ARTICLE - MARTELLY - DUVALIER MEETING

MARTELLY - DUVALIER, A PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF HAITI
(Haiti Libre) -

After his meeting in Tabarre with former President Aristide, President Michel Martelly was received Wednesday afternoon at the private villa in Thomassin, of the former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier. Some longtime supporters of "Baby Doc", his wife Veronique Leroy and his lawyer Reynold Georges were present.

"The only way to solve the problems the country is facing today is to reconcile Haitians with themselves,... invite all the leaders, new and old, to forgive, to understand and to forget the quarrels of the past to facilitate development [...] If Haitians can not agree on all points, they must at least agree when it is questions of the interests and the future of Haiti", insisted the Head of State who invites all the sons of the country to form a chain of solidarity in favor of development," The Head of State invites all the sons of the country to constitute a chain of solidarity in favor of development.

For his part, former President Duvalier declared: "the steps you recommend in favor of national reconciliation is both noble and ambitious. For my part it presents a prerequisite for the economic development and the reconstruction of Haiti. I take this opportunity to launch a solemn appeal to all political leaders, all the actors in the national life;, that they put aside their resentment, that they understand the urgent need of joining together in order to face the many challenges. Mr. President you can be assured of my support for the full success of this action."

After a one-hour interview, President Martelly declared "We are writing a very special page in the history of Haiti". A particular emphasis on the unity necessary to move the country forward "It's time for us to unite."

The two Presidents of the Chambers who were present at both historic meetings on Wednesday, Jean Rodolphe Joazile (Senate) and Sorel Jacinthe (Lower House), have congratulated President Martelly for this gesture, that they affirm to be "the application of democracy and of patriotism".

"I congratulate the President Martelly for this initiative. The country needsto reconcile with itself," declared Jean Rodolphe Joazile, which, however, believes that the problems of justice of Mr. Duvalier must be resolved.