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From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>
Posted on Thu, Jun. 08, 2006
President Préval's chance to govern
OUR OPINION: NEW CABINET A PROMISING SIGN OF CHANGED POLITICS
Haitian President René Préval's new cabinet is a heartening sign of a break
with the winner-take-all tradition of Haitian politics. In one of his first
significant moves, he has named members of five opposition parties to work with
him. That's a positive effort to unify a nation splintered by warring political
factions for far too long. The multi-party cabinet and Mr. Préval's 25-year
development plan provide a measure of hope for a nation that has been on the
brink of anarchy. But the true test will come as they set about the task of
governing.
For the greater good
That's particularly the case for five former ministers brought back into office
by Mr. Préval, including Prime Minister JacquesEdouard Alexis, and opposition
cabinet members. Their job is to look out for the greater good, not just for a
political party or other narrow interest. Now is their chance to show that
Haiti can be set on the road to an independent, prosperous, well-functioning
and inclusive democracy.
The new government needs to focus on improving Haiti's security, economy and
governance. Those are tough challenges best conquered with cooperation among
all players in Haitian society. Such inclusive government has been virtually
absent in Haiti's history. The rule of dictatorships gave way to democratically
elected governments in 1990. Yet even then, political payback and violence led
to increasing misery.
Mr. Préval's government would be wise to try to heal social rifts created by
decades of class warfare. Up per- and middle-class people who may not have
voted for Mr. Préval still have a stake in improving Haiti's future. The
government should engage the business community and groups representing the
poor in the hard work of rebuilding.
One way to signal a fresh start -- both at home and to the international
community -- is for the Préval government to address the issue of thousands of
prisoners who have not been convicted of crimes. Among them is former Prime
Minister Yvon Neptune, widely considered a political prisoner because of his
ties to former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Panels of Haitian and
international jurists could be convened to review each case and determine its
merits.
Support and investment
In this way, Mr. Préval can demonstrate the importance of judicial fairness and
an impartial rule of law -- regardless of the politics involved in any given
case. It will also be an antidote to corrupt judicial practices.
President Préval has the opportunity to set the tone for a new Haitian way, one
of inclusiveness, political debate and compromise and respect for divergent
views. Not only would such an approach encourage international support and
foreign investment, but it would also lay a foundation for a stable democracy.