12203: Haitian President Mobilizes His Nation to Combat Corruption (PRNewswire) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MKarshan@aol.com

Haitian President Mobilizes His Nation to Combat Corruption In Government Institutions

 President Aristide Calls on Government Employees,
 Public to Wage Peaceful, Legal Campaign Against Corruption

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide called for "zero tolerance" against corruption in the public administration during a special press conference May 27, 2002.  Denouncing
corruption within government offices, President Aristide appealed to the citizens of Haiti to report wrongdoing, and called on government administrators to take action against any corrupt practices.
    During his announcement of the launch of the campaign, President Aristide attributed the current corruption in the public administration to a system left over from years of dictatorships that created, "a mentality of charging
money for services."  Referring to the current efforts underway to correct those policies, President Aristide acknowledged that, "it is not easy to break down the structure of corruption."
    His strong words set the tone for the government as a whole to take action, asking "all employees to respect the law."  President Aristide also called on the general public in Haiti to join in the fight against government corruption, charging them to "get together for more services and less
corruption in public administration."
    President Aristide said the Haitian people are the victims of corrupt government employees, and said corruption prevents the country from running well, preventing citizens from receiving services to which they are entitled.
President Aristide said the increased flow of electricity to the homes of Haitian citizens this week is the direct result of efforts made by the government and he to rectify the situation.  Last week, the former director of Haiti's electricity company was arrested and is now beng investigated for possible corruption.  Also within the past week, a police chief outside of the capital was dismissed and is being pursued for alleged corruption in a drug case."
    Citing the tax office, customs office and the telephone and electricity companies, the President said there is a small "mafia" operating within various government offices in Haiti.  This "mafia," the president asserted, is operating in collaboration with some government employees.  President Aristide explained that even those civil service workers who facilitate racketeers are guilty of corruption as well.
    Referring to specific articles of the government code on public administration, President Aristide appealed to the Haitian public and to officials within the Haitian government to wage a peaceful and legal campaign against corruption, "within the framework of the Constitution as proscribed by the law."  The President asked the Haitian people to observe wrongdoings and report them to the authorities.  "I ask the whole population to participate
peacefully in this campaign."
    President Aristide emphasized that it will be difficult for corrupt workers to operate so long as all employees work together with the general public to battle corruption.

    Global Market Solutions is a marketing communications firm that provides services to government and corporate clients worldwide.  GMS is also a registered foreign agent for the Government of Haiti.


SOURCE Global Market Solutions
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