a1479: Is there a way out? (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Hyppolite Pierre <hpierre@irsp.org>

Last year, the Government of Haiti made a proposal that was debated at the
OAS to end the so-called electoral crisis. The proposal includes amongst
other things, the calling for new and early elections and the shortening of
the term of all elected officials by 2 years. That means we ought to have
elections for the whole Chamber of Deputies in Haiti sometime this year,
hopefully this November.

Recently, Marc Bazin was chosen by the new Prime Minister with the approval
and perhaps recommendation of Aristide, as Minister Without Portfolio. His
role is apparently, thanks to his stature and his leadership role as an
opposition member, to negotiate with the Convergence opposition group an end
to the current crisis. It seems however that the Convergence is not ready or
willing to participate in these elections. This is as cynically as it may
sound, understandable because they themselves doubt that they presently have
enough support in the overall electorate. Perhaps they should be convinced
through some incentives, to participate in these elections. Let's consider
this.

What if the GOH through Bazin proposes such a formula to the Convergence?

1-A guarantee that there won't be no Lavalas candidates, overtly or
covertly, for some seats in the Lower Chamber of Deputies, and even in the
Senate.
2-A promise that as much as 30 percent of such seats in each Chamber
(Deputies and Senatorial) will be "up for grabs" under such plan.
3-A promise that at the municipal level, Lavalas will not send candidates
overtly or covertly for certain municipalities.
4-A promise that in certain municipalities, at the CASEC level, Lavalas will
as well not send candidates so there can be more of a balanced power
structure. That way we would finally, after 15 years of a new Constitution,
be able to have a Permanent Electoral Council.

Such a proposal may be a tough pill to swallow for most if not all Lavalas
partisans, including me. On the other hand, we must all realize a few things
that are even more important than having all the power.

On the one hand, whether we admit it or not, Lavalas with Aristide is a very
potent political force which if all is played fair and square, will win
elections again overwhelmingly next time around. On the other hand, in light
of what has happened recently in Haiti, it is clear that it is not to
Lavalas' and the country's advantage to have all the power structure at its
hand. There is not enough check and balances. There are quite a few elected
officials who are in the Lavalas camp not because of ideological or
political conviction but rather, because they know they can always win that
way.

Although the Convergence opposition represents a minority, it is a powerful
one at that. It has for instance enough clout to cause major headaches to
Haiti reestablishing itself as a stable and confident society moving towards
a future. If this wasn't true, then the GOH would have gotten the loan money
from the IDB and the other financial institutions a long time ago.

We must learn to share power at all costs. If the opposition Convergence can
be guaranteed a 30 percent gain in the next elections, there still is
another 70 percent left for all parties including the Convergence, to grab.
I would even suggest that Lavalas only try to gain not more than 55 percent
of the electorate, so other parties like the Alternative for Change or AC
(Alternative pour le Changement) and perhaps independent candidates can have
the opportunity as well to win. In all honesty, I sincerely believe that we
do need a more balanced power structure.

What Aristide personally would have to do under such a plan, is get involved
directly in campaigning for his party candidates, so they can maintain a
workable majority in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. After all, we
must all remember the debacle of the 47th legislature and its "Nietz"
policies. Aristide does indeed command such respect still, among the
majority poor. That is just a plain fact.

If the opposition was afforded the opportunity to gain seats in wealthier
suburbs, such a plan would have been less evident and even more acceptable
to the electorate at large, since they seem to be their natural ally. At
that point, with all parties having the opportunity to voice themselves
directly and effectively in the political process, it would become easier
for us to look towards a more stable Haiti politically and economically in
the short and long run, and even a more promising 2004. We would also
finally have the opportunity to realize who and what political groupings
really care for the country, versus who is in the game simply for power.

Hyppolite Pierre
IRSP
http://www.irsp.org