Statement by Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains (RNDDH) Executive Director Pierre Esperance on the Nomination of Jean Ostrick Hercule as Director of UCREF
(Read the original here)
We at RNDDH consider the nomination of Jean Ostrick Hercule to UCREF (Unité Centrale de Renseignements Financiers, or Central Financial Intelligence Unit) as proof that the Haitian government is not serious when it claims to be fighting corruption and impunity. It is also proof that their efforts to find justice in the Jean Dominique case have been nothing more than cynical political maneuvering. The nomination of Jean Ostrick Hercule is nothing less than a victory for impunity in Haiti.
Why do we believe this?
First of all, as an investigating judge, Ostrick Hercule was the magistrate in charge of the case of Jean Leopold Dominique. According to the law, when a judge is assigned a criminal case, he or she is obligated to investigate that case. However, Judge Ostrick Hercule ignored the demands of the law on this case. He sat on the case for months without undertaking any investigation whatsoever. He returned the case to his supervisor on the pretext that his security had not been assured enough for him to work on this sensitive case. In spite of this, the supervising magistrate, Judge Rock Cadet, demanded that he respect the law of the land and investigate the case. Nevertheless, Ostrick Hercule refused.
Secondly, Judge Ostrick Hercule was assigned the cases of many Lavalas leaders who had been accused of siphoning public funds. In response, he took action and froze the bank accounts of those accused. However, he did not launch any investigations in these cases. Two years later, when President Preval came into office, Judge Ostrick Hercule decided to unfreeze all of these accounts under the pretext that the case lacked merit. Despite the fact that the law requires investigations to take no longer than three months, he let two years pass before rendering a decision that was based on political calculations. Because of his actions, the state lost millions of gourds that had been stolen from it.
In addition to these specific cases, it's a fact that as a judge, Ostrick Hercule was generally negligent toward his duties, and did not investigate cases assigned to him.
In 2007, Ostrick Hercule's mandate as an investigating judge came to an end, and the Ministry of Justice recommended that the executive branch not renew his contract. The ministry's reason for this was Ostrick Hercule's disrespect for the law and the duties of his office, as well as his lack of integrity.
It's clear that Judge Ostrick Hercule is severely lacking in the credibility necessary to direct an agency such as UCREF. Lacking, that is, unless the powers that be are not truly interested in fighting corruption and impunity.
Port-au-Prince, le 4 mars 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Décès d’Emmanuel "Manno" Sanon, star éternelle du football haïtien
Décès d’Emmanuel "Manno" Sanon, star éternelle du football haïtien
Un cancer du pancréas a eu raison du légendaire mondialiste de 1974 parti à 56 ans
jeudi 21 février 2008,
Radio Kiskeya
(Read the original article here)
Le mythique footballeur haïtien Emmanuel Sanon, surnommé affectueusement "Manno", est décédé jeudi matin à l’âge de 56 ans d’un cancer du pancréas dans sa résidence à Orlando, en Floride, a appris Radio Kiskeya.
En phase terminale depuis quelque temps après avoir suivi sans succès de longues séances de chimiothérapie et radiothérapie, le disparu avait perdu ces derniers jours l’usage de la parole avant de plonger dans le coma. Il s’est éteint au milieu de ses proches dont son épouse Suzie Sanon et leurs quatre enfants, trois filles et un garçon.
La date et le lieu des funérailles doivent être annoncés ultérieurement.
Véritable icône du ballon rond dans son pays et ancien sélectionneur national, Sanon était entré dans l’histoire le 15 juin 1974 en Allemagne. Ce jour-là, il mit fin à l’invicibilité de Dino Zoff, lors du match de poule Italie vs Haïti (3-1), à l’occasion de l’unique participation d’Haïti à une phase finale de Coupe du monde. Recevant parfaitement une passe géniale de plus de 40 mètres de son compère Philippe Vorbe, le très dangereux avant-centre s’engouffra dans la défense transalpine, élimina son garde du corps Spinosi puis enchaîna crochets et feintes de corps allant de la gauche vers la droite pour se débarrasser du célèbre gardien de la Squadra Azzurra qui venait d’aligner une série impressionnante de 19 matches consécutifs sans concéder le moindre but.
Haïti concéda la défaite face aux doubles champions du monde italiens, mais ce but retentissant fit le tour de la planète et fut classé à la fin du XXe siècle parmi les 100 plus beaux de l’histoire de la Coupe du monde.
Pendant quatre ans, il fut l’auteur de 47 des 106 réalisations de la sélection nationale.
L’expérience allemande qui se solda par une élimination dès le premier tour (trois défaites contre l’Italie 3-1, l’Argentine 4-1 et la Pologne 7-0) mit tout de même le baume au cœur des haïtiens fiers de voir leur pays entrer dans le club fermé des seize meilleures nations du football. Portée en triomphe par tout un peuple qui fredonnait l’hymne populaire "Toup Pou Yo", l’équipe haïtienne avait en 1973 conquis à Port-au-Prince le titre de championne de la CONCACAF en devançant ses principaux rivaux de l’Amérique du Nord, de l’Amérique centrale et de la Caraïbe.
Considéré comme le plus grand attaquant haïtien de tous les temps, "Manno" Sanon fut à cette époque l’idole de la jeunesse et déchaîna les passions partout avec d’autres gloires du onze national comme Philippe Vorbe, Jean-Claude Désir dit "Tom Pouce" ou encore Pierre Bayonne et Guy Saint-Vil.
Né le 25 juin 1951 à Port-au-Prince dans une modeste famille originaire de la province, ce footballeur de légende fut remarquable tant par ses accélérations fulgurantes que par sa technique et son incroyable habileté de chasseur de buts. Après s’être révélé dans le championnat interscolaire aux lycées Anténor Firmin et de Pétion-Ville, il gravit rapidement les échelons pour devenir la superstar du Don Bosco de Pétion-Ville avant de connaître une brillante carrière au Beerschot d’Anvers. Premier joueur haïtien à évoluer dans le football professionnel européen, avec le club anversois, il remporta notamment la coupe de Belgique au cours de la saison 1979-80 en décrochant la distinction de meilleur joueur (MVP).
Sa merveilleuse expérience au Beerschot devait durer cinq saisons, de 74-75 à 79-80.
Le champion, qui joua contre le "Roi" Pelé et évolua dans les plus grands stades du monde, était revenu en Haïti en 1997 après 23 ans d’absence. Durant son séjour de deux ans, il dirigea la sélection nationale qu’il abandonna toutefois au bout de quelques mois à cause de résultats en dents de scie et d’une gestion calamiteuse des instances dirigeantes du football.
En dépit de la gravité de sa maladie, il se trouvait l’année dernière parmi les anciennes gloires de 1974 qui étaient revenues à Port-au-Prince à l’invitation du Président René Préval.
"Manno" Sanon rejoint dans l’au-delà deux autres acteurs de l’épopée de 1974, Arsène Auguste surnommé "Ti Pelao" et Fritz "Fito" Léandre.
Un cancer du pancréas a eu raison du légendaire mondialiste de 1974 parti à 56 ans
jeudi 21 février 2008,
Radio Kiskeya
(Read the original article here)
Le mythique footballeur haïtien Emmanuel Sanon, surnommé affectueusement "Manno", est décédé jeudi matin à l’âge de 56 ans d’un cancer du pancréas dans sa résidence à Orlando, en Floride, a appris Radio Kiskeya.
En phase terminale depuis quelque temps après avoir suivi sans succès de longues séances de chimiothérapie et radiothérapie, le disparu avait perdu ces derniers jours l’usage de la parole avant de plonger dans le coma. Il s’est éteint au milieu de ses proches dont son épouse Suzie Sanon et leurs quatre enfants, trois filles et un garçon.
La date et le lieu des funérailles doivent être annoncés ultérieurement.
Véritable icône du ballon rond dans son pays et ancien sélectionneur national, Sanon était entré dans l’histoire le 15 juin 1974 en Allemagne. Ce jour-là, il mit fin à l’invicibilité de Dino Zoff, lors du match de poule Italie vs Haïti (3-1), à l’occasion de l’unique participation d’Haïti à une phase finale de Coupe du monde. Recevant parfaitement une passe géniale de plus de 40 mètres de son compère Philippe Vorbe, le très dangereux avant-centre s’engouffra dans la défense transalpine, élimina son garde du corps Spinosi puis enchaîna crochets et feintes de corps allant de la gauche vers la droite pour se débarrasser du célèbre gardien de la Squadra Azzurra qui venait d’aligner une série impressionnante de 19 matches consécutifs sans concéder le moindre but.
Haïti concéda la défaite face aux doubles champions du monde italiens, mais ce but retentissant fit le tour de la planète et fut classé à la fin du XXe siècle parmi les 100 plus beaux de l’histoire de la Coupe du monde.
Pendant quatre ans, il fut l’auteur de 47 des 106 réalisations de la sélection nationale.
L’expérience allemande qui se solda par une élimination dès le premier tour (trois défaites contre l’Italie 3-1, l’Argentine 4-1 et la Pologne 7-0) mit tout de même le baume au cœur des haïtiens fiers de voir leur pays entrer dans le club fermé des seize meilleures nations du football. Portée en triomphe par tout un peuple qui fredonnait l’hymne populaire "Toup Pou Yo", l’équipe haïtienne avait en 1973 conquis à Port-au-Prince le titre de championne de la CONCACAF en devançant ses principaux rivaux de l’Amérique du Nord, de l’Amérique centrale et de la Caraïbe.
Considéré comme le plus grand attaquant haïtien de tous les temps, "Manno" Sanon fut à cette époque l’idole de la jeunesse et déchaîna les passions partout avec d’autres gloires du onze national comme Philippe Vorbe, Jean-Claude Désir dit "Tom Pouce" ou encore Pierre Bayonne et Guy Saint-Vil.
Né le 25 juin 1951 à Port-au-Prince dans une modeste famille originaire de la province, ce footballeur de légende fut remarquable tant par ses accélérations fulgurantes que par sa technique et son incroyable habileté de chasseur de buts. Après s’être révélé dans le championnat interscolaire aux lycées Anténor Firmin et de Pétion-Ville, il gravit rapidement les échelons pour devenir la superstar du Don Bosco de Pétion-Ville avant de connaître une brillante carrière au Beerschot d’Anvers. Premier joueur haïtien à évoluer dans le football professionnel européen, avec le club anversois, il remporta notamment la coupe de Belgique au cours de la saison 1979-80 en décrochant la distinction de meilleur joueur (MVP).
Sa merveilleuse expérience au Beerschot devait durer cinq saisons, de 74-75 à 79-80.
Le champion, qui joua contre le "Roi" Pelé et évolua dans les plus grands stades du monde, était revenu en Haïti en 1997 après 23 ans d’absence. Durant son séjour de deux ans, il dirigea la sélection nationale qu’il abandonna toutefois au bout de quelques mois à cause de résultats en dents de scie et d’une gestion calamiteuse des instances dirigeantes du football.
En dépit de la gravité de sa maladie, il se trouvait l’année dernière parmi les anciennes gloires de 1974 qui étaient revenues à Port-au-Prince à l’invitation du Président René Préval.
"Manno" Sanon rejoint dans l’au-delà deux autres acteurs de l’épopée de 1974, Arsène Auguste surnommé "Ti Pelao" et Fritz "Fito" Léandre.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Politiques publiques territoriales : Le cas de Cité Soleil
There is a very interesting article on Cité Soleil on the AlterPresse website this week. Read it here.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Brutalités policières contre un journaliste : L’Association nationale des médias haïtiens proteste
Brutalités policières contre un journaliste : L’Association nationale des médias haïtiens proteste
Port-au-Prince, le 11 Février 2008
NOTE DE PRESSE DE L’ANMH
En moins de trente (30) jours, des policiers ont agressé des journalistes dans l’exercice de leur fonction. Il est urgent que la Direction et l’Inspection Générale de la police agissent pour que ces comportements cessent et que la presse puisse jouir en toute quiétude des garanties que lui reconnaissent la constitution et les Lois de la République.
L’Association Nationale des medias Haïtiens (ANMH) inquiète par une manifestation d’abus de pouvoir et d’autoritarisme de la part de certains policiers attire une fois de plus l’attention de la Direction Générale de la Police et de l’Inspection Générale en vue d’une intervention prompte qui évitera une épidémie contaminant le reste du corps de police.
Alors que la Capitale est affectée par l’action des bandits et que ses habitants en désarroi ne savent plus à quel saint se vouer, certains policiers sans discernement abusent de leur pouvoir et de leur uniforme en se jetant sur la proie facile se trompant et d’ennemi et d’allié.
Les journalistes dans l’exercice de leur profession sont les alliés de la société qui attend d’être informée convenablement de chaque situation pour que les pouvoirs publics agissent en apportant les réponses appropriées à chaque problème.
Les ennemis sont ceux qui causent les problèmes et non ceux qui en parlent. Quand les bandits visent des policiers, quand ils anarquent, dépouillent et attaquent les commerçants, quand ils sèment la terreur et paralysent la vie, le rôle de la presse c’est de parler du phénomène pour mettre chacun devant ses responsabilités.
L’Association Nationale des Médias Haïtiens (ANMH) demande à la Direction de la PNH de faire le nettoyage dans les rangs de la Police pour en extraire les éléments violents qui ne font pas honneur à la devise « Protéger et Servir ». Alors la justice se chargera du reste.
L’Association Nationale des Médias Haïtiens (ANMH) tout en invitant les journalistes à ne pas se laisser intimider leur donne la garantie qu’elle se portera partie civile dans tout acte de poursuite contre les prédateurs de la liberté de la presse.
Pour le Conseil :
Anne-Marie ISSA, Présidente
Jacques SAMPEUR, Vice Président
Liliane Pierre-Paul, Secrétaire
Max Chauvet, Trésorier
Léopold Berlanger, Conseiller
Aruns BELLEVUE, Conseiller
Hérold JEAN-FRANÇOIS, Conseiller
Richard WIDMAÏER, Conseiller
Port-au-Prince, le 11 Février 2008
NOTE DE PRESSE DE L’ANMH
En moins de trente (30) jours, des policiers ont agressé des journalistes dans l’exercice de leur fonction. Il est urgent que la Direction et l’Inspection Générale de la police agissent pour que ces comportements cessent et que la presse puisse jouir en toute quiétude des garanties que lui reconnaissent la constitution et les Lois de la République.
L’Association Nationale des medias Haïtiens (ANMH) inquiète par une manifestation d’abus de pouvoir et d’autoritarisme de la part de certains policiers attire une fois de plus l’attention de la Direction Générale de la Police et de l’Inspection Générale en vue d’une intervention prompte qui évitera une épidémie contaminant le reste du corps de police.
Alors que la Capitale est affectée par l’action des bandits et que ses habitants en désarroi ne savent plus à quel saint se vouer, certains policiers sans discernement abusent de leur pouvoir et de leur uniforme en se jetant sur la proie facile se trompant et d’ennemi et d’allié.
Les journalistes dans l’exercice de leur profession sont les alliés de la société qui attend d’être informée convenablement de chaque situation pour que les pouvoirs publics agissent en apportant les réponses appropriées à chaque problème.
Les ennemis sont ceux qui causent les problèmes et non ceux qui en parlent. Quand les bandits visent des policiers, quand ils anarquent, dépouillent et attaquent les commerçants, quand ils sèment la terreur et paralysent la vie, le rôle de la presse c’est de parler du phénomène pour mettre chacun devant ses responsabilités.
L’Association Nationale des Médias Haïtiens (ANMH) demande à la Direction de la PNH de faire le nettoyage dans les rangs de la Police pour en extraire les éléments violents qui ne font pas honneur à la devise « Protéger et Servir ». Alors la justice se chargera du reste.
L’Association Nationale des Médias Haïtiens (ANMH) tout en invitant les journalistes à ne pas se laisser intimider leur donne la garantie qu’elle se portera partie civile dans tout acte de poursuite contre les prédateurs de la liberté de la presse.
Pour le Conseil :
Anne-Marie ISSA, Présidente
Jacques SAMPEUR, Vice Président
Liliane Pierre-Paul, Secrétaire
Max Chauvet, Trésorier
Léopold Berlanger, Conseiller
Aruns BELLEVUE, Conseiller
Hérold JEAN-FRANÇOIS, Conseiller
Richard WIDMAÏER, Conseiller
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Père Arthur Volel, a great Haitian, passes on
Père Arthur Volel, who for decades had tirelessly ministered to the most downtrodden of Haiti's populace in the despertaly poor Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Cité Soleil, has left this life. For years the guiding force behind the Centre Sainte Therèse d’Avila in the neighborhood, Père Volel leaves behind a legacy of genuine dedication to Haiti's downtrodden that should make most of Haiti's politicians hang their heads in shame when they look at their own behaviour.
Amen and much respect for your fine work, Père Volel.
Today's obituary from Radio Kiskeya follows.
Haïti-Eglise-Décès
Décès du révérend père Arthur Volel, symbole de l’église des pauvres
"Il était l’incarnation de l’amour", selon son neveu Michel Soukar, historien et journaliste
lundi 28 janvier 2008,
Radio Kiskeya
(Read the original article here)
Le révérend père Arthur Volel, figure emblématique de l’église catholique haïtienne, s’est éteint dimanche à l’âge de 84 ans dans une maison de retraite de la communauté salésienne à Tabarre (nord de Port-au-Prince), a annoncé lundi sur les ondes de Radio Kiskeya l’historien Michel Soukar, neveu du disparu.
"Le père Volel était l’incarnation de l’amour", a-t-il estimé en retraçant le parcours exceptionnel de cet ardent défenseur des pauvres. Il a notamment vécu quarante années de vie pastorale parmi les humbles familles du grand bidonville de Cité Soleil (banlieue nord) en partageant leurs souffrances et privations au quotidien et en leur apportant de l’espérance. Auparavant, son sacerdoce l’avait conduit à accomplir la même mission à Pétion-Ville (est) et à La Saline (nord) où il a dynamisé la présence de la congrégation des salésiens à laquelle il appartenait.
Véritable modèle de bonté absolue, de générosité sans bornes, de modestie et missionnaire idéaliste jusqu’à l’excès, Arthur Volel et sa foi ne faisaient qu’un, selon Michel Soukar. Il indique qu’en apprenant sa mort, des chrétiens catholiques ont estimé qu’il pourrait aisément aspirer à la sanctification.
Victime à plusieurs reprises de maladies contagieuses attrapées dans l’insalubrité Cité Soleil, le religieux refusait souvent de soigner. En raison de son âge avancé, il avait dû s’installer depuis quelque temps dans la maison de retraite des salésiens.
La date des funérailles du père Volel doit être annoncée ultérieurement. Mais, déjà, les habitants de Cité Soleil sont invités à lui rendre un ultime hommage lors d’une cérémonie funèbre prévue samedi prochain.
Amen and much respect for your fine work, Père Volel.
Today's obituary from Radio Kiskeya follows.
Haïti-Eglise-Décès
Décès du révérend père Arthur Volel, symbole de l’église des pauvres
"Il était l’incarnation de l’amour", selon son neveu Michel Soukar, historien et journaliste
lundi 28 janvier 2008,
Radio Kiskeya
(Read the original article here)
Le révérend père Arthur Volel, figure emblématique de l’église catholique haïtienne, s’est éteint dimanche à l’âge de 84 ans dans une maison de retraite de la communauté salésienne à Tabarre (nord de Port-au-Prince), a annoncé lundi sur les ondes de Radio Kiskeya l’historien Michel Soukar, neveu du disparu.
"Le père Volel était l’incarnation de l’amour", a-t-il estimé en retraçant le parcours exceptionnel de cet ardent défenseur des pauvres. Il a notamment vécu quarante années de vie pastorale parmi les humbles familles du grand bidonville de Cité Soleil (banlieue nord) en partageant leurs souffrances et privations au quotidien et en leur apportant de l’espérance. Auparavant, son sacerdoce l’avait conduit à accomplir la même mission à Pétion-Ville (est) et à La Saline (nord) où il a dynamisé la présence de la congrégation des salésiens à laquelle il appartenait.
Véritable modèle de bonté absolue, de générosité sans bornes, de modestie et missionnaire idéaliste jusqu’à l’excès, Arthur Volel et sa foi ne faisaient qu’un, selon Michel Soukar. Il indique qu’en apprenant sa mort, des chrétiens catholiques ont estimé qu’il pourrait aisément aspirer à la sanctification.
Victime à plusieurs reprises de maladies contagieuses attrapées dans l’insalubrité Cité Soleil, le religieux refusait souvent de soigner. En raison de son âge avancé, il avait dû s’installer depuis quelque temps dans la maison de retraite des salésiens.
La date des funérailles du père Volel doit être annoncée ultérieurement. Mais, déjà, les habitants de Cité Soleil sont invités à lui rendre un ultime hommage lors d’une cérémonie funèbre prévue samedi prochain.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Préval heads to the Plateau Central
Tournée du Président René Préval dans le Plateau Central
Arrivé à Belladère en taxi-moto, le chef de l’Etat a insisté sur l’importance du climat de paix et la nécessité de relancer la production nationale
lundi 21 janvier 2008,
Radio Kiskeya
(Read the original article here)
Le Président René Préval a prôné la consolidation de la paix et la relance de la production nationale lundi à Mirebalais (Centre) où il a passé la nuit dans le cadre d’une tournée de 48 heures dans le Plateau Central destinée à la supervision de différents projets d’infrastructure.
Pour ce périple en province, le premier depuis son retour au pouvoir il y a deux ans, le chef de l’Etat a procédé dans la localité de La Colline, une section communale de Lascahobas, à l’inauguration d’un centre de santé réalisé par Zanmi Lasante (Les amis dont la santé), une ONG dont le principal responsable est le scientifique américain Paul Farmer.
Accompagné du Premier ministre Jacques-Edouard Alexis, de membres du gouvernement et d’élus de la région, M. Préval a également visité la ville de Belladère -siège en mars de la prochaine foire binationale- où il a fait son entrée sur un taxi-moto à la grande satisfaction des riverains.
"La paix, la paix, il nous faut absolument préserver le climat de paix dont nous jouissons actuellement pour pouvoir attirer les investisseurs et favoriser le développement du pays", a martelé le chef de l’Etat, jugeant très difficile de ramener les prix des produits de première nécessité à un niveau acceptable en raison de la hausse constante du coût de produits stratégiques importés notamment le pétrole dont le baril a atteint ces dernières semaines la barre fatidique de 100 dollars. Le dirigeant haïtien a aussi fait savoir que seule la relance de la production nationale pourra faire baisser le coût de la vie et a invité la population à renouer avec les habitudes alimentaires d’autrefois.
D’autre part, le Président s’est lancé dans un dialogue interactif très décontracté avec la première Sénatrice du Centre, Edmonde Supplice Beauzile en compagnie du ministre des travaux publics, Frantz Verella. René Préval a tenu à préciser que, contrairement à la perception générale, la mission des parlementaires consiste à approuver le décaissement de fonds en vue de la réalisation des projets et non à les exécuter eux-mêmes.
Avant de regagner Port-au-Prince mardi, le chef de l’Exécutif doit visiter une ferme agricole à Mirebalais et s’entretenir avec les autorités locales.
Arrivé à Belladère en taxi-moto, le chef de l’Etat a insisté sur l’importance du climat de paix et la nécessité de relancer la production nationale
lundi 21 janvier 2008,
Radio Kiskeya
(Read the original article here)
Le Président René Préval a prôné la consolidation de la paix et la relance de la production nationale lundi à Mirebalais (Centre) où il a passé la nuit dans le cadre d’une tournée de 48 heures dans le Plateau Central destinée à la supervision de différents projets d’infrastructure.
Pour ce périple en province, le premier depuis son retour au pouvoir il y a deux ans, le chef de l’Etat a procédé dans la localité de La Colline, une section communale de Lascahobas, à l’inauguration d’un centre de santé réalisé par Zanmi Lasante (Les amis dont la santé), une ONG dont le principal responsable est le scientifique américain Paul Farmer.
Accompagné du Premier ministre Jacques-Edouard Alexis, de membres du gouvernement et d’élus de la région, M. Préval a également visité la ville de Belladère -siège en mars de la prochaine foire binationale- où il a fait son entrée sur un taxi-moto à la grande satisfaction des riverains.
"La paix, la paix, il nous faut absolument préserver le climat de paix dont nous jouissons actuellement pour pouvoir attirer les investisseurs et favoriser le développement du pays", a martelé le chef de l’Etat, jugeant très difficile de ramener les prix des produits de première nécessité à un niveau acceptable en raison de la hausse constante du coût de produits stratégiques importés notamment le pétrole dont le baril a atteint ces dernières semaines la barre fatidique de 100 dollars. Le dirigeant haïtien a aussi fait savoir que seule la relance de la production nationale pourra faire baisser le coût de la vie et a invité la population à renouer avec les habitudes alimentaires d’autrefois.
D’autre part, le Président s’est lancé dans un dialogue interactif très décontracté avec la première Sénatrice du Centre, Edmonde Supplice Beauzile en compagnie du ministre des travaux publics, Frantz Verella. René Préval a tenu à préciser que, contrairement à la perception générale, la mission des parlementaires consiste à approuver le décaissement de fonds en vue de la réalisation des projets et non à les exécuter eux-mêmes.
Avant de regagner Port-au-Prince mardi, le chef de l’Exécutif doit visiter une ferme agricole à Mirebalais et s’entretenir avec les autorités locales.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Speech by Haitian President René Préval, Gonaives, 1 January 2008
Text of speech by Haitian President René Préval at the ceremony in Gonaives to mark the 204th anniversary of Haiti's independence on 1 January 2008.
(Also read the speech here)
People of Gonaives, good morning. Haitian people, good morning. The year 2007 has passed. Good morning, 2008. Last year, here in Gonaives, on 1 January 2007, I called on the nation for dialogue, union, and unity so we could manage to establish peace and security. Remember how the country was during the years 2004, 2005, and 2006? It was a period of total anarchy, with a lot of armed groups that were moving around freely with heavy automatic guns. They held the country hostage. Today, there is nothing like that. [applause]
We congratulate the Haitian National Police [PNH], in particular Director Mario Andresol. [applause] We congratulate MINUSTAH [UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti] for this beautiful job, which has resulted in security for the Haitian people. We congratulate Otson [not further identified]. We congratulate the DDR [Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reinsertion] team, particularly Alix Fils-Aime and Samba Boukman, for their significant contributions to the programme for the disarmament of the armed groups. We cannot forget the important contribution of Artists for Peace. Singer Don Kato, valiant man, the nation asks you to congratulate on its behalf all of the Artists for Peace who have worked with you.
Is the security work for peace over? No. There are still too many kidnappings even though the kidnapping rate has dropped considerably. But one kidnapping is already unbearable. Therefore, we have already begun working with DCPJ [Central Management of the Judicial Police] so it can have more means, so it can be more professional, and so it can be more effective in thwarting bandits and kidnappers.
In addition to security, there are other fields in which we have moved forward. For example, we know the government needs more money to work. The fight to get more money into the state coffers has moved forward. If the state does not have any money, it will not be able to provide services. I congratulate Customs Director General Jean-Jacques Valentin, who is fighting as hard as he can to thwart smuggling. Director Valentin, we know the fight you are waging is not easy. We congratulate you for the good results you have had, and we encourage you to continue. We also congratulate DGI [General Directorate of Taxes] Director Jean Frantz Richard, who is fighting to prompt people to pay the taxes due to the state. Director, the struggle you are waging is not easy. You lack the legal tools. In Haiti, what is called tax evasion - that is, the nonpayment of taxes - is not a crime. It is a crime in many other countries, such as the United States, where it is a crime punishable by imprisonment. In Haiti, if you are caught not paying taxes, you only have to pay a fine. Director Valentin, we have already prepared a bill aimed at criminalizing tax evasion. We will submit it to the parliament at the opening of the next session this January.
In 2007, we also made efforts in the struggle against corruption. I can tell you that the struggle against corruption is the most difficult one, because corruption is strong and its roots are deep. I congratulate all honest public prosecutors, especially Public Prosecutor Claudy Gassant, for his efforts in this field. Attorney Gassant and all the other public prosecutors, the struggle is not easy. I wish you courage and determination.
In 2007, the justice department made great progress. I congratulate and encourage every honest person in the judicial apparatus who is working under difficult conditions for justice to triumph and impunity to retreat. Congratulations to the entire judicial apparatus, particularly the deans of the courts. Special congratulations to Dean Rock Cadet. I offer him these congratulations on behalf of all he other deans. Thanks also to the Civil Society Commission that is accompanying the Ministry of Justice. Thanks for the coordination they have ensured between the executive branch and the parliament so the three laws on justice could be approved quickly. These laws are very important for the strengthening of the judicial system.
Thanks to the committee that is fighting so justice can be rendered to the murdered journalists. Thank you, [journalists] Euvrard Saint-Amand, Louis Gary Cyprien, Joel Labady, Dieudonne Saint-Cyr, Guyler C Delva, Marimique Anne Marguerite Auguste, and Jean Wilner Mauvais. The country needs citizens like you, who do not stand by and observe, but who are cooperating. I am telling all those whose names I just mentioned that once one starts work, one may make mistakes. If you make mistakes, you must correct them. But it is worse if you do not do any work at all. I encourage you to continue. I encourage you to continue. [repeated as heard] I encourage everyone in the government to keep working so we can get this country back on its feet.
We have just mentioned some essential fields in which we made progress in 2007. I would not say that we got 10 out of 10. I do not even know if we got 5 out of 10. But we did move forward.
If I mentioned some points where we moved forward, there are fields in which there are major difficulties. We must talk about that, too. One of the problems, the biggest one, is the unemployment rate in the country. [applause]
Even though more money is entering the state coffers, especially thanks to the efforts of the Customs Office and the DGI, even though funds put at the disposal of the country by the international community, the government has not managed to spend all the money it should have spent. The ministers must make even more efforts. The cases must be documented properly so the projects can be executed successfully. The Ministry of Planning, the National Council of Public Markets, and the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Litigations [CSCCA] must have the cases move forward faster.
Another brake preventing the government from spending money is the weakness of the private sector. For example, many construction firms are weak. They lack execution capabilities. Their projects drag on. If the work does not move forward, the government cannot pay. If the small enterprises have a hard time moving forward with the jobs they are in charge of, it is difficult for the government to give them other jobs. The weakness of the private sector is something the government must look into. The small enterprises often have financial problems in terms of buy materials, financial problems with regard to guaranteeing the funds that must be deposited as insurance in case the projects are not executed properly.
In the meantime, we must use our imagination to create jobs immediately. We must use our imagination. We must invent formulas to create jobs immediately.
[Words indistinct] cultural and sporting installations where the youths can find basketball fields, soccer fields, study rooms, and lights to study by, computers with internet connections to open their minds, to carry out searches, and to communicate with other countries. I believe this is possible.
There is land. If you get in touch with the mayors, you can get state land. You can get up to 5 or 10 carreaus [ 1 carreau equals 3.19 acres] of state land, and no parliamentarian - deputy or senator - will disagree with financing such a project in the interest of every commune in the country. This is an initiative that can create jobs throughout the country and that will be good for all of the country's children.
Here is another example of what can be done to create jobs immediately. In my first term, we worked with INDEPCO [expansion not given], which opened sewing workshops in several communes and communal sections in the country in order to make school uniforms. We will resume this activity, and we will contribute to give jobs to many tailors in many communes.
I am going to give two other examples where we can create jobs. [words indistinct] Gentlemen, journalists, come here. I need some policemen, too, about five policemen. The journalists are coming. I will have you taste this, gentlemen, but do not stand in front of me. Go behind. [words indistinct] Go behind. Gentlemen, how is it that you have left with the juice? Come taste it and then tell me whether it tasted good. Is it good? Come and tell me if it is good. Step back. Is the juice delicious? Well, step back. Let me tell you where this juice comes from. After I left the Presidency, I went to live in Marmelade, my hometown. I observed that every peasant who had an orange tree in his or her yard had to walk about 14 kilometres to Carrefour Puilboro to sell the oranges. The orange price drops as the hours of the day pass. Sometimes, at the end of the day, they simply left the remaining oranges on the floor so they would not have to carry them back home. We have now established a fund to buy oranges from the peasants at a guaranteed price, and the peasants do not waste their time waiting at the market all day long. They have money in their hands, and they are interested in growing orange trees. When we see that all of the oranges are ripening at the same time, we set up a factory to put these oranges in bags. What do we do with these oranges? We sell them to the School Canteen Programme, which provides locally produced orange juice to schoolchildren. We have not yet managed to provide such juice to all schoolchildren. Therefore, I am asking the parliament to allow the government to finance a programme to set up several such factories so that - instead of giving our children imported juice that was made from powder and that has nothing in it - we can give our children local juice made by local peasants. [applause] It will put money in the peasants' hands. It will encourage the peasants to plant trees. It will create wealth in the peasant sector.
I am giving a second example of how we can create jobs. You will not be able to see it, but I will ask one of the journalists here to serve as witness. Are you a journalist? What do you see here? Come here, come here. [repeated as heard]. Oh, this gentleman is just taking pictures. What do you see here?
[Unidentified correspondent] I see a peasant who has apparently plantain trees to make hats. Oh, well, he has a fish over his head.
[Préval ] What do you see?
[Correspondent] I see a fish over his head.
[Préval ] You see a fish over the head of the peasant.
[Correspondent] Yes, a big fish.
[Préval ] How big is the fish?
[Correspondent] I would say it is about 6 or 7 feet long.
[Préval ] The fish is that big, right?
[Correspondent] Yes.
[Préval ] Where does this fish come from? From the sea? No. Here are other fish. Here they are. Gentlemen, let the people see. [words indistinct] These fish come from Lac Collinaire (a man-made lake). If you look at the picture, you will realize that Lac Collinaire was a dry place, a place where nothing used to grow. Now, there are many big fish there. We have a country that receives a lot of water, a lot of rain. Instead of letting rain devastate the entire country, we can undertake a great campaign to establish (?artificial lakes) in the country. We simply have to block the passage of the rainwater, which will fill the basin. This water can be used for homes, to water gardens, and to raise fish. This is our resource. Instead of letting it destroy our country, as happened here with Hurricane Jane and when it rains a lot, we can turn the rain into wealth, instead of misfortune.
Journalists, you will explain what you have seen. I thank you. Since the journalists have television stations, since they have microphones, they will show the people what they saw and tell the people whether the juice I gave them was delicious.
Another major problem that exists in the country is the high cost of living. Here is our opinion on the high cost of living. The first solution to the high cost of living is employment. If you do not have any money in your pocket, regardless of whether goods are expensive or cheap, you will always have a cost of living problem. The first thing is to create jobs. The second problem associated with the high cost of living is that it is a phenomenon that is happening around the world. The price of everything is rising. Gasoline prices are rising in every country. The price of the wheat that is used to make bread is rising around the world. The prices of iron and all metals are rising around the world. Haiti imports all of these things. Their prices are determined by the world market. When prices increase on the world market, they inevitably increase in Haiti.
A second problem that explains the high cost of living, we think, is the lack of competition in the local market. More people must be able to import goods. The government should consider taking measures to allow other investors to enter the market. That way, competition can cause the profit margins and the prices of the products to drop.
The high cost of living has other causes, such as the APN [National Port Authority]. The APN is the most expensive port in the Caribbean. When the goods arrive in APN, businesspeople pay high fees, a lot of money, so their goods can be unloaded. But make no mistake, they will add these fees to the selling price of the goods, and we are the ones who will pay. This means that order must be established at the APN, so the prices of goods can go down. [applause]
There is another way to look at the high cost of living, because the true problem is not the cost of the goods but what you can buy with the money you have in your hands. If today you have 10 gourdes and can buy such and such product and the price of this particular rises tomorrow, you will realize that the cost of living has risen for you, because you can buy fewer goods with your money. This is called purchasing power. The more money you have, the more you can buy. When the price of the goods increases, if you have the same amount of money in your hands, you can buy less. Therefore, the government gave all civil servants a 17 per cent salary increase in 2006. In 2007, the increase went from 25 per cent to 35 per cent. That is for state employees. With regard to private sector employees, we must get in touch with the employers, the unions, and the parliament to see what can be done as far as salaries are concerned. But it must be done under the appropriate conditions, because there is something called competition. If salaries here become higher than those in other countries, it will prevent us from being able to export. This requires dialogue, but it must be done in order to see if the private sector can make the effort that was made by the government.
I am going to list some other measures that can be taken against waste, that is to say, measures aimed at allowing us to save money on some expenses. For example, electricity costs the government a lot. There are measures that can save us money on electricity. The government is going to convert all of its diesel power stations into oil-fired power stations, because fuel oil costs less than diesel. Gonaives's 15 MW power station, which Mayor Topa [nickname for Gonaives Mayor Stephen Moise] just talked about, will be using fuel oil, which costs less than diesel. The 15 MW power station that is being built in Cap-Haitien and the 30 MW power station that is being built in Port-au-Prince will use fuel oil, and all other power stations will use fuel oil. Similarly, we have begun changing for free all of the light bulbs that consumer a lot of electricity for energy-saving bulbs to reduce the state's electricity cost and so that it can do other things with the savings.
The true solution to the high cost of living is national production. [applause] The true solution to the high cost of living is national production [repeated as heard], including agricultural national production and handicraft national production. But peace is necessary for this to happen.
Haitians, things are not easy. We have come a long way. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, the country was almost at war. Peace returned in 2007. Do not let unemployment, hunger, and the high cost of living disturb that peace. Be patient. The government has seen the problems. The parliament has seen the problems. We are going to work to take some additional steps. Everybody knows that birds build their nests little by little. There is no miracle, and there will not be any miracles. Only God knows how to work miracles. Some people say they used to work miracles, but they are telling you lies. Thank God, we do not have the power to lie to the people.
Haitian people, today, 1 January, we are celebrating three anniversaries. Today, 1 January, is International Peace Day. We wish peace on Earth, especially in Haiti and Gonaives. Today marks the 204th anniversary of the country's independence. Let us learn two lessons from our ancestors. The first lesson is unity. Unity gave us independence. Unity is supposed to provide stability, and stability will result in development and employment. We thank the parliament for its cooperation in creating unity between itself and the executive branch. We say thanks to the political leaders, the private sector, the unions, and the Haitian people in general for the unity they have managed to achieve so far. We hope this dialogue, this unity, and this solidarity will continue in 2008. The date 1 January marks the beginning of a new year. We wish all people - I will not say a Happy New Year - but instead a better year than the year that has just passed.
(Also read the speech here)
People of Gonaives, good morning. Haitian people, good morning. The year 2007 has passed. Good morning, 2008. Last year, here in Gonaives, on 1 January 2007, I called on the nation for dialogue, union, and unity so we could manage to establish peace and security. Remember how the country was during the years 2004, 2005, and 2006? It was a period of total anarchy, with a lot of armed groups that were moving around freely with heavy automatic guns. They held the country hostage. Today, there is nothing like that. [applause]
We congratulate the Haitian National Police [PNH], in particular Director Mario Andresol. [applause] We congratulate MINUSTAH [UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti] for this beautiful job, which has resulted in security for the Haitian people. We congratulate Otson [not further identified]. We congratulate the DDR [Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reinsertion] team, particularly Alix Fils-Aime and Samba Boukman, for their significant contributions to the programme for the disarmament of the armed groups. We cannot forget the important contribution of Artists for Peace. Singer Don Kato, valiant man, the nation asks you to congratulate on its behalf all of the Artists for Peace who have worked with you.
Is the security work for peace over? No. There are still too many kidnappings even though the kidnapping rate has dropped considerably. But one kidnapping is already unbearable. Therefore, we have already begun working with DCPJ [Central Management of the Judicial Police] so it can have more means, so it can be more professional, and so it can be more effective in thwarting bandits and kidnappers.
In addition to security, there are other fields in which we have moved forward. For example, we know the government needs more money to work. The fight to get more money into the state coffers has moved forward. If the state does not have any money, it will not be able to provide services. I congratulate Customs Director General Jean-Jacques Valentin, who is fighting as hard as he can to thwart smuggling. Director Valentin, we know the fight you are waging is not easy. We congratulate you for the good results you have had, and we encourage you to continue. We also congratulate DGI [General Directorate of Taxes] Director Jean Frantz Richard, who is fighting to prompt people to pay the taxes due to the state. Director, the struggle you are waging is not easy. You lack the legal tools. In Haiti, what is called tax evasion - that is, the nonpayment of taxes - is not a crime. It is a crime in many other countries, such as the United States, where it is a crime punishable by imprisonment. In Haiti, if you are caught not paying taxes, you only have to pay a fine. Director Valentin, we have already prepared a bill aimed at criminalizing tax evasion. We will submit it to the parliament at the opening of the next session this January.
In 2007, we also made efforts in the struggle against corruption. I can tell you that the struggle against corruption is the most difficult one, because corruption is strong and its roots are deep. I congratulate all honest public prosecutors, especially Public Prosecutor Claudy Gassant, for his efforts in this field. Attorney Gassant and all the other public prosecutors, the struggle is not easy. I wish you courage and determination.
In 2007, the justice department made great progress. I congratulate and encourage every honest person in the judicial apparatus who is working under difficult conditions for justice to triumph and impunity to retreat. Congratulations to the entire judicial apparatus, particularly the deans of the courts. Special congratulations to Dean Rock Cadet. I offer him these congratulations on behalf of all he other deans. Thanks also to the Civil Society Commission that is accompanying the Ministry of Justice. Thanks for the coordination they have ensured between the executive branch and the parliament so the three laws on justice could be approved quickly. These laws are very important for the strengthening of the judicial system.
Thanks to the committee that is fighting so justice can be rendered to the murdered journalists. Thank you, [journalists] Euvrard Saint-Amand, Louis Gary Cyprien, Joel Labady, Dieudonne Saint-Cyr, Guyler C Delva, Marimique Anne Marguerite Auguste, and Jean Wilner Mauvais. The country needs citizens like you, who do not stand by and observe, but who are cooperating. I am telling all those whose names I just mentioned that once one starts work, one may make mistakes. If you make mistakes, you must correct them. But it is worse if you do not do any work at all. I encourage you to continue. I encourage you to continue. [repeated as heard] I encourage everyone in the government to keep working so we can get this country back on its feet.
We have just mentioned some essential fields in which we made progress in 2007. I would not say that we got 10 out of 10. I do not even know if we got 5 out of 10. But we did move forward.
If I mentioned some points where we moved forward, there are fields in which there are major difficulties. We must talk about that, too. One of the problems, the biggest one, is the unemployment rate in the country. [applause]
Even though more money is entering the state coffers, especially thanks to the efforts of the Customs Office and the DGI, even though funds put at the disposal of the country by the international community, the government has not managed to spend all the money it should have spent. The ministers must make even more efforts. The cases must be documented properly so the projects can be executed successfully. The Ministry of Planning, the National Council of Public Markets, and the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Litigations [CSCCA] must have the cases move forward faster.
Another brake preventing the government from spending money is the weakness of the private sector. For example, many construction firms are weak. They lack execution capabilities. Their projects drag on. If the work does not move forward, the government cannot pay. If the small enterprises have a hard time moving forward with the jobs they are in charge of, it is difficult for the government to give them other jobs. The weakness of the private sector is something the government must look into. The small enterprises often have financial problems in terms of buy materials, financial problems with regard to guaranteeing the funds that must be deposited as insurance in case the projects are not executed properly.
In the meantime, we must use our imagination to create jobs immediately. We must use our imagination. We must invent formulas to create jobs immediately.
[Words indistinct] cultural and sporting installations where the youths can find basketball fields, soccer fields, study rooms, and lights to study by, computers with internet connections to open their minds, to carry out searches, and to communicate with other countries. I believe this is possible.
There is land. If you get in touch with the mayors, you can get state land. You can get up to 5 or 10 carreaus [ 1 carreau equals 3.19 acres] of state land, and no parliamentarian - deputy or senator - will disagree with financing such a project in the interest of every commune in the country. This is an initiative that can create jobs throughout the country and that will be good for all of the country's children.
Here is another example of what can be done to create jobs immediately. In my first term, we worked with INDEPCO [expansion not given], which opened sewing workshops in several communes and communal sections in the country in order to make school uniforms. We will resume this activity, and we will contribute to give jobs to many tailors in many communes.
I am going to give two other examples where we can create jobs. [words indistinct] Gentlemen, journalists, come here. I need some policemen, too, about five policemen. The journalists are coming. I will have you taste this, gentlemen, but do not stand in front of me. Go behind. [words indistinct] Go behind. Gentlemen, how is it that you have left with the juice? Come taste it and then tell me whether it tasted good. Is it good? Come and tell me if it is good. Step back. Is the juice delicious? Well, step back. Let me tell you where this juice comes from. After I left the Presidency, I went to live in Marmelade, my hometown. I observed that every peasant who had an orange tree in his or her yard had to walk about 14 kilometres to Carrefour Puilboro to sell the oranges. The orange price drops as the hours of the day pass. Sometimes, at the end of the day, they simply left the remaining oranges on the floor so they would not have to carry them back home. We have now established a fund to buy oranges from the peasants at a guaranteed price, and the peasants do not waste their time waiting at the market all day long. They have money in their hands, and they are interested in growing orange trees. When we see that all of the oranges are ripening at the same time, we set up a factory to put these oranges in bags. What do we do with these oranges? We sell them to the School Canteen Programme, which provides locally produced orange juice to schoolchildren. We have not yet managed to provide such juice to all schoolchildren. Therefore, I am asking the parliament to allow the government to finance a programme to set up several such factories so that - instead of giving our children imported juice that was made from powder and that has nothing in it - we can give our children local juice made by local peasants. [applause] It will put money in the peasants' hands. It will encourage the peasants to plant trees. It will create wealth in the peasant sector.
I am giving a second example of how we can create jobs. You will not be able to see it, but I will ask one of the journalists here to serve as witness. Are you a journalist? What do you see here? Come here, come here. [repeated as heard]. Oh, this gentleman is just taking pictures. What do you see here?
[Unidentified correspondent] I see a peasant who has apparently plantain trees to make hats. Oh, well, he has a fish over his head.
[Préval ] What do you see?
[Correspondent] I see a fish over his head.
[Préval ] You see a fish over the head of the peasant.
[Correspondent] Yes, a big fish.
[Préval ] How big is the fish?
[Correspondent] I would say it is about 6 or 7 feet long.
[Préval ] The fish is that big, right?
[Correspondent] Yes.
[Préval ] Where does this fish come from? From the sea? No. Here are other fish. Here they are. Gentlemen, let the people see. [words indistinct] These fish come from Lac Collinaire (a man-made lake). If you look at the picture, you will realize that Lac Collinaire was a dry place, a place where nothing used to grow. Now, there are many big fish there. We have a country that receives a lot of water, a lot of rain. Instead of letting rain devastate the entire country, we can undertake a great campaign to establish (?artificial lakes) in the country. We simply have to block the passage of the rainwater, which will fill the basin. This water can be used for homes, to water gardens, and to raise fish. This is our resource. Instead of letting it destroy our country, as happened here with Hurricane Jane and when it rains a lot, we can turn the rain into wealth, instead of misfortune.
Journalists, you will explain what you have seen. I thank you. Since the journalists have television stations, since they have microphones, they will show the people what they saw and tell the people whether the juice I gave them was delicious.
Another major problem that exists in the country is the high cost of living. Here is our opinion on the high cost of living. The first solution to the high cost of living is employment. If you do not have any money in your pocket, regardless of whether goods are expensive or cheap, you will always have a cost of living problem. The first thing is to create jobs. The second problem associated with the high cost of living is that it is a phenomenon that is happening around the world. The price of everything is rising. Gasoline prices are rising in every country. The price of the wheat that is used to make bread is rising around the world. The prices of iron and all metals are rising around the world. Haiti imports all of these things. Their prices are determined by the world market. When prices increase on the world market, they inevitably increase in Haiti.
A second problem that explains the high cost of living, we think, is the lack of competition in the local market. More people must be able to import goods. The government should consider taking measures to allow other investors to enter the market. That way, competition can cause the profit margins and the prices of the products to drop.
The high cost of living has other causes, such as the APN [National Port Authority]. The APN is the most expensive port in the Caribbean. When the goods arrive in APN, businesspeople pay high fees, a lot of money, so their goods can be unloaded. But make no mistake, they will add these fees to the selling price of the goods, and we are the ones who will pay. This means that order must be established at the APN, so the prices of goods can go down. [applause]
There is another way to look at the high cost of living, because the true problem is not the cost of the goods but what you can buy with the money you have in your hands. If today you have 10 gourdes and can buy such and such product and the price of this particular rises tomorrow, you will realize that the cost of living has risen for you, because you can buy fewer goods with your money. This is called purchasing power. The more money you have, the more you can buy. When the price of the goods increases, if you have the same amount of money in your hands, you can buy less. Therefore, the government gave all civil servants a 17 per cent salary increase in 2006. In 2007, the increase went from 25 per cent to 35 per cent. That is for state employees. With regard to private sector employees, we must get in touch with the employers, the unions, and the parliament to see what can be done as far as salaries are concerned. But it must be done under the appropriate conditions, because there is something called competition. If salaries here become higher than those in other countries, it will prevent us from being able to export. This requires dialogue, but it must be done in order to see if the private sector can make the effort that was made by the government.
I am going to list some other measures that can be taken against waste, that is to say, measures aimed at allowing us to save money on some expenses. For example, electricity costs the government a lot. There are measures that can save us money on electricity. The government is going to convert all of its diesel power stations into oil-fired power stations, because fuel oil costs less than diesel. Gonaives's 15 MW power station, which Mayor Topa [nickname for Gonaives Mayor Stephen Moise] just talked about, will be using fuel oil, which costs less than diesel. The 15 MW power station that is being built in Cap-Haitien and the 30 MW power station that is being built in Port-au-Prince will use fuel oil, and all other power stations will use fuel oil. Similarly, we have begun changing for free all of the light bulbs that consumer a lot of electricity for energy-saving bulbs to reduce the state's electricity cost and so that it can do other things with the savings.
The true solution to the high cost of living is national production. [applause] The true solution to the high cost of living is national production [repeated as heard], including agricultural national production and handicraft national production. But peace is necessary for this to happen.
Haitians, things are not easy. We have come a long way. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, the country was almost at war. Peace returned in 2007. Do not let unemployment, hunger, and the high cost of living disturb that peace. Be patient. The government has seen the problems. The parliament has seen the problems. We are going to work to take some additional steps. Everybody knows that birds build their nests little by little. There is no miracle, and there will not be any miracles. Only God knows how to work miracles. Some people say they used to work miracles, but they are telling you lies. Thank God, we do not have the power to lie to the people.
Haitian people, today, 1 January, we are celebrating three anniversaries. Today, 1 January, is International Peace Day. We wish peace on Earth, especially in Haiti and Gonaives. Today marks the 204th anniversary of the country's independence. Let us learn two lessons from our ancestors. The first lesson is unity. Unity gave us independence. Unity is supposed to provide stability, and stability will result in development and employment. We thank the parliament for its cooperation in creating unity between itself and the executive branch. We say thanks to the political leaders, the private sector, the unions, and the Haitian people in general for the unity they have managed to achieve so far. We hope this dialogue, this unity, and this solidarity will continue in 2008. The date 1 January marks the beginning of a new year. We wish all people - I will not say a Happy New Year - but instead a better year than the year that has just passed.
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