21826: Esser: Colin Powell and Latortue photo-op (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haïtienne de Presse AHP

May 10, 2004

A photo of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell together with the
provisional Haitian Prime Minister provokes a reaction of shame from
among the ranks of the former opposition

Port-au-Prince, May 10, 2004 -(AHP)- A photo depicting U.S. Secretary
of State Colin Powell with Haiti's interim prime Minister Gérard
Latortue,  which was published at the end of last week in the daily
Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste has aroused a great variety of
comment in Port-au-Prince.

The photo shows a smiling Gérard Latortue extending his hand to
Secretary Powell, who appears in the photo to be more interested in
looking at his watch as if to say to his guest that time is passing
and that he has other issues to worry about.

Former colonel Himmler Rébu asserted that the publication of this
photo by the Nouvelliste is an extremely serious matter, since, in
his view, it presents a very bad image for the country.

"For the love of my country, I would refrain from publishing such a
photo", indicated Mr. Rébu. 

For his part, Paul Denis, a spokesperson for the Democratic
Convergence , considered that Mr. Powell committed a serious
violation of internationally recognized rules of protocol.

"There are some gestures that are more significant than words", said
Mr. Denis.

Marc Antoine Destin of the Democracy and Growth Party stated from his
perspective that Latortue only got what he deserved, even if the
gesture by Colin Powell is shameful for the country.

He blamed all those who worked for the installation of this
government to run the country as being responsible for this insult.

Supporters of the opposition Platform sought to explain that if Mr.
Powell seemed to be disinterested in Mr. Latortue, it was just a way
of saying that the Congressional Black Caucus was waiting for him and
that he couldn't tarry any longer.

The majority of the members of the Black Caucus had chosen to boycott
a meeting with the provisional prime Minister on Capitol Hill,
believing that Mr. Latortue lacked legitimacy.

For their part, the CARICOM representatives accredited to the OAS
chose to slam the door at the moment Gérard Latortue delivered his
remarks before the OAS Permanent Council.
.