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[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Mon, Jun. 26, 2006


HAITIAN COMMUNITY
Préval seeks help from all Haitians
New Haitian leader René Préval visited South Florida in search of Haitian 
expatriate support and investment.
BY JACQUELINE CHARLES
jcharles@MiamiHerald.com

Haitian Americans can play a pivotal role in rebuilding Haiti, Haitian 
President René Préval said during a visit to South Florida on Sunday.

''We need to recognize them as Haitians,'' Préval said in an interview with The 
Miami Herald. ``We need to have dual nationality.''

Préval's statement is perhaps his strongest to date on dual nationality, and an 
effort by the new leader in Port-au-Prince to draw support from Haitians 
abroad.

Haiti's 19-year-old constitution does not allow dual citizenship, but Préval 
suggested change may be in order to include many Haitian Americans who 
otherwise feel shut out in their attempts to help their troubled homeland.

The issue of dual nationality has become a political football, used by some on 
the island to keep Haitians who have become naturalized citizens elsewhere out 
of political decision-making. Expatriate Haitians in the United States and 
other countries argue that their experience, influence and resources should be 
tapped to help their homeland, long plagued by political and economic 
instability. Last year, Haitian Americans sent $1 billion in remittances to 
their native homeland.

Préval said he had met on Friday with some opposition leaders in Haiti to 
discuss the matter, and had asked a leading Haitian constitutionalist to study 
the possibility of amending the constitution.

TOURISM SUMMIT

Préval was the featured speaker at the three-day Haitian Tourism and Economic 
Development Summit in Miami Beach that promoted tourism in Haiti. Sunday night, 
he received an emotional welcome when he hosted a town hall meeting at the 
Joseph Caleb Auditorium in Liberty City.

But as the estimated 900 Haitians and Haitian Americans clapped and chanted his 
name, they also called out the name of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand 
Aristide, a sign that despite Préval's desire to distance himself from the 
ousted leader, some Haitians still want to bring back Aristide.

Though Préval delivered the same message as he did at the tourism summit, he 
made a special appeal to the Caleb crowd, saying Haiti needs foreign 
investments but can't attract them because of kidnapping and crime.

Also, in a show of unity, he pointed out that he was traveling with business 
executives as well as members of grass-roots organizations that have the 
stronghold of Aristide's support.

REACHING OUT

Préval, who is popular with Haiti's poor, made a special effort during his 
speech to point out the importance of Haiti's economic elite.

''We need investments in the country,'' he said.

Of Haiti's 112,000 visitors last year, 80 percent of them were Haitian 
expatriates. Préval said the country must work to increase tourism and return 
Haiti to its days as a Caribbean vacation destination.

The audience responded to his message with applause.

''It's clear he recognizes the importance of the diaspora,'' said 
Haitian-American businessman Pepe Bayard. ``And I believe he has the will to do 
it and to give the diaspora what it needs.''

Still, Préval conceded that his plans will take work. The country also needs 
political stability, security -- and roads.

''Everything cannot happen in one day,'' he said.

As a result of aid from the international community during the past two years, 
Haiti will be receiving millions of dollars to help build roads throughout the 
country.

''I don't see how we can talk about tourism if we don't have comfortable 
roads,'' Préval said. ``We have to start somewhere. Let's start with the 
roads.''

Plans are also under way for the renovation of the Port-au-Prince and 
Cap-Haitien airports.

In the interview with The Miami Herald, Préval reiterated his goals of bringing 
economic development to Haiti. However, he is currently facing challenges.

Reports of kidnappings and police shootings have recently increased, which some 
observers say is an indication that gangs have become restless with Préval's 
government.

SECURITY CONCERNS

Préval dismissed the claims of increased violence, saying kidnappings were 
being staged by a group of ``bandits that are taking advantage of the social 
misery.''

He said he is trying to address security issues and noted that he is waiting 
for parliament to approve his choice for a new police chief.

''We need security, period,'' Préval said.

While Préval has received high praise for building a coalition government since 
his February election, Haiti still must hold local elections for mayors and 
senators.

Préval said he did not know when those elections will take place.