juancarlos said:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/20/international/americas/20dominican.html?pagewanted=1
What do you think? What will DR do? Does this article reflect mounting pressure on Dominican govt. to accept Haitians in the country? What will the solution be, if there is one in sight?
What do I think?
-Its typical sensationalized over the top misinformation being spread all over the world. Remember, the Dominicans are the "bad" ones, Haiti and its government has nothing to do with this...
In any case, several key figures in spreading these types of messages around the world (almost all of these key figures are Haitian themselves) recognize what's to come as the Sugar industry begins to dwindle down. It's in their best interest to make the world look down on the DR with an eye of suspicion and, perhaps negatively, in order for Haiti to avoid receiving the tens of thousands of temporary workers of the sugar industry once the industry goes belly up.
This is the reason behind the above average and much stronger anti-dominican message being spread around the world by certain organizations and journalists.
What will DR do?
-The same thing we have always done, which has been in agreement with the Haitian government itself! Remember, all of this habit of using Haitian labor started first under the American occupation of both countries, and later continued as Haiti sold its own people to Trujillo (literally, Trujillo had to pay for each Haitian head used in the Sugar industry, the Haitian government treated its own people like cattle if not slaves).
The current administration is much less reluctant to allow the Haitianization process to continue, but its still sensitive to international criticisms. This was not the case under the PRD, when thousands of Haitians were given Dominican citizenship without applying or even asking for it. Not to mention the extreme relaxation of the border patrol and the very low numbers of deportations.
The DR will continue to do the same thing it has been doing because these news stories are meant to create a public opinion (real or not) towards the DR, Haitian migrants, and Haiti. Public opinion and what the heads of states understand of the situation or any situation of any kind are never on the same line.
However, this could affect our tourism industry, especially now that the US market has been becoming ever more important to Dominican tourism. Our european influx is probably being affected by anti-Dominican tourism propaganda being spread by pro-Haitian organizations in that continent.
Does this article reflect mounting pressure on DR govt?
-It reflects desperation from the part of pro-Haitian organizations given what's in store for the Sugar industry starting in January, when CAFTA comes into effect. The Sugar industry is the largest proponent of illegal Haitian labor, without that industry, the issue of illegal migration will become ever more adhered to because those and the industry that encourage illegal migration labor will be out of business.
For whatever reason, pro-Haitian organizations are much more concerned with this reality than with pressuring the Haitian government to maintain free and fair elections, to organize and regain control of its country, and to become a government focused on macroeconomic stability, increase investments, and economic growth. The Haitian government hardly receives any pressures of the sort from these organizations.
-What will the solution be?
In my opinion, the solution is bringing to light the hypocrisy from the part of these organization regarding the image they want to create of the DR as oppose to the lack of image creation of other countries that also have large numbers of Haitians are deports them regularly. In addition, massive deportation of illegals, enforcing the 80% dominican labor to be used in dominican economic industries (this is currently being done), and pressure the Haitian government into focusing on the well being of its people at home, before they can go around asking others to treat their people better than Haitians receive in their own homes.
Many of these organizations are asking for rights to Haitians, often these are rights that not even Dominicans have!
-Conclusion:
This is propaganda at work.
You will often hear people say the DR tries to have its cake and eat it too, but the reality is that the Dominicans opposing illegals are not the same Dominicans who encourage it!
To assume or act as if its the same Dominican who opposes and then encourage such thing is, in my opinion, typical of pro-Haitian organizations and people who are quick at making the case against the DR.
The Haitians deserve their most basic human rights to be guaranteed to them, we can all agree on that.
But, they certainly are not entitled to rights that Dominicans themselves don't have and they certainly are not entitled to threaten or violate the sovereignity of this country, regardless what actions the country takes to take care of this matter, as long that the matter is within their most basic human rights.
It's like I posted on another thread, there are many screaming against the way the Haitian are being deported to Haiti, but nobody is screaming against the way the Haitians are being imported into the country, often enough is enclosed trucks with no ventilation, little space, unsanitary conditions, and the sort.
The ultimate question is why the double standards?
-NAL
EXTRA: Keep in mind that to many people its considered wrong for a Dominican to speak up what is on his/her mind. As you have noticed, I could and do care less of what people think of my opinions, but I will not keep my opinions to myself. In my opinion, this is part of the anti-dominican propaganda worldwide.
They want everyone to look at a Dominican suspiciously if he speaks against illegal migration, but embrace the Dominican who is pro-Haitian. Additionally, they want people to always accept whatever a Haitian says without doubt or suspicion.
This attitude is often displayed right here on DR1 with people always quick at calling an outspoken Dominican something that he/she certainly is not and this is the reason many people prefer to keep quiet than voice their opinions.
However, its interesting to see Haitians post their own stereotypes of Dominicans and not a single scream, denouncement, or anything of the sort is said by anyone!
On a site like this one, where most of the people are not Dominican, it says alot of how effective the anti-dominican sensationalized propaganda being spread by pro-Haitian organizations around the world has been lately.
Despite of this, the heads of state of both countries still have stable and good relationships.
-NAL
