MARTELLY SPEECH AT RIO+20
(Haiti Libre) -
President Michel Martelly, is currently participating from June 20 to 22, 2012, at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Brazil. In his speech at this international forum the Head of State declared that: "The whole world looks once more on the fate of the earth for a renewed political commitment in favor of sustainable development around two themes of magnitude, which are on the one hand a green economy in a perceptual eradication of poverty, and the reviewing of the architecture of the institutional framework for sustainable development." While discussing the situation in Haiti the Head of State acknowledged that "this summit gives me more questions than it solves. How to speak of a sustainable development with the demographic realities, of survival and a State institutionally weak to reconstruct; as is the situation of my country? I think that Rio+20 puts at the heart of the debate the question of inequality, which clashes with the ideals of justice and solidarity, threatening the economic and social stability and makes the most disadvantaged strata more vulnerable to shocks, particularly the environmental stress..."
At Rio +20, the President also joined the World Food Programme (WFP) and FAO to announce the expansion of school feeding programs and also the prevention of chronic and acute malnutrition, while providing support to Haitian farmers to improve their market access.
"Our message during the Rio +20 conference is that there is no real sustainable development as food insecurity threatens populations. Before arriving to Rio, I visited Haiti and saw with my own eyes how the succession of emergencies and high food prices preventing the country from reaching its true potential, "said Ms. Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of WFP. The expansion of operations to strengthen the resilience of populations, including school feeding programs and nutrition, is essential for a truly sustainable development in a country like Haiti."
"This kind of program is among those that Haiti needs to achieve sustainable development and in the long-term, in order to achieve our objective of eradicating hunger by 2025," declared President Martelly. "We particularly appreciate the efforts of WFP, which helps us to make of this objective a reality."
In Haiti, WFP is currently implementing nutrition programs, Cash for Work in order to improve irrigation infrastructure, and protection against flooding, and provides daily hot meals to 1.1 million children in the country by ensuring that more food is purchased locally from Haitians farmers. As an example of the way to follow, Ms. Cousin underlined the pilot project "Lèt Agogo" (milk) which, thanks to support from the Brazilian government and the support of partners such as FAO allows WFP to purchase sterilized milk from 13 dairies in Haiti. The milk is distributed to over 20,000 children in about sixty schools supported by the National School Feeding Programme (PNCS).
The Executive Director also urged the international community to provide a long-term support to the initiatives strengthening the resilience of Haiti. "We need funding commitments over several years helping to build sustainable systems, that lead to stable results in the areas of nutrition and education and increase income levels in rural areas," declared Ms. Cousin.
Showing posts with label Articles - Martelly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles - Martelly. Show all posts
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
ARTICLE - LAMOTHE VISITS MALPASSE BORDER
LAURENT LAMOTHE VISITS THE MALPASSE BORDER
(Haiti Libre) -
Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, visited Friday, the customs office in Malpasse, at the Haitian-Dominican border, to inquire personally about the conditions under which tax collections are carried out, and at the same time consider ways to improve them.
Accompanied among others by the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Director of General Administration of Customs, and the Director General of the National Police of Haiti, the Head of Government noted the necessity for a veritable mobilization in favor of the increase in customs revenue.
In this sense, the Prime Minister is considering the recruitment of new agents in the area of Fonds Parisien and their integration or assignment into the office at Malpasse to facilitate proximity and the professionalisation of this public service.
Laurent Lamothe also believes that the improvement of working conditions for civil servants and the modernization of physical infrastructure can promote a better performance of customs services. Also, existing infrastructure will be subject to review and adjustment based on the requirements of the border environment.
The Head of Government argues in favor of a more rational management of the border to allow the state to earn more money. "It would take a coordinated management of the border," he declared. The lack of cooperation between the Customs Service of Immigration and Emigration, and the Police, weakens the public capacity in the area, making possible all the excesses and the prosper of trafficking.
Despite a significant increase in the flow of goods in 2011-2012, customs revenue in Malpasse has dropped significantly compared to 2010-2011, when it was represented between 180 to 200 million gourdes every month. Now in 2011-2012 it represents only 120 million gourdes every month...
The Prime Minister's visit to the customs office of Malpasse reflects his desire to continue his crusade against smuggling, corruption and fraud that are major obstacles to the development of Haiti.
Wednesday at the 3rd Council of Government, Laurent Lamothe stated that "The free border is finished". Pointing to the binational markets the Prime Minister declared: "We must correct this problem, we can not continue to make the wrong decision to open the border during 2 days of 5 working days." For his part Wilson Laleau, the Minister of Commerce, explained that it was "a free market that is made in one direction", and stated that "the creation of jobs in Haiti goes through the protection of our industries and our businesses [...] The border control is the first big decision if you want to create jobs."
The strengthening of a regulatory framework on border markets, undoubtedly will cause some tensions with our Dominican neighbors, who however, will have trouble to oppose the will of the Haitian Government and the legitimacy of these measures, given the economic situation of Haiti.
Some observers believe that this new policy, outside of increasing tax revenues, will not cause a big change in trade relations between the two countries, except that the new taxes, will contribute to higher prices in Haiti and will have little impact on the neighboring Dominican Republic. Haiti does not export much to that country.
(Haiti Libre) -
Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, visited Friday, the customs office in Malpasse, at the Haitian-Dominican border, to inquire personally about the conditions under which tax collections are carried out, and at the same time consider ways to improve them.
Accompanied among others by the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Director of General Administration of Customs, and the Director General of the National Police of Haiti, the Head of Government noted the necessity for a veritable mobilization in favor of the increase in customs revenue.
In this sense, the Prime Minister is considering the recruitment of new agents in the area of Fonds Parisien and their integration or assignment into the office at Malpasse to facilitate proximity and the professionalisation of this public service.
Laurent Lamothe also believes that the improvement of working conditions for civil servants and the modernization of physical infrastructure can promote a better performance of customs services. Also, existing infrastructure will be subject to review and adjustment based on the requirements of the border environment.
The Head of Government argues in favor of a more rational management of the border to allow the state to earn more money. "It would take a coordinated management of the border," he declared. The lack of cooperation between the Customs Service of Immigration and Emigration, and the Police, weakens the public capacity in the area, making possible all the excesses and the prosper of trafficking.
Despite a significant increase in the flow of goods in 2011-2012, customs revenue in Malpasse has dropped significantly compared to 2010-2011, when it was represented between 180 to 200 million gourdes every month. Now in 2011-2012 it represents only 120 million gourdes every month...
The Prime Minister's visit to the customs office of Malpasse reflects his desire to continue his crusade against smuggling, corruption and fraud that are major obstacles to the development of Haiti.
Wednesday at the 3rd Council of Government, Laurent Lamothe stated that "The free border is finished". Pointing to the binational markets the Prime Minister declared: "We must correct this problem, we can not continue to make the wrong decision to open the border during 2 days of 5 working days." For his part Wilson Laleau, the Minister of Commerce, explained that it was "a free market that is made in one direction", and stated that "the creation of jobs in Haiti goes through the protection of our industries and our businesses [...] The border control is the first big decision if you want to create jobs."
The strengthening of a regulatory framework on border markets, undoubtedly will cause some tensions with our Dominican neighbors, who however, will have trouble to oppose the will of the Haitian Government and the legitimacy of these measures, given the economic situation of Haiti.
Some observers believe that this new policy, outside of increasing tax revenues, will not cause a big change in trade relations between the two countries, except that the new taxes, will contribute to higher prices in Haiti and will have little impact on the neighboring Dominican Republic. Haiti does not export much to that country.
ARTICLE - CONILLE AUDIT REPORT SUBMITTED
THE AUDIT COMMISSION OF DR. CONILLE, SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT
(Haiti Libre) -
The Independent Audit Commission for the 41 contracts signed under the emergency law, under the Préval-Bellerive government, initiated by former Prime Minister, Dr. Garry Conille, submitted its report to the Government this week at the third Council of Government.
Enex Jean-Charles, the Secretary General of the Primature explained "[...] After having analyzed the 41 contracts, on the basis of what they [the members] have considered as some irregularities, the Commission has made recommendations in order to safeguard the interests of the State.
We selected some of these recommendations that have been made. The Commission reports that the Government check the status of work being done within the framework of these contracts, compared to disbursements that were made, what work was done for the disbursement made.
It recommends to the Government, for all contracts that have not yet received any money, that the government uses its power of unilateral termination [as provided in the laws on public procurement].
For contracts in which funds have already been released and work started, it requests the Government to analyze the contracts [...] and in the same manner that what is provided in the law on public procurement, it recommends that the State, if it deems necessary, to use its power of unilateral change, contained in existing terms of these contracts, to ensure that work, in favor of the population, can continue.
The Commission also recommends that there be a 'passé main' that is done on the law on public contracts, because according to them there are some contradictions,... one can easily find two people who are right on the same record, but which are based on two different articles in the same law...
In summary, the Commission recommends an analysis of all active contracts, and to close all contracts where no disbursement has taken place by using the power of unilateral change [...]"
Following the recommendations of this report, the Government decided to forward it to the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes, to have a final legal opinion, before taking the necessary decisions in the interests for the people of Haiti. Note that the Court of Auditors is not linked to the findings of the report of the Special Commission.
(Haiti Libre) -
The Independent Audit Commission for the 41 contracts signed under the emergency law, under the Préval-Bellerive government, initiated by former Prime Minister, Dr. Garry Conille, submitted its report to the Government this week at the third Council of Government.
Enex Jean-Charles, the Secretary General of the Primature explained "[...] After having analyzed the 41 contracts, on the basis of what they [the members] have considered as some irregularities, the Commission has made recommendations in order to safeguard the interests of the State.
We selected some of these recommendations that have been made. The Commission reports that the Government check the status of work being done within the framework of these contracts, compared to disbursements that were made, what work was done for the disbursement made.
It recommends to the Government, for all contracts that have not yet received any money, that the government uses its power of unilateral termination [as provided in the laws on public procurement].
For contracts in which funds have already been released and work started, it requests the Government to analyze the contracts [...] and in the same manner that what is provided in the law on public procurement, it recommends that the State, if it deems necessary, to use its power of unilateral change, contained in existing terms of these contracts, to ensure that work, in favor of the population, can continue.
The Commission also recommends that there be a 'passé main' that is done on the law on public contracts, because according to them there are some contradictions,... one can easily find two people who are right on the same record, but which are based on two different articles in the same law...
In summary, the Commission recommends an analysis of all active contracts, and to close all contracts where no disbursement has taken place by using the power of unilateral change [...]"
Following the recommendations of this report, the Government decided to forward it to the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes, to have a final legal opinion, before taking the necessary decisions in the interests for the people of Haiti. Note that the Court of Auditors is not linked to the findings of the report of the Special Commission.
ARTICLE - MOISE DOES NOT TURN BACK
MOISE DOES NOT RETURN ON HIS STATEMENTS
(Haiti Libre) -
This Wednesday, at the 3rd Council of Government, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe denied again, the allegations of Senator Moïse, who accuses the government of diverting PetroCaribe funds, saying that every dollar of this fund is budgeted and managed in strict compliance with government accounting.
However, Laurent Lamothe acknowledged a lack of communication in the use and management of PetroCaribe funds, and asked Michael Lecorps, the Director General of the Office of Monetization of the Assistance Program (BMPAD) to provide further explanations.
In his speech, Michael Lecorps recalled the contract terms governing the PetroCaribe Program and those of the disbursement of funds. He indicated that the five resolutions and 78 projects received by the BMPAD totaled $812 million and that all expenses incurred, are passed through the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Thursday, the Prime Minister invited Senator Jean Charles Moïse to turn back on his accusations against the Venezuelan Ambassador to Haiti, which could cause serious harm to relations between Haiti and Venezuela, following a high-level diplomatic complaint... Laurent Lamothe stated that his call to order to the Senator, had for its' sole purpose, to preserve the respect and support of the Bolivarian Republic vis-à-vis Haiti.
Reacting to the statements of Prime Minister, the Senator Jean Charles Moïse, rejected the call to order, explaining that his statements did not intend to harm relations between Haiti and Venezuela [!] This did not stop the Senator persisting in his position, accusing the Venezuelan Ambassador of supporting the Martelly-Lamothe Government in the waste of funds of program PetroCaribe ! This statement could once again cause tensions in diplomatic relations between Haiti and Venezuela... what the country does not need right now.
(Haiti Libre) -
This Wednesday, at the 3rd Council of Government, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe denied again, the allegations of Senator Moïse, who accuses the government of diverting PetroCaribe funds, saying that every dollar of this fund is budgeted and managed in strict compliance with government accounting.
However, Laurent Lamothe acknowledged a lack of communication in the use and management of PetroCaribe funds, and asked Michael Lecorps, the Director General of the Office of Monetization of the Assistance Program (BMPAD) to provide further explanations.
In his speech, Michael Lecorps recalled the contract terms governing the PetroCaribe Program and those of the disbursement of funds. He indicated that the five resolutions and 78 projects received by the BMPAD totaled $812 million and that all expenses incurred, are passed through the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Thursday, the Prime Minister invited Senator Jean Charles Moïse to turn back on his accusations against the Venezuelan Ambassador to Haiti, which could cause serious harm to relations between Haiti and Venezuela, following a high-level diplomatic complaint... Laurent Lamothe stated that his call to order to the Senator, had for its' sole purpose, to preserve the respect and support of the Bolivarian Republic vis-à-vis Haiti.
Reacting to the statements of Prime Minister, the Senator Jean Charles Moïse, rejected the call to order, explaining that his statements did not intend to harm relations between Haiti and Venezuela [!] This did not stop the Senator persisting in his position, accusing the Venezuelan Ambassador of supporting the Martelly-Lamothe Government in the waste of funds of program PetroCaribe ! This statement could once again cause tensions in diplomatic relations between Haiti and Venezuela... what the country does not need right now.
ARTICLE - CONSTITUTION - WHO IS RIGHT?
"THE ERROR" IN ARTICLE 137, WHO IS RIGHT?
(Haiti Libre) -
Article 137 of the amended text of the Constitution of 1987, published this week in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" indicates: "The President of the Republic chooses the Prime minister among the members of the party having an absolute majority in Parliament. The majority is established on the basis of electoral results of elected officials in each House. Without this majority, the President of the Republic chooses the Prime Minister in consultation with the President of the Senate and House of Deputies"
It would lack in this text, according to Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the Senate, the following sentence: "in both cases the choice must be ratified by Parliament."
However, Professor Rosny Desroches, Executive Director of the Civil Society Initiative (ISC), and member of the Commission which was responsible to reconstitute the minutes from the meeting of May 9, 2011, says the opposite; explaining that the text published in Le Moniteur is the text, as it was passed by the parliamentarians, and that the sentence, "in both cases the choice must be ratified by Parliament" was not included in the declaration of the amendment. He added that after this publication, it is impossible to make a new modification to the published text...
This statement is far from being shared by Deputy Charles Faustin, who says the opposite. He recalled that at the time, the proposal for the amendment was intended to ratify the Prime Minister in the General Assembly, instead of a separate ratification in both Houses. However, this proposal was rejected,.... it was according to him, agreed to return to the double ratification; but in no case, the removal of the ratification by the parliament had been an option.
Deputy Jean Willbert Deshommes, deplores for his part, that the correction was not made to Article 137, to restore the ratification by parliamentarians, pointing the finger for the responsibility to the Presidents of both Houses.... Rosny Desroches believes that "The text having been promulgated in Le Moniteur, with all its errors, no changes can be made". According to the Deputy, the only possibility for a change in the constitution, is to resume the constitutional review process, at the end of the 49th Legislature.
(Haiti Libre) -
Article 137 of the amended text of the Constitution of 1987, published this week in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" indicates: "The President of the Republic chooses the Prime minister among the members of the party having an absolute majority in Parliament. The majority is established on the basis of electoral results of elected officials in each House. Without this majority, the President of the Republic chooses the Prime Minister in consultation with the President of the Senate and House of Deputies"
It would lack in this text, according to Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the Senate, the following sentence: "in both cases the choice must be ratified by Parliament."
However, Professor Rosny Desroches, Executive Director of the Civil Society Initiative (ISC), and member of the Commission which was responsible to reconstitute the minutes from the meeting of May 9, 2011, says the opposite; explaining that the text published in Le Moniteur is the text, as it was passed by the parliamentarians, and that the sentence, "in both cases the choice must be ratified by Parliament" was not included in the declaration of the amendment. He added that after this publication, it is impossible to make a new modification to the published text...
This statement is far from being shared by Deputy Charles Faustin, who says the opposite. He recalled that at the time, the proposal for the amendment was intended to ratify the Prime Minister in the General Assembly, instead of a separate ratification in both Houses. However, this proposal was rejected,.... it was according to him, agreed to return to the double ratification; but in no case, the removal of the ratification by the parliament had been an option.
Deputy Jean Willbert Deshommes, deplores for his part, that the correction was not made to Article 137, to restore the ratification by parliamentarians, pointing the finger for the responsibility to the Presidents of both Houses.... Rosny Desroches believes that "The text having been promulgated in Le Moniteur, with all its errors, no changes can be made". According to the Deputy, the only possibility for a change in the constitution, is to resume the constitutional review process, at the end of the 49th Legislature.
ARTICLE - ERROR IN CONSTITUTION
NEW CONSTITUTION, FIRST ERROR
(Haiti Libre) -
The new amended Constitution of Haiti, officially came into effect on Thursday with its publication in the Official Gazette #96 "Le Moniteur." Just published, this text is already affected by an error...
In a correspondence addressed Wednesday to Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the Senate demanded the addition of an erratum in section 137, which concerns the process of appointing the Prime Minister by the Head of State. This article presents a serious omission [or suppression?] neglecting to mention that the ratification must be made by both Houses...
In fact, Article 137, as published, states: "The President of the Republic chooses the prime minister among the members of the party having an absolute majority in Parliament. The majority is established on the basis of the electoral results of elected officials in each House. Without this majority, the President of the Republic chooses the Prime Minister in consultation with the President of the Senate and House of Deputies". It lacks in the text the following sentence: "in both cases the choice must be ratified by Parliament"
The President of the Senate, who speaks of negligence... asserted that the executive and legislative branches have agreed to make the necessary corrective... before any reproduction of the document. However, contrary to this assertion, the article in question has undergone no change, and no Erratum is included in the reproduced version of the amended text [and corrected ?] of the Constitution, in the official gazette, Le Moniteur, published on Thursday. This error, opens the way for a new controversy, a new crisis, if one believes Senator Jean-Charles Moïse, who immediately denounced the publication, accusing the Government to have hijacked and distorted the contents in their favor.
(Haiti Libre) -
The new amended Constitution of Haiti, officially came into effect on Thursday with its publication in the Official Gazette #96 "Le Moniteur." Just published, this text is already affected by an error...
In a correspondence addressed Wednesday to Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the Senate demanded the addition of an erratum in section 137, which concerns the process of appointing the Prime Minister by the Head of State. This article presents a serious omission [or suppression?] neglecting to mention that the ratification must be made by both Houses...
In fact, Article 137, as published, states: "The President of the Republic chooses the prime minister among the members of the party having an absolute majority in Parliament. The majority is established on the basis of the electoral results of elected officials in each House. Without this majority, the President of the Republic chooses the Prime Minister in consultation with the President of the Senate and House of Deputies". It lacks in the text the following sentence: "in both cases the choice must be ratified by Parliament"
The President of the Senate, who speaks of negligence... asserted that the executive and legislative branches have agreed to make the necessary corrective... before any reproduction of the document. However, contrary to this assertion, the article in question has undergone no change, and no Erratum is included in the reproduced version of the amended text [and corrected ?] of the Constitution, in the official gazette, Le Moniteur, published on Thursday. This error, opens the way for a new controversy, a new crisis, if one believes Senator Jean-Charles Moïse, who immediately denounced the publication, accusing the Government to have hijacked and distorted the contents in their favor.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
ARTICLE - CONSTITUTION - STATEMENTS
CONSTITUTION - STATEMENTS OF PRESIDENTS OF BOTH HOUSES
(Haiti Libre) -
Speaking at the Decree signing ceremony, of President Martelly, authorizing the publication of the amended text of the Constitution of 1987, the President and the Vice-President of the National Assembly, respectively Senator Dieuseul Simon Desras, and MP Levaillant Louis Jeune have spoken (excerpts).
Senator Dieuseul Simon Desras, President of the National Assembly:
"[...] A long year has passed since May 9 2011, when the Honourable Deputies and Senators, gathered in National Assembly, and adopted the amendments [...] as I am devoted to the cause of my country, if I knew that something was useful to my nation, but would be ruinous on the other hand, I would not have suggested it to the President of the Republic.
However, the path is sometimes complicated,.... we arrive to create and preserve the balance of a constructive space where the executive, legislature and judiciary can finally be in harmony to change the Constitution, so that it is adapted to the time, to promote progress,.... this is what explains the meeting of the three powers, and what we are doing here today.
I express my satisfaction to see today the President of the Republic, His Excellency Joseph Michel Martelly, take this decision [...], the President of the Republic allows us to go in the direction of modernity, with a more functional Constitution. By this action, he established the logical principle, that our Charter should above all, serve the interests of the Nation, and not turn into a brake that is outdated and inadequate to development [...] Finally, this amendment will help us to repair much injustice that was made and repeated against the 4 million Haitians living abroad, who are already involved in the local economy, with nearly 2 billion U.S. dollars in annual transfers to Haiti [...] despite the mechanisms that operate for their exclusion, they remaine profoundly Haitian, both by identity through culture, and sometimes even by birth [...]"
Deputy Levaillant Louis Jeune, Vice-President of the National Assembly:
"[...] the Constitution of 1987 represents the result of a quest for political,... for the reflective will of the Haitian citizens to reject the blind power, nepotism and authoritarian of Duvalier, and to participate in the redefinition and the establishment of new relationship between the public authorities. It also reflects a reasonable request for a change of the State; however, like all human work, this Constitution is not perfect. Given the socio-political context in which it was developed, it has a number of important shortcomings. It is by considering the latter, that President Préval has decided to review it by naming a Presidential Commission, composed of honest and respectable Haitian citizens, to bring this project to the Haitian people [...]"
After giving explanations, and the history of the process of reviewing the Constitution of 1987, Deputy Levaillant Louis Jeune continued "[...] Certainly, this process was affected by errors, but we want to mention, that these errors, only of a material nature, does not constitute a cause of a nullity of the noble and necessary final act. They motivate us to give us in the future, more time to consult in order to produce, among others, a work that is a politico-legal consensual, almost perfect, and carrying substantial improvements for the Haitian people. Today's ceremony marks this will, not of a resumption or regression, but of a democratic continuity [...]"
(Haiti Libre) -
Speaking at the Decree signing ceremony, of President Martelly, authorizing the publication of the amended text of the Constitution of 1987, the President and the Vice-President of the National Assembly, respectively Senator Dieuseul Simon Desras, and MP Levaillant Louis Jeune have spoken (excerpts).
Senator Dieuseul Simon Desras, President of the National Assembly:
"[...] A long year has passed since May 9 2011, when the Honourable Deputies and Senators, gathered in National Assembly, and adopted the amendments [...] as I am devoted to the cause of my country, if I knew that something was useful to my nation, but would be ruinous on the other hand, I would not have suggested it to the President of the Republic.
However, the path is sometimes complicated,.... we arrive to create and preserve the balance of a constructive space where the executive, legislature and judiciary can finally be in harmony to change the Constitution, so that it is adapted to the time, to promote progress,.... this is what explains the meeting of the three powers, and what we are doing here today.
I express my satisfaction to see today the President of the Republic, His Excellency Joseph Michel Martelly, take this decision [...], the President of the Republic allows us to go in the direction of modernity, with a more functional Constitution. By this action, he established the logical principle, that our Charter should above all, serve the interests of the Nation, and not turn into a brake that is outdated and inadequate to development [...] Finally, this amendment will help us to repair much injustice that was made and repeated against the 4 million Haitians living abroad, who are already involved in the local economy, with nearly 2 billion U.S. dollars in annual transfers to Haiti [...] despite the mechanisms that operate for their exclusion, they remaine profoundly Haitian, both by identity through culture, and sometimes even by birth [...]"
Deputy Levaillant Louis Jeune, Vice-President of the National Assembly:
"[...] the Constitution of 1987 represents the result of a quest for political,... for the reflective will of the Haitian citizens to reject the blind power, nepotism and authoritarian of Duvalier, and to participate in the redefinition and the establishment of new relationship between the public authorities. It also reflects a reasonable request for a change of the State; however, like all human work, this Constitution is not perfect. Given the socio-political context in which it was developed, it has a number of important shortcomings. It is by considering the latter, that President Préval has decided to review it by naming a Presidential Commission, composed of honest and respectable Haitian citizens, to bring this project to the Haitian people [...]"
After giving explanations, and the history of the process of reviewing the Constitution of 1987, Deputy Levaillant Louis Jeune continued "[...] Certainly, this process was affected by errors, but we want to mention, that these errors, only of a material nature, does not constitute a cause of a nullity of the noble and necessary final act. They motivate us to give us in the future, more time to consult in order to produce, among others, a work that is a politico-legal consensual, almost perfect, and carrying substantial improvements for the Haitian people. Today's ceremony marks this will, not of a resumption or regression, but of a democratic continuity [...]"
Thursday, June 21, 2012
ARTICLE - CONSTITUTION CHANGES - LAW
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES TO BECOME LAW IN HAITI A YEAR AFTER VOTE
(Miami Herald) - By Jacqueline Charles
More than a year after they were first voted, constitutional reforms in Haiti will finally become law, President Michel Martelly said Tuesday.
Constitutional changes that were voted more than a year ago by Haitian lawmakers will finally be made legal, Haitian President Michel Martelly said Tuesday.
Martelly announced he will publish the amendments to Haiti’s 1987 constitution that underwent reform before he took office May 14, 2011, but were later annulled by him after some lawmakers said what was ultimately published was not what they voted.
“Today is an important day,” Martelly said during a news conference on the grounds of the presidential palace. “The three branches of power will advance together.”
Martelly made the announcement shortly before leaving Haiti for Brazil to join more than 100 world leaders and environmentalists at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, referred to as Rio+20. He was joined by members of the foreign diplomatic corps, the head of the Haitian Supreme Court and the presidents of both chambers of parliament. Highlighting some of the changes, he noted that finally there will be a constitutional court in place to resolve conflicts; 30 percent of the administration will be women, and as of today, the question about double nationality will finally be done with, he said.
“All Haitians are Haitians,” he said.
But while the long-awaited announcement was applauded by the international community, which has been pressuring a reluctant Martelly to publish the constitutional reforms, it has been met with resistance in Haiti. Leaders and constitutional experts debate about whether the amendments could legally be published or even if they should be. They argue that the process was deeply flawed, and it remains unclear if what’s being published by Martelly is indeed what was voted by parliamentarians over two days in May 2011 during a voting frenzy. Even some proponents of the changes argue that it’s too late and Haiti should work to create a more modern Constitution.
One of the biggest changes — the creation of a Permanent Electoral Council (CEP) to stage future elections — is unworkable from the start, experts note, because a two-thirds vote in each chamber is required to form its nine members. Haiti’s Senate lost 10 of its 30 members to expired terms last month, leaving it one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed.
“It’s impossible,” Monferrier Dorval, a constitutional expert at Haiti’ State University in Port-au-Prince, said about achieving the permanent CEP.
Dorval and other experts on Tuesday said they were awaiting an actual copy of what’s being published to analyze it. For instance, questions persist over the Creole and French versions they say; while the French amendments say the prime minister will replace the president if something happens, the Creole version of the 1987 Constitutions still names the head of the Supreme Court.
Brian Concannon, a human rights lawyer who directs the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, said while “it’s very much to President Martelly’s credit that he has resisted publishing the amendments so far, it is inconceivably short-sighted and irresponsible for the international community to force this on the Haitian government and its people.”
“There is more consensus that these amendments are a terrible idea, at least among people who understand constitutions,” Concannon said. “Some people like the amendments because of what some of them do — the quota for woman candidates, double nationality…But there is no one who seriously defends them as legal or as likely to advance the rule of law in Haiti, left or right, old or young, rich or poor.”
But the head of the Supreme Court and the Senate say they support the version being published. After 13 months of debates and missteps, a consensus has been reached, Senate President Simon Desras said.
“It’s time that justice be given to the four million Haitians who have been living outside of the country,” Desras said.
The debacle over the constitutional reforms was born in the final hours of the vote in May 2011 when a group of 16 senators — whose six years’ terms were set to expire — failed to win support for an extension of their terms. They wanted the extension as part of an effort to synchronize the election cycle to have one election every five years, something the international community desperately wanted. But during the vote, some lawmakers including those in the lower house opposed the extension, beginning the confusion about what passed and what didn’t.
Days after, then-President René Préval, who himself had opposed the extension of the senator’s mandate, signed the reforms and sent them to the government’s official journal for publication to become law. Soon, some lawmakers cried fraud, saying what was published was different from what actually passed. Martelly then annulled the changes and formed a special committee to resolve the issue.
Since then, Martelly has vacillated between publishing the changes and not doing so. But the international community, which supports changes to give Haitians living abroad greater rights in owning property and investing in Haiti, has pressured Martelly to publish the reforms.
“These amendments, though insufficient, are desirable and will strengthen a Constitution that is a source of Haitian pride,” the Club of Madrid, a group of former world leaders declared during a June 2011 visit to Haiti. “These improvements shall not be lost nor should their implementation be postponed as they add a net contribution to Haiti’s progress towards recovery, development, inclusion and freedom.”
More than a year after they were first voted, constitutional reforms in Haiti will finally become law, President Michel Martelly said Tuesday.
Constitutional changes that were voted more than a year ago by Haitian lawmakers will finally be made legal, Haitian President Michel Martelly said Tuesday.
Martelly announced he will publish the amendments to Haiti’s 1987 constitution that underwent reform before he took office May 14, 2011, but were later annulled by him after some lawmakers said what was ultimately published was not what they voted.
“Today is an important day,” Martelly said during a news conference on the grounds of the presidential palace. “The three branches of power will advance together.”
Martelly made the announcement shortly before leaving Haiti for Brazil to join more than 100 world leaders and environmentalists at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, referred to as Rio+20. He was joined by members of the foreign diplomatic corps, the head of the Haitian Supreme Court and the presidents of both chambers of parliament. Highlighting some of the changes, he noted that finally there will be a constitutional court in place to resolve conflicts; 30 percent of the administration will be women, and as of today, the question about double nationality will finally be done with, he said.
“All Haitians are Haitians,” he said.
But while the long-awaited announcement was applauded by the international community, which has been pressuring a reluctant Martelly to publish the constitutional reforms, it has been met with resistance in Haiti. Leaders and constitutional experts debate about whether the amendments could legally be published or even if they should be. They argue that the process was deeply flawed, and it remains unclear if what’s being published by Martelly is indeed what was voted by parliamentarians over two days in May 2011 during a voting frenzy. Even some proponents of the changes argue that it’s too late and Haiti should work to create a more modern Constitution.
One of the biggest changes — the creation of a Permanent Electoral Council (CEP) to stage future elections — is unworkable from the start, experts note, because a two-thirds vote in each chamber is required to form its nine members. Haiti’s Senate lost 10 of its 30 members to expired terms last month, leaving it one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed.
“It’s impossible,” Monferrier Dorval, a constitutional expert at Haiti’ State University in Port-au-Prince, said about achieving the permanent CEP.
Dorval and other experts on Tuesday said they were awaiting an actual copy of what’s being published to analyze it. For instance, questions persist over the Creole and French versions they say; while the French amendments say the prime minister will replace the president if something happens, the Creole version of the 1987 Constitutions still names the head of the Supreme Court.
Brian Concannon, a human rights lawyer who directs the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, said while “it’s very much to President Martelly’s credit that he has resisted publishing the amendments so far, it is inconceivably short-sighted and irresponsible for the international community to force this on the Haitian government and its people.”
“There is more consensus that these amendments are a terrible idea, at least among people who understand constitutions,” Concannon said. “Some people like the amendments because of what some of them do — the quota for woman candidates, double nationality…But there is no one who seriously defends them as legal or as likely to advance the rule of law in Haiti, left or right, old or young, rich or poor.”
But the head of the Supreme Court and the Senate say they support the version being published. After 13 months of debates and missteps, a consensus has been reached, Senate President Simon Desras said.
“It’s time that justice be given to the four million Haitians who have been living outside of the country,” Desras said.
The debacle over the constitutional reforms was born in the final hours of the vote in May 2011 when a group of 16 senators — whose six years’ terms were set to expire — failed to win support for an extension of their terms. They wanted the extension as part of an effort to synchronize the election cycle to have one election every five years, something the international community desperately wanted. But during the vote, some lawmakers including those in the lower house opposed the extension, beginning the confusion about what passed and what didn’t.
Days after, then-President René Préval, who himself had opposed the extension of the senator’s mandate, signed the reforms and sent them to the government’s official journal for publication to become law. Soon, some lawmakers cried fraud, saying what was published was different from what actually passed. Martelly then annulled the changes and formed a special committee to resolve the issue.
Since then, Martelly has vacillated between publishing the changes and not doing so. But the international community, which supports changes to give Haitians living abroad greater rights in owning property and investing in Haiti, has pressured Martelly to publish the reforms.
“These amendments, though insufficient, are desirable and will strengthen a Constitution that is a source of Haitian pride,” the Club of Madrid, a group of former world leaders declared during a June 2011 visit to Haiti. “These improvements shall not be lost nor should their implementation be postponed as they add a net contribution to Haiti’s progress towards recovery, development, inclusion and freedom.”
Monday, June 18, 2012
ARTICLE - MARTELLY VISITS CITE SOLEIL
VISIT OF PRESIDENT MARTELLY TO CITE SOLEIL
(Haiti Libre) -
Last Friday, after his visit to Jalouzi (Petion ville), President Michel Martelly, visited Cite Soleil to take stock of the various problems faced by residents of this municipality. He reiterated his desire to improve their living conditions, and announced the opening of a vocational school, the reopening of the former Hospital Michèle Benett of Cite Soleil, and the improvement of drinking water service.
In addition, the Head of State has committed to grant scholarships to over 25 students from the commune of Cite Soleil. The President of the Republic deems it important to support young people in their studies, so they can begin preparing for their future.
These visits (Jalouzi and Cite Soleil) were also an opportunity for the President to proceed with the distribution of several dozen footballs to children in these two neighborhoods. Recipients did not hide their satisfaction, and congratulated the Head of State for this gesture.
The various community leaders, who took the floor to present the main needs of the commune of Cite Soleil, sent their congratulations to President Martelly for his presence in this area. They say they see in the Head of State, the desire to improve the living conditions of the poorest strata of the Haitian population. During this visit, the Head of State reaffirmed his commitment to intensify the program of health insurance, via the Pink Card, in favor of the poorest in the country.
(Haiti Libre) -
Last Friday, after his visit to Jalouzi (Petion ville), President Michel Martelly, visited Cite Soleil to take stock of the various problems faced by residents of this municipality. He reiterated his desire to improve their living conditions, and announced the opening of a vocational school, the reopening of the former Hospital Michèle Benett of Cite Soleil, and the improvement of drinking water service.
In addition, the Head of State has committed to grant scholarships to over 25 students from the commune of Cite Soleil. The President of the Republic deems it important to support young people in their studies, so they can begin preparing for their future.
These visits (Jalouzi and Cite Soleil) were also an opportunity for the President to proceed with the distribution of several dozen footballs to children in these two neighborhoods. Recipients did not hide their satisfaction, and congratulated the Head of State for this gesture.
The various community leaders, who took the floor to present the main needs of the commune of Cite Soleil, sent their congratulations to President Martelly for his presence in this area. They say they see in the Head of State, the desire to improve the living conditions of the poorest strata of the Haitian population. During this visit, the Head of State reaffirmed his commitment to intensify the program of health insurance, via the Pink Card, in favor of the poorest in the country.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
ARTICLE - LAMOTHE IN NEW YORK
HAITI'S LAURENT LAMOTHE MEETS ROBERT DE NIRO, DIPLOMATS IN NEW YORK
(Caribbean Journal) -
Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe traveled to New York on Friday, for a visit with Haiti’s United Nations Mission, and the staff of the country’s Consulate General.
Lamothe held talks with Consul General Charles Forbin, taking the opportunity to learn about the working environment in New York.
Also on Lamothe’s agenda was a visit with world-renowned actor Robert De Niro, who reportedly plans to visit Haiti in two weeks, according to Lamothe’s office.
De Niro has built a small hospitality empire over the years, from his collaborations with sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa to his hotel, The Greenwich, in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood.
His “Nobu” restaurant offerings with Matsuhisa have expanded into the first Nobu hotel, which will open in Las Vegas this year.
De Niro’s visit to Haiti will include exploratory visits to targeted departments in the North and South of the country.
He is said to be considering the construction of a hotel in Haiti. De Niro’s representative could not be reached for comment.
The Prime Minister also held a video conference with energy officials back in Haiti via Skype.
(Caribbean Journal) -
Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe traveled to New York on Friday, for a visit with Haiti’s United Nations Mission, and the staff of the country’s Consulate General.
Lamothe held talks with Consul General Charles Forbin, taking the opportunity to learn about the working environment in New York.
Also on Lamothe’s agenda was a visit with world-renowned actor Robert De Niro, who reportedly plans to visit Haiti in two weeks, according to Lamothe’s office.
De Niro has built a small hospitality empire over the years, from his collaborations with sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa to his hotel, The Greenwich, in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood.
His “Nobu” restaurant offerings with Matsuhisa have expanded into the first Nobu hotel, which will open in Las Vegas this year.
De Niro’s visit to Haiti will include exploratory visits to targeted departments in the North and South of the country.
He is said to be considering the construction of a hotel in Haiti. De Niro’s representative could not be reached for comment.
The Prime Minister also held a video conference with energy officials back in Haiti via Skype.
Friday, June 15, 2012
ARTICLE - VENEZUELA'S EL SISTEMA IN HAITI
HAITI LAUNCHES A MUSIC INITIATIVE MODELLED ON VENEZUELA'S EL SISTEMA
(Classical Music) - By Rosie Pentreath
The Haitian government champions classical music for the young
Haiti’s government has launched a new project to provide music education for all ages and to encourage the formation of youth orchestras across the country. Inspiration for the initiative comes from the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra, the hugely successful product of Venezuela’s El Sistema programme.
The new scheme has the support of the Haitian president Michel Martelly, himself a musician, who was impressed after watching the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra perform in Venezuela last year. And the Haiti government now hopes to generate social development in a similar way. Culture minister Mario Dupuy believes that getting children to practice music is the ‘surest ways to give them confidence’.
The project’s opening ceremony at the Karibe Convention Center in Pétion-Ville was attended by Andrez Gonsalez, a delegate of El Sistema. He has pledged the support of the Venezuelan government, highlighting its potential to help children express themselves and become ‘true creators’. Run in partnership with Haiti’s National Institute of Music, the initiative – which is being led by Haitian musician Raoul Denis and his sister Pascale Dennis de Moquete – will be piloted in the Dopalais region of the country, before beginning in others.
El Sistema, which was founded in Venezuela in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu, now oversees 125 youth orchestras throughout the country. Outlying the original project’s aims, Abreu stated: ‘Music has to be recognised as an agent of social development, in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values – solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion’.
In addition to the initiative in Haiti, El Sistema has influenced the creation of similar schemes in Scotland and a number of South American countries.
The Haitian government champions classical music for the young
Haiti’s government has launched a new project to provide music education for all ages and to encourage the formation of youth orchestras across the country. Inspiration for the initiative comes from the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra, the hugely successful product of Venezuela’s El Sistema programme.
The new scheme has the support of the Haitian president Michel Martelly, himself a musician, who was impressed after watching the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra perform in Venezuela last year. And the Haiti government now hopes to generate social development in a similar way. Culture minister Mario Dupuy believes that getting children to practice music is the ‘surest ways to give them confidence’.
The project’s opening ceremony at the Karibe Convention Center in Pétion-Ville was attended by Andrez Gonsalez, a delegate of El Sistema. He has pledged the support of the Venezuelan government, highlighting its potential to help children express themselves and become ‘true creators’. Run in partnership with Haiti’s National Institute of Music, the initiative – which is being led by Haitian musician Raoul Denis and his sister Pascale Dennis de Moquete – will be piloted in the Dopalais region of the country, before beginning in others.
El Sistema, which was founded in Venezuela in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu, now oversees 125 youth orchestras throughout the country. Outlying the original project’s aims, Abreu stated: ‘Music has to be recognised as an agent of social development, in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values – solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion’.
In addition to the initiative in Haiti, El Sistema has influenced the creation of similar schemes in Scotland and a number of South American countries.
ARTICLE - 10 MINISTERS CONVENED
10 MINISTERS CONVENED
(Haiti Libre) -
3 Senators, Wesner Polycarpe, Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aimé; led by Jean-Charles Moïse, a fierce opponent of President Martelly, are at the origin of the convening of 10 Ministers of the Martelly-Lamothe Government.
Senator Moïse states that "each minister is convened for a specific reason, but related to the drift of the Martelly administration", justifying his approach by citing Article 92 of the Regulations of the Senate, which "allows a senator, through the office, to convene a member of the government on any matter of public interest;" stating that the letters of convocation, were handed out in accordance with the procedure to Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the Senate, on June 11..
Calendar of convocations:
On June 18, 2012: Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and Jean Rodolphe Joazile, Minister of Defence are convened to explain the record of the former military, and the recovery of weapons... Jean Renel Sanon, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, will have to shed light on the actions of Roro Nelson, involved in various incidents; described by Senator Moïse as a henchman of the President, and the case Calixte Valentin, Adviser to the President in the case of a murder of a trader in Fonds-Parisiens...
On June 21, 2012: Marie Carmelle Jean Marie, the Minister of Economy and Finance, will have to explain the use of Petrocaribe funds for the funding of programs "Ti manman cheri" and the National Foundation for Education, that Senator Moïse suspected to be a means of money laundering. In addition, Senator Moïse made very serious allegations against the Chief of State, in that he suspects an embezzlement of Petrocaribe funds in collusion with a Venezuelan diplomat... As always, Senator Moïse claims to have information, including on the use of these funds to finance the purchase of arms for the former military...
On June 25, 2012: Thomas Jacques, Minister of Agriculture Natural Resources and Rural Development, must explain the supposed role of the stepfather of the President, in the case of fertilizer in the Artibonite...
On June 28, 2012: Jacques Rousseau, the Minister of Public Works, Transport, Energy and Communications, should explain why some projects initiated under the Préval-Bellerive administration (whose the Senator Moïse was Advisor), are blocked...
On July 2, 2012: Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, must explain the $40 million investment for the privileged city of Jacmel
On July 5, 2012: Réginald Paul, the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, will have to give account on the use of funds of the Free Education Program of the Presidency...
On July 9, 2012: Laleau Wilson, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Florence Duperval Guilllaume, the Minister of Public Health and Population, will have to provide explanations on the sale of ethanol on the Haitian market (instead of clairin), and its consumption, that has resulted in the death of several citizens...
(Haiti Libre) -
3 Senators, Wesner Polycarpe, Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aimé; led by Jean-Charles Moïse, a fierce opponent of President Martelly, are at the origin of the convening of 10 Ministers of the Martelly-Lamothe Government.
Senator Moïse states that "each minister is convened for a specific reason, but related to the drift of the Martelly administration", justifying his approach by citing Article 92 of the Regulations of the Senate, which "allows a senator, through the office, to convene a member of the government on any matter of public interest;" stating that the letters of convocation, were handed out in accordance with the procedure to Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the Senate, on June 11..
Calendar of convocations:
On June 18, 2012: Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and Jean Rodolphe Joazile, Minister of Defence are convened to explain the record of the former military, and the recovery of weapons... Jean Renel Sanon, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, will have to shed light on the actions of Roro Nelson, involved in various incidents; described by Senator Moïse as a henchman of the President, and the case Calixte Valentin, Adviser to the President in the case of a murder of a trader in Fonds-Parisiens...
On June 21, 2012: Marie Carmelle Jean Marie, the Minister of Economy and Finance, will have to explain the use of Petrocaribe funds for the funding of programs "Ti manman cheri" and the National Foundation for Education, that Senator Moïse suspected to be a means of money laundering. In addition, Senator Moïse made very serious allegations against the Chief of State, in that he suspects an embezzlement of Petrocaribe funds in collusion with a Venezuelan diplomat... As always, Senator Moïse claims to have information, including on the use of these funds to finance the purchase of arms for the former military...
On June 25, 2012: Thomas Jacques, Minister of Agriculture Natural Resources and Rural Development, must explain the supposed role of the stepfather of the President, in the case of fertilizer in the Artibonite...
On June 28, 2012: Jacques Rousseau, the Minister of Public Works, Transport, Energy and Communications, should explain why some projects initiated under the Préval-Bellerive administration (whose the Senator Moïse was Advisor), are blocked...
On July 2, 2012: Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, must explain the $40 million investment for the privileged city of Jacmel
On July 5, 2012: Réginald Paul, the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, will have to give account on the use of funds of the Free Education Program of the Presidency...
On July 9, 2012: Laleau Wilson, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Florence Duperval Guilllaume, the Minister of Public Health and Population, will have to provide explanations on the sale of ethanol on the Haitian market (instead of clairin), and its consumption, that has resulted in the death of several citizens...
Thursday, June 14, 2012
ARTICLE - HAITI RECALLS AMBASSADOR TO D.R
HAITI RECALLS AMBASSADOR TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - A sign of straining relations, Haiti's ambassador to the Dominican Republic was recalled for consultations, announced the Haitian Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Richard Casimir did send greetings and words of thankfulness to Dominican leaders, but said he understood the need to mitigate recent measures of the Dominicans by holding negotiations with Haitian authorities.
Working sessions are planned to take place between representatives of both countries in Port-au-Prince, to provide solutions to problems that have recently arisen.
Last month the Haitian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Fritz Cineas, made a statement asking that Dominican authorities have respect for the fundamental rights of Haitians in their territory.
An immediate reaction from the Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Morales Troncoso, was to require that all requests for visas for Haitians to work or attend school in the Dominican Republic, pass through his ministry. Furthermore, applications will now require bank account information, details of residence in the D.R., and letters requesting the applicant to enter D.R.; among other documents.
Secretary Casimir did shine an encouraging light as he delivered the news of the ambassador's recall. Casimir said that "business diplomacy, promoted by the current Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe during the Martelly-Conille government as he held the office of Foreign Affairs is beginning to bring results."
Casimir announced that there will soon be the arrival of trade missions from several countries and potential foreign investors. He also mentioned that the change of image outside of Haiti has valued private investment at hundreds of millions of dollars.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - A sign of straining relations, Haiti's ambassador to the Dominican Republic was recalled for consultations, announced the Haitian Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Richard Casimir did send greetings and words of thankfulness to Dominican leaders, but said he understood the need to mitigate recent measures of the Dominicans by holding negotiations with Haitian authorities.
Working sessions are planned to take place between representatives of both countries in Port-au-Prince, to provide solutions to problems that have recently arisen.
Last month the Haitian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Fritz Cineas, made a statement asking that Dominican authorities have respect for the fundamental rights of Haitians in their territory.
An immediate reaction from the Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Morales Troncoso, was to require that all requests for visas for Haitians to work or attend school in the Dominican Republic, pass through his ministry. Furthermore, applications will now require bank account information, details of residence in the D.R., and letters requesting the applicant to enter D.R.; among other documents.
Secretary Casimir did shine an encouraging light as he delivered the news of the ambassador's recall. Casimir said that "business diplomacy, promoted by the current Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe during the Martelly-Conille government as he held the office of Foreign Affairs is beginning to bring results."
Casimir announced that there will soon be the arrival of trade missions from several countries and potential foreign investors. He also mentioned that the change of image outside of Haiti has valued private investment at hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
ARTICLE - MARRON INCONNU TRIBUTE
TRIBUTE OF MARTELLY AT MARRON INCONNU
(Haiti Libre) -
President Michel Martelly, accompanied by the First Lady, Ms. Sophia Martelly, laid a wreath, on Monday, May 14, 2012, at the foot of the monument "Marron Inconnu" [nègre marron] on the Champs de Mars.
The ceremony was also an opportunity for the Head of State to relight the eternal flame on the site of the Marron Inconnu. This symbolic gesture was applauded by a crowd estimated at several thousand people. By this gesture, President Martelly wanted to remind people of the courage of our various heroes for all that they have left us. "This monument is a constant reminder of the dimension of the legacy our ancestors left us. This reminds us of our duties as citizens, reminds us of the bravery of our heroes, and as the first black independent nation, which abolished slavery."
Moreover, the President of the Republic took advantage to announce the renovation among others of: Palais Sans-Soucis, the rehabilitation of the Champs de Mars, and the reconstruction of public buildings... The Head of State expressed confidence that the revalorization of our history can help us regain our pride today, as the first free black people. The Head of State reiterated, loud and clear, his commitment to support the Haitian people in their struggle, in favor of the improvement of their living conditions.
Learn more about the Nègre marron:
The 'marronnage' was the name given in colonial times, when slaves fled the property of their masters. The slave who escaped was called Marron or Nègre Marron.
(Haiti Libre) -
President Michel Martelly, accompanied by the First Lady, Ms. Sophia Martelly, laid a wreath, on Monday, May 14, 2012, at the foot of the monument "Marron Inconnu" [nègre marron] on the Champs de Mars.
The ceremony was also an opportunity for the Head of State to relight the eternal flame on the site of the Marron Inconnu. This symbolic gesture was applauded by a crowd estimated at several thousand people. By this gesture, President Martelly wanted to remind people of the courage of our various heroes for all that they have left us. "This monument is a constant reminder of the dimension of the legacy our ancestors left us. This reminds us of our duties as citizens, reminds us of the bravery of our heroes, and as the first black independent nation, which abolished slavery."
Moreover, the President of the Republic took advantage to announce the renovation among others of: Palais Sans-Soucis, the rehabilitation of the Champs de Mars, and the reconstruction of public buildings... The Head of State expressed confidence that the revalorization of our history can help us regain our pride today, as the first free black people. The Head of State reiterated, loud and clear, his commitment to support the Haitian people in their struggle, in favor of the improvement of their living conditions.
Learn more about the Nègre marron:
The 'marronnage' was the name given in colonial times, when slaves fled the property of their masters. The slave who escaped was called Marron or Nègre Marron.
ARTICLE - PRECISIONS OF MOI
PRECISIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, FOR THE MUNICIPALITIES
(Haiti Libre) -
In order to facilitate the functioning of municipalities and Administrative Boards of the Communal Sections, the Ministry of Interior and Territorial Collectivities, informs the members of these councils, whose terms have expired in 2011 and who have not been replaced, or the commissions that have replaced them, that they must continue to perform their duties, as acting executive officers until the next elections and are liable, as such, forof the same institutional formalities of control required by the law.
The Presidents and members of Communal commissions and commissions of communal sections perform, under supervision of the departmental delegation and of Ministry of Interior, the whole competencies and responsibilities recognized by the Constitution, the decrees of 1 February 2006 on the territorial collectivities, as well as other laws and decrees conferring particular competencies to these territorial collectivities.
(Haiti Libre) -
In order to facilitate the functioning of municipalities and Administrative Boards of the Communal Sections, the Ministry of Interior and Territorial Collectivities, informs the members of these councils, whose terms have expired in 2011 and who have not been replaced, or the commissions that have replaced them, that they must continue to perform their duties, as acting executive officers until the next elections and are liable, as such, forof the same institutional formalities of control required by the law.
The Presidents and members of Communal commissions and commissions of communal sections perform, under supervision of the departmental delegation and of Ministry of Interior, the whole competencies and responsibilities recognized by the Constitution, the decrees of 1 February 2006 on the territorial collectivities, as well as other laws and decrees conferring particular competencies to these territorial collectivities.
Friday, June 8, 2012
ARTICLE - 2ND COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT
SECOND COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT
(Haiti Libre) -
The second Council of Government led by Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, was held Wednesday, June 6 at the Primature. The Council was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to take stock of the participation in the 42th Ordinary General Assembly of the OAS in Bolivia, and to remind the various Ministers present that they have the obligation, to present within a short time, their action plans for the next five months of the fiscal year 2011-2012.
To this end, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, presented the redevelopment plan of tourist sites of Jacmel, outlining various rehabilitation activities including: colonial buildings of the area, and the reopening of the hotel "La Jacmélienne"...
Thomas Jacques, the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development has sounded the alarm about the situation of arable land in the Cul-de-sac plain that is being threatened by an increasing urbanization; a fact which causes pollution of water reserves, and the reduction of agricultural land.
In parallel, Mrs. Florence Duperval Guillaume, the Minister of Public Health gave updated figures on the evolution of the cholera epidemic in the country.
The new Director General of Electricity of Haiti has made an inventory of the institution. He stressed the need for the Haitian state, to find an effective formula to encourage subscribers to pay their bills regularly. He announced new projects to improve the power grid, undermined by natural and human factors.
Prime the Minister Lamothe, for his part, focused on the work of garbage collection already made in the metropolitan area by the SMCRS stating that 22.676 cubic meters of garbage has been collected, totaling 86.6% of objectives, and a significant increase of 73% compared to previous periods. He also related the progress of work at the Caracol Industrial Park, which has already allowed the creation of 700 jobs.
(Haiti Libre) -
The second Council of Government led by Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, was held Wednesday, June 6 at the Primature. The Council was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to take stock of the participation in the 42th Ordinary General Assembly of the OAS in Bolivia, and to remind the various Ministers present that they have the obligation, to present within a short time, their action plans for the next five months of the fiscal year 2011-2012.
To this end, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism, presented the redevelopment plan of tourist sites of Jacmel, outlining various rehabilitation activities including: colonial buildings of the area, and the reopening of the hotel "La Jacmélienne"...
Thomas Jacques, the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development has sounded the alarm about the situation of arable land in the Cul-de-sac plain that is being threatened by an increasing urbanization; a fact which causes pollution of water reserves, and the reduction of agricultural land.
In parallel, Mrs. Florence Duperval Guillaume, the Minister of Public Health gave updated figures on the evolution of the cholera epidemic in the country.
The new Director General of Electricity of Haiti has made an inventory of the institution. He stressed the need for the Haitian state, to find an effective formula to encourage subscribers to pay their bills regularly. He announced new projects to improve the power grid, undermined by natural and human factors.
Prime the Minister Lamothe, for his part, focused on the work of garbage collection already made in the metropolitan area by the SMCRS stating that 22.676 cubic meters of garbage has been collected, totaling 86.6% of objectives, and a significant increase of 73% compared to previous periods. He also related the progress of work at the Caracol Industrial Park, which has already allowed the creation of 700 jobs.
ARTICLE - LAMBERT RECOMMENDS AMENDMENTS
LAMBERT SUGGESTS TO THE PRESIDENT TO PUBLISH THE AMENDED CONSTITUTION
(Haiti Libre) -
Joseph Lambert has suggested to President Martelly, to recommend to the political cell, to publish the amendments made to the Constitution to avoid serious consequences...
"...if President Martelly does not publish the amendment, and he gets caught in the trap of those who say not to publish, I can tell you that the years that President Martelly will pass in power, these years will be politically damaging, politically poignant and years that will be very hard politically for President Martelly.
I think it is imperative that the Presidents of both Chambers reiterate their request to the President, so that the latter can publish as soon as possible, the amendment of the Constitution...
As his Special Political Adviser, I suggested to him that he recommends to the political cell, to publish the amendments to the Constitution..."
(Haiti Libre) -
Joseph Lambert has suggested to President Martelly, to recommend to the political cell, to publish the amendments made to the Constitution to avoid serious consequences...
"...if President Martelly does not publish the amendment, and he gets caught in the trap of those who say not to publish, I can tell you that the years that President Martelly will pass in power, these years will be politically damaging, politically poignant and years that will be very hard politically for President Martelly.
I think it is imperative that the Presidents of both Chambers reiterate their request to the President, so that the latter can publish as soon as possible, the amendment of the Constitution...
As his Special Political Adviser, I suggested to him that he recommends to the political cell, to publish the amendments to the Constitution..."
Thursday, June 7, 2012
ARTICLE - SEN. MOISE BACK IN TOWN
SENATOR JEAN-CHARLES MOISE BACK
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE – “The program Aba Grangou, the program Ti Maman Cherie, the program Katye Prop… it is with slogans that President Martelly is leading the country,” , said Senator Jean-Charles Moise (Nord/Inite)after returning from abroad. He denounced a series of actions taken by the executive government, as he urged his colleagues in the Parliament to do their job of checking and balancing the executive government.
Senator Moise, absent from the public eye for two months, returned from abroad over the weekend, where he was caring for his ailing mother, who was not in good health. Upon returning, the senator said that he met with the chairmen of senate committees, and plans were in place to begin hearings with government officials on a series of matters that parliamentarians have found to be out of order.
The Minister of Finance will be Convened
Senator Moise would like his colleagues to bring in Minister of Finance, Carmelle Jean-Marie, to answer questions on the state of government finances.
On Tuesday, both house of Parliament held talks with Minister Jean-Marie, mainly on the subject of tax exemptions, a reduction of the price of propane to limit deforestation in the country, and the release of an additional budget for the state university.
The Senator of the North Department would like more questions to be asked of the minister. He asks that light be shed on the taxes on international calls, and money transfers, ... their amounts and uses. Also, Senator Moise and other lawmakers want questions answered on the national budget for the newly installed government of Laurent Lamothe.
Firing of the Government Prosecutor in Croix-des-Bouquets
The Minister of Justice Jean Renel Sanon fired the prosecutor in Croix-des-Bouquets because he had detained an official of the Martelly government. Minister Sanon said the prosecutor was the subject of multiple complaints from citizens.
For Senator Moise, the Presidential Adviser Ronald “Roro” Nelson, currently on probation by a Massachusetts, USA court, is implicated in a number of threats and assaults on the territory.
The senator said Ronald Nelson has threatened deputies, assaulted a woman in traffic, and should be questioned in the shooting and killing of a young man at his home last week.
Senator Moise is seeking to convene Minister Sanon to shed light on these matters on the dismissal of the prosecutor, and the actions of Roro Nelson.
Dual-Nationality Still on the Table
Discussing the recent firing of the Director of Immigration and Emigration, Roland Chavannes, Senator Jean-Charles Moise said it was done in the context of an investigation into the alleged dual-nationality of President Michel Martelly, and other members of his government.
According to Moise, Director Chavannes had begun inquiring about irregularities in the travel documents of the president, which led to his dismissal. Chavannes had begun investigating individuals in his department, who may have falsified documents for the Head of State. The Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, attributed the dismissal as a needed change in the institution.
Senator Moise said the case of Dual-Nationality is not over, and that his commission continues to work on the matter. He added that soon after the request for more documents of the subjects in question, mainly the president, his commission would deliver its report to the Senate.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE – “The program Aba Grangou, the program Ti Maman Cherie, the program Katye Prop… it is with slogans that President Martelly is leading the country,” , said Senator Jean-Charles Moise (Nord/Inite)after returning from abroad. He denounced a series of actions taken by the executive government, as he urged his colleagues in the Parliament to do their job of checking and balancing the executive government.
Senator Moise, absent from the public eye for two months, returned from abroad over the weekend, where he was caring for his ailing mother, who was not in good health. Upon returning, the senator said that he met with the chairmen of senate committees, and plans were in place to begin hearings with government officials on a series of matters that parliamentarians have found to be out of order.
The Minister of Finance will be Convened
Senator Moise would like his colleagues to bring in Minister of Finance, Carmelle Jean-Marie, to answer questions on the state of government finances.
On Tuesday, both house of Parliament held talks with Minister Jean-Marie, mainly on the subject of tax exemptions, a reduction of the price of propane to limit deforestation in the country, and the release of an additional budget for the state university.
The Senator of the North Department would like more questions to be asked of the minister. He asks that light be shed on the taxes on international calls, and money transfers, ... their amounts and uses. Also, Senator Moise and other lawmakers want questions answered on the national budget for the newly installed government of Laurent Lamothe.
Firing of the Government Prosecutor in Croix-des-Bouquets
The Minister of Justice Jean Renel Sanon fired the prosecutor in Croix-des-Bouquets because he had detained an official of the Martelly government. Minister Sanon said the prosecutor was the subject of multiple complaints from citizens.
For Senator Moise, the Presidential Adviser Ronald “Roro” Nelson, currently on probation by a Massachusetts, USA court, is implicated in a number of threats and assaults on the territory.
The senator said Ronald Nelson has threatened deputies, assaulted a woman in traffic, and should be questioned in the shooting and killing of a young man at his home last week.
Senator Moise is seeking to convene Minister Sanon to shed light on these matters on the dismissal of the prosecutor, and the actions of Roro Nelson.
Dual-Nationality Still on the Table
Discussing the recent firing of the Director of Immigration and Emigration, Roland Chavannes, Senator Jean-Charles Moise said it was done in the context of an investigation into the alleged dual-nationality of President Michel Martelly, and other members of his government.
According to Moise, Director Chavannes had begun inquiring about irregularities in the travel documents of the president, which led to his dismissal. Chavannes had begun investigating individuals in his department, who may have falsified documents for the Head of State. The Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, attributed the dismissal as a needed change in the institution.
Senator Moise said the case of Dual-Nationality is not over, and that his commission continues to work on the matter. He added that soon after the request for more documents of the subjects in question, mainly the president, his commission would deliver its report to the Senate.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
ARTICLE - NO AMENDMENT = JUDGEMENT
MARTELLY WILL BE JUDGED IF CONSTITUTION NOT PUBLISHED
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - President Michel Martelly will be judged if he refuses to publish the Constitution of Haiti said the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Levaillant Louis-Jeune (Desdunes/Inite).
Deputy Louis-Jeune said an Executive Order should be issued to retract the order of June 3rd, 2011 that declared the recently amended Constitution, published on May 13, 2011 by former President Preval to be erroneous and not in accordance with the votes of the Parliamentarians on May 8th and 9th of that year. As well, with this Executive Order the President of the Lower House said the Head of State should note the errors that were in the text, and publish the corrected version of the Constitution.
When asked if the Chamber of Deputies would indict the President for not publishing the Constitution, Deputy Louis-Jeune said that either before a tribunal of parliamentarians or by history, Martelly will face judgement.
Louis-Jeune said that the Head of State is waiting for a letter from the president's of both houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies before proceeding with the publication of the Constitution. The President of the Senate, Simon Desras (Centre/Lavni) is on a working trip in Denmark and is expected to return by the end of the week.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - President Michel Martelly will be judged if he refuses to publish the Constitution of Haiti said the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Levaillant Louis-Jeune (Desdunes/Inite).
Deputy Louis-Jeune said an Executive Order should be issued to retract the order of June 3rd, 2011 that declared the recently amended Constitution, published on May 13, 2011 by former President Preval to be erroneous and not in accordance with the votes of the Parliamentarians on May 8th and 9th of that year. As well, with this Executive Order the President of the Lower House said the Head of State should note the errors that were in the text, and publish the corrected version of the Constitution.
When asked if the Chamber of Deputies would indict the President for not publishing the Constitution, Deputy Louis-Jeune said that either before a tribunal of parliamentarians or by history, Martelly will face judgement.
Louis-Jeune said that the Head of State is waiting for a letter from the president's of both houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies before proceeding with the publication of the Constitution. The President of the Senate, Simon Desras (Centre/Lavni) is on a working trip in Denmark and is expected to return by the end of the week.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
ARTICLE - CONSTITUTION - SIMON DESRAS
HAITI CONSTITUTION: "PARLIAMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO IN THIS CASE" SAYS SIMON DIEUSEUL DESRAS
(Haiti Libre) -
Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the National Assembly, concerning the publication of the amended text of the Constitution, declared that the Head of State "was not qualified to publish the amendment that was voted, it was up to President Préval to do it and he did it, and that's all !
"...We never returned on what we said, we have never returned on our word. We have remained clear with the principle that the National Assembly voted an amendment, and as President of the National Assembly, [...] we always support the vote of the Assembly.
It is very unfortunate and regrettable, that the men of law of this country, have accepted or endorsed ; setting aside Mrs. Manigat, Dr. Dorval and many others, although they were not for the amendment, but who had the courage to say that the presidential decree had no authority to oppose the amendment. The decree was only entitled to prevent the enactment...
Today, the question is not on the table as a Senator or deputie, as soon as the National Assembly has finished an act, it is "functus officio". Now, the file is on the table of the Executive. If eggs are broken, they are on the table of the Executive, not on the table of Parliament. Parliament has nothing to do in this case [...], except that it is not normal that a law passed in the Senate of the Republic or in the Chamber of Deputies and that is in the drawer of the Executive [...] we demand that these laws are published automatically [...]
For me, the amendment has already been published, it is already in force. In the publication of the amendment, President Martelly has neither the right nor the authority today to say that he will publish the amendment. He may republish an amendment with erratas, but he does not have the qualifications to publish a Constitutional amendment that was voted. It was for President Préval to do it and he did so, and that's all!"
(Haiti Libre) -
Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, President of the National Assembly, concerning the publication of the amended text of the Constitution, declared that the Head of State "was not qualified to publish the amendment that was voted, it was up to President Préval to do it and he did it, and that's all !
"...We never returned on what we said, we have never returned on our word. We have remained clear with the principle that the National Assembly voted an amendment, and as President of the National Assembly, [...] we always support the vote of the Assembly.
It is very unfortunate and regrettable, that the men of law of this country, have accepted or endorsed ; setting aside Mrs. Manigat, Dr. Dorval and many others, although they were not for the amendment, but who had the courage to say that the presidential decree had no authority to oppose the amendment. The decree was only entitled to prevent the enactment...
Today, the question is not on the table as a Senator or deputie, as soon as the National Assembly has finished an act, it is "functus officio". Now, the file is on the table of the Executive. If eggs are broken, they are on the table of the Executive, not on the table of Parliament. Parliament has nothing to do in this case [...], except that it is not normal that a law passed in the Senate of the Republic or in the Chamber of Deputies and that is in the drawer of the Executive [...] we demand that these laws are published automatically [...]
For me, the amendment has already been published, it is already in force. In the publication of the amendment, President Martelly has neither the right nor the authority today to say that he will publish the amendment. He may republish an amendment with erratas, but he does not have the qualifications to publish a Constitutional amendment that was voted. It was for President Préval to do it and he did so, and that's all!"
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