a634: LET HAITI LIVE -- demonstrate Th, 7 Feb 02, 4:30 p.m., OaklandFederal Building (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Haiti Action Committee <haitiaction@yahoo.com>

LET HAITI LIVE!

Join the Haiti Action Committee for a
Rally in Support of the People of Haiti
Oakland Federal Building,
1301 Clay Street,

Thursday Feb 7
Come After Work - Rally 4:30 P.M.
Program 5:00
Vigil until 6:00

Lift the Sanctions Now!
On December 17, thirty commandos attacked the
Presidential Palace in Haiti in an attempted coup
against the democratically elected government of
President Jean Bertrand Aristide.  This is the latest
and most serious assault in a widespread campaign of
destabilization - including increasing violence,
disinformation, and economic sanctions - aimed at
destroying democracy in Haiti. It is urgent for
friends of Haiti to raise our voices and be heard.

Since the election of President Jean Bertrand Aristide
last year with over 70% of the popular vote, the US
government has blocked $500 million in aid and loans
earmarked for Haiti by international financial
institutions.    This includes a $146 million loan
from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
intended for health care, education and public works.
Contracts for the loan were signed and fully approved
by the IDB in late 2000. At the point of disbursement
of funds early in 2001 the U.S. Dept. of State and
Secretary of Treasury, in an unprecedented action,
exercised their veto power at the IDB and stopped
payment on the loan. Since that time the government of
Haiti has been fulfilling its interest obligations on
the loan (so as not to void the contract) and has now
paid the IDB almost $10 million in interest on a loan
it has not received!

A letter dated Nov. 8 to President Bush and signed by
all 38 members, the Congressional Black Caucus also
deplored the unjust blocking of the loan and requested
a meeting to discuss aid to Haiti. The Caucus received
no response. We support the initiative of the Black
Caucus and are asking President Bush to immediately
lift the economic sanctions against Haiti.


Haiti Action Committee  510 483-7481
haitiaction@yahoo.com







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