Weekly Report - 23 March 2004
HAITI: Abraham may be linchpin of new régime
Prime minister Latortue had promised to appoint a government of technocrats with no political affiliation. This he did, and was promptly criticised for not having included anyone with links to the pro-Aristide camp. He apologised, saying that no names had been put forward from that quarter — though it must be said that some commentators have noted some ministers' `ideological affinities' with the Lavalas camp. Women's affairs minister Adeline Magloire Chancy had actually served in an earlier Aristide administration.
The economy has been entrusted to Henri Bazin, who like Latortue has seen service in the UN bureaucracy. In this area, though, one person who will be particularly busy is planning minister Roland Pierre, whose portfolio includes `external cooperation'. It will be up to him to press for the prompt resumption of the aid flows suspended as a sanction against the Aristide government.
The US ambassador in Port-au-Prince, James Foley, hailed the composition of Latortue's cabinet as the fruit of `wise choice'. The leader of the umbrella opposition group Convergence Démocratique, Evans Paul, preferred instead to underline that the cabinet was not the result of a consensus, but rather of Latortue's preferences. Other opposition politicians have openly derided the claim that this is a `government of national unity.'
General Abraham has been the first minister to venture a policy proposal: the recreation of Haiti's army. He argues that a credible force is needed to disarm the rival political groups, and that a commission will be set up to study how this will be achieved. Reviving `the old army' is anathema to the pro-Aristide camp, and US officials have already stated publicly that they believe Haiti does not need an army.
Abraham might just pull it off. He is remembered as the commander of the armed forces in 1988-91 who kept at bay those of his comrades-in-arms who wanted to block Aristide's election in 1990, and for having thwarted a coup attempt against Aristide in 1991.
Disarmament is a major concern. The last time round, in 1994, it took 20,000 foreign troops and monetary enticement to do the job. There is no prospect of a repeat performance. Police chief Léon Charles has warned that money handed out for weapons would only be used to buy new ones. He believes that the public will only cooperate with a disarmament drive when it feels safe — and this cannot be achieved solely or lastingly by foreign military forces.
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Yvon Siméon End of preview - This article contains approximately 550 words Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Enquire Now |