Haiti!! French Moral Obligations??

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TiberiusMineola

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With the situation deteriorating to anarchy in Haiti, shouldn't its former colonial masters assume near complete responsibility for what France left behind. The French government is the guardian of morality in the U. N. - at least in the Middle East. French culture is the envy of the world; ask any Frenchman. Couldn't France solve all of Haiti's problems by simply granting French citizenship to all Haitians? Within 90 days. When Liberia dissolved in 2003, the USA was asked to assume responsiblity for the goverment, people, & budget based on the fact that freed African-American slaves founded the country of Liberia @ 1850, or so. More than 150 years ago! The USA stepped in & restored order. Where is the French moral leadership that the civilized world is thirsting for? Just asking. [submitted by an American]
 

jerrys

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Dec 14, 2003
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Well it depends on the Elite of Haiti, they're the one leading the nation after all. I bet most haitians would love to become french citizens, ie Europeans. But you can't grant somebody a citizenship just like that. Don't forget that Haiti is an independent country, they're very proud of it, they fought for it but it came at a huge price.

In the Caribbean, most independant countries don't do very well.
Why ? Because they're alone. Becoming part of a group is much more powerful. Unless you have a specific competitive edge, something that other islands can't make or do, you can't compete.

In Haiti, it's part of the culture. People are brainwashed that they should stay independant. Same for Cuba. But it does not benefit the middle or lower class. Of course when you're on your own you're capable of solving problems with more imagination. In St Lucia for example, Ketchup is made of bananas and spices. They're trying to find clever ways to survive. But when it comes to playing in the global market, they're not strong enough. You need great infrastructures to provide quality services.

It all comes down to the people who lead the country. Unless the leader understands that we're living in a global marketplace and that he should develop his country and give oportunities to his people, it's not gonna happen. Look at the US. It's the land of oportunity and that entrepreneurial mind has driven the US to the Number One spot in the world.

The other problem is what kind of elite is leading the country. If the leader is too political and is a complete economic retard, then there's no chance the country can get back on its feet. You got to be aware of the economic forces out there, if you want to give your country chances to survive and prosper!

There are many other reasons, but it'd be to long to expain here why France can't get involved in this country too much. But that might change in the future, you never know.

TiberiusMineola said:
With the situation deteriorating to anarchy in Haiti, shouldn't its former colonial masters assume near complete responsibility for what France left behind. The French government is the guardian of morality in the U. N. - at least in the Middle East. French culture is the envy of the world; ask any Frenchman. Couldn't France solve all of Haiti's problems by simply granting French citizenship to all Haitians? Within 90 days. When Liberia dissolved in 2003, the USA was asked to assume responsiblity for the goverment, people, & budget based on the fact that freed African-American slaves founded the country of Liberia @ 1850, or so. More than 150 years ago! The USA stepped in & restored order. Where is the French moral leadership that the civilized world is thirsting for? Just asking. [submitted by an American]
 

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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Haiti's only real friend is the DR

When the US put in the embargo back in 93 or therabouts, Balaguer defied them and keept selling fuel and food to the Haitians. I do ot care what the State Department says, in general, Haitians are well treated in this country.
They provide useful services in a wide range of work.

I do not think that France has the guts to do what they should do.

I am reminded of the story:

A group of naval chiefs were attending a big conference. At that evening's cocktail, one of the French admirils was complaining that everything was in English, and suggested that it wasn't right! Why should it be, he insisted?
"Because some Brits, Canadians, Aussies, Indians and Americans kept you from speaking German" said an American Admiril....

HB
 

jerrys

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It's not about guts, it's about ROI or Return On Investment.

Governments worldwide are struggling to keep their economies in good shape. If you read the latest news, ie speech by Greenspan, it talks about cutting social security benefits for seniors...That sounds crazy, millions of people worked all their lives for a company and they might get their retirement benefits cut down! This is no small stuff and unfortunately that might happen. Europe is in the same boat. So before getting involved in other countries development, Governments are very careful about ROI. They need to deal with their own problems first. Can you imagine the backlash this would create in their home countries? Why spend money outside if there are millions of people who need help in your home country?

And let me remind you that a Government SPENDS money instead of the business people who INVEST money. Some governments like Singapore are exception to this. They invested a lot in their people, infrastructure and this strategy payed off pretty well. But most Government spend money.

The only way out for Haiti is to have several big corporations invest heavily in the country with substantial tax benefits from the Government. Intel did the same in Costa Rica, they built a US $300 million chip plant there. The Government welcomed that move!!!

Let the businessmen do business freely on the island.
This is a free market economy!


Hillbilly said:
When the US put in the embargo back in 93 or therabouts, Balaguer defied them and keept selling fuel and food to the Haitians. I do ot care what the State Department says, in general, Haitians are well treated in this country.
They provide useful services in a wide range of work.

I do not think that France has the guts to do what they should do.

I am reminded of the story:

A group of naval chiefs were attending a big conference. At that evening's cocktail, one of the French admirils was complaining that everything was in English, and suggested that it wasn't right! Why should it be, he insisted?
"Because some Brits, Canadians, Aussies, Indians and Americans kept you from speaking German" said an American Admiril....

HB
 
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