21780: Simidor: Re: 21778: Vilaire: Re: Gousse's "Credible" Job (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Daniel Simidor <karioka9@mail.arczip.com>


The “self-described revolutionary” put-down is unworthy of Mr. Vilaire, I will not hold it against him.  I’ve never beat my chest nor called myself any such title, not on this list and not to Mr. Vilaire.  To paraphrase Popeye, or was it Shakespeare, “I am what I am.”  Let’s please stick to the issue.

The failures listed by Vilaire are failures of the Latortue government as a whole, to the extent you could expect those problems to be solved in the space of two months.  When I think back of the like of Jocelerme Privert, Bell Angelot and Mario Dupuy from the previous government, I have to honestly say there are some good, honorable people in this government.  To say this doesn’t mean in the least that I support the US/UN occupation.  Here’s what I had to say to another critic who wrote off list.  I think it applies here:

“Lastly about Gousse, I said I was going out on a limb.  I think the man is trying to do the right thing, including upholding the Constitution.  I don’t agree that Latortue’s government is as illegal, criminal or corrupt as Aristide’s was, even though the latter had been “elected.”  The national interest, in my opinion, is to closely monitor the interim government to make sure that they conform to their narrow mandate: to clear the ground for free and fair elections before Feb. 7, 2006, and to safeguard the country’s sovereignty even while the country is being occupied.  Interestingly in late March or early April, Gousse summoned “Governor” Foley to account for the Marines’ violence against the civilian population.  I’m sure not much came out of that, but...”

Daniel Simidor