26561: Joseph: Opinion (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Figaro Joseph <figarojoseph@hotmail.com>


            The appointed panel has made the right decision with respect
to the candidacies of Mr. Dumarsais Simeus and Mr. Samir Mourra.  I hope
that election officials will accept the panel’s recommendation and that
Mr. Simeus and Mr. Mourra will respect the decision for the sakes of the
country.  Many Haitians who hold multiple citizenships support the Mr.
Simeus and Mourra’s effort to be engaged in rebuilding <?xml:namespace
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however, we are aware of the constraints in the 1987 Constitution.
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            These two gentlemen could do a great deal with an effort to
discuss the constitutional constraints, which I believe would help the
country move toward some constitutional amendments. There are a number of
articles and sub-articles that deserve debating at this point.  Some of
the important articles to examine are Article 13 clauses a, and b and
Article 15.  Amending these articles would negate Article 135a and thus
solve the problem that Mr. Simeus and Mr. Mourra currently face.  Article
13 states “Haitian nationality is lost by: a) Naturalization in a foreign
country; b) Holding a political post in the service of a foreign
country.”  Article 15 says “Dual Haitian and foreign nationality is in no
case permitted.”

            It is time to examine these constitutional restrictions on
Haitians with multiple citizenships; if these restrictions are amended,
Haiti would be better off in the long run.  It will certainly pave the
more for more Haitians to get involved in the political process in Haiti,
which would contribute greatly to the development of the country.  Of
course, I expect the embedded political and economic elite in Haiti to
resist, but I hope that through discussions and debates we all will be
able to set our egos aside for the interest of the state and the nation.



In the Spirit of Toussaint L'Ouverture,

Figaro Joseph