Latinnews Archive
Caribbean & Central America - 23 July 1987
CNG crackles under attack;PROTESTS GET ACTIVISTS TO RALLY AROUND RADICAL UNION
While the Conseil National du Gouvernement (CNG) believed that it was still in charge when it chose to move against a number of real -- or imagined -- opponents at the end of June, its actions have resulted in such a widespread turmoil as to call into question the CNG's ability to maintain order. Emboldened by its arrest on 4 June of Serge Desroches, the militant leader of the anti-government Konfederasyon Inite Demokratik (KID), the CNG sought a fortnight later to eliminate more troublesome opponents, triggering a wave of protests that have yet to show any sign of subsiding. Meanwhile, even those sectors of the opposition who opposed strikes called by radical trade unionists now claim undying solidarity with them.
Militants take lead
On 22 June, in an attempt to forestall a national strike called by the militant independent trade union, Central Autonome des Travailleurs Haitiens (Cath), the government announced the dissolution of the union and detained four of its leaders on grounds that they had not remained 'apolitical'. This caused public protests which escalated on 24 June, when the CNG issued its own set of guidelines for the impending municipal elections, now scheduled for 23 August. The electoral decree by the CNG pre-empted the constitutionally provided prerogatives of the recently appointed Conseil Electoral National (CEP), which, since its formation, has been embroiled in controversy, both due to its composition and to charges that it was not being taken seriously by the CNG.
Anti-government protests at the suppression of Cath led the 57-member federation of activist organisations Komite Nasyonal Kongre Mouvemen Demokratik (Konakom) to re-consider its position. Konakom, led by former Catholic priest and professor at the University of Puerto Rico Jean Claude Bajeaux, initially had opposed the general strikes called by Cath and gone to the CNG to denounce them; similar opposition had been expressed by the Parti Unifie des Communistes Haitiens (Puch). The strength of public protests made both Konakom and Puch fall in, declaring their solidarity with Cath.
With all leading presidential candidates and activist organisations calling for protests at the CNG electoral decree, the stage was set for a round of strikes and demonstrations that have left at least 25 people dead and more than a hundred injured in two weeks of rioting. Deaths and injuries resulting from random firing by government troops into crowds of demonstrators, have given rise to charges that the government has revived a tactic long-associated with the former Duvalier regime, known locally as 'craze yo' or 'the breaking of bones'.
With cities paralysed by widespread turmoil at home, the CNG was also under strong external pressure (WR-87-27). The US, France and Canada, the main sources of foreign aid, all issued statements in the wake of the election decree, reminding the CNG that the continued flow of assistance is, in the words of US Assistant Secretary of State for inter-American Affairs Elliott Abrams, 'contingent on progress toward democracy'.
Little room for compromise
CNG efforts to patch up its difficulties with the CEP and labour represent the first time in its 17-month history that the government has rescinded hard-line decisions. The CEP, whose full authority was restored by the CNG on 4 July, has nonetheless suspended its work, with the damaging charge that military violence against demonstrators 'has so chilled our hearts, we cannot go on'.
Although the CNG has also indicated that it might allow Cath to reorganise, it has obtained no thanks from the radicalised labour movement due to its announcement that the detained Cath leaders, released after several days of beatings and interrogation, will not be allowed to resume their former positions within the union.
The local bishops have been united in a call for the restoration of public order. However, the resurgent turmoil has provided a platform for the more militant churchmen to express solidarity with the leaders of Cath and Konakom, who are calling for the resignation of the entire CNG.
The turmoil has caused only one casualty in government so far: information minister Jacques Lorthe, who resigned following a statement expressing disdain for criticisms that the CNG's recent actions were unconstitutional. But Cath and Konakom activists have set their sights much higher. While both groups have long differentiated between General Henri Namphy as the titular head of government and General Williams Regala as the regime's hardliner, nothing short of the entire collapse of the council appears to be acceptable to them.
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