficial practices to human development.

Thank you for your attention

Réginald Paul
Minister of National Education and Vocational Training

Laurent Lamothe in Paraguay - Bilateral meeting Haiti - Argentina

As part of the 21st Ibero-American Summit, held in Asunción (Paraguay), the Foreign Minister of Argentina, Héctor imerman, held a bilateral meeting with his Haitian counterpart Laurent Lamothe.

Laurent Lamothe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained the objectives and priorities of the Haitian government, which define the contribution of Argentina to the efforts of the international community for the political stability and the institutional strengthening of Haiti, and their contributions to the creation of social conditions and the technical skills essential to the well-being and to the progress of the Haitian population.

In this context, Héctor Timerman has ratified the commitment of the Government of Argentina and has reiterated to his Haitian counterpart, the willingness of his country to continue to cooperate with Haiti. Timerman spoke of the major humanitarian aid operations conducted by Argentina, as the Pro Huerta program and the military hospital. The Minister Lamothe, offered to his Argentine counterpart, the opportunity to explore jointly the new avenues of cooperation on issues such as the agricultural support, the promotion of investment, the training of teachers of the technical and vocational schools, sports and student transportation.

The Chancellor of Haiti has also discussed of the importance that the Pro Huerta program has in the food policy intended to the Haitian people and stressed the need to diversify the imports and the investments of his country. He invited the Argentine companies to participate in the reconstruction of Haiti, particularly in infrastructure, bridges, airports, roads and energy.
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Laurent Lamothe in Paraguay, spoke of investments
29/10/2011 15:38:47

Laurent Lamothe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs (MAEC), left the country Thursday, October 27 for Asuncion in Paraguay to participate on October 28 and 29, to the 21st Ibero-American Summit which is held under the theme "Transformation of the State and Development".

On Friday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who participates as a guest to the 21st Ibero-American Summit, has formally requested to the community of Latin American nations the admission of Haiti as a participating Nation "The French language separates us a little from the rest of Latin America, but we are a country with a lot of points in common with the rest of the region."

The Minister Lamothe has thanked for the support that Haiti has received in recent years, especially Cuba for health, and in particular Venezuela and Brazil who are planning to build a power plant in Haiti. "We came here to look into the eyes of the representatives of Latin America and say you thank you for this valuable assistance."

On the sidelines of the Summit, Laurent Lamothe declared in a press conference that Haiti was "open for business" in these times where stability is beginning to recover "We want more resources through direct private investment, which is the best way to generate sustainable development [...] to replace the humanitarian aid that will not last "forever."

The Chancellor also announced that November 18, 2011, the new government of President Michel Martelly will activate a new national security force which will take "at least two years" to fully assume its security activities in Haiti.

Regarding the presence of the Minustah on the ground of Haiti, the Minister explained that it was not possible at this time, to set a departure date of the UN Mission, recalling that Haiti only have a police force of 10,000 men, with an annual budget of 150 million, while the UN operates its troops with 870 million dollars.

Laurent Lamothe reported that while waiting this new security force in Haiti, the government remains in favor of the continuation of the work of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti because "its role has been and remains, very important" until that Haiti is ready to take over.

Senate to Verify Nationality of President Martelly and Members of Government

Saturday, 29 October 2011 10:25

[file]

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - The Senate approved Friday the establishment of a commission of nine members with a mandate to investigate the citizenship of President Michel Martelly and all members of the government, which could, by the constitution create cause for impeachment of the president and all the members of the government.
In the context of the 'political crisis' that has transpired from the arrest of Deputy Arnel Bélizaire (Delmas & Tabarre/Veye-Yo) and by the initiative of Senator Moïse Jean-Charles (Nord/Inite), the commission, which includes representatives of all affiliations, is composed of Senators:

Joel J. Joseph (Ouest/Inite),
Joseph Lambert (Sud-Est/Inite),
Yvon Buissereth (Sud/Inite),
Steven Benoit (Ouest/Alternative),
Youri Latortue (Artibonite/AAA),
Nènèl Cassy (Nippes/Inite),
​​Evallière Beauplan (Nord-Ouest/Pont),
Simon Dieuseul Desras (Centre/Lavni)
and Moïse Jean-Charles.

On the proposal of Senator Riché Andris (Grande Anse/Alternative)and Youri Latortue, the office of the Senate decided at a special session devoted to the arrest of the deputy of Delmas & Tabarre, to achieve an internal vetting in which the nationality of all commissioners will be combed through before being allowed to examine the records of members of the Executive.

In his reflections on the need to ensure that those placed at the helm are above all suspicion, Senator Jean-Charles said that the course members of the new cabinet have had no serious study, during the ratification process. Jean-Charles took the opportunity to blame the passivity of the Senate meeting against the excesses of power.

"If the Presidents Aristide and Préval had committed excesses that President Martelly has already accumulated, they [senators] would already have been up in arms," ​​noted Jean-Charles listing the Haitian leader's attacks against the press and Parliament.

For his part, his colleague Simon Dieuseul Desras said to the attention of all members of the commission that they should carry the heavy responsibility by agreeing to participate in the control of the nationality of those who govern us.

"Everyone will be under the supervision of a global satellite," warned the representative of the Central Plateau (Centre) in the presence of Arnel Belizaire who attended the meeting.

The President of the Republic left Haiti on the day of the arrest of Bélizaire. Opponents point to the president's ease and selection of travel on days where he is challenged by parliament e.g. the vote to ratify the first and second Prime Minister-designates, Daniel Rouzier and Bernard Gousse.

The Haitian constitution, in the version currently in effect, prohibits dual citizenship and provides for the impeachment of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, Ministers, Senators and Deputies if they find themselves in such situations.

Haitians Train for a Future With a Military

The Organization of Demobilized Soldiers for the Reconstruction of Haiti trains weekly on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD Published: October 25, 2011 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — For hours, Robeson Arthiste dragged himself through the dirt like a commando, marched “left, two, three, four,” dived behind bushes pointing an imaginary gun and grimaced while a razor blade removed every bit of hair from his head, leaving a trickle of blood. Drenched in sweat and muck after drilling with fellow army hopefuls, he said he was ready to join the Haitian military — that is, if there was one. “Things are not easy here in Haiti,” said Mr. Robeson, 35, and, like several of the prospects, unemployed. “We need something to do.”   Whether that something should be a new military has raised alarm both here and abroad. The military was disbanded over human rights abuses in 1995 by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide after years of political turmoil, making Haiti one of a handful of countries without an army.   But now President Michel Martelly is pledging to revive it, pressing forward with a plan to reconstitute the Haitian military as a kind of national guard or civil defense force to supplement the weak national police.   His $95 million proposal calls for an initial force of 3,500 personnel to patrol the border, help put down civil unrest and provide badly needed employment to legions of young people. It sets aside $15 million to compensate former soldiers who have long complained they are owed a pension.   A draft circulated last month to diplomats from donor nations was promptly leaked, a sign of disquiet among many who recall the military’s involvement in coups and question its priority in a country still reeling from the January 2010 earthquake.   Even members of Parliament supportive of the idea as a matter of national pride — and, like many citizens here, frustrated over high crime — doubt there is support to finance the proposal. The Constitution calls for an armed defense force, so Mr. Martelly may already have the legal authority he needs. Indeed, former members argue they are technically still on duty. But Parliament members believe that they would control something just as important: the purse strings.   “Our generals started the country in 1804,” said Jean Rodolph Joazile, a former military officer and the president of the Senate, referring to the slave rebellion that gave birth to independence from France. “But the army I belonged to was not professional. Now we have to see what our needs are. Is there a priority to have an army now?”   The United Nations has long planned to eventually replace the peacekeepers here with a fortified national police force, and this month the Security Council cut the maximum size of the peacekeeping contingent to 10,581 from 13,331. But the earthquake set back the development of the police force, which stands at 10,200 for a population of 10 million, less than half the size it should be, said the police chief, Mario Andresol.   Chief Andresol, also a former army officer, declined to say whether he supported Mr. Martelly’s plan but said, “We need to develop the police force to see how far we can go with what we have.”   The United Nations has decided to reduce its peacekeepers to pre-quake levels — a decision Mr. Martelly opposed given lingering crime problems — and popular sentiment has soured on them. One unit from Nepal is believed to have brought cholera to the country, while peacekeepers from Uruguay are accused of sexually abusing an 18-year-old Haitian man. Both issues have set off protests here.   That current of mistrust and animosity helps fuel the ad hoc groups of former soldiers and aspiring ones, and it may also buttress Mr. Martelly, who campaigned on promises to reduce international influence and restore Haitian pride. He sent word to Parliament that he plans to name a general staff by Nov. 18, a military holiday, though he has not formally announced his plan.   Mr. Martelly, a dropout of the national military academy, visited one group in November in a camp near here as a presidential candidate and was greeted with a ceremony of salutes and parading, said Nestor Appolon, the commander of the group.

Deputy Arnel Bélizaire Arrest & Release

Haitian lawmaker released from jail amid protests

(AP) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A Haitian lawmaker who was jailed on charges that he escaped prison on the day of last year's massive earthquake was let go Friday.

Following his release, Dep. Arnel Belizaire went to parliament as several dozen supporters gathered outside the building to greet him with hugs and cheers.

The overnight detention of Belizaire was a rare instance in which police have locked up a government official. Investigators must formally request that immunity be lifted before they can question an official.

Police jailed Belizaire Friday shortly after he had returned from a trip to France. Police say Belizaire was an escaped prisoner who fled the national penitentiary in the chaotic aftermath of the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake. He had been locked up since 2004 on an illegal weapons charge.

Despite his criminal record, Belizaire somehow proved eligible to run for office in a drawn-out election that began last year and ended early this year; candidates are required to show they have a clean record. Belizaire was elected to parliament in a March 20 runoff.

Since he took office, Belizaire has been an open critic of Haitian President Michel Martelly, who was sworn in in May, and the two have been heard lashing out at each other at the National Palace.

Belizaire is a member of Veye Yo, a political party headquartered in Miami, Florida, that has strong ties to former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The detention of Belizaire threatens to aggravate already uneasy relations between Martelly and parliament, whose members rejected the leader's first two picks for prime minister before approving the third.

The head of the United Nations mission in Haiti and the French Embassy on Friday responded to Belizaire's detention by issuing statements. France urged the government and legislature to bear in mind "procedures" involving the separation of powers and parliamentary immunity.

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 THU OCT. 27 by Samuel Maxime

Deputy Arnel Bélizaire Arrest

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Deputy Arnel Bélizaire (Delmas & Tabarre/Veye-Yo) was arrested by police and taken to the National Penitentiary on Thursday upon his return from Paris, France and while still under parliamentary immunity.

With a warrant of arrest from the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), at the direction of Attorney General Félix Léger, the police awaited the return of Deputy Bélizaire with the support of soldiers from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The Air Cairibes plane landed at 16:30PM EST at Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Police delivered the warrant to the member of parliament before taking him away.

A convoy of parliamentarians were present at the airport for the event which drew on-lookers. The parliamentarians object to the arrest of Deputy Belizaire as it is unconstitutional to arrest an elected member of government. Police blocked access to the airport, even from the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Sorel Jacinthe (Moron & Chamberllan/Inite), who was kept by police.

Some hurled hostile words against President Martelly for the arrest and others announced plans to gather and respond to the Executive even so far as revoking the entire cabinet according to one MP.

Legislatures are out of session until 2012 barring urgent circumstances. Committees are still operational and have made plans to discuss the matter but it remains to be seen if a convocation of the National Assembly will occur.

The President and Vice-president of the legislative branch have denounced the arrest of the elected representative of Delmas & Tabarre.

The Press Secretary for the National Palace, Lucien Jura, told DH there is no comment at this time.

After a verbal altercation with the President of the Republic, Deputy Arnel Bélizaire's, who holds a record of arrests for fraud, possession of illegal firearms and auto theft between 1995 and 2005 has been pursued by justice as an escapee from the National Penitentiary. Belizaire benefited from support within the previous, President Réne Gracia Préval administration in obtaining clearance to participate in legislative elections.

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The counterattack of parliament
29/10/2011 10:52:16

Both rooms were in session, until late Friday evening in response to the arrest the day before of the deputy Arnel Bélizaire, in order to determine measures to be taken in response to the arrest of Deputy Bélizaire deemed illegal. The senators believe that the arrest of Bélizaire by police officers by order of the prosecutor "threatens the democratic foundation of the nation while trampling the dignity of the legislature."

Both chambers, each on their side, have adopted resolutions. The lower house passed a resolution asking for explanations and calling for the resignation of Ministers Josué Pierre-Louis, Minister of Justice and Public Security, of Me Thierry Mayard Paul, Minister of Interior and National Defense, of Michel Brunache Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs [which would be involved in the blocking of access for the deputies to the diplomatic lounge of the International Airport] and of Me. Félix Léger Commissioner of the Government, all considered as directly responsible of the arrest of the Deputy Arnel Bélizaire deemed illegal. 71 parliamentarians have signed the resolutions a few hours after the Deputy Bélizaire, was taken back to the Lower House by the prison administration.

The deputy Abel Descolines explained "It's first a draft resolution, it is not really a resolution to the extent that the Chamber of Deputies is in extraordinary session so we are not able to organize a session, but given the urgency and the complexity of the situation after the arrest of colleague Arnel Bélizaire, [...] there is a special session which grouped the majority of deputies of the 49th Legislature.

At the end of the debates that lasted several hours, it was agreed that we adopt a draft resolution to denounce the illegal arrest of deputy [Bélizaire] to the extent that the procedures of the Constitution were not complied [...] this draft resolution will be finalized within 24 hours [...] it's primarily a formal and official denunciation of Deputies of the 49th Legislature of the arrest, which did not follow the procedures of the Constitution, of a Deputy in the exercise of its functions, to the extent that the procedure which should, eventually lead to the waived of the parliamentary immunity was not made [...] then, in this draft resolution, it is a question for a set of Minister to give explanations about what happened [...] at the end of this explanation, the entire legislative body or a majority, will decide of the opportunity to to follow up the question that can lead on an interpellation [of the people involved] [...]"

If these ministers and Secretary of State do not leave their posts, they will be interpellated at at the opening of Parliament in January 2012 and will be subject to a vote of censorship or of no confidence, according to the Constitution [they risk the destitution]. Regarding this possibility, the deputy Abel Descolines declared "we're not there yet [...] is a draft resolution. Currently the Assembly has as concern to give a political response to what the 49th consideres as an affront [...] we do not anticipate we will finalize the resolution within 24 hours"

The deputy Guy Gérard Georges precise "... the resolution requests that the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, because it is not the Foreign Minister, because he was not there [...] that they resign [...] and if they do not resign, when we will enter the second Monday of January in regular session, we will take legal steps that the Constitution gives us to make go these Ministers, if they have not resigned voluntarily [...]"

For its part, to the Senate a resolution signed by 16 senators decided to interpellate Josué Pierre-Louis, Minister of Justice and Michel Brunache Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on 3 November. Mr. Michel Brunach is interpellated on the fact that parliamentarians was denied of access to the diplomatic lounge of the airport Toussaint Louverture, during the operation that led to the arrest of the deputy.

Josué Pierre-Louis, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, said Friday, before the press not having made an intervention to the Commissioner of the Government and denied any involvement in the arrest of the deputy Bélizaire, saying that it was in no case of an order of the Ministry of justice "there are several authorities who spoke on the issue, what I can say, is that the conduct of state affairs requires cool and calm [...] the law prohibits a Minister of Justice to give individual instructions as part of a file which is treated by the justice . Of course, the Government Commissioner is the representative of the executive within the judiciary, but the representative of the executive, it's within the framework of the implementation of penal policy of the government, but not in the exercise of the the public service [...] I can ask to the Government Commissioner to put the public action in motion, if there is public outcry, if there is the fragrance, but I can not call the Government Commissioner to prohibit it to put the public action in motion. Yesterday I received a letter to 1:00 pm, of the office of the Chamber of Deputies. Immediately I contacted the Government Commissioner to ask him to explain me the law, if the facts are constituted, if the facts are based, if the procedure meets the legal requirements..."

The first reaction of the Parliament confirms the deterioration of relations with the Executive and the opening of hostilities with all legal means provided by the Constitution.

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The Deputy Bélizaire was transferred to the Lower House this Friday
28/10/2011 19:22:24

The Deputy Arnel Bélizaire, accompanied by the Director of the National Penitentiary and agents of the National Penitentiary Administration (APENA), was transferred Friday to 1:30pm, in the Lower House in accordance to the law, in much confusion. It is not known if the Deputy is free and under what conditions, only that he remains available to the Government Commissioner to be interviewed during this case.

Me Félix Léger Commissioner of the Government is returned to the charge by writing to the office of the Chamber of Deputies to ask it to put Mr. Bélizaire at the disposal of justice. "The Government Commissioner took the opportunity to transfer the Deputy Arnel Bélizaire in accordance with law for appropriate actions and related given that he is being prosecuted for the offence of evasion ; continuing offense and underlying to the offenses of murder and detention, defined and penalized by law", we can read in the letter.

The Deputy Bélizaire, met with the President of the Assembly, before taking part in a session [informal] of the Chamber of Deputies in order to determine the behavior to adopt following the imprisonment of their colleague Arnel Bélizaire. In his first words to the press after spending a night at the National Penitentiary, Arnel Bélizaire thanked its colleagues and the Haitian people for their support in this difficult time.

Currently, the Lower House and the Senate are in Assembly concerning what is now called "the Case Bélizaire". For his part, Mr. Félix Léger asks again the waiver of the parliamentary immunity of deputy.

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The Prime Minister takes note of the arrest of Deputy Bélizaire
28/10/2011 15:36:11

The Prime Minister, Dr. Garry Conille, took note of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Deputy Arnel Bélizaire, Thursday, October 27, 2011, at the international airport of Port-au-Prince.

Once informed of the detention of Deputy, the Prime Minister visited the National Penitentiary to assess the conditions of his incarceration and ensure the integrity of his person.

Deeply concerned about the imprisonment of a Deputy in function, the Prime Minister responsible for the execution of the laws of the Republic, convened in emergency the Board of Governors of the National Police (CSPN) to collect all relevant information to the treatment of this issue and spoke in the same direction, with the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The Prime Minister continues, in this case, to explore all avenues and procedures that can facilitate an exit that meets the constitutional prescribed to this crisis. He advocates the full respect of the constitutional prerogatives and privileges of state officials by inviting, furthermore, all social and political actors to the serenity and dialogue.

The Prime Minister reaffirms its commitment to ensure in all circumstances, the protection of individual and collective freedoms and the respect of the inalienable rights of the citizen in a Rule of Law.