ARTICLE - MARTELLY'S ARMY ON ITS FEET

MARTELLY'S ARMY 'DEJA SUR PIED', ACCORDING TO SOURCES
(Defend Haiti) - By James Dufresne

PORT-AU-PRINCE - Just weeks after President of the Republic, Michel Joseph Martelly, had hoped to rebuild the army of Haiti, thousands of young people had already begun basic training in several camps throughout the country.

In the Haitian capital two sites are known. The first one is in the town of Croix-des Bouquets, near the market at Seradòt and Bon Repos; and the other is in Lambi, near Mariani, in the town of Gressier. In the Centre Department, the former military resumed workouts.

Senator Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aimé (Nord-Est/Inite) said that everything is in confusion. He wonders if these are trainings enrolled in a return of FRAPH, the formation of a 'Pink Militia', or the establishment of a new armed force.

Deputy Johnson Dieujuste (Môle Saint Nicolas, Jean Rabel/PONT) believes it is fashionable to establish a body having the ability to control the ports and the borders of Haiti, but he expressed reservations about how the recruitment is done.

"Up until today, information on the training of persons to serve on the new armed force is just rumor since no dialogue has been undertaken with the parliament," deplores the member from Jean Rabel.

In either case, last October 17, the recruits marched to Pont Rouge.... Unfortunately it game ended with a session of stone and glass bottle throwing.

The army, according to the President of the Senate, Jean Rodolph Joazile (Nord-Est/Alternative), is a constitutional body; therefore, there is no need to consult the senate to put it back in motion. However, six senators sent a letter to the president of the general body to send to the Prime Minister, Garry Conille and to the Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard Paul to inform peers... on the rebuilding of Armed Forces of Haiti (FAdH).

According to Senator Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aime, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior are best placed to provide information on the identity of the body. This is expected Wednesday.

If the commanding officers must be made ​​before the day of the Battle of Vertières, the Senate shall, ... approve the choice of Commander in Chief, under Article 163 of the Constitution.

Too early to account; as Senator Youri Latortue (Artibonite/AAA), and Deputy Abel Descollines (Mirebalais & Boucan Carré/Lavni), believe it is premature to invite the ministers to provide information about the reinstatement of the new force.

"Ministers are trained to learn about various issues. I think it is premature to invite them," remarks the deputy. Note that the Lavalas sector had raised their voice against the establishment of a new military force in Haiti while other sectors had mentioned the illegal nature of the introduction, already in motion, of the national army. Even today, it is unclear. Who is responsible for recruitment? The issue is still pending.