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[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Robert Benodin <r.benodin@worldnet.att.net>

Sermon of Bishop Hubert Constant During President Aristide’s Visit at Fort
Liberty


Published Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 15:49 by p-flash


At the mass he celebrated this Monday at Fort Liberty in the presence of the
Chief of State, Bishop Hubert Constant, president of the Episcopalian
Conference, denounced the demagoguery that prevents the resolution of the
crisis.  Bishop Constant questioned the responsibility of those who violated
the Palace and those responsible for the country’s bloodshed. He asks the
Chief of State to make a move towards the resolution of the crisis.  He
wants to know whether the Lavalas authorities will continue to look for
excuses, blaming outsiders to justify the crisis; or whether all Haitians
are ready to recognize the hypocrisy and greed that prevents them from
getting the country out of the crisis.  He invites all parties to speak the
truth and urges all to be aware of the degradation of the country.  He asks
for disarmament of bandits and for the law to be applied against these
criminals.  The Chief of State must involve himself directly in the
resolution of the crisis.  The Bishop asks the opposition to discuss a
political accord with the party in power.  Civil society must play a
guardian role and work with these two sectors in order to obtain the accord.

In the opinion of citizens, the high cost of life, insecurity, and
unemployment must be the top priorities of the Head of Government.

On his part, Jean B. Aristide calls again on the opposition for dialogue.
The Chief of State invites the leaders of Convergence to return to the
negotiation table, the only chance to resolve the post-electoral crisis of
May 21, 2000.  The Chief of State reiterated his will to organize new
legislative elections in 2002 or during the first semester of the following
year.  The President of the Republic made his declarations during his March
18 visit at Fort Liberty.