20789: (Hermantin) Washington Post-Haiti needs our help fostering democratic institutio (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Haiti Needs Our Help
Fostering its democratic institutions.

By Jeb Bush
Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Florida is home to more than 300,000 Haitian immigrants. We have watched the
painful struggle in Haiti over the past 10 years, as Jean-Bertrand Aristide
squandered his opportunity to build a foundation for progress. Democracy
means more than elections. It means respecting the rule of law and
supporting a vibrant, robust civil society. Aristide destroyed these
principles in Haiti and replaced them with corruption and violence. Groups
such as the Congressional Black Caucus, who claim to support democracy yet
focus on Aristide's election, exacerbate his betrayal of the Haitian people.

Haitians, now free of Aristide's grip, can begin rebuilding their country
and reclaiming their future. Haiti needs support from its friends around the
world, as well as its sons and daughters in exile. There are almost a
million Haitian people living in the United States today. Many fled their
homes to escape the violence and poverty of Haiti's recent history, and now
long to return to work toward a stable, democratic Haiti.

This Haitian diaspora may be the greatest hope for Haiti's future. These men
and women have the skills and perspective required to rebuild their
homeland, and they have an understanding of the fundamentals of democracy
that can only come from living under a democratic system. Their
participation will determine how readily Haiti emerges from the devastation
of its past. For that reason, the U.S. policy in Haiti should reflect the
input of this group, rather than the ambitions and agendas of political
factions in our own country.

One of these Haitian exiles, Gerard Latortue, has continued to serve the
people of Haiti from foreign shores. The former U.N. economist, World Bank
consultant and guest lecturer on international development has traveled to
Haiti as part of a volunteer program supported by Florida state government.
In Haiti, he shared economic development strategies with local officials,
bankers and business leaders to create the public and private partnerships
that are critical to economic growth.

Latortue's appointment as interim prime minister of Haiti reflects a
commitment to the honest, effective leadership required to guide Haiti
forward to stability, democracy and success.

The first step will be creating order. The reforms needed to rebuild Haiti
are not possible without order and security to protect the people during the
process. The security presence established by the United States, France,
Chile and Canada averted the bloodbath predicted by critics in the wake of
Aristide's departure. The U.N. Security Council decision to deploy a
multinational interim force in Haiti will help maintain order as will the
peacekeeping force expected in 90 days. It is imperative that the United
States and the rest of the world continue security support during this
volatile time.

There must also be a focus on developing the democratic functions required
to create a successful civil society. Boniface Alexandre's appointment as
interim president was dictated by the succession procedure outlined in
Haiti's constitution. This reliance on the rule of law is a marked change
for Haitian leadership, and it demonstrates the power of a civil society to
use these institutions to move forward out of chaos. With U.S. support,
Haiti can build the durable institutions it needs for a true, sustainable
democracy.

We must also focus on the economic development required for Haiti to turn
its new found hope into hard earned progress. The Haiti Economic Recovery
Opportunity Act of 2003, sponsored by Florida Rep. E. Clay Shaw, will help
Haiti create the cycle of investment and job growth that will be vital to
its future. This type of aid will yield the highest return for the people of
Haiti over the long term.

The 8 million people of Haiti have long suffered under the misguided
policies of an administration that placed the interests of its leader over
the needs of his people. By contrast, the Haitian policy under the Bush
administration is aligned with the democratic belief that no individual is
above the law, and creates the hope that integrity, honesty and the rule of
law can and will exist in Haiti's future government.

With the integrity and selfless service required of true leaders, Gerard
Latortue and interim president Boniface Alexandre can leverage this hope to
create a foundation for a strong nation. By making the right choices for the
people they serve they can lead Haiti toward overcoming devastation and a
shameful legacy of corruption.

The writer is governor of Florida.





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