HAITIAN EMBASSY DEFENDS PRESIDENT
(The Nassau Guardian) - By Krystel Rolle
The Haitian Embassy in The Bahamas yesterday clarified what it termed a 'misunderstanding' over statements made by Haitian President Michel Martelly when he visited the country this week.
"President Martelly's sole purpose during his stay in The Bahamas was to seek opportunities to improve the lives of Haitians so they don't have to migrate to other countries," the embassy said.
"At any moment, President Martelly did not intend to interfere in any way in the internal politics of The Bahamas.
Martelly arrived in The Bahamas on Tuesday and left on Wednesday. During his visit he urged his countrymen to form a voting bloc in The Bahamas and align themselves with the political party that will best serve their interests.
"I told them to organize themselves and identify in the upcoming elections who is on their side. That way they can become a force. By being (unified) in the elections they might have people taking care of them. This is the democratic way," Martelly told reporters on Wednesday.
He made a similar statement when he spoke to Haitians and Haitian-Bahamians at the Church of God on Joe Farington Road on Tuesday night.
The embassy said the primary purpose of the visit was to revitalize the relation between The Bahamas and Haiti and to discuss with the business sector business and investment opportunities in Haiti.
"To that end, the delegation was very satisfied as they departed from Nassau in regards with the talks they had with the government, with the leader of the opposition and the business sector of The Bahamas," the statement said.
The Embassy of Haiti wants to highlight the importance of making inroads towards improving relations between the two countries through mutual and respectful cooperation. The government of Haiti looks forward to working together with the government of The Bahamas to achieve common goals and objectives and to strengthen the relationship between the two countries."
Several Bahamians called into The Nassau Guardian yesterday and criticized Martelly for those statements.
One woman who wished not to be identified, said she could not believe her eyes when she read the statement Martelly made.
Some Bahamians also expressed displeasure over Martelly's comments regarding 'stateless' people of Haitian descent living in The Bahamas.
Children born in The Bahamas to foreign parents do not automatically get citizenship.
Under law, they are able to apply on their 18th birthday or in the 12-month period that follows.
Martelly said, "So until they're 18 they don't belong anywhere and yet they were born here, meaning do I have to tell anyone if you send them back to Haiti they probably don't know anybody or won't recognize the place where they land?
"This could be considered as a crime, but that's not the issue to talk about crime here; the issue is to stand by them and find the right solution. Be responsible, be humans, and see how to better assist these Haitians".
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