7575: Please post the following anonymously 7550:Re:7523Prophesied Kabilasation (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

I have some information about the Stanley Lucas IRI interview on the radio 
talk show, Haiti Focus. He was asked by host Harry Joseph to do a 
comparative analysis on situations around the world similar to Haiti and 
what could be the effects of anarchy and the absence of the rule of law in a 
country.  He was also asked about the ways that people seek democracy during 
a time of internal crisis and what could be the end results.

Lucas's answer in creole was the following:

A similar crisis occurred in the Dominican Republic in 1994. President 
Balaguer organized fraudulent elections which the opposition and civil 
society would not swallow. They protested around the country. President 
Balaguer and Pena Gomez, the leaders of the opposition, started a dialogue 
and negotiations. As a result, they signed a political agreement. Balaguer 
shortened his mandate, called for early elections, and hired a non-partisan 
electoral body. Balaguer respected the agreement, as did Pena Gomez, and now 
democracy is flourishing in the Dominican Republic.

Haiti can also look at what happened in Peru and Yugoslavia. President 
Milosevic of Yugoslavia and President Fujimori of Peru wanted to impose 
fraudulent election results on their people. In Peru, the international 
community called for negotiations to find a solution to the crisis. In the 
end the people of both countries mobilized and got what they wanted: the 
organization of free and fair elections and results that reflect what they 
voted for.

In countries where there is dictatorship, anarchy, and no rule of law, 
anything can happen without the accountability that democracy usually 
provides. Look what happened to Congolese President Kabila. When you don't 
have democracy and the rule of law, and when you have anarchy, anything can 
happen. That's why IRI always supports dialogue, negotiations, free and fair 
elections and the respect for democratic principles.

Haiti began its democratic process at the same time as the Philippines after 
Marcos's departure in February 1986. But when you compare the two countries 
today, they are on two different tracks. Fifteen years later, the democratic 
institutions of the Philippines are so strong that they were able to 
democratically impeach a President for wrong doing. Whereas Haiti, fifteen 
years later, is still at the same point of departure.

This is what I recalled about Lucas's statement during the interview. I hope 
that I contributed to the debate. Thank you.
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