14402: Washington-backed Convergence Attempts to Co-opt Popular Discontent (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: kevin pina <kpinbox@hotmail.com>


Washington-backed Convergence Attempts to Co-opt Popular Discontent Over End
to Fuel Subsidies

By Kevin Pina

Posted January 10, 2003

Port au Prince- A demonstration called today in Haiti’s capital, by a
coalition of 11 transportation unions to protest the ending of government
gas subsidies, was cancelled. Since the Haitian government announced it
would no longer be able to continue fuel subsidies two weeks ago, fuel
prices have risen considerably causing a rippling effect throughout the
entire economy.


Citing attempts by groups calling for the resignation of President Aristide
to take over the event, the organizers of today’s demonstration called upon
their membership to refrain from participation. Following the announcement
of the demonstration earlier this week, leaders of the Washington-backed
ragtag opposition to Lavalas known as the Democratic Convergence,
immediately tried to co-opt the popular discontent and confusion over the
government’s decision. A member of one of the largest transportation unions
that decided to cancel today’s demonstration stated, "We will not march with
those who are trying to use our membership for their own selfish political
motives. There is a difference between dissent and disloyalty."

Today’s event was scheduled to follow a successful transportation strike
last Tuesday that brought the capital of Port au Prince to a standstill.
"Today’s decision [to cancel the demonstration] came as no surprise to us at
all", explained Renee Dominique, a prominent woman’s movement leader aligned
with Aristide and Lavalas. Dominique continued, "The only reason Tuesday’s
strike was successful is because the base of Lavalas participated. We
understand why the government was forced to end keeping fuel prices low but
we disagree with the way they did it. It was like an avalanche of more
misery that came out of nowhere."

The government explanation for ending fuel subsidies is that since October
2002 they spent some 13.5 million dollars to subsidize fuel prices and can
no longer afford it. The government also cites the rising costs of world
crude prices due to the protests in Venezuela, where Haiti previously got
most of its fuel on credit and at a reduced price. With the attacks against
the democratically elected government in Venezuela impeding its ability to
deliver on fuel contracts, the Haitian government has been forced to
purchase gasoline from U.S. manufacturers at higher prices. The Haitian
government also notes that it has had its arm twisted by Washington and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) to end subsidies and allow the "free
market" to determine prices. The IMF made it clear it that mere
"consideration" for the release of a $50 million loan to Haiti for basic
infrastructure building was dependent on ending fuel subsidies.

Although extremely loyal to their movement and their president, many Lavalas
activists questioned why the government did not choose to begin phasing in
higher fuel prices in smaller increments beginning last year. "A big hit
like this is very difficult for us to explain as people have been suffering
so much already for their commitment to democracy. We continue to support
democracy and President Aristide but we are critical of the way this was
handled," concluded Renee Dominique.

Reports just coming in from sources in front of Haiti's national palace are
that the Convergence continued to try to capitalize on the situation by
marching on the national palace to demand Aristide’s resignation. They were
met by a Lavalas counter-demonstration where violence broke out between the
two opposing groups. Witnesses allege that Himmler Rebu, a former colonel in
Haiti’s disbanded military and prominent member of the Convergence, shot at
the Lavalas counter-demonstrators. There are reports of several casualties
including a radio journalist with Magic Stereo FM, based in Port au Prince,
having been fatally wounded in the head.


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