30274: Simidor (comment): Prevals troubles (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Daniel Simidor

It is no secret that Preval and his prime-minister,
Jacques-Edouard Alexis, did buy themselves a measure
of stability with their careful allotment of
consultancies and other sinecures...that afford
various constituencies the opportunity to wet their
beaks at the trough of the state...  But now, some
malcontents, miyan-miyan, are threatening Alexis and
his minions with a vote of non-confidence...

Oh, what to do?  Sadly, a show of force is likely back
fire.  No one wants a repeat of Aug. ?91 when Lavalas
mobs beat back a vote of non-confidence against then
Prime-Minister Préval, by roughing up non-Lavalas
members of Parliament -- only to have Aristide
overthrown a month later.

Back in 1867, another newly appointed populist
president, Sylvain Salnave, faced a vote of
non-confidence for his vindictive imprisonment of
General Leon Montas (who used to kick his butt when
he, Salnave, was trying to overthrow his predecessor,
Fabre Geffrard).  Salnave?s ?chimères? stormed
Parliament, threw out its occupants, then nailed the
doors shut and put up a sign, ?House for Rent.?  Gen.
Montas was subsequently tortured to death.  A defeated
Salnave faced a firing-squad less than two years later
on the smoking ashes of his national palace.

Haitian history is replete with such glorious tidbits.


And no, I?m not calling for Preval?s and Alexis?
overthrow.  Get a life, y?all!




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