14118: Dorval: Antwort: 14107: Chamberlain asks about Cayes speech (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Joseph_Dorval@bws-bank.de

Mr. Chamberlain,

I read the speech both in French and creole; and I can reassure you that
there was no mention of skin color or type of hair in it.
You can see for yourself by going to www.palaisnational.com

Peace

Mit freundlichen Grüßen


Joseph Dorval
________________________________

Bank für Wertpapierservice
und -systeme Aktiengesellschaft
Kapitalveränderungen 3
Wildunger Straße 14
60487 Frankfurt am Main
fon: +49 69 5099 1771
mail:     Joseph_Dorval@bws-bank.de
http://www.bws-bank.de



                    Bob Corbett
                    <corbetre@webster.e        An:     Haiti mailing list
                    du>                        <haiti@lists.webster.edu>
                                               Kopie:
                    Gesendet von:              Thema:  14107:  Chamberlain asks about Cayes
                    owner-haiti@lists.w        speech (fwd)
                    ebster.edu

                    12.12.02 23:36







From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

Nothing has been said or reported here about Aristide's speech in Les Cayes
on 4 December, which has caused quite a stir in some circles in Haiti
(Evans Paul and Rosny Desroches have notably reacted).  In a partial report
of the speech I've read, he clearly played the colour card, telling his
audience that he was black like them ("you've got the same colour skin,
you've got kinky hair like me") and that "they" (the rich and by clear
inference the multattos) "don't like you."

I am not saying it's good or bad to say this.  I also have no doubt that he
is right, that the upper class and mulattos are indeed terrified at the
prospect of an attack on their citadel (even though it seems no more likely
than it ever does) and that their barely-veiled racism continues the same
as ever, as we have all seen.  But that Aristide should have resorted to
this now is perhaps some indicator of the extent of the crisis and the
stakes.  Or is it just the tactics of one politician lashing out ?

Can Michèle Karshan, in the interests of history, provide us with a
transcript of this speech?  I know a Creole copy is circulating, so Michèle
probably has it (or can do it) in French and English too.  Michèle?


        Greg Chamberlain