20194: Esser: Re: 20181: Goodman: Re: 20126: Esser: Re: 20115: Nealy: RE: 20064 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. E s s e r <torx@joimail.com>

Haiti has/had a lot that the U.S. does need and doesn't like, reasons
enough for intervention:

* It had a populist president that was held in high esteem by the
very poor, not a good thing in the eyes of the Washington
establishment.

* Aristide refused to bow to all demands that were made on him, that
also didn't make him more popular.

* Haiti is a good sized export market, go in any of the outdoor
markets in Port-au-Prince and see where the apples come from , the
chicken parts, the rice, the sugar and so on. Export markets are of
great value and no, Haiti's market has not been opened fully to
U.S. goods, for example pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer only
have a minuscule market share in the country. While the size of the
economy is not very big, the importance of these markets is evident
by the fact that politicians bend over backwards to have favorable
terms for companies even in the smallest of countries.

* Haiti is also of interest as a source of cheap labor, see the new
factories along the Dominican border and the assembly sector in
Port-au-Prince. But a president that speaks of raising the minimum
wage is, from a U.S. business point of view, not very good.

* Haiti  also does export goods, and many times if you look as to why
something takes place, you also have to look at the long term
strategies. Haiti still has very fertile areas and markets in
tropical fruits are expected to grow. Now if you look at the fights
over banana imports to the EU it becomes clear that what might look a
very small market to you and me, is of great importance to others.

* Haiti has improved it's ties to Cuba which is definitely a no-no
for any President that would like to stay in power. Having Cuban
doctors and hospitals in Haiti is rather offensive to the political
right-wing in the U.S.

* Haiti has after 200 years of suffering through the major powers not
given up it's fight for justice, that's a bad idea, when submissiveness
is
asked for.

* In light of ongoing problems between the descendants of African
slaves and descendants of their white masters in the U.S., having a
black republic a few hundred miles off shore is dangerous. African
americans and descendants of Africans world-wide still look up to
Haiti and it's ongoing struggle for independence.

* Haiti is a favorite playground for U.S. churches and NGO's that
have interests that must be protected.

I stop here, not that the list is exhausted, but I think it's enough
to get the idea as to why Haiti is still important to the U.S.. The
reasons for intervention are many... I don't see how through yet
another intervention things could move forward. Dominicans haven't
moved much forward since their last occupation, ;look at their
refugee numbers and so haven't other countries that weren't left in
peace...


Brian Goodman writes:

I agree with Nealy on this point.  I also reiterate ..what does Haiti
have that would benefit the US?  The answer is nothing.  The US has a
role in trying to keep democracy in the western hemisphere.  The US
will not change the lack of discipline and government that has lead
Haiti politics for 200 years.  Haiti's politics are simple...if you
don't like the opposition...just kill them.  The only way Haiti will
ever prosper will be to stop all of the violent coups.  It is a shame
that one of the most beautiful places on earth is also one of the
most depressing.  Titid misused his position when he was President.
It is time to move forward but Haiti unfortunately loves to feel
sorry for itself and revel in its own misery.
.