29093: Stephen (reply) RE: 29077: kathleen (reply) 29070 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

Stephen Jacob
jacob_86@hotmail.com

To compare Haiti's demand for repayment to Native Americans in the United 
States is inaccurate.  There were many independent Indian nations that 
negotiated treaties with the US government, not one soveign country.  More 
importantly, the flow of funds usually went from the US government buying land 
from Native Americans.  Finally, there was never a check written to the US 
government that created one debt of the magnitude of Haiti's.  None of these 
facts bear any semblance to what happened in Saint Domingue/Haiti.

First, in 1825 the French Government demanded that Haiti pay it 150 million 
francs in compensation for the assets lost by landowners in their former colony 
(some argue this number was reduced to 90 million).  In exchange, France would 
also recognize Haiti as a trading partner.  At this time, Haiti was essentially 
isolated and trade was necessary for the country to survive.  (To put this 
number in context, the US paid 60 million francs in 1803 for the Louisana 
Purchase).

Second, the money Haiti paid to France was several times its annual revenues at 
the time.  Some estimates put the figure at 4 or 5 times Haiti's GDP, while 
others are as high as 10 times.  It doesn't matter how fast your economy is 
growing, making a one-time payment of that size is going to stunt the growth of 
domestic industries unless there is a corresponding foreign investment.

Third, Haiti resisted making this payment to France.  It's not as if the 
government wrote a check for 150 MM francs and then said "whoops, let's get 
that back".  Haiti negotiated for 20 years before finally agreeing to pay 
France.  Even then, it took until 1947 for payments to be completed.  Who on 
this listserve was born before 1947?  I'm sure there are quite a few of you. 
We are not talking about some distant ancient history...this practically 
happened yesterday.

What the debate around Haitian debt forgiveness illustrates is the truth behind 
the famous quote "Justice delayed is justice denied."  The further away it 
moves back in time, the less real it seems.  Whether in practice having a 
sudden cash infusion to Haiti from France would be a "good" thing is 
irrelevant.  The point is whether it is the "fair" and "just" thing to be done. 
Given the amount of rampant corruption, one can argue that $21 billiion (150 MM 
francs in today's dollars) suddenly sent to Haiti could cause more problems 
than it solves.  However, we have to first agree, that in principle, the 
Republic of Haiti is owed this money and if not, at least all of its debts be 
immediately and unconditionally forgiven.