13791: Blanchet: Fw: Confused political situation in Port-au-Prince (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <MaxBlanchet@worldnet.att.net>


Port-au-Prince : situation politique confuse [AlterPresse] by Gotson Pierre
(translated from French by Charles Arthur for the Haiti Support Group)

24 November 2002 [AlterPresse] --- The day after a 'hot' 22 November, the
city of Port-au-Prince is apparently calm, although ever wilder rumours are
circulating. On the agenda are the resignation of numerous close allies of
the head of state, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in particular some cabinet
ministers, and the withdrawal of the President's US security guards. The
issue of the day is the possibility of the President standing down from
power.

This is the subject of persistent rumours that are being passed around by
word of mouth and on telephones that never stop ringing. However on 23
November, the Secretary of State for Communication, Mario Dupuy, announced
that there was absolutely no question of President Aristide resigning as he
must fulfill his five year mandate. The head of a pro-Lavalas Family popular
organisation in the Bel Air region of Port-au-Prince also told the press
that the Head of State was going nowhere and would stay in the country to
die with his supporters.

There are unconfirmed suggestions regarding the resignation of the Minister
of Education, Myrtho Celestin, and the possible flight of the Minister of
the
Interior, Jocelerme Privert. Mario Dupuy confirmed that Privert is in the
Dominican Republic but is there on government business. Dupuy did not
confirm or deny the news of Myrtho Celestin's resignation.

Speaking on Radio Kiskeya, Evans Paul, leader of the Confédération Unité
Démocratique (KID), a member of the opposition coalition, the Democratic
Convergence, refused to comment directly on the rumours of a possible
political upheaval in Haiti. Nevertheless he reflected on the weakness of
the government: popular pressure, student mobilisation, international
pressure, private sector pressure, political repression, attempts at
intimidation, and rumours of the possible fall of the head of state.
According to Evans Paul, historically in Haiti these are signs of an
imminent government collapse.

Questioned by AlterPresse on the likely procedure in the event of the fall
of the Lavalas government, Gérard Pierre Charles, coordinator of the
Organisation du Peuple en Lutte (OPL), another member of the Democratic
Convergence, referred to the Constitution and to a proposal made by the
Patriotic Union coalition that advocated the establishment of a provisional
government and the organisation of general elections.

Gérard Pierre Charles said that the "terrain is extremely dangerous and
complicated", and that a "wary point of view" should take into account a
very fragile economic situation and real social tensions. Pierre Charles
suggested that an institutional solution through elections would be the
least costly for the country. But, he added, elections in the current
context would be a "complex equation." Aristide should, according to him,
henceforth conduct elections in strict accordance with the requirements of
the Organisation of American States Resolution 822. If not, he said, he has
no other choice but to leave.

In a communiqué dated 23 November and signed by 18 business organisations,
the private sector declared it was raising "its indignant voice to tell the
Lavalas government that the country can no longer, will no longer, permit
the unacceptable or the intolerable." The press release referred to the fact
that "groups of individuals, claiming to belong to the Lavalas Party and
acting with the protection of the state authorities and the police, had
taken the initiative to block the country and national life by instituting a
climate of terror" on 22 November. The business associations demanded that
the executive arrest the fugitive Aristide supporter, Amiot Metayer, and the
others who escaped (from prison) on 2 August. Amiot Métayer's name has been
cited in reports of the violence on and after 17 December 2001. The private
sector also demanded the arrest of Paul Raymond and René Civil, two leaders
of groups close to the government, who "had publicly called for violence and
the paralysing of the capital on 22 November."

The business associations called as well for the immediate dismissal of
public employees notorious for their excess of zeal and lack of
responsibility. "The participation on those engaged in the process initiated
by the OAS Resolution 822 will depend on the government's attitude,"
according to the private sector.  The president of the Chamber of Commerce,
Maurice Lafortune, was apparently referring to the question of the private
sector role in the formation of a provisional election council.

In another press release this week-end, the Platform of Haitian human rights
organisations also condemned the events of 22 November, casting doubte on
its participation in the election council

On the evening of 24 November, Télé Ti Moun, which supports Aristide,
relayed threatening declarations from government supporters who announced
other actions in support of the Head of State in the days to come.

Meanwhile, the student demonstrations will not be abandoned in the coming
week, according to a source close to the University. For its part, the
Coordinating Committee to Advocate for Women's Rights, which brings together
nine women's organisations, invited the population to take part in a rally
in Champ de Mars on 25 November, international day against violence against
women. The committee, which condemned "the terror" which had been inflicted
in different parts of the capital, declared that the women's movement would
not be intimidated.  [gp apr 24/11/02 22:00]
> > > > > >   AlterPresse    > > > > > >

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