#739: Chamberlain replies to White on Duvaliers "22"

[Robert Corbett <bcorbett@netcom.com>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>


> From: steven white <stevelong@spyral.net>

> The significance of the number 22 for the Duvalier family is that Papa
> Doc became president on the 22nd of May.


Half true.  Duvalier was elected 22 Sept 1957, took office 22 Oct 1957.  He
declared himself elected to a second term of office on 22 May 1961, decreed
an official "month of gratitude" to himself on 22 April 1963, had himself
inaugurated as president-for-life on 22 June 1964, but only managed to die
on the 21st (April 1971).  But was that the actual day of his death?  It
seemed too convenient that his son was sworn in a few hours later, at 0100
on 22 April.  (The Frenchman who made Papa Doc's death-mask, a guy called
Montagutelli, said from the condition of the body when he got to it on the
21st, Duvalier had died about two days earlier).  The Péligre dam was
inaugurated on 22 July 1971.  After that, 22 faded, though the armoured
presidential limousine's number plate remained for years an ornate gilded
"22."

None of this seemed to better the lot of many Haitians...



Greg Chamberlain