22154: erzilidanto: Statement by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Erzilidanto@aol.com

Statement by

President Jean-Bertrand Aristide

May 30, 2004

Kingston, Jamaica


As my family and I prepare to leave Jamaica for South Africa, I once again

thank Prime Minister Patterson, the people of Jamaica and the entire

Caribbean family for hosting us during this very special time. We extend

this heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the Haitian refugees as well. For

them too it's a special time.


When have we ever seen a democratically elected president leave his rightful

place against his will as it happened on February 29, 2004? It's a special

time. When did we ever see powerful hands set fire to a house then prevent

the people inside from leaving? It's a special time. Since February 29,

2004, the level of suffering has dramatically increased in Haiti. While on

one side thousands are being killed for supporting their elected government,

on the other side, more than 2,000 people lost their lives because of the

ecological disaster that we all recently witnessed. We stand in solidarity

with the residents of Mapou, Fonds Verette, Jimani, and with all Haitians

and Dominicans directly affected. We express our profound condolences to all

those who lost a mother, father, husband, wife, child, relative or friend in

this tragedy. Again, a special thanks to the Jamaican government and to all

those who have answered the humanitarian call of these victims.


As we prepare this return to the mother continent, we thank President Mbeki,

the people of South Africa, the Member Nations of the Organization of

African Union. After two visits to South Africa, it will now be our

temporary home until we are back in Haiti. Of course the Haitian situation

must be normalized; peace must be restored through democratic order. The

solidarity shared by South Africa, CARICOM and the Organization of African

Union to promote peace and democracy in Haiti crystallizes the world-wide

African unity that will continue to flourish.


Wherever we are, always united, we will continue to promote peace. This,

more than ever, is what the world needs today. We must all work for peace,

not war. We must all work for a better life in a world where four-fifths of

the population consumes only one-fifth of the world's resources. And we must

all work for the full respect of this democratic principle: one person one

vote. Peace is linked to freedom. May the spirit of our 200 years of

independence guide us in this special time.


Thank-you.



*********
Forwarded by the Haitian Lawyers Leadership
******

******

"Men anpil chaj pa lou"  is Kreyol for - "Many hands make light a heavy load."

See, The Haitian Leadership Networks'  7 "men anpil chaj pa

lou" campaigns to help restore Haiti's independence, the will of the mass
electorate and the rule of law. See,
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/haitianlawyers.html ; http://www.margueritelaurent.com/campaigns/campaigns.html

and Haitiaction.net

********

To unsubscribe, contact Erzilidanto@aol.com