ARTICLE - MARTELLY - CONSTITUTION

MARTELLY ADMITS PRIME MINISTER PICK DOES NOT MEET CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
(Defend Haiti) -

PORT-AU-PRINCE - The entire debate is on the fifth item of Article 157 of the Constitution regulating that the Prime Minister of Haiti must "reside in the country for five (5) consecutive years." According to the President of the Republic, he took the advice of his legal team on the issue before the appointment of Garry Conille.

"The fact that he has not resided in Haiti for the past five years, is not a hidden history," said President Michel Martelly on Tuesday, referring to his prime minister designate. "Everyone knows that he is a Haitian citizen who works at the United Nations." The president argued this point at the National Palace during a ceremony to present ten new departmental delegates.

According to the Head of State, the arguments of his legal team ...explain the situation of Garry Conille. He pays taxes to the United Nations for Haiti, said Mr. Martelly.

"Every time it is I who makes the choice. That may be why they have a particular profile..." "You can make discussions about this, or we can say that it is time for the country start moving forward. No more small discords, and petty squabbles. We must advance! It is time to stop playing, gentlemen..." fumed Michael Martelly.

"It's because situations are difficult that I choose people who are capable, competent experts. I have family and friends. I am on my third prime minister designate. You've never seen me choose family members or someone close to me. What does that mean? This means that I do not need someone who can give me 10 million or 100 million. I need someone who can help me to implement my policy of revival for the economy of Haiti, free education, agricultural recovery, and health for the people." The president spoke in a 'resolute tone'.

At the Chamber of Deputies, the Committee to examine the records of Dr. Conille has already formed and it is chaired by Deputy Levaillant Louis-Jeune.

The commission was formed to analyze the issues of the Prime Minister-designate. It consists of deputies, Woms Périlus, Jean-Baptiste Lamarre Rene Lochard and GPR for the block; CPR for the group, members Descolines Abel and Benoit Laguerre; PDP Group has appointed two from their side: Ronal Jean Pierre Oscar and Wanique. MP Ruffine Labbé is also a member of the commission.

According to the president of the GPR majority block in the House of Deputies, given the fact that the members go on vacation Monday, September 12, the special commission shall submit its report the same day at noon and the voting session of the report will take place.

"I think that at the latest by Thursday Garry Conille should submit his documents to the commission that will work day and night," said Deputy Alexis Tolbert.

"At the GPR we recognize that we must give the country a prime minister. This is no time for tactics," said the parliamentarians, who seemed rather favorable to the choice of Garry Conille.