mardi 29 septembre 2009

Haiti Strives to Tackle its Democratic Shortfalls.

Haiti Strives to Tackle its Democratic Shortfalls.

James R. Morrell

The Haitian democratic sector, notable for both its courage and its disorganization, completed an important act of self-definition August 28–30, 2009 at a hotel meeting in Santo Domingo. This was the Rencontre Patriotique pour une Stratégie de Sauvetage National, uniting leading lights of the Haitian intelligentsia from Port-au-Prince and the diaspora in a marathon brainstorming session about the country's future. There was also a sprinkling of businesspeople, politicians and former officials, and many Haitian students from the University of Santo Domingo.

The participants committed themselves to challenge the "traditional bastions of irresponsibility, incompetence, corruption, nepotism, influence, and inhumanity which have poisoned the evolution of the Haitian nation for the past 50 years." They set themselves no less a task than to "restore national sovereignty and re-found the nation-state."

Fine rhetoric, and there was plenty more of it, but what does it mean? Before dismissing it, one must recall that Haitian civilsociety members and opposition politicians went into this meeting with important accomplishments under their belt:

• On November 17, 2002, the Initiative Citoyenne in Cap-HaVtien came from nowhere to mobilize 60,000 people at the historic VertiPres battlefield in a protest against the abusive ruler of those years, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

• In 2003, a business-backed coalition of 184 civil society organizations (the Group of 184) organized demonstrations including most sectors of Haitian society, and created a climate in which a rebellion of Aristide's armed supporters and bands of former soldiers were able to scare him out of the country on February 29, 2004.

• In 2006, Jacques Bernard, a progressive businessman who administered national elections, delivered the freest and fairest elections in Haiti's recent history.

Each of these exploits pointed to the democratic sector's power to reach the masses. A Haiti Democracy Project trip to the Nord and Nord'Est provinces during Sept. 7–13, 2009, following the Rencontre Patriotique, found deep, universal disdain for the government expressed at all levels, from unemployed youths and street merchants interviewed at random to intellectuals and businesspeople. A leadership need only have a clear message, an honest discourse, and not be focused on in-fighting in order to have the broad support of the Haitian masses.

That was the enormous potential of the Rencontre Patriotique — it issued the clearest message that has been heard from the democratic intelligentsia since the days of the Group of 184. If coherently delivered, this message will fall on fertile ground. "What Haiti has always been lacking is a strategic partnership between the public and private sectors to assure national salvation. It is this that the Haitian people have always demanded of these sectors and which the meeting in Santo Domingo means to offer."

Other sections of its declaration hinted at the abiding weakness of the democratic sector—its disunity. "We have come together to discard past differences. […] Our work will be collective." If unity of most of the sectors was briefly achieved in 2003 in the drive against Aristide, it was quickly dissipated during the confusing 2004–2006 period when power went not to the victorious movement but to an artificial interim regime imposed by the United States. When Haitians went to the polls in the 2006 elections, they found the mugs of 44 presidential candidates staring at them from the ballot. Most were from the democratic sector, and most had attended numerous unity meetings. Faced with this confused mass, many voters threw up their hands and voted for the candidate they recognized best: Aristide's protégé, former president René Préval.

No wonder then that the renowned peasant organizer Chavannes Jean-Baptiste told the Santo Domingo conference, "It will require serious unity among the social forces that want to save the country. It is essential to resist the 'presidential disease,' the craving for power.." Equally poignant was former minister of commerce Danielle Saint-Lot's reminder to the male-dominated political class: democratic construction could not happen without "much greater involvement of women in political decision-making at the local and national levels."

The Rencontre Patriotique made a valiant effort to bridge another age-old political gap, separating the Haitian business class from government. The separation of the economic elite from the politics is longstanding in Haiti, dating back to an infamous semaine sanglante in the 1870s when a president sent mobs to sack and burn the strongholds of the bourgeoisie. Since then, the sector has stayed in its place and been content to pay the tribute demanded by those in power. The government's announcement of a new tax on the business of one of the conference participants, and a judicial summoning of another, indicates that the price will continue to rise. The Group of 184 had briefly mobilized this important sector; it is modern-minded businesspeople who have pulled countries such as the Dominican Republic and El Salvador out of political morasses as deep as Haiti's.

Beyond the business component, the Haitian democratic sector both in the country and abroad has deep ranks of competent, uncorrupt professionals who alone have the capacity to govern Haiti rationally. This is another enormous advantage that the civil society movement and diaspora has, and it was fully on display in the brilliance of many of the presentations.

It was surprisingly not a Haitian nationalist, but a Dominican congressman invited to the conference, Pelligrin Castillo, who delivered the most telling critique of U.S. policy: off-loading the Haitian problem onto neighboring Dominican Republic. Years of aid without meaningful reconstruction had accomplished nothing. Most attendees applauded this statement: "Il a raison!"

Indeed, poor policy-making, which continues to this day, has sacrificed the effort of two U.S. troop interventions, billions in aid, and a 9,000-person, five-year United Nations military mission. The approach to Haiti is cravenly bureaucratic; it clings to the elected president as the bearer of stability, totally unaware of the historical role of Haitian presidents as incubators of instability. President Préval, with recent elections so fraudulent that they were denounced by the vice-president of the electoral board, and a clumsy but persistent effort to amend the constitution to allow successive presidential terms, is acting fully within this historical tradition of presidential overreaching. The only difference is that this time he is doing it with the protection of a foreign military mission, an advantage only dreamed of by his predecessors most of whom quickly succumbed to the domestic enemies they had so assiduously generated. The U.N. mission to stabilize Haiti is thus protecting destabilization.

Accordingly, a theme increasingly heard at the conference from intellectuals who are by no means anti-foreign was the need for Haiti to regain full control of its territory. Resolutions called for a negotiated, staged withdrawal of the U.N. force. This theme is not yet a unanimous demand for it to leave, which could unleash chaos. But to the extent that this mission only acts as a Praetorian Guard protecting an abusive president against the inevitable domestic reaction, it sets itself squarely against Haitian nationalism. Once trapped in that unenviable position, its days in Haiti will be numbered.

Thus it was not merely a Haitian default that the Rencontre Patriotique sought to cure with its ringing call for national renewal. It was a foreign one as well.

James R. Morrell is Director of the Haiti Democracy Project. Conference information is on haitipolicy.org and in Le Matin and the Caribbean Net News.

Cyrus Sibert disponible au 305-454-7243.

Cyrus Sibert disponible au 305-454-7243.

Le Dossier Pedophilie au Cap-Haitien vu par "The independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University''.

Fairfield alum indicted for child abuse

Former commencement speaker Doug Perlitz '92 led mission in Haiti

Doug Perlitz '92, the 2002 commencement speaker, was indicted on federal charges alleging he sexually abused at least nine boys while working in Haiti. Full story

Did the University try to cover up Perlitz allegations?

Last year in late Oct., The Mirror began receiving e-mails from a man named Paul Kendrick alleging that a former Fairfield graduate Doug Perlitz had been abusing young boys at his charity in Haiti. Full story

Who's who in the Perlitz scandal

The main players in the investigation into allegations of child abuse in Haiti by a Fairfield alum. Full story

University, local leaders tied to Perlitz indictment

The strongest connection to the indictment and Fairfield is the involvement of former director of campus ministry Rev. Paul Carrier. Full story

Two Fairfield students arrested for marijuana possession

Two Fairfield students were arrested last Monday night on charges of possession of two pounds of marijuana, according to an article by the Connecticut Post. Full story

Freshmen FUSA Election Results

Jordan Freeman elected FUSA president of the freshman class. Full story

Editorial: An alum's honor revoked

In Haiti, a nation plagued by political struggles and poverty, volunteers battle daily to help the thousands of children left to fend for themselves in the dangerous city streets. One of those volunteers was Doug Perlitz '92. Full story

Laughing at the freshman Field

The Mirror's Commentary Editor dishes on Fairfield's old school facebook: "The Field." Full story

The Right Bite: The Chef's Table

A review of restaurants in and around Fairfield

Looking around The Chef's Table, you get the feeling that you have traveled back in time to the '60s, '70s or '80s, judged by the hundreds of album covers lining the wall, from Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix to Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. Full story

Apple gets it right with fifth generation iPod Nano

The new iPod Nano is the sleekest, most significant and sexiest Nano to date. Full story

A 'Dam Good Stag

Dutch field hockey standout Merit Westenberg '12 reflects on life at Fairfield

Marit Westenberg: a starter on the Fairfield field hockey team, a dean's list student and an international student originally from the Netherlands. Full story

Women's volleyball gets big in Buffalo to start MAAC season

Last Tuesday night in the women's volleyball's highly-anticipated home opener, the Stags struggled to close out the Fordham Rams after a sensational first set, dropping the team's first home match since 2006. Full story

Pardon our dust

Please be patient while we re-launch our Web site. We are in the process of a complete redesign of the site that will give you, our readers, access to improved online news, multimedia and interactive content. In the meantime, take a look at our stories and multimedia for this week by clicking on the navigation bar at the top of the screen.

Video of the Week- Money for Beer

Perlitz Scandal

What do you think about the Perlitz allegations?

and

lundi 28 septembre 2009

Bulletin météo du lundi 28 septembre 2009

Bulletin météo du lundi 28 septembre 2009

Valable jusqu'au 30 sept. 2009

Situation synoptique dans la Caraïbe et sur l'Atlantique:
Une petite zone de Haute pression localisée sur l'océan atlantique influence les grandes Antilles aujourd'hui. Le développement de quelques orages épars reste toutefois possible ce soir sur certains reliefs d'Haïti.

Prévisions pour Haïti:
- Temps généralement ensoleillé ;
- Rares passages nuageux cet après-midi et en début de soirée ;
- Températures plus ou moins agréables en fin de nuit ;
Faible chance de pluie ce soir

Prévisions pour Port-au-Prince et environs:
· Partout ensoleillé ;
· Rares passages nuageux cet après-midi et en début de soirée
· Tº. max. : 35ºC ; Tº min: 23ºC ;
· Faible chance de pluie et d'orages.

Lever & coucher du soleil pour Port-au-Prince:
Aujourd'hui 28 sept
Lever : 05h 39 mn
Coucher : 17h 40 mn

Mardi 29 sept
Lever : 05h 40 mn
Coucher : 17h 39 mn

Mercredi 30 sept
Lever : 05h 40 mn
Coucher : 17h 38 mn

Esterlin Marcelin, prévisionniste au CNM

Bulletin météo marine du lundi 28 septembre 2009

Valable jusqu'au 29 sept. 2009

Prévisions maritimes:

Zone côtière nord :
Lundi & mardi
* Vent du secteur sud-est : 10-15 nœuds
* Hauteur des vagues : 3 à 5 pieds ;
* Mer peu agitée.

Golfe de la Gonâve :
Lundi & mardi
* Vent du secteur est: 15-20 nœuds ;
* Hauteur des vagues : 7 pieds ;
* Mer plus ou moins agitée.

Zone côtière sud :
Lundi & mardi
* Vent du secteur est : 15-20 nœuds,
* Hauteur des vagues : 7 pieds,
* Mer plus ou moins agitée.

Esterlin Marcelin, Prévisionniste au CNM

UNE DELEGATION BRESILIENNE AU CAP HAITIEN.

INFO PRESSE

Le 29/09/09

UNE DELEGATION BRESILIENNE AU CAP HAITIEN

Le 29 septembre 2009, un groupe de représentants des affaires brésiliens se rendront au Cap Haitien et à Ouanaminthe pour une visite exploratoire sur les opportunités d'investissement.

Des rendez-vous prometteurs pour la relance économique.

UN POINT PRESSE EST PREVU LE 29 SEPTEMBRE A 2 :00 A L'HOTEL MONTJOLI..

MERCI DE CONFIRMER VOTRE PRESENCE

Organisée par la Commission Hope avec le soutien de l'Association des Industries d'Haïti (ADIH) et de l'Ambassade du Brésil en Haïti, la visite d'une délégation brésilienne qui se déroulera du 26 septembre au 3 octobre 2009 est centrée sur l'industrie textile en premier lieu. Elle fait suite au voyage de représentants de la CTMO-Hope au Brésil en juillet dernier, afin de leur présenter les intéressantes opportunités de HOPE II.

12 professionnels du secteur textile

La délégation comprendra notamment des représentants de l'Association Brésilienne des Industries du Textile et de l'Habillement (ABIT) –plus de 90,000 membres employant 2 millions de personnes– et de l'Association Brésilienne de Fibres Artificielles et Synthétiques (ABRAFAS), de la Coalition des Industries Brésiliennes (BIC) ainsi que plusieurs entrepreneurs du secteur, notamment pour les firmes, Canatiba, fabricant et marque de jeans depuis 40 ans, ainsi que Senai, Vincuha, Tavex, Rosset/Valisère ou Paramount, pour ne citer qu'eux… Ils seront accompagnés du Consul Général d'Haïti à São Paulo ainsi que deux responsables de la Chambre de Commerce Brésilo-haitienne. Au total ce sont 12 personnes qui seront reçues en Haïti.

Un programme de visite très riche

Au programme de cette semaine de travail, des rencontres avec les professionnels du secteur, la présentation des projets de parcs industriels, mais aussi des aspects légaux, financiers et techniques liés à l'investissement en Haïti. Les invités visiteront le Par Industriel Métropolitain de Port-au-Prince de la SONAPI et les usines d'assemblage de la zone métropolitaine, avant de se rendre dans le Nord et particulièrement dans la zone industrielle de Ouanaminthe.

UN POINT PRESSE EST PREVU LE 29 SEPTEMBRE A 2 :30 A L'HOTEL MONTJOLI.

MERCI DE CONFIRMER VOTRE PRESENCE.

--
Jean Venel CASSEUS
Communicateur Social
(509) 34540501 (Haiti)
(718) 5772687 (USA)

dimanche 27 septembre 2009

Bilten Meteyo Dimanch 27 Sektanm 09

Pou rive jouk 29 Sektanm 09

SITIYASYON SINOPTIK NAN KARAYIB LA AK SOU ATLANTIK LA

Mitan yon ond tropikal ap pran jodi a ak demen pou travèse tout rejyon Sid la. Li pa gen lapli ak kout loraj ki twò enpòtan ki mache avè'l.Malgre sa lè frèt ki enstab (move tan) ki rete nan kouch anba kapab ap bay kèk kout loraj pasipala ak lapli nan kèk zòn sou tout lil d'Ayiti aswè a.

PREVIZYON POU AYITI

- Tan an gen solèy tout kote;

- Ap gen kèk nyaj k'ap pase nan syèl la aprè midi a ak nan kòmansman lannwit lan;

- Tanperati a ap yon ti jan pi bon nanfen lannwit lan;

- Lapli ak kout loraj pasipala aswè a sitou nan rejyon Sid la.

PREVIZYON POU PÒTOPRENS AK LÒT ZÒN KI BÒ KOTE'L YO

- Gen solèy maten an;

- Ap gen nyaj k'ap pase nan syèl la aprè midi a ak nan kòmansman lannwit lan;

- Pi wo tanperati a ap rive pou jodia se 35°C , pi ba l'ap desan'n se 23°C;

- Gen fèb chans pou gen lapli ak kout loraj.

Leve ak kouche solèy pou pòtoprens

Jodia 27 Sektanm leve : 05 è 39 mn kouche: 17 è 41 mn

Lendi 28 Sektanm leve : 05 è 39 mn kouche : 17 è 42 mn

Madi 29 Sektanm leve : 05 è 40 mn kouche : 17 è 39 mn

Previzyon pou Lanmè a

Dimanch 27 Sektanm pou rive 28 Sektanm 09

Zòn kotyè Nò

Dimanch& Lendi

v Van an ap soufle nan sektè Nòdès: 10 - 15 ne;

v Vag yo ap monte 3 – 5 pye;

v Lanmè a yon ti jan ajite;

Gòlf Lagonav

Dimanch& Lendi

v Van an ap soufle nan sektè Lès:15- 20 ne;

v Vag yo ap monte : 4 - 7 pye;

v Lanmè a ap yon ti jan ajite;

Zòn kotyè Sid

Dimanch& Lendi

v Van an ap soufle nan sektè Lès: 15- 20 ne;

v Vag yo ap monte :4-7 pye jodi a men l'ap rive jouk 8 pye lendi;

v Lanmè a ap yon ti jan ajite;

La MINUSTAH condamne l’attaque armée contre un juge à Port-au-Prince.

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

La MINUSTAH condamne l'attaque armée

contre un juge à Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince, 27 septembre 2009 - La MINUSTAH (Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en Haïti) condamne avec la plus grande fermeté l'attaque armée contre Maitre Jean Carves, juge d'instruction au tribunal de première instance de Port-au-Prince, qui a été blessé par balle le jeudi 24 septembre 2009.

Cette agression contre un magistrat est une atteinte inacceptable à l'autorité de la Justice. « Le juge Carves travaillait sur plusieurs dossiers sensibles et a notamment jugé dernièrement des cas de kidnapping. Il n'est pas le premier magistrat victime d'une attaque armée. Ces actes criminels doivent être dénoncés et punis. La Mission apportera son plein appui à la Police national pour que les auteurs de ces actes soient appréhendés et traduits devant la Justice, celle là même qu'ils essayent de faire taire », a déclaré Danielle Saada, Chef de la section Justice de la MINUSTAH.

La MINUSTAH réitère également sa volonté de continuer à appuyer les autorités haïtiennes dans leurs efforts de mise en œuvre des réformes indispensables au secteur de la Justice afin de renforcer l'Etat de droit.

La Mission exprime sa sympathie au juge Carves et aux membres de sa famille, et lui souhaite un prompt et complet rétablissement.

Working Together to End Abuse (by Cyrus Sibert)

Un panel de professeurs d'Universités spécialisés dans la lutte contre la violence, les abus et les traumatismes.

Cyrus Sibert de Réseau Citadelle and Oliver J. Williams, Ph.D. de l'Institute on Domestic Violence in The African American Community.

Par Cyrus Sibert, San Diego, California

Radio Souvenir FM, 106.1 : souvenirfm@yahoo.fr

Le Ré.Cit. :

http://www.reseaucitadelle.blogspot.com/

- ''Safe children, strong family, Healthy community''

- "Get the people do the work'' "The community should own the problem''

- "Move people from victim, survivors, to something else: ''Move beyond the experience"

- ''Don't talk too much about difference.''

- "public attitude should fight against collective silence''

Sont les idées retenues des interventions de plusieurs experts et professeurs d'universités évoluant aux USA. La 14e Conférence Internationale sur la Violence, le viol et les traumatismes a pris fin ce samedi 26 septembre 2009.

Rendez : 10-15 Septembre, 2009.

RESEAU CITADELLE (Le Ré.Cit), le 27 septembre 2009, 12 heures 30.

Royal Caribbean boosts Haiti tourism push.

HAITI

Royal Caribbean boosts Haiti tourism push

By far the biggest private investment in Haiti tourism in decades, a multimillion-dollar expansion by Royal Caribbean on the northern coast is igniting hopes of a tourism comeback.

samedi 26 septembre 2009

Visite d'exploration en Haïti pour une délégation d'entrepreneurs étrangers.

Vendredi, 25 septembre 2009 11:37

Visite d'exploration en Haïti pour une délégation d'entrepreneurs étrangers

Une délégation de 100 entrepreneurs étrangers conduite par l'envoyé spécial de l'ONU pour Haïti et le président de la banque interaméricaine de développement Luis Alberto Moreno réalisera les 1er et 2 octobre une mission commerciale en Haïti..

Selon une dépêche de l'agence espagnole EFE cette "réunion internationale des entrepreneurs", organisée à l'initiative de la BID, devrait constituer l'un des plus importants événements jamais tenus en Haïti..

Les hommes d'affaires qui viendront de l'Amérique latine et du nord se mettront à l'écoute des hauts fonctionnaires haïtiens pour savoir ce que fait le gouvernement du président Préval et de la première ministre Michèle Pierre-Louis pour améliorer le climat des affaires en Haïti, a fait savoir une source proche de la mission. ..

Les visiteurs prendront également connaissance des 3 activités économiques dans lesquelles Haïti offre un ensemble d'opportunités substantielles: la manufacture de vêtements, l'agro -industrie et l'énergie. ..

RD

La Minustha prête à aider dans l'organisation des prochaines élections.

Vendredi, 25 septembre 2009 11:15

La Minustha prête à aider dans l'organisation des prochaines élections

Le représentant du secrétaire général de l'ONU en Haïti, Hédi Annabi, se dit déterminé à appuyer les autorités haïtiennes dans l'organisation des prochaines élections.

Le chef civil de la Minustha estime cependant peu probable que ces élections soient organisées avant 2010.

Le gouvernement qui a la prérogative d'organiser les élections, peut compter sur le support de la mission Onusienne pour l'aider à mener à terme cette entreprise, a promis Hédi Annabi.

Des élections pour renouveler la chambre des députés et un tiers du sénat devraient être organisées à la fin de cette année.

Le responsable de la Minustha se dit convaincu que les autorités haïtiennes prendront bientôt les décisions nécessaires à l'organisation de ces joutes.

RD

Le renouvellement du mandat de la Minustah une nécessité selon Hédi Annabi

Vendredi, 25 septembre 2009 09:48

Le renouvellement du mandat de la Minustah une nécessité selon Hédi Annabi

Le chef civil de la Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilité d'Haïti (Minustah), Hédi Annabi, plaide en faveur d'une nouvelle prorogation du mandat de la mission onusienne pour une année supplémentaire à partir du 15 octobre prochain.

Pour Hédi Annabi, la mission onusienne réalise un travail remarquable en Haïti, mais pas avec autant de autant de rapidité qu'elle le souhaitait, en raison d'un manque de moyens ..

Reprenant des déclarations faites par le secrétaire général de l'ONU, M. Ban ki-Moon, lors d'un débat public organisé le 9 septembre dernier sur Haïti à New York, il a précisé qu'un renouvellement du mandat de la Minustah sera très utile pour le pays. .

"Pour ce nouveau mandat, nous allons continuer à appuyer les autorités haïtiennes, participer aux réformes de la police, de la justice et de l'appareil pénitentiaire, sécuriser les frontières et œuvrer à la stabilisation du pays a- t-il ajouté . .

On notera que le mandat de la force onusienne arrive à terme le 15 octobre, les effectifs de la force de stabilisation étaient fixés à un maximum de 7.060 militaires et de 2.091 policiers. .

RD

Le chef de l'Etat convoque les députés en session extraordinaire.

Vendredi, 25 septembre 2009 09:39

Le chef de l'Etat convoque les députés en session extraordinaire

Les députés sont convoqués en session extraordinaire à partir du 29 septembre a indiqué hier la présidence haïtienne. 28 accords, conventions, projets et propositions de loi seront soumis à l'attention des députés au cours de cette dernière session extraordinaire de la 48 eme législature.

Le président du sénat, Kelly Bastien, annonce que ce menu très chargé sera soumis aux élus lors de la séance en assemblée nationale du 29 septembre.

Une proposition de loi sur les loyers, des projets de loi sur les partis politiques, la décentralisation et la lutte contre la corruption figurent dans la liste des points pour cette session.

Le sénateur Bastien, élu dans le Nord, souhaite que les parlementaires parviennent à ratifier un accord qui permettra de moderniser l'aéroport du Cap Haïtien.

Le budget 2009 – 2010 est également inséré dans les motifs de convocation du chef de l'Etat. La loi de finance devrait être revisitée par la chambre basse si elle est modifiée par les sénateurs. Cependant Kelly Bastien espère que les parlementaires respecteront le délai afin que le budget puisse être voté par les deux chambres avant le 30 septembre.

La Présidence, la Primature et les présidents des deux chambres avaient convenu de cet agenda chargé lors des rencontres préparatoires qui ont eu lieu la semaine dernière.

LLM

Commentary: Petit-Goave note book

Commentary: Petit-Goave note book

Published on Saturday, September 26, 2009

By Jean H Charles

Haiti has ten major cities besides Port au Prince, the capital. Four of them have a quality of life that makes them an oasis in a desert where good governance is as scarce as water in the Sahara. We can count amongst them St Marc with its deep port from where most of the succulent Haitian coffee departs for Europe during colonial times and long after.

Jean H Charles MSW, JD is Executive Director of AINDOH Inc a non profit organization dedicated to building a kinder and gentle Caribbean zone for all. He can be reached at: jeanhcharles@aol.

Petionville, small Vail, Colorado-like without the snow, with its mountain villas perched all over the cliffs providing view and sun a go-go. She also has a no-nonsense woman mayor who fights against all odds to keep the city in fine shape.

Jacmel, much talked about lately, is a quaint city where the proud population labor to take charge of their city with or without support from the government. Yet, as in Iphigenia borrowing a gasp from King Agamemnon, "I see that there are acts that will set the city on a course that will one day bring it to its end."… And there is Petit Goave, a magnificent surprise!

I visited Petit Goave recently during its fiesta season. As previously reported in several columns, the best time to visit and enjoy Haiti and its towns and cities is during the fiesta of each city. The calendar of saints in Haiti is a serious and an important itinerary for businessmen and entrepreneurs who may travel from town to town with carousel and entertainment for young and old.

I was in Cape Haitian around the 15th of August, the day of our Lady of Assumption, a major feast in the Catholic Christendom liturgy. It is also a major feast day for all the main cities of Haiti. Except it is business as usual in the major towns like Port au Prince and Cape Haitian. We have the same culture in the United States where the feast days are blasé except in New York City where St Patrick brings all Ireland and the rest of the country to Manhattan on March 17.

So I flew to Port au Prince, to be closer to Petit Goave, located two hours from the capital. I chose public transportation for the pilgrimage. Following Christ's advice to his disciples, I took only my toothbrush with me, hoping to receive shelter and a pillow from the revelers. I was not disappointed.

The trip was most pleasant, a magnificent vista that invites the drivers to forget that the road can also kill. My eyes were wide open to admire the sea on one side and the mountain on the other. My fellow travelers, because maybe of my gray hair, were very courteous. I was offered a seat by a young lad who told me: "Come grandparent, take mine." This honorable title is often used to greet a person of advanced age in Haiti. I suspect it is the same term grandparent in English, which is converted in Creole with different meaning.

I eavesdropped on their conversation – food and goods bought in the Dominican Republic to resale in Haiti – the high cost of housing -- the worry to find enough money to send the children back to school in September… I arrived safely in Grand Goave with the bus continuing its trip further south.

I hopped into a taxi-Moto to bring me into the center of the town. I asked my driver to drop me at the church, richly decorated with the revelers in white and blue, the vista inside the church was comforting and soothing. Everybody was in their best Sunday dress, piously praying for that major favor that will change their lives.

I gauged, through the attendance, that Petit Goave has a rich, stable, and pleasant middle class. I felt good; it seems as though the social and political trauma that has shaken Haiti in the last fifty years has spared Petit Goave. The procession after the church service was cathartic. It passed through well-lit streets, beautiful well-designed homes to end into the courtyard of the town hospital. I asked some nuns around me whether they ran the hospital. They told me it was government managed. What a surprise -- a well-run public hospital administered by the government in Petit Goave!

It was now 10 pm, time for serious party. I set myself to find the best party in town. My first foray ends up nowhere. The taxi-Moto drove far and deep into the night to bring me around two nightclubs. The music was loud and inviting, but there was no one inside. I was told that people party late; I should wait a little bit more. I knew better, I took another Moto ride into town and found the real party led by a popular band: New Look. I enjoyed the time and was taken in for the remaining of the night by a hospitable family.

The next day, the day of the feast, I went to church again. What a divine vista! The bishop of Nippes, surrounded by some thirty priests concelebrated the mass. In his homily he urged the revelers to stop playing the guinea game of trusting no one. He also urged them to convert from the game of the fish who saved a man from drowning in the middle of the sea to bring him right back when the man thanked the fish for saving his life.

I was invited to enjoy the banquet with the priests, the bishop and the officials of the town, mingling with these men of God with whom I could observe the gracefulness of some and the not so gracefulness of others.

I spent the rest of the afternoon visiting Petit Goave, its magnificent public square, and its carenage that can become the home for multinational hotels. I stopped by the Relay de l'Empereur, a rambling house that now serves as a hotel. It was the private home of Emperor Faustin Soulouque, a former comical and despot ruler of Haiti.

Petit Goave is working; it is neat, large with enough room to accommodate more people. I was told that CRS – Catholic Relief Services -- has adopted the city. What a relief! I came back to Port au Prince, satisfied, happy and hopeful that Haiti can be rebuilt starting with Petit Goave. It has all the ingredients to leverage existing resources and make it a first success story in the recovery or the renaissance of Haiti. I shall remember when I have more say in the fate of that country.

mardi 29 septembre 2009

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lundi 28 septembre 2009

dimanche 27 septembre 2009

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By far the biggest private investment in Haiti tourism in decades, a multimillion-dollar expansion by Royal Caribbean on the northern coast is igniting hopes of a tourism comeback.

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BY JACQUELINE CHARLES

samedi 26 septembre 2009

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