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The Morning after Garry Conille: Steps for Moving Haiti Forward

2012-02-29T18:12:00.000-05:00

TheMorning after Garry Conille: Steps for Moving Haiti Forward

byHarvey Dupiton, New York

ThatMichel Martelly holds an American passport, even if it were true, should not bethe chief concern of the Haitian Parliament in those trying times. There aretoo many ills to cure in the country at present- joblessness running rampant atover 80%, the capital of the country a vast grave yard, too many childrenwandering about, too many youngsters finishing grade school without theprospect of a job, too much poverty, and worse no end in sight. If I mustchoose between observing our democratic principles of late and endorsing aprovisional strategy, albeit extra-constitutional, to allow the business of thepeople to be addressed, I will choose the latter. Besides, every country hashad to grow into its actual stage and shape of a democracy and so does Haiti.

Fornow, the country can ill-afford a political stand-off or worse a reshuffle ofthe cards as some opponents and bad-wishers lurk at a striking distance. Theresignation or the impeachment of the government on the basis of technicalitiesis not an option, but if a sweeping grass-roots mobilization is not put inplace to outpace the mounting electoral hurdles, tensions and crimes willultimately force an alternative. On the other hand, a forceful dismissal of theHaitian Parliament is also not an option. Too many times in recent past, Haitihas had to gamble on elections without a foresight of the outcome and almostalways the end result is a fiasco. Lessons of that past should teach by nowthat our system of elections, as conceived, may either be flawed or inadequate.Be that as it may, those who are now holding an elected seat should not takethe people’s vote for granted and should seek to earn their legitimacy byrolling up their sleeves to deal with the plight at hand.

Asa Haitian who grew up living in New York since grade school, my immediateexpectations from both the Haitian executive and legislators are other than thecontested issue of dual nationality consuming valuable time. Instead, I wouldlike to be in a position to tell my circle of international friends that thecountry is on track to meet certain key objectives like creation of jobs,governance, rule of law, political stability, sustainable development,education for all. I would like to have that sense of security from time to timethat there is not just another group of guys taking a crack at the nation’spublic trust like it’s just another gig, but that there is a machinery ofHaitian institutions, scholars, elders, youth, communities on board with thenational program. The world of financial institutions and donors are alsowatching with a similar curiosity before placing their bets.

Ifwe must forge ahead, it should certainly not be in the direction the country isheading. Life in Haiti should not be consumed by politics and not very muchelse. We must always hold our leaders accountable and our leaders must alwaystake full responsibility for their actions or inactions.

TheMorning after Garry Conille is a critical juncture which can serve as a turningpoint in our young democracy. Here are some of my suggestions as a concernedcountryman for steps to be taken Moving Haiti Forward:

Onthe Political Front

1.The President must act quickly establish a political framework through whichkey issues can be dealt with. The former Interim Haitian ReconstructionCommission (IHRC) comes to mind. The IHRC had already met with parliamentblessings and international support.

2.The President must act swiftly within days to designate a replacement to Mr.Conille. To expedite the process of Parliament ratification, a person alreadyvetted can come from the pool of sitting ministers. The designee can beappointed as a care-taker of the IHRC.

3.A timeframe for Parliamentary elections should be on the table as a bargainingtool to agree on areas of common ground since there are irreconcilabledifferences between the two sides, Executive and Legislature.

4.The international community can assist by the commitment of resources for theprocess.

Atthe Policy Level

5.Plans to restore the Haitian Armed Forces must be put to rest for the timebeing in order to commit time and resources to job creation and the creation ofa safety net for the disenfranchised.

6.Our foreign policy of late is a mockery. The President must restore the trustbetween the United States while maintaining friendly relationships around theworld. Haiti must project a credible face before the international community ifthere is any chance of future assistance.

Onthe Development Front

7.The President could use his core asset, his popularity, to keep the countrymobilized in a “Carnavalesque” mode. Thousands stood up for the carnival a weekago and thousands more can be mobilized behind a series of quick-impact,quick-win projects inside every local community. The key to win heart and mindsis to empower. Although there may be a lot of NGO activities and othershappening, people may not be fully engaged. Small projects like streetcleaning, tree planting, street games, are just some examples of ways throughwhich communities can be kept engaged, feel empowered, and partake in thesolution. Let’s not forget the Diaspora in those projects. They need to beinvolved. They have direct linkages to local communities and the financialresources.

8.Haiti’s biggest endowment is its people. The focus should not be on donationsfrom countries but on hands-on support by the Haitian people. Billions can bemobilized within the Haitian Diaspora if they are sold on the vision of theleadership. The Diaspora could have easily shared in that vision ofeducation-for-all if engaged.

9.Focus on Resources from the Haitian communities to build political capital andproject another round of meeting with international donors and lenders toleverage people power with money from other sources.

Thatis it for now--- God Blessings to all. Harvey Dupiton.

2012-02-28T23:00:00.002-05:00

Celebrating Hope: Philanthropist Fabrice Armand Keeps the Spotlight on Haiti

During this Black History Month, Haitian-American philanthropist and businessman, Fabrice J. Armand is focusing his time and energy on planning his 30th birthday. Unlike most of his peers who typically celebrate such a milestone by throwing a fabulous fete, Fabrice has committed himself to an unselfish purpose. Inspired by famous columnist, Liz Smith, who uses her annual birthday bash to bring attention to philanthropy, Fabrice will use his March 3rd celebration for his 2nd Annual Haiti Cherie: Pride. Love. Commitment fundraiser. The event will celebrate Haitian culture, honor those that perished during the 2010 earthquake, and raise money to benefit Wings over Haiti and the Haiti Cultural Exchange.

Fabrice became an advocate for his homeland long before the 2010 earthquake. Fabrice's intense passion for Haiti began during his formative years in Port au Prince. He came to America in his early teens but a sense of pride in his heritage kept him connected to Haiti. Fabrice was disturbed by constant media coverage of Haiti as an impoverished, third world nation teetering on social and political collapse. There was rarely an emphasis on its rich history and culture. Instead of throwing up his hands in frustration, Fabrice got involved with organizations making a positive impact. More important, he took out his address book and started a personal campaign to educate and encourage his friends as well as business contacts to invest in Haiti's future.

As part of his ongoing commitment, last December Fabrice lead a documentary film production team in Haiti to bring attention to the rebuilding efforts and spread goodwill through the New York-based Haiti is Me Campaign. Haiti is Me is a grassroots campaign aimed at engaging and empowering everyday people to help Haiti rebuild. Accompanying Fabrice on his philanthropic mission was author and Essence.com columnist Demetria L. Lucas and photographer-filmmaker Mackenten Petion.

The team spent nearly three weeks chronicling the social and economic accomplishments made after the 2010 earthquake. Their destinations included Port au Prince, Kenscoff, Les Cayes, Camp-Perrin, and Port Salute. They volunteered, visited tent camps, and interviewed diverse leaders in infrastructure rebuilding, tourism, government, education, healthcare, and agriculture. The team also met with program directors of organizations that received aid from Mr. Armand's Haiti Cherie fundraising campaign. The documentary will premier in July 2012. Thereafter, it will be available online.

Filming the documentary presented an opportunity to give dignity and respect to the daily struggle of the Haitian people. Fabrice wants people to understand that the citizens of Haiti are seeking self-sustaining job opportunities. He hopes the documentary will help spread the word that Haitians are hard working, eager, and resilient people that are not looking for a handout. The Haitian people want to earn their income and want to use their funds to uplift the nation once known as The Pearl of the Antilles. When he is confronted by people who point out the political scandals and violence in Haiti's past, he quickly tells them that he has the audacity to hope and believe that his people have a bright future. While on the trip, Fabrice noticed that the people of Haiti have more faith in their government. Fabrice and his companions attended a government function where the people were yelling their approval.

That is a sign of progress.
Fabrice is ecstatic that hospitality powerhouses such as the Marriott Corporation and Best
Western are making multimillion-dollar investments in his homeland. Miami-based entrepreneur Michael Capponi and renowned designer Donna Karan are creating job opportunities in the city of Jacmel. During Fabrice's visit celebrities such as Oprah, Neyo, Louis Farrakhan, and Kim Kardashian were using their notoriety to motivate other influential individuals and entities to see the long-term value of investing in Haiti.
During his visit, Fabrice was impressed with two locations. The waterfalls and mountainside landscapes Aux Cayes is just one example of the natural beauty of Haiti. The other area is in Furcy where Rustik, an eco-friendly resort and lounge, provides a peaceful escape into the mountains.

Fabrice hopes that five years from now Haiti will flourish as a tourist destination. He anticipates the government will continue creating job opportunities in the Northern and Southern regions of Haiti. Moreover, new investors coming to Haiti will help create sustainable job opportunities for all Haitians of all background and social classes.

Haiti's success also depends on the ability of the young people to be educated and competitive. As a person educated in his homeland as well as the United States, Fabrice admonishes Haiti's youth to focus on their education and keep their minds open to different opportunities. Traditionally, parents wanted their sons and daughters to become doctors, lawyers or architects. Youths should keep their eyes open and look into other fields that can be lucrative like marketing, engineering, hospitality management, tourism, and design. Fabrice would like colleges and universities in countries such as the United States, France, Spain, and Canada to create exchange programs so the flow of knowledge and discourse can continue.

Fabrice is looking forward to using his birthday to celebrate Haiti for many years to come. He remains optimistic that the sacrifice and fortitude of Haiti's people will move them towards a bright and brilliant future.

Prime Minister Conille Resigns

2012-02-25T17:54:00.001-05:00

Haiti’s Prime Minister Quits After 4 Months

Haiti, whose recovery from the January 2010 earthquake has been stalled in part by political turmoil, has been dealt yet another setback with the resignation on Friday of its prime minister after weeks of mounting tension with President Michel Martelly and his cabinet.The prime minister, Garry Conille, who served for only four months, was Mr. Martelly’s third choice and the only one who met with approval from a Parliament dominated by political opposition.

At the time, his appointment was seen as an important compromise, endorsed by former President Bill Clinton, to help jump-start foreign investment and $4.5 billion in promised aid. Only half of that has been delivered by international donors squeamish about Haiti’s political instability.

Diplomats trying to quicken the pace of rebuilding saw the crisis brewing with growing worry — on Thursday, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti called for all parties to work things out — but apparently could do little to stop it.

Mr. Martelly and Mr. Conille had long had an awkward relationship. Mr. Martelly, who campaigned on shaking up the system, saw Mr. Conille as too bureaucratic and officious, while Mr. Conille, who runs the day-to-day operations of government and answers to Parliament, began complying more with its members’ demands, at the expense of angering ministers.

Their tension, a kind of tradition in Haiti with a revolving door of prime ministers in years past, began spilling out in public. Mr. Conille, who did not respond to requests for comment, had insisted on an audit of millions of dollars in post-quake contracts from the previous administration, while Mr. Martelly’s office balked, saying the country needed to move forward.

A few weeks ago, Mr. Martelly angrily interrupted a private meeting that Mr. Conille was conducting with Parliament members, suggesting they were collaborating against him, according to Western diplomats and government officials. How explicitly Mr. Martelly showed his anger is in dispute, but, while playing down the tension to reporters later, he conceded there was yelling.

A Parliament commission is investigating whether government officials hold other nationalities, which the Constitution bars for their positions, and Mr. Conille, over Mr. Martelly’s objections, had pressed administration officials to submit passports and other documents. Mr. Martelly has been dogged by rumors he has an American passport, which would disqualify him as president.

Damian Merlo, a senior adviser to the president, said Mr. Martelly was once a legal resident of the United States but surrendered his green card to the embassy before he took office in May. “The president does not have, nor has had, U.S. citizenship,” he said Friday.

It was unclear when Mr. Martelly would appoint a new prime minister, amid speculation that he would turn to his foreign minister, Laurent Lamothe, or another cabinet member. Mr. Martelly, in a brief address to the nation Friday night, said he would act quickly to replace Mr. Conille, saying he regretted the departure came “when the country is taking off.”

“Both domestic and foreign partners who want to invest in the country and create jobs, I ask them to remain calm,’’ he said.

Mr. Martelly has said coping with an opposition Parliament has been one of the hardest adjustments to his job, but political analysts said it was bound to happen, given the president’s career as a bandleader not used to having his orders challenged. Some analysts wondered whether he would await the possibility of a more favorable Parliament in May elections before submitting his choice of Mr. Conille’s successor for approval.

“President Martelly, as an artist, leads our country also as such,” said Jean-Junior Joseph, a blogger and former aide to prime ministers. “When no one expects, he has the ability to twist things around artistically in his favor while the band keeps moving on.”

Still, diplomats urged Mr. Martelly and Parliament to move quickly, with so much at stake for the country, where chronic poverty persists and half a million people displaced by the quake still live in tent camps.

“We continue to believe that political stability in Haiti is critical to its ability to attract the domestic and foreign investments needed to increase economic development and create jobs,” the United States Embassy said.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) –
Political chaos reigned in Haiti Friday and into Saturday after Prime Minister Garry Conille resigned from office shortly before he was to meet with the country’s president and ministers at the national palace, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.

Conille had been under pressure for days to resign after just four months in office. Many in the international community and top Haitian politicians had tried to stave off the prime minister having to leave office, but they were unsuccessful.

Conille and Haitian President Michel Martelly have been feuding over issues of nationality of government officials, including Martelly himself, an investigation into post-Earthquake contracts, and who controls government ministers, according to the Herald.

The resignation of Conille further delayed much of Haiti’s reconstruction efforts along with other government initiatives. While negotiations have been ongoing about a replacement, outside observers said there is no timeline when Haiti will get a government working again, according to the Herald.

It took five months when Conille was appointed as prime minister, which was the third different choice from Martelly. But, much in a similar manner to the political gridlock in Washington, there’s no guarantee any pick from Martelly will be approved.

According to the Herald, Parliament has been at odds with President Martelly since his May 2010 inauguration over who is actually in charge of the country and over power sharing.

VIDEO REPORT

President Martelly Speech About Resignation Of Prime Minister Conille

Friday February 24, 2012 09:55 PM ET

Haiti President Michel Martelly addressed the nation regarding the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille. Here is the transcript...

My fellow Haitians

This morning, Prime Minister Gary Connille submitted to me to his letter of resignation, I accepted it. I take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment. Of course, I regret that the resignation occurs at a time where where the country is beginning to move forward.

But I want to reassure you, I have already contacted the Speakers of both Houses, who had already received a copy of this letter. We're committed to harmonize our efforts for a quick exit from this situation and I propose a new prime minister.

To both domestic and foreign partners who want to invest in the country and create jobs, I ask them to remain calm. All arrangements were made for the state to meet its commitments vis-a-vis the population.

The Executive and Parliament are working to strengthen their relationship, as we should, already putting together an immediate exit out of this crisis.

My fellow Haitians, you know you can count on me, as I can count on you.

I made you promises, I will respect them. Like it or not, the victory belongs to the people.

Thank you.

Last Minute Announcement (Click image to follow)

T-Vice management announcement on the tragic death of Rocky Cardozo, brother of James Cardozo. Also the cancellation of the Santo Domingo tour... Read it Here..

T-Vice Mgt. Press Release on Cardoso tragedy

2012-02-25T17:11:00.000-05:00

Fans, friends and family,

It is with a heavy heart that we send out this message. Many of you know that T-Vice is composed of a close knit family and when one member hurts we all hurt. On our way to the airport yesterday mid afternoon to board our flight to Santo Domingo for the FiestaPiscina Weekend, we lost one of our family members. In a terrible car accident James Cardoso lost his brother, Rocky. The shock has yet to wear off and we are still trying to understand why something like this could happen.

We ask our fans, friends and family to keep our brother in your prayers as well as his family. This is a hard loss to bear and we have decided to cancel our Santo Domingo tour. We do apologize to everyone and in this time of grief we ask that each of you take note of how precious life truly is. In a split second T-Vice can be on top of the world feeling amazing from an outstanding Kanaval 2012 in Aux Cayes and in one moment our joy, excitement and energy was taken from us as we lost one of our own.

Please keep James in your prayers for this is something none of the T-Vice crew ever expected to be going through today!

T-Vice Management
Feb. 25, 2012
------------------------------------------

The RockMasters Entertainment team sends its sincere condolences to the Cordoso family and the T-Vice family. He is gone from sight, but never memories. Gone from your touch, but never your hearts. With deepest sympathy,

- RockMasters Entertainment

Martelly Kicked off Himself First Day Carnival in Les Cayes

2012-02-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

From: Defend.ht

LES CAYES, Haiti (defend.ht)- President Martelly launched himself Sunday, February 19th, Carnival in Les Cayes, third largest Haitian city. He hosted the first day of the national carnival, heading up musical bands, mingling with the crowds in the streets and chanting to the delight of carnival-goers.

Tens of thousands of people from various departments of Haiti and abroad attended the first day fat (Sunday, February 19, 2012) of Haitian carnival, held for the first time in Les Cayes, the third largest city in Haiti, located about 200 km south of the capital city, Port-au-Prince.

Officials, tourists, foreign and Haitian journalists were present to launch this annual cultural event, interspersed with a few incidents that have not disturbed the feast.

President Michel Martelly kicked off the first day of fatty national carnival themed: “Haiti’s taking off, Les Cayes gets ahead”.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE

The president was traveling on a motorcycle sometimes, sometimes walking on foot through the carnival path, has seen the online agency AlterPresse.

Dance schools, youth clubs, musical bands, 18 bands and 11 floats paraded about 2 kilometers. The procession started from the street Toussaint Louverture Gabions (south of the city) to go to the Boulevard Des Quatre Chemins.

Martelly’s supporters waved placards to send messages to parliamentarians who, they think, prevent their president to work.

Meanwhile, several slogans against the head of state were noticed on some of the city walls. Some describe Martelly an "enemy of the people" and "domestic of bourgeois", “down with Martelly”.

Organizationally, sensitizers conveying messages of peace were mobilized. Health structures were reinforced and mobile and fixed teams were formed to care for any injured.

The National Police of Haiti (PNH) has visibly increased its workforce in the South. Police officers have maintained a constant presence throughout the journey.

Several arrests were made and firearms seized, a police source told. Some cases of injuries and traffic accidents were also recorded, according to this source. However, it is reported that a sailing ship trying to reach Les Cayes for carnival was wrecked causing five deaths.

Public Treasury has disbursed 50 million gourdes for the festivities. Disbursements have been considerable in the private sector, according to what was observed.

Economic benefits are expected in Les Cayes. This carnival is an opportunity for this city to show their potential cultural and tourism, said a representative of the city within the national committee.

He welcomed the progress of the first day fat, "despite some weaknesses related to setbacks." The carnival will continue Monday and end on Fat Tuesday.

Appointed Haitian Judge Jean Baptiste running for seat in Chicago

2012-01-26T15:55:00.000-05:00

Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste Seeks To Retain Judgeship

http://www.evanstonroundtable.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=26&ArticleID=4813

Pictured in photo, standing, are Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste and his wife of 35 years, Lenore Jean-Baptiste, during a training session of supporters at Boocoo Café.

Last month, Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste kicked off his campaign for Circuit Court Judge of Cook County’s 9th Judicial Subcircuit. On Sept. 7, approximately 50 of his supporters met at Boocoo Café, 1823 Church, and received training on how to properly collect signatures to place him on the ballot.

Judge Jean-Baptiste was appointed as a judge to the 9th judicial subcircuit by the Illinois Supreme Court in March 2011 to fill the remaining term of a vacancy. He is now seeking to retain that judgeship in the March 20, 2012 election. He previously practiced law for more than 20 years, and was an alderman on the Evanston City Council for 10 years. He is a graduate of Evanston Township High School, Princeton University and Chicago-Kent Law School.

Judge Jean-Baptiste is the founder and past chairman of the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti and has coordinated efforts to bring relief to the victims of the devastating earthquake there. As an alderman, he served on many committees and initiated programs to help young adults stay away from crime and succeed in life. He served on the Restorative Justice Committee to help implement conflict resolution strategies and reduce violence.

Judge Jean-Baptiste has been found qualified or recommended by all bar associations that rate judicial candidates in Cook County, and highly qualified by the Cook County Bar Association.

VISIT HIS WEB SITE AT:
http://www.jeanbaptisteforjudge.org/

Inauguration of Henry Christophe University Donated by the Dominican government -

2012-01-22T01:20:00.001-05:00

President Leonel Fernandez, First Lady Margarita Cedeno and Foreign Relations Minsiter Carlos Morales Troncoso were in northern Haiti for the inauguration of the northern campus of the Haiti State University (UEH), donated by the Dominican government.

The Inauguration of Henry Christophe University in Limonade, Northern Haiti, coincided with the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake that destroyed the same date in 2010, Port-au-Prince and other cities like Leogane, Jacme, Grand-Goave, Petit-Goave.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the President of the Republic of Haiti, Michel Martelly, his wife, Sonia Saint-Remy Martelly and his counterpart, Leonel Fernandez Reyna, and officials Dominicans. Jean Henri Vernet, Rector of State University of Haiti, also attended the inauguration.

On this occasion the President Martelly stated he believes that the university will play a major role in reviving the social, cultural, economic, not only in the region but in the entire country.

All countries that have made significant progress in human development have made education the major strategic focus to reduce inequalities, promote social mobility, strengthening social cohesion and improve their stock of human capital, argues Head of State.

Martelly expressed hope that this campus will be a real catalyst to promote the modernization of the Haitian university system, which has a mission of excellence in all fields of knowledge including science and technology.

The campus must, among other things, be used to help develop integrated into the public education system at the regional level.

For his part, Dominican President, Leonel Fernandez Reyna demonstrates the solidarity of his people against the Haitians, who have suffered the consequences of an earthquake that generated, he recalls, the disappearance of 20% of national wealth and 80% of university buildings in the country.

Speaking during the event, President Fernandez told the Haitian people: The Dominican people were with you as soon as the earthquake happened to rescue you, we were there for you at the start of reconstruction, and we will be there to celebrate the new victories.

The rector Jean Henri Vernet indicates on his side that this campus will be named Henry Christophe Campus in honor of the latter which is the pride of northerners and to whom we owe the first higher education institutions the nation.

8 Police Officers Guilty for Prison Massacre

2012-01-20T13:33:00.000-05:00

in Rare Trial of Haiti

in Rare Trial of Haiti’s Police

By DEBORAH SONTAG and WALT BOGDANICH - NY TIMES

Published: January 19, 2012

In a country where officials who abuse their power are almost never held accountable, 8 of 14 police officers tried for a 2010 prison massacre were found guilty on Thursday in the southern city of Les Cayes, Haiti

- SEE VIDEOS BELOW -

On the second anniversary of the massacre, Judge Ezekiel Vaval handed down sentences ranging from 2 to 13 years of imprisonment and hard labor. The stiffest sentences were given to the highest-ranking officials, the former Les Cayes prison warden, Sylvestre Larack, and the city’s riot police chief, Olritch Beaubrun, who was tried in absentia.

Judge Vaval, who received frequent death threats during the three-month trial and traveled to New York over the holidays to write his decision free from pressure, delivered his verdicts to an initially hushed crowd of hundreds packing the courtroom. He spoke rapidly, looking off into the distance, and then rapidly departed as the audience erupted into cheers and jeers.

“The decision of the judge is his expression of the truth,” Judge Vaval said. “There are other versions that exist but this is mine. And that is the law.”

VIDEO: The Police on Trial

VIDEO The Killings at Les Cayes Prison

While it was a rough-hewn legal proceeding by American standards, the trial, having taken place at all, represents a rare victory for the rule of law in Haiti. Haitian government officials who break the law, be they police officers or presidents, typically elude justice, benefiting from a weak, corrupt judicial system.

“Wow, this is a real landmark moment for Haitian justice,” said William O’Neill, an American human rights lawyer with decades of experience in Haiti. “To get some senior law enforcement officials held accountable with fairly serious sentences — it’s really historic.”

Fourteen officers were charged with murder, attempted murder and other crimes for killing and wounding dozens of detainees in the aftermath of a disturbance on Jan. 19, 2010, a week after the earthquake. The officers opened fire on unarmed inmates “deliberately and without justification,” according to an independent commission.

That commission, run jointly by the Haitian government and the United Nations, was appointed after an investigation by The New York Times in May 2010 contradicted the official explanation for the deaths at the prison. Initially, the Haitian government had accepted the local officials’ explanation that a single detainee had killed his fellow inmates before escaping.

Mr. Larack, in fact, was promoted after the massacre to run the largest penitentiary in the country; when the Times reporters tried to speak with him there, he ordered them to destroy videotape of him refusing to answer questions. And Mr. Beaubrun, before leaving the country for what his lawyer said were medical reasons, told the reporters that his riot squad had never fired a shot.

But The Times found that police and prison officers had shot unarmed prisoners, and witnesses at trial said that Mr. Beaubrun himself not only had ordered the shootings but had participated in them.

The Times also reported that the police had moved some bodies before outside investigators showed up and had hurriedly buried some victims in unmarked graves.

The joint commission then conducted an investigation — although hindered by the authorities’ initial failures to collect and preserve evidence — and prodded the government to prosecute the offenders.

The prosecutor, Jean-Marie J. Salomon, charged that officers had killed 20 detainees, but the precise number of deaths and injuries is not known.

Testifying at the trial, one detainee, Patrick Olcine, said he had been shot in the back but had never gone to the hospital. “They were taking dead people and living people, and they were picking them up together,” he said. “I didn’t want them to pick me up and go bury me.”

By American standards, the trial often had a circuslike atmosphere, with protracted quarrels between screaming lawyers playing to the raucous crowds that daily packed a theater in Les Cayes, Haiti’s third-largest city. Small bottles of rum were on sale at the door, the trial was conducted in semidarkness when fuel for the generator ran out and the judge, lacking a gavel, rang a small bell in an often futile effort to gain control of the courtroom

Mr. Salomon inherited the case when he was appointed shortly before the trial. He had never tried a case before, and trial observers said he was often outmatched by highly seasoned defense lawyers.

The defense maintained that the police were just doing their jobs.

“But killing people was not doing their job,” said Florence Elie, Haiti’s ombudsman.

The prosecutor asked the judge to sentence 11 of the defendants, including Mr. Larack, to life in prison and hard labor. But Ms. Elie said that the judge, who acquitted six of the officers, chose an equitable middle ground in his decision. He gave Mr. Larack 7 years and Mr. Beaubrun 13.

“If they were civilians, they would have gotten life,” Ms. Elie said. “But the judge was wise. If he had given the normal sentence, we would have had bigger problems in the long run with our police force.”

Still, Ms. Elie said she was very concerned about reprisals because the witnesses, the judge and the prosecutor had not been given protection, as recommended by the joint commission. The chief witness for the prosecution was threatened repeatedly and finally fled to Port-au-Prince, she said, adding that she had not been able to locate him since.

Many Haitians wonder whether this trial could have a galvanizing effect on their justice system, but they are wary of being hopeful.

Far bigger cases lie on the horizon.

Former President Jean-Claude Duvalier, for instance, has supposedly been under investigation since his return from exile a year ago for human rights abuses committed during his 15-year reign. But the investigation appears to have stalled, and the new president, Michel Martelly, has shown no inclination to encourage it.

Instead, Mr. Martelly has claimed that nobody in Haiti wants to see Mr. Duvalier prosecuted and that the push to do so comes from “certain institutions and governments” abroad.

Although supposedly confined to his house, Mr. Duvalier has made increasingly frequent excursions, and presided over a promotion ceremony at the Gonaïves law school last month.

But on Thursday, a judge summoned Mr. Duvalier to court to explain why he had violated his house arrest.

Dump Truck Plows through Crowd in Delmas

2012-01-20T11:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) – At least 26 are dead and at least 56 are injured when the brakes failed on a dump truck carrying gravel. The truck ran through a line of street vendors, motorcyclists and cars near the National Television of Haiti station on Delmas 33.

Initial reports came in through HaitiXChange, who said of the scene:

”When I arrived on the scene there was mass chaos as police officers tried to control the crowds. Dead bodies littered the streets and body parts could be seen in crushed cars. Even president Martelly made an appearance and could seen from the Haiti National Television balcony.”

”I quickly left the scene as bulldozers started clearing the debris and there were concerns that they might disturb they high-tension wires overhead causing more casualties. The entire scene was a horrible mess.”

Police are searching for the driver of the truck. Chief of Police, Will Dimanche said, "witnesses say he jumped from the truck after hitting the first obstacle but we'll find him anyway."

Mayor Wilson Jeudy of Delmas says the accident occurred at 10 in the evening. The mayor said the large truck was coming down from Delmas 40 and could not stop its momentum. Vendors, vehicle operators, and anyone in the way of the runaway truck were hurt.

The mayor says city hall has worked to clear the space of food vendors. He said that often these vendors argue with agents from his office and after being forced to leave, would return. The mayor says it is a very dangerous area to be in.

Jeudy estimates that much regulation must take place, saying that vehicles are on the road that have not been inspected, often headlights are out and traffic can easily lose order.

The mayor is thankful that the accident occurred at 10 in the evening as opposed to earlier in the day when the area is busy and dense with citizens.

WATCH VIDEO

(WARNING - VERY GRAPHICAL)

------------------------------------

Michel Martelly, the President of the Republic,

went, on the evening of Monday, January 16, 2012, to the Television Nationale d'Haiti (TNH) in Delmas 33, to see the extent of damage caused by a terrible traffic accident.

Around 10 pm, a truck [ZA 12655], whose brakes apparently dropped, hit in its path pedestrians, vehicles, motorcycles, among others, before finishing its run in the premises of the State television. The first findings gave to count, several casualties and wounded. [according to the latest information that accident would have been 29 victims and more than 56 wounded]

"It appears that the driver lost control of the vehicle, claiming the lives of many merchants which offer food on the sidewalks and many passers-by, before finishing his wild ride in the premises of the National Television of Haiti," indicated the National Director of Traffic Services, Will Dimanche.

Arrived on site, the Head of State quickly issued a call for solidarity of emergency to the medical staff (doctors and nurses) to go to the Hospital of the State University of Haiti (General Hospital) OFATMA hospital, Doctors Without Borders (Sartre) and the hospital La Paix, in order to help the victims.

The President of the Republic while deploring the unfortunate events that once again mourning the Haitian families, renews its commitment to work to correct a set of behaviors and practices often very damaging to the community

DECLARATION OF PRESIDENT MARTELLY ON ACCIDENT

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Haiti: Delmas Accident Toll Climbs to 40, Interior Minister Expresses Sympathy

The Minister of Interior Thierry Mayard Paul expressed his sympathies for those lost in the traffic accident on highway Delmas on Monday as the death count has reached almost 40.

In a communication sent to DH, the minister said:

Through this sense of grief, tragedy reminds us once again the many weaknesses of our society and the many tasks that we still needed to definitely boost our country.

Minister Mayard Paul said he aims to renew his commitment to work towards improving the living conditions of the Haitian people throughout the country through the decentralization and the creation of jobs and reducing the impact of such incidents on our citizens.

The unfortunate incident that killed 40 people and left dozens injured occurred between 9:45 ET 10 PM between Delmas 41 and 33 near the local Television Nationale d'Haiti.

The Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities and National Defense implemented to increase local and international cooperation could provide concrete and positive changes to achieve the vision of the President of the Republic is the creation of of sustainable development for the country.

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Newly Posted Article
Officers found Guilty in Rare Trial of Haiti’s Police

2012-01-19T23:55:00.000-05:00

Haiti's 1 Percent
A look at the lives of plenty in the land of the poor.- By: Arnaud Robert - Photos: Paolo Woods

Is there a story about Haiti that doesn't mention the Caribbean nation's dubious honor of being "the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere"? Few have ever heard about Haiti's wealthy elite, most of whom came to the island from France, Lebanon, Syria, Germany, or Jamaica at the beginning of the last century -- families that chose to invest in a country where nothing seems to endure. Despite, but sometimes thanks to, the absence of a functioning government, rich Haitians have prospered mainly in the import-export business. One percent of Haitians control 50 percent of the country's economy, and its top 500 taxpayers generate 80 percent of its tax revenues. They are also active in the textile industry, where they subcontract for American multinationals, as well as in construction and agriculture. But wealth doesn't buy love. Writer Lyonel Trouillot famously labeled the local bourgeoisie as the "Most Repugnant Elite" for reducing Haiti, known as the "Pearl of the Antilles" when it was a French colony, to a state of abject poverty. In these impenetrable homes nestled in the hills overlooking Port-au-Prince, huge parties are held around swimming pools and in ritzy hotels, gyms, and salons. Here's an intimate look at Haiti's 1 percent.

Below, businessman Gregory Brandt.

Involved in the soap and oil sector, he is president of the Franco-Haitian Chamber of Commerce. "My children studied abroad, but they chose to come back to Haiti, despite the situation. It is my greatest source of pride.

Eric Jean-Baptiste, owner of Père Eternel, Haiti's second-biggest lottery.

He's a larger-than-life, self-styled entrepreneur from the Haitian middle class. Today there is not a block in the capital of Port-au-Prince or the entire country that does not have at least two or three lottery stands. The son of a leader in President François "Papa Doc" Duvalier's feared paramilitary force, the Tonton Macoutes, Jean-Baptiste has utter contempt for the mulatto elite that rules the core of the Haitian economy.

Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly

Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, 50 years old, has gone from being the "President of Kompa," Haiti's carnival music, to being the new president of Haiti.

Upper-class revelers

At the Ritz hotel in the Pétionville neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, upper-class revelers attend a concert of the Haitian group T-Vice during Carnival.

Haitian of Syrian descent

At the Milano, a posh beauty salon in Pétionville, a Haitian of Syrian descent, Zureki Zakour, 21, gets her nails and hair done.

Pascale Théard luxury shoe stylist

Pascale Théard is a luxury shoe stylist, interior designer, and heir to a Haitian tycoon. She has recently decorated the offices of Haiti's new president and is a strong promoter of local artists and handicrafts. -Relaxing with her children at home.

Philippe Dodard and his wife

Philippe Dodard and his wife in their house in the hills above Pétionville. Mr. Dodard is an artist who has become very close to the establishment and regularly receives commissions from banks and major Haitian companies. His sculptures and paintings grace the homes of many of the Haitian elite.

Trainer Dufaide Desgranges

Trainer Dufaide Desgranges leads a spinning class at Ultimate Fitness, a luxury fitness club in Pétionville. Pedaling furiously is Patrice Bayard (in white T-shirt), a vice president of Access Haiti, one of the main Internet providers for the country; Claudie Marsan, a prominent business lawyer, raises her hands in the air.

Marc-Antoine Acra of Acra Industries

Marc-Antoine Acra runs, with his extended family, Acra Industries, an industrial group that manufactures metal sheeting for construction, paper and plastic bags, and plastic plumbing pipes. They are also the country's biggest importer of rice and sugar. He walks with his daughter at his estate above Port-au-Prince; his family purchased the surrounding land to ensure the view is not marred by construction.

Read the related French article Published in the magazine Le Monde

- Les nantis d'Haïti

Par Arnaud Robert / Photos Paolo Woods
6 Janvier, 2012
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Parce qu'ils ont soutenu les dictateurs, parce qu'ils ont peu investi dans l'économie locale, parce que certains sont les rois de la sous-traitance à bas prix..., les riches Haïtiens ont mauvaise réputation. Mais le président Martelly compte bien s'appuyer sur leurs capitaux pour reconstruire le pays.

Il faut gravir une montagne qui surplombe Port-au-Prince, se présenter à la grille face à un gardien dont le canon scié tournoie dans l'air frais, puis garer sa voiture dans la mêlée de 4 × 4 rutilants. La porte est ouverte. Un intérieur à la californienne.....

Continue reading Full Article HERE

http://rockmasters-blogs.blogspot.com/2012/01/les-nantis-dhaiti-par-arnaud-robert-le.html

Les nantis d'Haïti -Par Arnaud Robert - Le Monde.fr

2012-01-19T18:15:00.000-05:00

Par Arnaud Robert / Photos Paolo Woods
6 Janvier, 2012

Parce qu'ils ont soutenu les dictateurs, parce qu'ils ont peu investi dans l'économie locale, parce que certains sont les rois de la sous-traitance à bas prix..., les riches Haïtiens ont mauvaise réputation. Mais le président Martelly compte bien s'appuyer sur leurs capitaux pour reconstruire le pays.

Il faut gravir une montagne qui surplombe Port-au-Prince, se présenter à la grille face à un gardien dont le canon scié tournoie dans l'air frais, puis garer sa voiture dans la mêlée de 4 × 4 rutilants. La porte est ouverte. Un intérieur à la californienne. D'énormes sofas. Des téléviseurs plasma. Quelques répliques maladroites de grands peintres haïtiens. Des domestiques en livrée servent de petits morceaux de banane plantain, du cochon grillé et surtout des litres de rhum Barbancourt. Il y a là les héritiers d'une dizaine de familles-clés de l'économie insulaire. Les aciéries d'Haïti, la brasserie nationale, le principal importateur de ciment, une collectionneuse d'orchidées. Un homme fume des cigarettes mentholées en racontant comment il pallie l'absence de production alimentaire locale en important massivement du surgelé des Etats-Unis. On discute de tout, avec de grands rires. Des marées de tentes qui abritent sur chaque place publique les victimes du séisme du 12 janvier 2010. Du nouveau président Michel Martelly, qui a promis de mettre de l'ordre. Et puis, on ne parle plus. Une jeune femme branche son iPod. Rihanna est de la fête. Alors on danse.

Ce sont les invisibles, les silencieux. Ceux dont les médias internationaux, trop occupés à écumer les centres de traitement du choléra et les bidonvilles sédimentés d'Haïti, ne parlent presque jamais. Les 3 % de possédants qui gèrent 80 % de l'économie du pays. Ici, on les appelle les bourgeois. Ailleurs, on dirait le secteur privé. Il y a quelques semaines, à l'hôtel Karibe de Pétion-Ville, la communauté internationale a réuni des investisseurs étrangers, des Américains pour la plupart, avec l'idée de ne pas réduire la reconstruction à des flux de capitaux provenant de la charité mondiale. Bill Clinton, très impliqué dans le dossier depuis la catastrophe, a oublié les entrepreneurs haïtiens. Selon Frantz Duval, rédacteur en chef du quotidien Le Nouvelliste, "cette omission est très mal passée". Un acte manqué ? "Les grands patrons haïtiens sont immunisés contre les promesses de l'international. Depuis des décennies, ils se sont rendu compte que les étrangers n'étaient présents que deux ou trois printemps et qu'ils s'en allaient. Eux se sentent toujours mis à l'écart des tentatives de réhabilitation du tissu économique haïtien." C'est qu'ils ont mauvaise réputation.

Dans le désordre des griefs qui leur sont adressés : un soutien sans faille aux dictatures duvaliéristes ou aux forces paramilitaires après l'élection de Jean-Bertrand Aristide en 1991 ; un retrait presque total des secteurs de production nationale au profit d'importations plus rentables et moins risquées ; parfois même une implication dans le trafic de cocaïne sud-américaine, qui transite largement par cette île où l'Etat, depuis presque trente ans, se définit par son absence. Plus encore, aux yeux de tous, ils seraient coupables d'accepter le gouffre toujours plus profond qui les sépare de l'immense majorité des Haïtiens (deux tiers d'entre eux vivent avec moins de 1 dollar par jour). La plupart du temps, ils préfèrent donc se taire. Mais n'en pensent pas moins.

Pour rencontrer Pascale Théard, il faut sonner à un interphone, passer des murs énormes, renoncer à la laideur obsédante de Port-au-Prince. Elle vous attend, belle jeune femme aux cheveux noirs, dans une maison digne des magazines de décoration. L'immense porte sculptée ouvre sur un jardin avec piscine d'où l'on contemple toute la plaine, jusqu'aux camps de plastique qui cèdent parfois leur place, deux ans après le séisme, à des maisonnettes préfabriquées.

Du mobilier signé Philippe Starck côtoie un artisanat haïtien du meilleur goût et des œuvres de l'école de peinture Saint-Soleil. Pascale Théard, héritière d'un fabricant de spaghettis local, a travaillé dans le luxe à Paris. Elle conçoit aujourd'hui des sandales haut de gamme d'inspiration vaudoue et conseille la présidence sur l'artisanat. Le 12 janvier 2010, elle faisait ses courses au Caribbean Market, le plus gros du pays. Il s'est effondré sur elle. Après s'être extraite des décombres, blessée, elle a été prise en charge par un homme. "C'était un rasta, il ne savait même pas si ses enfants étaient encore en vie, mais il m'a aidée. Dans ce chaos, il y avait une solidarité extraordinaire."Pascale Théard ne répond à aucun des stéréotypes qui accompagnent en général les riches Haïtiens. Elle est presque blanche, comme beaucoup d'entre eux, mais son grand-père mulâtre était tombé amoureux d'une paysanne noire, transgression ultime dans un Etat qui, depuis l'indépendance conquise en 1804, a reproduit la plupart des structures de la société coloniale. "Il existe tellement de clichés sur Haïti. Des Occidentaux de passage me demandent comment je peux vivre dans ce luxe tant il y a de gens qui vivent sous une tente. C'est toujours un regard culpabilisant qui vient de l'étranger. Et eux, alors ? Sont-ils moins responsables parce qu'ils ne sont pas confrontés au quotidien à une misère crasse ? Moi je me bats pour que les gens sortent des tentes en leur fournissant un travail." Elle en veut à Aristide qui, selon elle, a misé sur les clivages et la haine de classe. "J'ai cru au changement. Mais il a monté les Haïtiens contre les Haïtiens. Aujourd'hui je soutiens le président Martelly. Il pense que ce ne sont pas les ONG qui vont réussir à transformer durablement le pays, mais l'économie réelle."

Huit mois après l'élection présidentielle, l'affiche rose fuchsia du candidat Martelly continue de hanter les murs du pays mais les averses tropicales et les gaz d'échappement l'ont ternie. Connu jusqu'ici pour ses chansons salaces et son cul nu lors des carnavals urbains, il vivait alternativement dans sa maison de Floride et dans son petit manoir de Port-au-Prince. Avec sa candidature, pour la première fois, la ligne de partage qui définit ce pays a été réduite : une grande partie de l'élite économique l'a soutenu quand les masses brandissaient son nom sur les boulevards du nord au sud. Sans parti véritable ni représentation parlementaire, il a dû se battre pendant de longs mois pour imposer un ministre. Quinquagénaire à la sévérité composée, il dresse un réquisitoire brutal contre certains entrepreneurs du pays. "On a décrit les riches Haïtiens comme l'élite la plus répugnante au monde parce qu'ils ont délaissé le côté social, ils ont privilégié leurs intérêts et ont abandonné la population. Ils sont responsables de la misère dans laquelle nous vivons aujourd'hui, assène-t-il. Il est inacceptable que certains d'entre eux se contentent de faire venir du riz et n'investissent plus dans l'agriculture nationale. Il faut aujourd'hui favoriser la classe qui a été dominée depuis deux cent sept ans d'indépendance. Je suis le catalyseur de ce changement."

Le président, dans une dépendance qui jouxte son palais encore en ruines deux ans après le séisme, s'en prend également à la présence étrangère. "Depuis le 12 janvier 2010, nous avons vu débarquer des dizaines d'ONG qui ne répondent à personne, qui s'engagent où elles veulent même quand il n'y a pas de nécessité, qui s'achètent les plus grandes voitures et louent les plus belles villas. Il nous faut un Etat sérieux, un Etat décidé qui soit capable de contrôler ce qui se passe sur notre territoire."Mais peut-il seulement faire ce qu'il dit ? Historiquement, l'Etat haïtien est une idée chancelante dont les fonctions régaliennes sont financées par la générosité internationale. La plupart des secteurs y compris l'eau et la santé sont pris en charge par l'étranger. Dans ses bureaux préfabriqués, le responsable de la Direction générale des impôts (DGI) laisse à une secrétaire affairée sur une machine à écrire le soin de recopier des espèces de grimoires empoussierés, dont certains datent de 1820. Les archives du cadastre national ont miraculeusement survécu à l'effondrement du bâtiment de cinq étages qui accueillait la DGI. Robert Joseph, alors directeur adjoint, se trouvait avec son supérieur dans un bureau situé au dernier niveau quand les murs ont commencé à danser. La plupart de ceux qui étaient présents sont morts. Lui a survécu du béton pendant plusieurs jours, une fracture ouverte à la jambe, avant d'en être extrait. Mais sa mission actuelle, depuis qu'il a pris la tête de son service, paraît plus difficile encore.

Sur les contreforts de Port-au-Prince, dans la petite cité grouillante de Pétion-Ville, la DGI a créé une section pour les gros contribuables ; en 2010, elle a réussi, malgré le séisme, à récolter 200 millions d'euros d'impôts. L'air y est climatisé. Le personnel accort. Il publie chaque année une liste des cent plus grands contribuables, acte de transparence censé autant souligner le travail de l'Etat qu'afficher au fronton républicain les entrepreneurs les plus méritants. Parmi eux, le secteur bancaire, des importateurs d'automobiles, les moulins d'Haïti, mais aussi de simples branches hôtelières qui, avec seulement 200 000 euros de contribution annuelle, s'affichent parmi les trente premiers contribuables du pays. Signe de déliquescence du secteur économique local, l'une des plus importantes entreprises en Haïti en termes de taxes payées (1,4 million d'euros en 2010) est la propriété d'un milliardaire irlandais. La couleur rouge de sa société de téléphonie mobile, Digicel, a conquis la moindre parcelle du territoire national. les revendeurs de cartes, les affiches publicitaires, même les murs privés qui ont été loués pour y placer des fresques immenses, tout Haïti semble pris d'une ferveur écarlate. Au sommet d'une tour de verre à la modernité effarante dans une capitale où les tours se comptent sur les doigts d'une main, le PDG de Digicel Haïti reçoit avec une confiance hilare qui change de la discrétion parfois paranoïaque des entrepreneurs haïtiens. Il est belge, a 36 ans ; cheveux lissés, chemise ouverte, Maarten Boute dirige sans faire de manières, l'un des empires les plus puissants d'un pays de dix millions d'habitants.

L'année dernière, son patron Denis O'Brien a fait beaucoup parler de lui en finançant à Port-au-Prince la réhabilitation du marché art déco qui avait brûlé après le séisme. L'initiative a si bien payé que l'image de ce hangar alimenté en électricité grâce à des panneaux solaires, seul endroit sur le territoire national où les robinets distribuent de l'eau potable, est devenue une sorte de contre-symbole d'une reconstruction qui patine. " Il s'agissait aussi pour nous de culpabiliser le secteur privé et la communauté internationale qui n'avaient lancé aucun chantier majeur dont les Haïtiens puissent être fiers." Maarten Boute ne ménage pas ses critiques à l'égard du secteur économique haïtien. Il décrit, à l'arrivée de Digicel dans le pays, des situations de quasi-monopole dans la téléphonie, avec des appels entrants payants et des appareils de première catégorie à 150 dollars américains. Aujourd'hui, le premier téléphone mobile peut être acquis pour dix dollars. L'entreprise a en outre conquis tous les domaines de la vie culturelle et sportive en Haïti : elle finance le championnat de football national et la plupart des concerts en plein air. " Ici, la communauté d'affaires est conduite par une oligarchie. Les prix sont 25 % plus élevés que dans le reste de la Caraïbe. Nous avons donné un grand coup de pied dans cette fourmilière. Nous étions confrontés à bien des problèmes que nous avons réussi à surmonter : l'insécurité endémique, les menaces de kidnapping, le manque d'infrastructures et d'électricité. Nous avions la chance d'être assez solides pour éviter les bâtons dans les roues politiques que les entrepreneurs haïtiens ont cherché à nous mettre. Les grandes familles haïtiennes sont milliardaires en gourdes, la monnaie nationale. Nous sommes milliardaires en dollars. Ils ne pouvaient pas lutter."

La multinationale, présente dans 32 pays, réalise aujourd'hui son chiffre d'affaires le plus important en Haïti. Elle visait 300 000 clients, elle en revendique plus de 2 millions, dont la moitié ne dépense qu'un dollar par mois pour ses conversations téléphoniques. Fils de coopérants en Afrique, Maarten Boute abhorre le système de l'aide internationale et des ONG : "La seule sortie possible pour Haïti, c'est l'économie réelle. L'argent de l'aide, c'est de la méthadone que l'on administre à un héroïnomane." Digicel a créé en Haïti un prix de l'entrepreneur de l'année, encourageant les démarches innovantes et éthiques. Le lauréat 2010 est un spécialiste de la mode qui a travaillé longtemps aux Etats-Unis avant de retourner sur l'île pour y fonder une coopérative de couturiers. Hans Garoute a 63 ans, il dirige son monde depuis un entrepôt de la zone industrielle de Port-au-Prince. Au milieu de l'entretien, l'électricité est coupée. Les travailleurs patientent. Chaque minute perdue retarde les commandes de l'Etat d'uniformes scolaires ; ils en ont déjà cousu plus d'un million, grâce à des associations de couturiers établies dans tout le pays. Habitué aux chutes de tension, le patron ne s'agace pas. "Je suis venu pour en finir avec l'industrie de la sous-traitance de textile à destination des sociétés américaines. Elles ont fait leur beurre de la chute de l'économie haïtienne. Elles ont refusé d'offrir à leurs employés un salaire minimal de cinq dollars par jour et elles n'ont jamais investi dans le pays. Les industriels haïtiens n'ont pas de vision, ils se sont toujours arrangés avec les gouvernements successifs depuis Duvalier."En 1965, communiste révolutionnaire, Garoute a tenté un coup d'Etat contre la dictature de François Duvalier. Sa petite embarcation a été épinglée par les garde-côtes de Floride avant même de sortir des eaux territoriales américaines. "Mon père a été assassiné par le régime duvaliériste. Ma mère fait encore des cauchemars sur les milices des 'tontons macoutes'. Comment voulez-vous que j'accepte le statu quo pour mon pays ?" Hans Garoute, quand il dénonce un royaume de la sous-traitance qui n'aiderait en rien le développement du pays, vise notamment, sans le nommer, Clifford Apaid.

Fils d'Andy Apaid, figure d'industriel politisé qui a participé à la chute d'Aristide en 2004, Clifford a 35 ans. Il mène, depuis un bureau sans luxe, BlackBerry hurlant à portée de main, des usines qui emploient plus de 10 000 ouvriers du textile. Troisième génération d'entrepreneurs d'origine libanaise, il assemble des tee-shirts, des blouses de travail et des pantalons pour de grandes marques américaines (Hayes, Cherokee, Dickies). En tout, un million d'unités par semaine qu'il vend 15 cents américains la pièce. Devant la porte de ses usines, au petit matin, des files interminables de journaliers se pressent pour un salaire au mérite, de 6 à 8 dollars. "L'employé haïtien n'est pas compétitif par rapport au Chinois. Il est plus lent et plus cher. Mais la loi Hope, qui a été renforcée après le séisme, permet de travailler avec les Etats-Unis sans taxe à l'importation. Le séisme a été pour nous le 'perfect storm', une tragédie bénéfique. Il nous a permis de faire repartir les commandes à la hausse." Les murs de la gigantesque fabrique, où la musique haïtienne diffusée couvre difficilement le vacarme des machines, sont couverts de recommandations sanitaires. Les entreprises qui concluent des marchés avec les Etats-Unis doivent se plier à certaines normes sociales qui excluent néanmoins la question salariale. Pour avoir exigé la hausse du salaire de base à 200 gourdes, cinq dollars, le député haïtien Steven Benoit est devenu une sorte de héros national, réélu l'année dernière au premier tour. L'industrie n'a pas suivi. "Je crois que vous ne comprenez pas que la moindre hausse ferait immédiatement pencher nos commanditaires vers d'autres prestataires, dans des pays plus favorables, argumente Clifford Apaid. Il n'y a aucune gloire, nous le savons, à travailler dans la sous-traitance. Nous ne participons pas à la création d'une classe moyenne. Si l'Etat était stable, nous pourrions nous développer et non nous contenter de coudre des vêtements que les Américains nous envoient." Pour l'économiste Camille Chalmers, le sempiternel argument de l'incapacité de l'Etat — qui justifierait le manque d'investissements par les entrepreneurs haïtiens — ne vaut qu'en partie. Il remonte loin, pour qu'on comprenne. Jusqu'à l'indépendance de 1804. "A cette époque, la seule solution pour la classe dominante aurait été de reproduire le modèle de la plantation. Mais sans esclave, c'était impossible. Alors, ils ont fondé une nouvelle caste au service des intérêts étrangers, en délaissant le milieu paysan." Parmi les causes du désastre économique haïtien, ce professeur à l'université d'Etat d'Haïti évoque également la marginalisation des acteurs locaux : "On ne peut pas seulement blâmer le secteur privé. Même s'il s'est aligné sur l'agenda international et qu'il investit presque uniquement à l'étranger. Je vous donne un exemple : sur les 292 millions de dollars alloués par l'agence américaine USAid à Haïti, seuls 49 000 dollars ont été attribués aux entreprises haïtiennes." Une aide internationale qui se refuse à renforcer l'Etat haïtien et contourne le plus souvent possible les entrepreneurs locaux : le poison fait son effet, en particulier depuis le séisme et l'accroissement substantiel des contributions étrangères. Bon an mal an, le plus gros contribuable haïtien se défend dans le chaos. L'année dernière, Acra Industries a versé plus de dix millions de dollars à l'Etat. Sa spécialité ? Les nécessités premières de la population. Dix mille tonnes de riz importées chaque année des Etats-Unis. Et de la tôle ondulée, celle que l'on voit partout dans les bidonvilles du pays, qu'il galvanise. "Nous sommes perçus comme des rapaces. Mais nous souffrons aussi de la pauvreté endémique du pays." La famille de Marc-Antoine Acra, 36 ans, s'est installée en Haïti en 1918. Elle venait du Liban. "Je ne me suis jamais senti autre chose qu'Haïtien. Mon grand-père est arrivé sans rien. En créole, on appelait les Arabes les saknando, ceux qui n'avaient que leur sac sur le dos. Le pays a toujours été dirigé par des descendants d'Européens. C'est Duvalier qui a misé sur nous. On lui doit beaucoup." Avec moins d'une dizaine d'autres familles, dont les Bigio, Mevs ou Brandt, les Acra forment cette élite immigrée il y a moins d'un siècle qui possède l'essentiel du pays. Reuven Bigio, crâne rasé et 4 × 4 blindé, est une synthèse captivante de ce milieu cosmopolite qui passe sa vie dans les avions entre Miami et Port-au-Prince, navigue entre son aciérie, ses immenses réserves de pétrole et les fêtes brillantes des hauteurs. Il ne perçoit les séquelles du séisme qu'à travers des vitres teintées. Et pourtant, il a peur.

C'est le drame des riches. Ils sont des cibles. Des gangs, en partie structurés par des Haïtiens déportés des Etats-Unis, ont fait du kidnapping une manière de rente redistributive à l'intention du ghetto de Cité-Soleil. Alors, les fortunés rechignent à quitter les cages dorées où ils sont parqués. Reginald Boulos, importateur de voitures robustes destinées aux ONG, a connu le pire quand sa femme a été enlevée. " Elle a été libérée quatre jours plus tard, contre 250 000 dollars." Après trois tentatives d'assassinat à connotation politique (il s'est opposé frontalement au régime d'Aristide), Boulos, médecin de formation, a décidé de cesser de pratiquer dans les quartiers les plus pauvres de Port-au-Prince. Et d'ouvrir une affaire. "Je me suis dit que si ce pays ne voulait pas que mon cerveau fasse du bien, alors il allait faire de l'argent. Je possède la plus grande chaîne de supermarchés du pays. Mon chiffre d'affaires atteint les 35 à 40 millions de dollars. Je crée des jobs." Il vous reçoit chez lui, derrière des murs surplombés de barbelés. De sa chambre, il extrait un synthétiseur Casio avec arrangements préprogrammés. Il écrit lui-même, pour sa compagnie, les mélodies des spots publicitaires. Au milieu de son séjour, il interprète la bande originale du film Le Parrain. A ce moment précis, il ne pense plus à la rue qui vrombit de l'autre côté du mur. Et à tous ces Haïtiens qui en veulent à son argent. "Devant mon piano, je suis calme."

Au milieu de cette économie fondée sur l'importation, il existe pourtant quelques motifs de fierté. Dans la distillerie Barbancourt, qui produit l'un des rhums les mieux cotés au monde, le patron Thierry Gardère parle d'une maison fondée en 1862, d'une production qui a survécu aux coups d'Etat et aux catastrophes naturelles, même si ses réserves ont été largement endommagées par le séisme. "Nous continuons. Notre quête de qualité relève de l'honneur national." Plus au sud, Jean-Pierre Blanchard est le premier producteur mondial de vétiver, dont la racine est utilisée en parfumerie. "Il y a quelque chose d'Haïti dans toutes les fragrances parisiennes." Pour eux, l'économie de l'île n'est pas condamnée à chuter. Jerry Tardieu, un jeune entrepreneur, réalise en ce moment un énorme projet hôtelier au coeur de Pétion-Ville. Selon lui, les reproches adressés à l'élite haïtienne sont légitimes. "Elle a maintenu ses privilèges contre vents et marées. Je me suis dit que je voulais changer de logique. Nous ne pouvons abandonner l'économie aux mains de quelques familles." Tardieu a étudié en Belgique, puis à Harvard, l'économie et l'administration publique. Il a ouvert le capital de son projet, budgétisé à 29 millions de dollars, à toutes les bourses ; de l'infirmière haïtienne qui investit 3 000 dollars à la banque qui a placé un million. Dans cet "espace de modernité" qu'il élabore, un hôtel cinq-étoiles avec un centre de congrès, Tardieu a décidé de ne pas raser un vieux restaurant historique des années 1950. "Il y a aux murs des photographies de Marlon Brando et d'autres stars hollywoodiennes en villégiature haïtienne. Elles nous rappellent un temps pas si lointain où Haïti était la troisième destination touristique des Caraïbes après Cuba et Porto-Rico, soulève-t-il. Je crois en un renouveau possible."

Sur le toit du complexe de sept étages, baptisé Oasis, les ouvriers mendient au visiteur étranger quelques gourdes. Les seules stars hollywoodiennes qu'ils ont jamais vues, ce sont celles qui viennent ici pour leurs bonnes oeuvres.

Photos Paolo Woods

MICHEL J. MARTELLY, L'HAITIEN DE L'ANNEE

2012-01-09T17:36:00.000-05:00

Pour un Pays Qui Fonctionne...

MICHEL J. MARTELLY, L'HAITIEN DE L'ANNEE (2011)

par OdlerRobert Jeanlouie

Michel Joseph Martelly peut etre considere comme l'Haitien qui a le plus marque la vie et le vecu de ses compatriotes, au cours de l'annee qui vient de s'ecouler.

Le musicien compas est beaucoup plus connu pour ses chansons grivoises, ses lyriques suffisantes, et l'exploitation exhibitioniste de son cul, que pour son experience politique et ses attributs d'homme d'etat. Cependant, il a pris le risque de jeter son gant dans une arene politique volatile et explosive et s'en est sorti, non seulement indemne, mais avec le Grand Prix de l'annee: etre le 56ieme detenteur de la premiere magistrature de la republique antillaise. L'elite politique traditionelle n'a pas pu convaincre un electorat illettre, dont 80% vivent en dessous de la marge de la pauvrete, qu'elle compatissait a ses problemes et possedait la cle de leurs solutions.

Michel Martelly, issu d'une famille de la classe moyenne industrieuse, a fait des etudes pas trop brillantes a deux des meilleures institutions de pays. Alors que son pere s'est assure une aisance financiere dans la distribution des produits petroliers et que sa soeur etudiait la medicine, Martelly a choisi une voie differente, peut etre belliqueuse. Il a decida d'exploiter son talent de musicien, de troubadour, d'amuseur emerite, et d'entrepreneur. Ses performances qui debuterent par un one-man show au debut des annees 80 se muerent dix ans plus tard en great events a ne pas rater par toute une population contemporaine de fans qui s'amuserent de son rythme entrainant, de sa prose guouailleuse, permissive, libertine, et des fois engagee de droite. Il se reinventait dans ses exces choquants a plus d'un titre, dont son public en demandait plus.

Elisant domicile a la fois en Haiti et aux Etats Unis, Michel Martelly, plus connu par son pseudonyme de Sweet Micky, a su naviguer avec aise entre un auditoire autochtone exigeant, et une diaspora curieuse. Il peut se targuer de deux decades de succes, alors qu'il eduquait ses enfants selon les normes moraux conservateurs les plus stricts.

La popularite de la canditature rejetee du chanteur hip-hop Wyclef Jean rendit credibles les ambitions presidentielles de Michel Martelly. Mickey s'imposa aux urnes utilisant un vernaculaire de populiste de droite, offrant un plateforme menant a un etat de droit dans l'ordre, la discipline administrative, et l'autosuffisance.

Aujourd'hui, le President Martelly a du pain sur la planche, beaucoup plus qu'il a ose en marchander. Il a pris la tete d'un tiers d'ile universellement considere comme le plus pauvre etat de l'hemisphere occidental, dont toutes les statistiques vitales et developpementales se retrouvent parmi les plus pietres 10% de la planete. Haiti vit dans un climat epouvantable d'inegalite dans la distribution des ressources et des richesses, ou 3% de la population possedent 80% des biens, et ou plus de 50% vivent avec moins d'un dollar par jour, dans la plus abjecte des pauvretes et dans la plus navrante obscurite educationelle.

Au cours des deux dernieres decennnies, la situation s'est singulierement empiree: degradation de l'environnement, trafic de drogue, devalorisation de l'education, perte de l'identite culturelle, alteration des traditions morales, disparition des productions locales au profit des importations, expatriation en masse des tetes pensantes, control grandissant des institutions locales par l'international, pour ne citer que les plus saillants, a cote des "revolutions" periodiques et d'une insecurite paralysante. Et quand la situation ne pouvait plus s'empirer, survint un tremblement de terre qui detruit la capitale, Port-au-Prince, et tua 3% de la population du pays. Suivit de pres une epidemie de cholera qui n'en finit plus.

En depit de l'antagonisme des parlementaires avec lesquels il se fend, Michel Martelly semble s'attaquer aux problemes haitiens avec la foi brulante du converti, la fougue de l'innocent, l'impetuosite de l'inexperimente. Il ne lui manque pas d'energie et de bonne foi. Apres son election, Martelly tira une page du livre de Nelson Mandela en rencontrant tous les anciens presidents vivants, et en evitant des proces distrayants et penibles. Par ceci, il invita la nation a pardonner, mais a ne pas oublier, les divisions reelles du passe, pour se communier dans une vision progressiste du futur, dans l'interet partage d'une patrie commune.

Le chemin pour lui est tout trace. Premiere phase: eliminer les effets immediats du temblement de terre, juguler l'epidemie de cholera, retablir la securite civile, eradiquer la corruption administrative. Deuxieme phase: faciliter a tout Haitien acces aux cinq axes du developpement, corollaires des droits de tout humain a l'existence: le gite, le couvert, la sante, l'education, l'emploi. Ce n'est pas difficile pour un tout petit pays homogene de neuf million d'ames. A t'il a sa disposition une equipe collaboratrice capable et motivee?

En 2011, Michel Joseph Martelly a inspire l'Haitien. Le futur dira si le pretre du compas, le chantre du renouveau nationaliste sera au rendez-vous de l'Histoire, ou s'il s'ajoutera plutot a longue liste, presqu'exhaustive, des leaders de la premiere republique negre independante du monde qui ont tous rate le train de l'histoire.

(OdlerRobert Jeanlouie, le dimanche 8 janvier, 2012)

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PATRICE MILLET - Top10 CNN heroes Vote for Him

2011-10-31T16:57:00.001-04:00

PATRICE MILLET
Has made it to the Top10 CNN heroes

Vote for him
You can vote up to 10 times a day for him from the same email address....Tell a friend to tell a friend and keep this message going!!!

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."

Vote for him

Want to get involved? Check out the FONDAPS website at
www.fondaps.com and see how to help.

Note de presse : Sommet Ibero-Americain au Paraguay

2011-10-31T13:58:00.000-04:00

Ministèredes Affaires Etrangères et des CultesBureaude Presse

MAEC/BP/007

LeChancelier Laurent LAMOTHE expose les grandes priorités d’Haïti au SommetIbéro-Américain au Paraguay

Port-au-Prince, samedi29 octobre 2011.- Le Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et des Cultes, S.E.Laurent LAMOTHE, a participé les 28 et 29 octobre au 21^ème SommetIbéro-Américain à Asunción au Paraguay, réunissant la plupart des Chefs d'Etat et de Gouvernementde l’Amérique latine et de la péninsule Ibérique.

Undéjeuner de travail a été organisé, le vendredi 28 octobre, par le Secrétariatdu Sommet en l’honneur des invités spéciaux. Cette réunion a permis auxorganisateurs de faire l’inventaire des multiples thématiques connexes à celuidu sommet intitulé : « Transformation de l’Etat et développement » La variété des thématiques témoigne des regards croisés de divers secteurs dansl’opinion publique.

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

Vers le renforcement de la coopération Sud/Sud auprofit du peuple haïtien

Le Chancelier LAMOTHE a eu, par ailleurs, plusieursrencontres bilatérales avec des Ministres des Affaires Etrangères de la régionsur des questions fondamentales liant Haïti et ces peuples frères de la l’Amériquelatine. Avec l’Argentine, les discussions se sont déroulées, entre autres, ausujet 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 deformation au profit des étudiants haïtiens dans les domaines de l’agriculture et du sport. M. Laurent LAMOTHE en a profité pourlancer une invitation aux entrepreneurs Argentins à investir en Haïti.

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

Pour sa part, le Brésil, à travers son Vice-ministrepour 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 lereste du pays) et de l’agriculture (Projet « Zéro hambre » « Nonà la Faim », destiné à toucher 100 milles mères de famille leur permettantde pourvoir au besoin alimentaire de leurs enfants dans le cadre du programme d’éducationgratuite du Président Martelly.)

Le Directeur Général de la Coopération du Mexique, M. JoseOctavio Tripp, prévoit des projets dans le domaine de la santé. La construction de trois cliniques àPort-au-Prince et de 14 marchés publics, font partie des promesses faites àHaïti par ce haut responsable mexicain. Tout en assurant de la continuité desprogrammes de bourse aux étudiants haïtiens, il promet de faire la promotiond’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 laredynamisation de la commission mixte haïtiano-dominicaine à travers laquelletous les sujets d’intérêts seront abordés. Des thèmes liés à la migration, à lasécurité, au commerce, à l’énergie, à l’éducation et à la promotion del’investissement, ont été également au menu des échanges entre les deuxMinistres des Affaires Etrangères partageant l’ile caribéenne.

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

LePrésident du Suriname, S.E. Désirée Delano Bouterse, et son Ministre desAffaires Etrangères, M. Winston Lackin, ont annoncé la signature, avec leMinistre LAMOTHE, d’une convention de coopération sur la construction. Desbourses d'étude seront offertes aux diplomates haïtiens au Suriname. Les autoritéssurinamiennes qui ont également octroyé 5,000 visas de travail dans lessecteurs de l'agriculture et de la technologie aux ressortissants haïtiens, ontinvité le Chancelier Laurent LAMOTHE à se rendre au Suriname.

Avecle Chancelier chilien, M. Alfredo Morales, il est prévu la signature d’un cadrede coopération bilatérale qui comprendra, d'une part, l'offre qu'une partie ducontingent chilien au sein de la MINUSTAH soit réorientée vers des projets dedéveloppement (routes, ponts, entretien de routes...), et, d'autre part, uneproposition d'accompagner Haïti au niveau de l'éducation et la formationprofessionnelle. Le Chili promet aussi de supporter l'adhésiond'Haïti dans le Sommet Ibéro-Américain.

LeMinistre panaméen des Affaires Etrangères, M. Roberto Henriquez, a plaidé, deson côté, en faveur du renforcement des relations diplomatiques entre les deuxpays. La régularisation des activitéscommerciales des haïtiens au Panama a été aussi au cœur des pourparlers entrele 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

2011-10-31T12:18:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-31T11:21:00.000-04:00

The road network is the main means of transportation inHaiti, but also one of the most dangerous and costly in human lives. Errors dueto the negligence of drivers, vehicle defects, coupled with environmentalconditions, the precarious of the infrastructure and the lack of signs causingcountless traffic accidents.

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

In addition to the remedies, the problem of traffic requiresconstant awareness so that people can marry a better attitude in their owninterest and that of their families. The aggressive behavior of individualsmust 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 anawareness campaign on road safety.

Gary Desrosiers Deputy Spokesman of the Haiti NationalPolice made an inventory for the years 2010 and 2011 "...the police Fridayhas officially launched a road safety campaign [...] the service circulationrecorded many cases with victims and injuries, in 2010 there were 3.566 peoplewho were victims of a traffic accident, 122 with fatalities, 804 with physicaldamage, 11 with material damage, 2.629 between vehicles. [...]

This year from February to September the police recorded2.724 people who were victims of traffic accidents, including 101 with loss oflife ... the year is not yet finished ... it is usually towards the end of theyear that the accidents are repeated, already and I do not wish it, we realizedthat we could overcome the 122 of 2010 ... 553 with physical damage, 16 withmaterial damage, between vehicles 2,054..."

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

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

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

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

HL/ HaitiLibre

Minister of Education at the 36th Conference of UNESCO

2011-10-31T02:37:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-31T02:15:00.000-04:00

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.
======================================
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

2011-10-30T21:04:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-29T18:20:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-27T22:18:00.000-04:00

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.

=======================================================================
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.

======================================================

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.

===============================================
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.

Carrie Solages - Haitian-American for Nassau County Legislator - Vote Nov. 8, 2011

2011-10-27T19:16:00.000-04:00

carrie solage for blog

Your Generosity and Support will be greatly appreciated by joining us At a Final Fundraiser for - Carrie Solages - FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2011 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Special Live Performances by Cubano, Jocelyne Dorismè, etc. Minimum Donation $40 with light Dinner - 516-521-4043, 516-362-1113	Chez Mirelle's 170 Post Ave, Westbury, NY 11590 (516) 338-4933

VOTE CARRIE SOLAGE
DEMOCRAT FOR COUNTY LEGISLATOR
NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Carrie Solages: 3rd legislative district Issues

Carrie Solages: 3rd legislative district Issues Carrié Solages: 3rd Legislative District Issues CARRIÉ SOLAGES STANDS FOR ‘COMMON SENSE’ REFORM: · Carrié is a local attorney, a lifelong resident of the 3rd legislative district, raised in Elmont, with deep ties to our community. ·

Carrié is running for Legislature because he believes Nassau is headed in the wrong direction, and we need to put the County back on track. ·

Carrié feels his opponent has raised taxes by more than 60million dollars in the last 2 years, voted himself a pay raise during the worst economic time of our lifetime, asked taxpayers to pay for a new Nassau Coliseum and spent more than 2 million of tax payer dollars doing it.

Carrié believes it doesn’t make sense to shift the tax burden to schools. While Nassau republicans claim they are trying to lower the high property taxes – they don’t! Instead of solving our property tax bill they sent millions of dollars in bills to schools that will lead to teachers layoffs, cut in classroom spending on our children and raise the county sales tax. ·

Carrié wants to actually hold the line on spending and propose a ‘real hiring freeze’. In tough times like these, I know we must cut patronage and inefficiency in government first, before cutting education or asking taxpayers to pay more.
=> Read More Here

- About Carrie Solages -

Carrie Solages is the second of four children born to Philippe and Micheline Solages, an immigrant couple who came to New York from Haiti in search of political and economic stability, risking their lives to create a better life for their family.

Carrie graduated with academic honors at the top of his class from Carey High Schol in Franklin Square. He then attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from 1997 to 2001.

Carrie recalls his greatest accomplishment during his time at Georgetown coming only two days shy of his graduation in 2001. After almost four years of organizing and appealing to the administration, Carrie learned that his efforts to receive funding from alumni were finally a success and the University thereby cultivated an interdisciplinary program in African American Studies.

He went on to attend Boston College Law School. While there he focused on Constitutional law, Civil Rights Law and First Amendment law. Selected by Harvard Law School and Boston College for a joint program in legal historical studies, Carrie produced research cataloged by both institutions. Simultaneously, the ambitious law student worked as a legal intern at Catholic Charities of Boston.

Carrie returned to New York after law school and served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County. In 2006, Carrie began working with the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) and currently serves as Vice President of the organization.

That year Carrie also joined the family law firm of Solages & Solages, P.C. In 2007, Carrie was appointed to serve as Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights of Nassau County by County Executive Tom Suozzi.

Carrie's Corner

Watch Carrie’s Listening Tour: Save Long Island Bus

Please join my campaign to save Long Island Bus. The Republicans sold us out by not funding Long Island Bus and giving the responsibility to a private company without any notice or hearing. We can’t afford to cut from the bottom in a bad economy. We must cut from the top. I am against the [...View and Leave a Comment ]

Issues of the 3rd Legislative District

Carrié Solages: 3rd Legislative District Issues CARRIÉ SOLAGES STANDS FOR ‘COMMON SENSE’ REFORM: · Carrié is a local attorney, a lifelong resident of the 3rd legislative district, raised in Elmont, with deep ties to our community. · Carrié is running for Legislature because he believes Nassau is headed in the wrong direction, and we need
[...View and Leave a Comment]

Listen to Carrié Solages on Community Issues

Community Issues: (Sunday 11pm & Monday 12pm) a forum for community leaders to speak out on issues and problems facing Long Island and the community at large. Hosted by Kevin Burke. [..View & eave a Comment]

Watch Carrie Solages address youth at the ‘Invest in Elmont’ Kick Off

The Elmont Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Invest in Elmont campaign. With this campaign, the Elmont Chamber will engage the youth of our community and have them create business ideas and develop business plans on how they would “Invest in Elmont”. [...View & Leave a Comment].

VIDEOS

NASSAU COUNTY 3RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
WATCH NEWS 12 DEBATE

CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER CONTROVERSY
ABC - NEWS 7

CALL TO VOLUNTEER: 516-362-1113

WWW.CARRIE4NASSAU.COM

Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC Press Release on Kompa Legends Event Venue Incident

2011-10-24T15:01:00.000-04:00

For Immediate Release Please

Probable Double Booked Venue Created Confusion at KompaLegends Saturday October 22.

On behalf of Kompa Guide and Creole TV-NYC, we thank our media partners, the musicians of Tabou Combo, Skah Shah & System Band, the sound engineers, and the fans who stayed to witness and dance at this historic event. But we must apologize to those who were surprised by the change of venue to the Millennium Theater instead of the Ballroom and those who were not allowed to enter by Oceana's security.

On June 9, 2011, Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC signed a rental contract with Jamie Czerniawski (Oceana Event Coordinator) to use the Oceana Hall ballroom for the total sum of $3,000, gave a deposit of $600 and made the final payment on September 29, 2011. All payments were made by checks. The contract covered use of the downstairs ballroom, security guards, bartenders, bathroom attendants, valet parking, coat check, house light system. The venue is well known for hosting events for over 1,500 patrons.

On Saturday October 15, a manager from Oceana Hall named Firma called Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC at 11am and offered them the theater to which the members rejected. In the afternoon members of Kompa Guide, Creole TV-NYC and Herman Nau of Tabou Combo (stage manager of Kompa Legends) arrived at the venue for a technical walkthrough of the ballroom to discuss the logistics for electricity, sound systems and lighting equipment. Firma who was present during the inspection decided to show the theater to the staff who automatically rejected the offer to switch and reiterated that the contract was for the ballroom for a dance. Upon leaving the Oceana Hall, Kompa Guide sent a text to Jamie Czerniawski (rep who signed the contract on behalf of Oceana) to notify her that Firma was trying to persuade them to change the event to the theater and the decision was to keep the ballroom.

On Wednesday October 19 in the afternoon, Firma called several members of Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC giving them an ultimatum to switch the event to the theater. By now Kompa Guide realized that the ballroom must have been double-booked, contacted their attorney and faxed him a copy of the fully paid contract.

Thursday morning October 20, Kompa Guide's attorney called Oceana Hall to discuss the problem and is directed to their attorney Diana Bornstein who claimed it was rumored that the event may reached over the capacity of the ballroom. Kompa Guide offered to limit the event to whatever capacity would satisfy them, but pointed out all other events which attracts over 1,500 patrons at the Oceana regularly. At 4:20pm that day, Jamie sent a text to Kompa Guide "Contract is cancelled due to the fact Kompa Guide refused to move the event to the theater."

Kompa Guide immediately forwarded the text to their attorney, who notified Kompa that there was not enough time to file a court injunction which would force Oceana Hall to fulfill the contract, and since he was leaving town for the weekend, he gave Kompa two choices: to either accept the cancellation and proceed with a lawsuit which could be a lengthy process, or work-out a solution to host the event that Saturday.

Friday October 21, at 4:16pm Oceana Hall offered a new agreement to Kompa Guide via email to host the event at the Millennium Theater which has a legal capacity of 1,470 instead of the cancellation of the ballroom. Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC were given until 6pm to accept the agreement. The decision to accept was made for consideration of the many fans who traveled from overseas and out-of state, those who waited a life time to witness the Legends on the same stage, the musicians who made a pack of friendship to promote unity, and the expenses that were made for the event.

Saturday October 22, the day of the event, security allowed only 900 patrons and refused admission to everyone else who came after. Sound engineers did not receive the assistance that was agreed by Oceana to load the equipments. The ballroom was being used by one of their regular promoters for a Rap Album Release party. (Shame).

Again Kompa Guide and Creole TV-NYC thank everyone who supported the event and send their deepest apologies to those who were inconvenienced. But rest assured, the public and the musicians have all requested to promote the Kompa Legends at another venue in the near future. Stay tuned for further announcements!

A press conference will be held at Brasserie Creole on Friday October 28 at 7pm. We urge you to attend in order to view all documents, contracts and payments.

Haitian Government Provides Education Subsidies for 772,000 Children

2011-10-03T02:55:00.000-04:00

Monday, 03 October 2011 10:10

by Samuel Maxime

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - With the opening of the school year on Monday, the Presidency announced that 4 subsidies, affecting 772,000 students have been provided to improve the number of children attending classes.

Subsidies range from direct funding for tuition for students, materials to transportation and registration fees. The amount accumulated for the president's National Fund for Education is reported to be on the order of $30 million [US].

A breakdown of the subsidies:

Group A: 142,000 children, ages 6-12, that have never sat in a classroom will be enrolled in private or public institutions. Some of these students that are behind, will be put into accelerated programs to be on par with their peers by the age of 13.
Cost: $14.2 million [US]; $100 [US] per year, per child

Group B: 120,000 children in the Ouest and Artibonite Departments of 1st grade age are enrolled.
Cost: $12 million [US]; $100 [US] per year, per child

Group C: 490,000 children will have registration fees paid for by the government, through a grant by the Clinton Foundation.
Cost: $1.25 million [US] - $2.5 million [US]

Group D: 20,000 children in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods of Cite Soleil, Belair, Solino etc. will be enrolled in schools.
Cost: $1.8 million [US]; ~$100 [US] per year, per child

On Thursday the Presidency and school transportation company, Dignite came to an agreement to provide free transportation for all students, to and from school.

Presidential Adviser on Education, Gaston George Merisier, announced on Friday $28 million [US] had been raised from monies collected on international phone calls and international money transfers.

Presidential Adviser, Laurent Lamothe, said that most of the funds were from members of the Haitian Diaspora, to which the presidency acknowledges as making public funded education more possible in Haiti for many of its children.

Statements of Martelly before leaving for the UN

2011-09-19T23:10:00.000-04:00

Haiti Libre 9/09/2011 10:20:20

Before leaving the country to participate to the debates of the 66th Ordinary General Assembly of the UN, where the Head of State will speak to the tribune of the UN to present the situation of Haiti to the other member countries and will have the opportunity to meet many key players in the reconstruction of Haiti, the President Martelly, sent a message to the people at the airport :

"...We begin with the meetings tomorrow, for example with the President of Rwanda, President Kagame, [Martelly meet with the Secretary General of the UN this Monday at 10:30], there will be a cocktail hosted by the Secretary-General Ban Ki moon, where all the Heads of States are invited, a cocktail by President Obama and his wife, these are some things that are in the program.

[...] when I come back next week, I hope that the good news that have begun, will continue in the same direction, in particular we expect a positive vote in the Chamber of Senate on the Prime Minister-designate, so that it becomes once and for all, the Prime Minister ratified [...] and make, as soon as possible, the general policy statement and establish the Government. The time is to emergency.

I ask everyone to remain calm in the country, a little patience. A phrase that I love and I often say these days: "If someone is now sitting in the shade of a tree it is because someone planted a tree a long time ago" it means that today we are perhaps not in the shade, but we must plant the tree and it will take time to see the tree grow and give us shade, but we have a strong team, a dedicated team that is ready. [...] We have a Prime Minister-designate who is coming, who has experience, who master policy, which has the determination, who knows the international world and will support a President who has a vision, who knows his country and has already posed the problems and proposed solutions. The Prime Minister working closely with the President to ensure that the policy of the President becomes a reality.

We ask the entire population to be patient [...] the change does not mean that you will see the difference in one day, the change means that we will leave a system, which brought us nothing to develop a system that will allow the children in the country go to school and have a certain future, the reconstruction, agricultural recovery, the rule of law, equal justice for all, the security...

[...] the actions of the police are already beginning to be felt. The policy understand the determination of the President, it understands that the time has come to out of the disorder and once again it is a strong message that we will launch when we will be to the tribune of the United Nations. It is time that we take things seriously [...] Everyone has the right to protest, the President would have the right to protest in the streets to demand, everyone has that right, but it's over this question of disorder, of people who make the disorder in the country and preventing investors from coming into the country and create jobs [...] this will change.

We are here to build, we want the development and the development is not done by breaking, we need for order, peace and discipline [...] I ask the population to give its support, to support the vision of President in order to have a successful, to help the President succeed. I thank you, I leave for seven days and I hope that when I get back, I can remove the word "designated" and say that we have a Prime Minister "ratified". "

Reconstruction Plan for Haiti - Trans_City Architecture and Urbanism

2011-09-19T22:56:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of Trans_City Architecture and Urbanism

Over the last 18 months, Trans_City architecture and urbanism, has developed a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Jacmel, Haiti based upon the concept of satellite cities located at the edge of the existing, earthquake-ravaged city center.(A concept developed in accordance with the universal design principals of the Housing Reconstruction Framework of the Haitian Government)

The concept includes an urban masterplan, and a proposal for prefabricated houses, in which the building shell is industrially manufactured in Austria, and finished by local hand workers. In line with the content of the project, the architecture does not attempt to be spectacular. Rather, it is the holistic integration of the many levels of an urban system that makes this project interesting. More images and project description after the break.