18540: Esser: Re: 18526: Simidor Re: Esser and Maxwell (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

>From D. Esser torx@joimail.com

I believe you forgot to mention which observers arrived at the 5-15%
turnout. Did the New York Times, AFP and their kind have actually
election observers? As to the Haitian independent press: 'Haiti
Progres' is not independent? Has it not been critical of Aristide and
is it in the pockets of La Fanmi Lavalas? Please inform us and see
their article at:
http://www.haiti-progres.com/2000/sm001129/xeng1129.htm .

If anyone can show me an article that shows the methodology of the
5-15% electoral participation estimate I'll be very interested to
compare the method with that of the only groups known to me to have
sent observers. And how do you arrive at the count of 20 election
observers? According to the report report: 'Elections 2000:
Participatory Democracy in Haiti' there were more than 30 observers
from the International Coalition of Independent Observers (ICIO) at
these elections. You might think your number and mine is only
slightly different, but a) I like accuracy and b) it makes a
difference when you have a third more doesn't it.
( http://haitireborn.org/election-2000/ ).

And why, it is puzzling me, did nobody challenge their account of the
May elections and mysteriously month later they seem to be all wrong?


Are Global Exchange,

(from their website: <Global Exchange is an international human
rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political
and social justice. Since our founding in 1988, we have increased the
US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide.. >

the Quixote Center,

i<... [The Quixote Center] is a faith-based, social justice center
working with people who have few resources for their struggles. We
strive to make our world, our nation, and our church more just,
peaceful and equitable in their policies and practices. ...>

and Witness for Peace,

(from their website: <...Witness for Peace is a politically
independent, grassroots organization. We are people committed to
nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to
support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by
changing US policies and corporate practices which contribute to
poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. We stand
with people who seek justice. ...>

and Pax Christi USA

(from their website <... Pax Christi is a section of Pax Christi
International, the Catholic peace movement. >

sponsored by or affiliated with Jean-Bertrand Aristide? Are they
conspiring to change election results of other nations or are they
allied to spread lies about Haiti? All four of them where part of the
international observer mission to the election. If they are, I'll be
delighted to receive further information...

So who does have a credible account of the events of Dec 2000 and
please no anecdotes of the corporate media if you can avoid that
Isn't it somewhat dubious that nobady that claims the low turnout can
actually point to observers that would give us a credible report such
as Guy S. Antoine. Please ive us the web site addresses of election
observer reports or since you speak of libraries the reports of
election observers in print.
Letter by Guy S. Antoine Dec. 2000:
( http://haitiforever.com/windowsonhaiti/w00511.shtml )

You have the feeling that KOZEPEP was too closely allied with
Aristide and Lavalas; I quote:

<...Together they [Preval and Dominique the slain reporter] founded
Kozepep, a peasant organization that could congregate thousands of
peasants for political meetings and began to run into problems with
the Lavalas leadership, who saw it as competition. Several Kozepep
members were attacked by Lavalas in Haiti's interior. ...> (
http://www.impunidad.com/cases/jeanleopoldE.html )

< ...20 February - In Hinche, the regional representative of the
peasant organisation, KOZEPEP, Roberto Wildor, has spoken about the
threats members of the organisation have received. He said that even
though his organisation, that is close to former President René
Préval, had contributed to the realisation of the elections in 2000,
the people prosecuting it are members of the Lavalas Family party. He
referred to threats made against the organisation's
general-secretary, Charles Suffrard, and other cases that have
apparently occured in Miragoane, Cap-Haitien and elsewhere. ...>
Haiti Support Network Haiti News Briefs March 2001: (
http://haitisupport.gn.apc.org/fea_news_main9.html )


And were they, KOZEPEP, really such a small organization at the time? I quote:

<... Faced with the possibility of violence, the organization
canceled a march planned for the anniversary. Over one thousand
peasants from different provinces were to have converged on the
capital to demand justice for Dominique and the revival of efforts
for agrarian reform, a cause which Dominique championed.. ...> Haiti
Progres April 4 - 10, 2001:
http://www.haiti-progres.com/2001/sm010404/xeng0404.htm

You ask: where is KOZEPEP now? If Dec. 2003 isn't to far away for you
it seems they haven't folded yet:

<...4 December - The peasant organisation, "The Peasants' Affairs
Committee for Integration and Progress" (KOZEPEP), has called for a
political compromise to get the country out of its current impasse.
KOZEPEP spokesperson, Kenson Polynice, said that compromise is
essential to solve the crisis stemming from the elections of May 21,
2000, and thus relieve the suffering of the disadvantaged masses, in
particular, the peasants. ... (AHP)...>
Haiti Support Network, Haiti News Briefs Dec. 2003 (
http://haitisupport.gn.apc.org/fea_news_main23.html )