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Green Party statement on Haiti
February 28, 2009 - 4:37pm
Green Party Statement of Solidarity with Haiti and Canadian Haiti Action Network
"To members of Canadian Haiti Action Network, Haitian activists and the Haitian community: As another anniversary of the 2004 overthrow of the democratically elected government of Haiti passes the Green Party of Canada, wishes once again to reaffirm our commitment to seek a resolution to the continuing political, social and economic crisis in Haiti and especially to speak out on how the international community, including Canada, continues to fail the Haitian people in their time of greatest need. One day, hopefully sooner rather than later, the Canadian foreign policy fiasco that unfolded in Haiti over the last decade will be brought to the attention of all Canadians through a full and independent parliamentary inquiry. Canadians will be shocked and outraged that the Canadian government actively planned and participated in a regime-change exercise with U.S. and French authorities that led to the collapse of the democratically elected Aristide government. Then stood by and allowed the gross misuse of our foreign aid and in particular our military and RCMP training assistance, by the undemocratic appointed government of Gérard Latortue. Canada’s present Conservative government continues to add to our foreign policy failure in Haiti. The Green Party denounces any and all human rights abuses, unlawful arrests and detentions of Haitian citizens now and in the past. We continue to endorse the democratically elected government of President Rene Preval and its efforts to build a government, economy and peace without outside interference or manipulation. Haiti's renewal must be on Haitian terms. The International community must listen rather than dictate. We support all efforts at peaceful grassroots economic development and, as a future Canadian government, we would be prepared to provide, if requested, the funding and logistical support for a large-scale ecological reforestation and forest stewardship initiative for Haiti. This would not only create significant new employment, it would rebuild the forest cover/biodiversity of Haiti, reduce risk of flooding and landslides, create new economic opportunities over time and act as an important new carbon sink for the region. We would offer the same assistance to ensure food sovereignty and other grassroots development created by Haitians on Haitian terms. We would deliver this aid through a reformed Canadian foreign aid mandate rooted in grassroots development and partnerships that fully respect sovereignty. Finally, we applaud any proposals by Haitian activists that promote truth and the pursuit of justice and/or reconciliation that assists Haiti, according to Haitian desires, to begin a process of collective healing and emerge from the violence of the past to hope for the future. It is our sincere hope that a constructive and mature relationship can be built between Canada and Haiti in the very near future to replace the current dynamic. We know that you will continue the fight for truth and justice for Haiti and the Green Party of Canada thanks you for your unwavering commitment and courage."
Good statement!
Here's an easier to read version:
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By the way...
Between February 27 and March 6, member committees of the Canada Haiti Action Network will host public events in nine cities across Canada to mark the fifth anniversary of the overthrow of the elected government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Haiti. Filmmaker Kevin Pina will do presentations in six of those cities. In Ottawa on February 28, a day-long conference will feature speakers from different sides of the events of February 2004. For more information on these events, go to the website of the Canada Haiti Action Network.
"Good statement!"
Thank you. It's a good article by Engler.
" Finally, Haiti provides an example of how self-described "progressive" Western government-funded NGOs function as an arm of imperialism. A sort of NGO laboratory..."
From what I gather there are around 3,000 NGOs and private groups working in Haiti and only a handful are registered with the government. The laboratory comment is something that resonates with me because I was told this by two guys I met there. One was a former Lavalas politician and the other was a man who had a soccer program going in cite soleil. Both were in prison together under Duvalier but rescued by an embarrassed Carter Administration. When I asked about the UN presence in Haiti and whether they believed it was there to secure stability after the coup they both laughed. Their conclusion was that Haiti is an experiment. An experiment to see if the UN can take over a country. This was part of Canada's role as well in the sense that Paul Martin was so gung ho about R2P that he jumped at the chance to see it in action. There are very few other countries that 'qualified' for the experiment. Haiti is mainly obscure to most North Americans guaranteeing that many wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. It's small and by 2004 virtually undefended.
Media Coverage of Haiti's Sham Elections