15612: Durban Suggests Aristide Grab the Initiative (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Lance Durban <lpdurban@yahoo.com>

Article appearing in this week's issue of Haiti-En-Marche...


               Time to Grab the Initiative

It was Henry Kissinger who once noted that "a stable social
structure thrives not on triumphs but on reconciliations."  If
allegedly doctoring the May 2000 election count was attempting
to triumph, Lavalas spokesmen have arguably been more
conciliatory ever since.  Is this perhaps a belated recognition
that maintaining social peace is also a prerequisite to economic
development?   With almost half of his five year mandate
finished, President Aristide must surely sense that without that
elusive reconciliation, hopes for improving Haiti may not be
realized on his watch.

Unfortunately, that's not all that we are hearing.  Aristide
partisans still blame the country's ills on an "embargo" of
international monies, while his political opponents are quick to
point to a whole raft of shortcomings closer to home.  Few on
either side of the political divide seem to have noticed the
negative impact a weak U.S. economy has had on the Haitian
economy.

Regardless of the cause of Haiti's malaise however, it is
Aristide who most needs reconciliation to move forward, and with
a political opposition that is stone-walling, Aristide's game
plan needs some new plays.  Thus, with Kissinger's
reconciliation as only part of the end game, I would
respectfully suggest some new initiatives for consideration by
the Aristide administration:

1.  Statement of Intent
	A presidential address reminding the nation of his support for
the Haitian constitution, including his intention to step down
at the end of his constitutionally-mandated 5 year term.  This
reassurance should be no big deal, since President Aristide has
repeatedly voiced support both for the electoral process and the
Haitian constitution, which stipulates that he cannot succeed
himself.  Spelling it out unequivocally, however,  would be very
useful in regaining the support of those who have written his
regime off as a non-democratic.

2.  Rapprochement with U.S. Embassy
        Continuing the present frosty relationship with the U.S.
is neither in Haiti's nor President Aristide's best interest.
Ban the term "economic embargo", de-emphasize support of the
Black Congressional Caucus, and try to reconnect with the
moderate middle of U.S. political thinking.  Publicly visit
USAID offices, thank Administrator David Adams for his efforts
in whatever project he happens to be promoting.
        Continue active dialogue with current Ambassador Brian
Dean Curran.  Warmly and publicly welcome the new U.S.
Ambassador, James Foley, due to arrive sometime in September,
inviting him to get personally involved in helping Haiti and
promising him full access to the Office of the President.
        Think positively and grab a place on President Bush's
team even if it is not offered.  Ignore pronouncements of the
International Republican Institute (IRI) as being
non-representative of mainstream American thought.

3.  Rapprochement with Jean-Claude Duvalier
	Controversial maybe, but treating the homesick and
financially-ailing Duvalier in a humane fashion offers more
positives than negatives.  Judging by current lifestyle, Baby
Doc probably is destitute, but a brokered return might include
useful Duvalier concessions (1) to refrain from active politics
for a number of years, (2) permitting the monitoring of his bank
accounts, and (3) to help in the recovery of funds from his
ex-wife, Michelle Bennett.
       So why should Aristide bother?  Many older Haitians
recall the early 1980's as the best in recent Haitian history.
In honesty, Mr. Duvalier can't be given much credit for this,
but in trying to line up the support of Haitians nostalgic for
better days, Aristide badly needs to reach out.  Recognizing
that 17 years ago Mr. Duvalier was little more than a foolish,
overgrown adolescent makes Aristide look big by comparison.
       More important will be a subtle new dimension to
relations with the Democratic Convergence, who might finally be
forced to contemplate the next, regularly scheduled presidential
election.
       Is this serious, wise, or even possible?  Bear in mind
that most Lavalas have no personal experience of Papa Doc's bad
old days, so it is reasonable to assume they could reconcile to
Baby Doc's return.
       In the final analysis, however, the wisdom of this
suggestion hinges on personal chemistry.  Still, if Evans Paul
can now support Prosper Avril, there is no reason to think
President Aristide couldn't surprise us all by making peace with
his former antagonist.  Talk about reconciliation.

4.  Solve Haiti's Electricity Problem
	The problem is primarily one of political will:  People simply
have to understand that they need to pay for the electricity
they receive.  This means strong, vocal presidential support for
Ed'H in disconnecting illegal hook-ups, including entire
neighborhoods in some cases.  Neighborhoods where electricity is
billed and collected should get more of it.  This is the sort of
common sense measure that a privatized Ed'H would undertake on
its own, and why many commentators feel privatization is the
only way to go.
        As a state-owned monopoly, Ed'H has the enviable
advantage of a solid customer base willing to pay a premium for
its product.  That doesn't mean Ed'H is entitled to a free
lunch, however.  General Director Jules Andre Joseph, should be
held fully accountable for the failure of his agency either (1)
to bring enough internally-generated capacity online or (2) to
purchase enough power from a private sector supplier to meet the
needs of its paying customers.

                *********************************

       Would these four initiatives finally move Haiti off
square one?  Would they further the reconciliation process?   If
not, what are the alternatives?  As Kissenger himself went on to
note, "The test of a (leader)...  is his ability to recognize
the real relationship of forces and to make this knowledge serve
his ends."
       As Haiti's elected president, the initiative lies with
President Aristide.  The courage to act boldly and change course
might be the best way for him to realize his own professed
aspirations for Haiti.  And turning the country around in the
second half of his 5 year term would be the very best response
to those in the political opposition calling for his head.