24021: Haiti Progres (news) This Week in Haiti 22:42 12/29/2004 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

"This Week in Haiti" is the English section of HAITI PROGRES
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                    HAITI PROGRES
         "Le journal qui offre une alternative"

               * THIS WEEK IN HAITI *

          December 29, 2004 - January 4, 2005
                   Vol. 22, No. 42



DE FACTOS TRY BRIBING DISGRUNTLED FORMER SOLDIERS

Former Haitian soldiers seem to be getting some results from their brief
take-over of President Jean Bertrand Aristide's Tabarre home on Dec. 15
(see HaVti ProgrPs, Vol. 22, No. 41, 12/22/2004).

This past week the government of illegal Prime Minister Gérard Latortue
created a new office to finish settling accounts with ex-soldiers who
have been demanding 10 years back pay because, they claim, Aristide
illegally dissolved the Army in 1995.

The new office, created on Dec. 21, continues the work of previous
government commissions which have failed to satisfy the ex-soldiers'
claims. Headed by three ex-colonels, the revamped commission is supposed
to get money into ex-soldiers' hands before Jan. 1.

"There has been a continuity with the work already done to help the new
members of the commission to get out as quickly as possible, before the
holidays, even a partial list so that it can give the demobilized
soldiers at least an advance so that they can have a little money on
hand to celebrate like any citizen," Latortue declared. Of course, most
Haitian citizens have no cause or money for celebration this year.

De facto secretary of state for Public Security, Davide Bazile, said
that the new commission would be working through the holidays to get the
money to the soldiers before the New Year, starting on Dec. 28.

"The soldiers based in Jacmel that we visited agreed to lay down their
arms and are going to receive their restitution," he said. Some 100
million gourdes ($2.7 million) have been squeezed from the drained state
coffers to pay off the soldiers, de facto President Boniface Alexandre
announced. The ex-soldiers also got a 54% increase in their pensions.

Despite these moves, the arrest warrant for the erstwhile leader of the
ex-soldiers, Rémicinthe Ravix, remains in effect. But Ravix, speaking
regularly on radio shows, has shown no signs of fear as he points to the
de facto government's hypocrisy. "All those in the interim government
who are attacking me and saying I am not a former soldier always
supported me financially during the anti-Aristide insurrection," Ravix
said.



PPN DENOUNCES OCCUPATION "SELECTIONS" PLANNED FOR 2005

On December 27, the National Popular Party (PPN) issued a statement
denouncing the plans of the de facto government and occupation
authorities to hold elections in Haiti in 2005. The PPN ridiculed the
notion that free and democratic elections could be held in the present
context of foreign occupation, fierce crackdowns and near-universal
hunger.

"This Christmas and the coming New Year's celebration have left a bitter
taste in the people's mouth due to the repression of the occupation
forces, the former soldiers and the Macoute section chiefs who have
returned with a vengeance all over the country," the PPN said. "There is
no constitutional order so no elections can be held in the country."

The PPN also condemned talk of a "national conference" as mere "build-up
for the fake elections they need to hold."

"What kind of national conference are they talking about when they have
carried out the coup d'état/kidnapping of Feb. 29 in an attempt to
remove the masses from the political scene?" the PPN asked.

For the planned elections, the party asked similar questions: "What kind
of elections can be held when the ruling class sells the country in 2004
on the 200th anniversary of Jean-Jacques Dessalines and the slave masses
giving us independence?"

The PPN urged "the masses and all people of good faith" to shun all
calls for elections under the current repressive occupation regime and
to "organize and struggle for another 1804."



REFLECTIONS ON THE AFRICAN DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL
by Margaret FéquiPre

The 12th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival was held in New York from
November 26 to December 12, 2004. December 2nd was entitled "A Day in
the Caribbean." That day, I had the opportunity to view two premieres:
Catch a Fire and How to Conquer America.

>>>>>>>>

This serious, thought-provoking documentary was followed by a subtle and
humorous film about a night in the life of three Haitians and two
Canadians.

How to Conquer America in One Night is a comedy written and directed by
Montréal-based Haitian writer Dany LaferriPre. It juxtaposes the
struggle of two Haitian men living in a cold country and dreaming of
returning to their homeland, with that of one of the men's young nephew,
who is immigrating to Canada from Haiti and dreaming about "conquering
America in one night." The film is a must-see for those of us who came
to North America young and full of aspirations but whom circumstances in
life have kept from reaching their full potential.

Danny LaferriPre, known for his books, How to Make Love to a Negro
Without Getting Tired, On The Verge of a Fever, and now, How To Conquer
America in One Night has produced several critically acclaimed films
based on his novels. From this sad struggle of living in the diaspora,
he reveals the joy of living that is embedded within our culture.
Through studying Haitian history, I have often wondered how we have
managed to continue the struggle. LaferriPre's latest film answers that
question by finding the humor in difficult situations.

All articles copyrighted Haiti Progres, Inc. REPRINTS ENCOURAGED. Please
credit Haiti Progres.

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