#4377: Re: A comment on the elections

[Robert Corbett <bcorbett@netcom.com>]

From:HYSEKA@aol.com

I think it's an interesting question. However, the answer is not in 
legalities. It is rather a political issue.

We all know what the precedent is here: that in 1990, 1995 and 1997, the 
procedure used now was not challenged by anyone. Many of us know as well that 
precedents in English common law, take the force of law. The United States 
legal system is based on British common law. So if it was truly a legal 
issue, the U.S would not for instance, be alongside of those other European 
nations questionning the validity of the election results, based on the 
accounting of the votes. 

The problem it seems to me, is that Lavalas won such an overwhelming 
majority, the International Community was once again taken by surprise. Added 
to this fact, is all the noise that the opposition has been making about the 
Lavalas movement having hijacked the process and stolen votes.

What I think could be done in all honesty, is for the Lavalas leadership to 
negotiate its way back into the process by returning some if not all of these 
candidates whose victory are questionned. They still can win the same way 
they have the first time. Maybe one or two may lose, the same way that they 
all probably can win. But this has to be done through skillfull negotiations. 
This would be good because, it would solidify the Lavalas victory even 
further. 

I cannot think of any other way for the Lavalas movement, to  legitimize its 
victory before every one else. The opposition would hence, had to keep quiet 
and look for some other "issue of the day". Otherwise, there will be for a 
long time, a shadow on the leadership of the Senate that may be costly for 
the Lavalas movement politically in the long run. 

After all, it was the same international community that pressured Aristide 
into giving up power in 1996, and not recuperating his 3 1/2 lost years. Some 
thought then, that he would have been so weakened by 2000, that he'd never be 
able to make a return. Look what hapenned over the last four years. Aristide 
is even stronger and probably better prepared, having now conquered the 
hearts and minds of many in the intelligentsia and the middle class (which is 
crucial in politics). He is now poised to return to power next February. So 
it is truly best at times to give in as a tactical retreat, while keeping the 
focus on the long term strategy.

Hyppolite Pierre