27474: Vedrine (article): What can be done in Haiti under a Third visual occupation? (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: E Vedrine <evedrine@hotmail.com>


“What can be done in Haiti under a “Third visual occupation”?

by E. W. VEDRINE
Feb. 4, 2006

Some people on some forums related to Haiti have made absolutely great comments 
in their writings focusing on “Haiti’s development”, and the good relations it 
must have with the neighboring Cuba for help. But at the same time, they  must 
take into consideration that Haiti is clearly under ‘a third visual occupation’ 
no matter what people say or think. What does that mean? Those nations at the 
head of the occupation who (indirectly) occupy Haiti today will try their very 
best to discourage any tie with Cuba. It’s no surprise to us.

Depending on who ascends to power soon in Haiti, that person may, in a way, try 
to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba. But truly, it would be tough to do 
so (to have great relations that can help Haiti in any possible way) under this 
visual occupation our dear Haiti is today because of the greed of our brothers 
for power.

My latest article, "Pou yon revolisyon nan 'mantalite' Ayisyen" [For a 
revolution in Haitians’ mentality] 
(http://www.palli.ch/~kapeskreyol/bibliographie/vedrine/revolisyon2.php), is 
not written in vain - in trying to make every single Haitian becoming conscious 
of what is needed to be done for real changes in Haiti as part of my long 
campaign focusing on the “The Haitian Reality”. What have the "Haitian 
political elite" done so far after Aristide’s unexpected departure? (two years 
ago). The Answer is: “zewo bare” (nothing and absolutely nothing positive)! 
What have they done after the 1991 "Coup d'etat"? The answer again is “zewo 
bare!”. In other word, these PUPPETS (abusing the marginal people), together 
with "the corrupted elite (with economic power)” really don’t care about 
Haiti’s problems at all neither they would want any radical change that would 
benefit the majority of Haitians in need.

I read a good comment recently by a Haitian fellow on the “Haitian Politics 
Forum” in his dialogue with a well-know Haitian businessman (whose comments 
sometimes have some logic) where he states that he (that Haitian fellow) too 
had problem with Aritide, but at the same time he is against "coup d'etat".... 
Now if we ask anyone what has the funny "GROUP 184" done so far to better 
Haiti's situation (politically or economically) after Aristide, we’d pretty 
much doubt that the their answers would be something positive or they would not 
answer us at all.

So, there's a great need to fight against a corrupted system but some Haitians, 
as we can read them (on-line) on some forums, rather try to fight against “some 
particular individuals” who were or who are in power rather than against a 
system needed to be changed. By doing that, they are just making these 
individuals more famous than ever. It’s a bad system that people must rally 
against. But since some individuals might be geting paid to shoot on others 
back and forth (with words), I can understand that: they are doing a slandering 
campaign for survival but not one for change that would benefit everyone. 
That’s it! Once all of us would get together against what don't work in a bad 
system, certainly there can be positive results that would benefit all of us.

If someone officially get elected, we must respect that (whether we like that 
person or not or regardless the political party he belongs to). Most Haitians 
(particularly those in Politics and the opportunists) don’t have the gut to do 
that for they are after personal interests. That’s one of the biggest problems 
in Haitian Politics leading Haiti to its current political dead-end. And as we 
are approaching the presidential elections (next week), we will see soon: those 
who don’t get their bodies elected will be blaming the elected president (who 
ever he may be) instead of wishing him "good luck" (as the rival or rivals 
would do here, in the US or in some other civilized countries). Of course we 
can criticize what's not good under his administration, what needs to be done, 
but getting together for a "coup d'etat" against him will not bring any change 
and neither democracy will budge a step forward in our dream for a new Haiti.

Basically, this is what has been going in Haiti since Aristide rose to power in 
1991. You don't like him, that's fine! Criticize him! Claim your right as a 
citizen! But supporting a "Coup d'etat" against him (which resulted in killing 
many thousand of Haitians) has lead Haiti to only chaos that exists today. 
Haitians have been dreaming of “a new beginning” since 1804 and every time 
there there’s a "so-called new one", there are always those Haitians who want 
to make the country go backwardinstead of forward. So, it’s like a sack fill 
with crabs; whenever one is trying to escape there are others pulling him down.

Merceron, a former Minister of Finance under Baby Doc, said something, that in 
a way, makes sense when he declares “The only way to beat Lavalas is through 
elections.” Certainly he was a conservative (with his political ties), but a 
realist here at the same time. What does "LAVALAS" mean to him? Well, no doubt, 
"the majority of Haitians" (in need who dream of change) who want to support “a 
leader” that they think can work for them (the will of the people). In other 
words, doing "coup d'etats" back and forth against “any popular leader” who 
ascends to power is not what is going to change the people's mind (in terms of 
who they like to lead them).

The Haitian people want to finish off with DICTATORSHIPS (in any form) since 
1986. DEMOCRACY (that also implies “the will of the people” somehow) must 
triumphs. Now, when I talk like that in my political writings, the very first 
accusation I ge t(from those who are against any type of change that would 
benefit the majority of the Haitian people) is: "Vedrine is a Lavalas". Well, 
for these accusers, I am just a sample Haitian who just cares about Haiti's 
future and who cares about every single Haitian and with no prejudice 
whatsoever. I have no political ambition whatsoever, and I am not living in 
Haiti either to expect a high post from any government.

(e. w. vedrine)