20835: Haiti Info: HAITI DIASPORA 2004: WILL THE BICENTENIAL YEAR MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE RETURN? (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Haiti Info <hainfo@starband.net>

HAITI DIASPORA 2004: WILL THE BICENTENIAL YEAR MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE
RETURN?
Gérard Alphonse Férère, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, St. Joseph's University

Soon after the rigged election of dictator François Duvalier in 1957,
thousands of Haitians, fearing the rampant repression and killings, left the
island and sought political asylum abroad. The exodus continued during the
reign of Jean-Claude Duvalier, leading to the massive departure of the
so-called "Haitian boat people", mainly toward the shores of the United
States. This later wave was responsible for the very significant growth in
the demographics of the Haitian Diaspora during the 70s and the 80s. In
1984, French historian Jacques Barros estimated its population at about
800,000 or even 1,000,000. Although there has been no recent scientific
survey, we can be sure that today's its population number surpasses
1,500,000, including many intellectuals, professionals, technicians, skilled
workers, etc. Many Haitian expatriates holding foreign nationalities are
writing new chapters in the historical annals of Haiti, and opening new
frontiers for her future. It is indeed unfortunate that, after the overthrow
of the Duvaliers, Haiti did not emulate the example of Germany when, after
Hitler's defeat, full citizenship was restored to all expatriates who had
adopted foreign nationalities during the Nazi domination. Shamefully, in the
case of Haiti, her refusal to follow that same path stands as a perennial
monument to Duvalierism, the Haitian counterpart of Nazism.

In his book Haïti de 1804 à nos jours, French author Jacques Barros writes
that in the 1950s, a United Nations report based on world-wide research had
concluded that among the underdeveloped countries of that time, Haiti was
the one Nation that possessed all the personnel she needed for her
development. Today, more than fifty years later, a similar investigation
would undoubtedly lead to the same conclusions. Even more so, because Haiti
has now a new asset that did not exist in the '50s, i.e. the technical and
economic resources of her Diaspora. Never throughout her history has she
possessed such a wealth of professionals, technicians, and skilled workers.
Ways do exist by which those who are abroad could play valuable roles in her
development.

It has been recently estimated that the financial aid provided by Haitians
living abroad to their families, relatives and friends in Haiti totals more
than 800 million dollars annually. The exact figure is probably higher. On a
broader scale, the nation could benefit from many other advantages, if the
proper steps were taken. For instance, an intensive campaign aimed at
encouraging great number of Diaspora Haitians to visit the country, and the
implementation of long-term plans for the permanent return of retired
expatriates.

Because of the limitations of Haiti's physical infrastructures, it will take
a long time to see some improvement in foreign tourism. But, if on the one
hand, she is in no position now to receive foreigners in any significant
number, on the other hand, the Diaspora population has shown that they are
willing to accept some of the imperfections of their mother land. But
certain indispensablel necessities, such as security, water, transportation,
electricity, communication, sanitation, regular and emergency health care,
etc. must be guaranteed. We need a long-term plan aimed at encouraging the
permanent return of retired expatriates.

Imagine the tremendous concrete impact the realization of such a plan could
have on Haiti's present and future. On the conservative assumption that the
retirees expenditures for the construction of a home would average just
about $100,000, the return of 2000 heads of households per year would lead
to the instant infusion of $200,000,000 dollars into the economy, plus the
immediate and consistent improvement of the housing market. Note that
housing market is such an important factor that, in the United States, it is
among the indices used by financial experts to determine the vitality or
weakness of the overall economy. Beyond the yearly input of 2000, let's have
a dream and look at the bigger picture. Let us have a dream and envision the
return, in a few years, of some 20,000 retired head of household who would
spend an average of about $25,000 a year for their living expenses. This
would represent an annual input of $500,000,000 into the economy, in
addition to the aforementioned amounts for the construction of homes, all of
it money coming from abroad. This influx of dollars would increase the
country's cash flow, strengthen the national currency, lower the cost of
imports, and improve the balance of payments. It would permeate through all
layers of Haitian society, and would not be charity from foreign donors with
strings attached.

To some people who may feel apprehensive about Diaspora Haitians arriving in
Haiti "to seek employment" in an already depleted job market, allow me to
respond by stressing the fact that the returnees, in the area of economics,
would come not to ask from their country, but to do for their country, while
sharing their love for the common mother land. Will the bicentenial year see
the beginning of the dreamed return?

Let us not think of such a project as an impossible a dream, when all that
is required for its realization is just a vision of a better Haiti, and the
will for that vision to come to pass. Let us not allow our present
difficulties to cloud the horizon of our hopes. Instead, why not together
paraphrase the poignant quote from George Bernard Shaw: "Some men see things
as they are and say 'why', let us dream of things that never were and say
'why not'".