a1372: Week in Review based on TNH, March 10 - 16, 2002 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MKarshan@aol.com

Review of the Week of March 10-16, 2002

Based on a summary prepared by the Bureau of Communications of the Presidency
of the Week in Review aired on National Television of Haiti (TNH).

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Investiture of Prime Minister Yvon Neptune and his ministerial cabinet at the
National Palace

On March 15, 2002, President Aristide inaugurated Yvon Neptune as the new
prime Minister together with his cabinet of ministers and secretaries of
state. The ceremony was held at the National Palace and was attended by the
diplomatic corps, the Senate, the Deputies, heads of government agencies, and
many other sectors vital to the nation.

Dialogue, openness and reconciliation were the theme of the speech delivered
by President Aristide on this occasion, saying: "The composition of this
(new) government reflects our will to greater open our doors of dialogue
which have always been open".

President Aristide called for reconciliation and unity between the two
Haiti's: The Haiti of majority and the Haiti of Minority, as well as the
urgent necessity for peaceful coexistence between the two.

The new government is composed of 17 ministers and 4 secretaries of state. 7
new ministers were named and 1 new secretary of state position created. One
minister without a portfolio position was created for Marc Bazin charged with
negotiations. Mr. Bazin was the Minister of Planning & External Cooperation
in the previous government. The remaining ministers and secretaries of state
were retained also from the previous government.

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Official Nomination of Yvon Neptune to the Post of Prime Minister by the
President

President Aristide nominated Yvon Neptune as the next Prime Minister through
a written decree on March 13, 2002. Following the nomination, Mr. Neptune
resigned from his post as President of the Senate, and submitted to the
ratification process at Parliament as follows: 1. Submitting documents to
prove illegibility for Prime Minister post; 2. Presenting his cabinet and
general political government plan. Mr. Neptune, in presenting his government
plan, said that his government would be one in favor of a political opening
and dialogue with nine priority areas for the government including health,
education and infrastructure. 14 lycees and 45 schools would be constructed
or repaired. After discussions and a question and answer period in
Parliament, Mr. Neptune was overwhelmingly ratified by both houses (Chamber
of Deputies and the Senate).

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Meeting of School Directors of Elementary schools with the Departmental
Director of the West in Charge of State Exams

The Departmental Director of the West for the Ministry of Education met on
March 14th at the Lycee Marie-Jeanne with those responsible for organizing
the state exams and the question of graduations of the last class came up as
well.

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A Surgical Procedure is Successful at Haiti's State University Hospital

The Cuban-Haitian cooperation is doing very well. On March 4th, 3 Cuban
doctors together with 1 Haitian doctor and some surgical interns successfully
performed difficult surgery on Exilos Exantus, who had been suffering from a
frontal tumor for the past 11 years. The surgical procedure took place at the
Haiti's State University Hospital.

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Construction of Alternative Road to Carrefour Started

The construction of the alternative road to the main road through Carrefour
officially began last week. This road is close to the shore where the old
railroad tracks are and has been used for quite some time as an alternative
route although until now is a dirt road.  This work had been announced
recently by the heads of the Ministry of Public Work. The Public Treasury is
financing the project and many local firms are executing it.  The objective
is to alleviate the enormous traffic problems through Carrefour.

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Abattoirs are Built in the North-West

The Ministry of Agriculture built 3 abattoirs in the North-West area of the
country, throughout its porcine breeding development program. These abattoirs
cost 8 millions gourdes and will allow the butchers to slaughter their
animals under better conditions.

==================================

New Ambassador of Mexico to Haiti Presents Credentials to the President

Madame Anacelia Pérez de Meyer presented her credentials to President
Aristide at the National Palace on March 12, 2002 in the presence of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Perez de Meyer stated to the press
corps present that she would work to reinforce the bilateral relations
between the two countries. In response to a press question as to whether
Mexico would assist in creating a different political climate in Haiti, the
Ambassador explained that the major axis of external politics of their
country is one of non-intervention into the internal political affairs of
another nation, instead working in collaboration with other countries.

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President Aristide received 50 Evangelical Artists at the National Palace

A spiritual caravan from all nine departments came to the National Palace at
the invitation of the President in preparation of the 2004 bicentennial
celebration of independence. Making history, the President met with
Evangelical artists from all different churches at the Palace. This gathering
is but one in a continuing effort by the President to meet with all sectors
of the society to engage in a social dialogue. During the President's speech
on this historical meeting with Evangelical artists, the President suggested
a reflection on a three-point proposition. In the perspective of the upcoming
Bicentennial of National Independence, the Leader of the State hopes that
these artists can stir the national soul. Along the same lines, he suggested
organizing a "mega concert" at the Sylvio Cator National Stadium. In a
touching eloquent testimony, addressed to the divine power, he recognized the
great talent of the whole host of Evangelical artists.  Several choral groups
performed at the event.

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Building of Irrigation Systems in the North-West

To increase national production, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the PPI
(Small Irrigated Areas), built many irrigation systems, pumping ones as well
as gravity ones, in the North-West area of the country. These irrigation
systems will bring water to more than 400 hectares of land in the department.

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Opening of a Calling Center in Peredo

The people in Jacmel are happy for both the repair of their telephone
exchange and for the installation of many public telephones throughout the
streets in town. The people living in the Peredo area, in the commune of
Marigot, showed their happiness by marching down the streets, while they were
chanting their affections for President Aristide.

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