22196: Esser: The provisional president gives a review of the socio-economic situation (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haïtienne de Presse

May 27, 2004


The provisional president gives a review of the socio-economic
situation of the country: April revenues are higher than the ones in
March


Port-au-Prince, May 27, 2004 (AHP)- Provisional President Boniface
Alexandre gave Thursday a review of the socio-economic situation of
the country, on the occasion of his first press conference since his
installation at the National Palace last March.

Boniface Alexandre pointed out that he had found the State's coffers
empty. Also, he said, because of the plundering acts registered on
February 29 and the days after, only 165 million gourdes were
collected in March. He declared that 1 billion 45 million gourdes
were collected by the customs and the DGI in April.

Many businessmen had demanded compensation from the State, asking not
to pay taxes, because of the fact that their stores had been
plundered after February 29th events.

The provisional president says he counts a lot on foreign investments
to stimulate the national economy. He declared that all measures have
been taken to limit the expenditures that are not in the nation's
interests. He says he also encourages all retailers to import staple
goods in order to reduce the cost of living throughout the country.

Boniface Alexandre also announced a series of measures aiming to
fight the insecurity that is taking serious proportions in many
regions of the country. The number of policemen in the national
police should go up to 8000.

He declared he was particularly worried about the phenomenon of
kidnapping, which would be the work of deported people and other
bandits, he said. Indeed, many kidnappings were seen these last 3
months, even if they weren't mentioned on the air.

The provisional president promised that under his presidency, justice
will function in complete independence. "No judge will receive orders
from the Executive to reach a decision", Alexandre declared. He said
he is aware that the problem of the Haitian judicial system's
independence is very complicated.

He underlined that the justice will not be able to function in a real
independent way as long as it will not be autonomous financially.
.