Category: media Published on 26 October 2012 Written by Super User Hits: 1577
For the first time in its history, the Haitian diaspora, all countries combined, hosted this Sunday, November 14, in Miami, a presidential debate about two weeks of elections in Haiti. On the initiative of the organization Friends of Haiti 2010, presidential candidates Mirlande H. Manigat, Garaudy Laguerre and Gerard Blot have crossed the line for nearly two hours on topics such as health, the environment, reconstruction, tourism, education and, of course, dual nationality.
The Haitian diaspora in Miami was visibly thirsty for this presidential debate. Also eager to approach and speak with those who wish to take the reins of power of their beloved Haiti. They were about a thousand to fill one of the auditoriums of the International University of Florida (FIU). The choral performance of La Dessalinienne before the launch of the debates put the room in turmoil. Some had tears in their eyes. Nostalgia for a country devastated by an earthquake, plagued by the epidemic of cholera and watched by bad weather. They needed to know when they could, in addition to making money transfers, participate in state things, like voting for example
“The diaspora must be able to vote in the next elections. It has a say in the affairs of the country, “hammered Mirlande H. Manigat ovationnée by the public. The candidate of the Rassemblement des Démocrates National Progressive (RDNP) promised them that once in power, Article 15 of the electoral law that bans dual nationality will simply be removed through the constitutional amendment already initiated by President René Préval.
For Ms. Manigat, the 1987 Constitution is problematic in more ways than one. She wants to remove it from circulation. At least amend it.
For its part, the leader of the political organization Platform December 16, Dr. Gérard Blot, proposed to the Haitian diaspora to finance the national budget up to three billion dollars a year to enable the country to effectively recover its sovereignty. “There are about 30,000 Haitians in the diaspora who own more than five million dollars. If they each agree to invest $ 100,000 in the country, that will be $ 3 billion, “a solution proposed by the candidate to offset the 65% of the national budget funded by the international community.
Garaudy Laguerre, for his part, acknowledged that he is not the most popular of the presidential candidates. However, he believes he has the capacity to straighten the boat of the country adrift. The leader of the political organization Wozo has not ruled out the possibility of making alliances in case there will be a second round. He asked the diaspora to believe in the future of the country through his visions.
GOOD NOTE FOR THE ORGANIZERS!
This presidential debate is considered a historic event that gives hope to Haitians living abroad. The organizers promise to put pressure on the authorities of Port-au-Prince to allow the diaspora to vote and enjoy their political rights. “The diaspora should not be kept out of the political life of the country, said the secretary general of Friends of Haiti 2010, Edens Desbas. It must participate in the next elections to be held in the country (2015). It is an integral part of the country. Why deprive it of certain rights? He wonders perplexed.
According to Mr. Desbas, the two million Haitians living abroad will mark the elections by asking their relatives in Haiti to vote for valid candidates who carry their claims. “We will encourage the diaspora to support candidates who have a vision for the country unlike the current leaders,” he said.
The secretary of the friends of Haiti 2010 also strongly criticized the candidates Jean-Henry Ceant, Michel Martelly, Wilson Thursday, Anacacis Jean-Hector, among others, who did not want to participate in this debate. “Their absence proves that they have no respect for the diaspora,” said Edens Desbas. Without success, Charles-Henri Baker tried to take part in this debate via teleconference.
THE MHAVE MORE THAN SATISFIED
The Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), Edwin Paraison, who attended these debates, said that the diaspora agenda was not deeply debated and the public remained on his thirst. However, he stresses the importance of these kinds of initiatives that his department sponsors, by the way. “This is a timely initiative that confirms two things: the first, based on public response, is the need of Haitians in the diaspora to better know those who aspire to lead the country. The second is the importance of interaction between diaspora civil society groups and those in Haiti, “he said.
In this very average presidential debate, the candidates went back and forth between the reconstruction of the country, the situation of the victims, the health system shaken by the cholera epidemic, education, the environment, the tourism, dual nationality, among others. They did not bring anything back. However, the Haitians in Miami wanted to see these candidates for the presidency. These girls and sons of the 11th department of the country are very concerned about what is happening in Haiti.
A symbolic vote was organized for the occasion. More than 700 people took part in this exercise, the result of which will be known on November 28. Mirlande H. Manigat, Garaudy Laguerre and Gérard Blot answered questions from a panel of journalists composed of Valéry Numa of Vision 2000, Elsie Etheart of Radio Mélodie FM and Haïti en Marche and Michel Soukard of Signal FM radio. Career journalist Patrick Elliacin served as moderator.
Robenson Geffrard (Miami Fl.)
Le Nouvelliste | Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Link: Miami hosts first presidential debate