Anyone read article on Haiti in The Nation?

Is this it?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060313/klarreich

Thanks for the link Victor and for bringing the article to our attention Sammy Dreamer. The article asks important questions, doesnt pull its punches, but it also indicates that Preval initially is making the right moves and may be diplomatically establishing his independence from Lavalas while at the same time ensuring that somehow everyone is "included" in the new govt. He needs to do this.

Lord knows he has a tough road ahead, but frankly is there any other candidate -- no. So we just have to wait and see. A lot depends on whether in fact the international community will make the long term commitment that is needed to shore up the economy, or Preval could very well end up stranded like Aristide. However, as the article points out, one of his accomplishments in his first term of office was that he lasted the whole term!

macocael said:

Thanks for the link Victor and for bringing the article to our attention Sammy Dreamer. The article asks important questions, doesnt pull its punches, but it also indicates that Preval initially is making the right moves and may be diplomatically establishing his independence from Lavalas while at the same time ensuring that somehow everyone is "included" in the new govt. He needs to do this.

Lord knows he has a tough road ahead, but frankly is there any other candidate -- no. So we just have to wait and see. A lot depends on whether in fact the international community will make the long term commitment that is needed to shore up the economy, or Preval could very well end up stranded like Aristide. However, as the article points out, one of his accomplishments in his first term of office was that he lasted the whole term!

Click to expand...

Haven't read the article, but Mr Garc?a Preval has proven to be a better statesman than Aristide, which means he's got the wherewithal (bet you've never gotten to use that word ;-) to hold on to power, you know, like a good rodeo rider. However, Mr. Garc?a Preval's greatest threat is not from the international community, but from within Haiti itself. Since its founding as a nation, the greatest impediment to democracy and social stability in Haiti has been the army. This was particular known by Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc), who managed to neutralize the army by creating a counterbalancing force, the infamous Tonton Macoutes. The greatest mistake his son and successor (Baby Doc) did was reintall the power of the army, giving rise to a new crop of corrupted army officers, among them the likes of Guy Phillipe, Jodel Chamblain and others. When the US and the group called "The Friends of Haiti" did away with the army altogether, all it did was to make the disbanded army elements go underground, weapons and all...

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Yes indeed, and this was not stressed inthe article, a significant oversight if you ask me. I do agree too that Preval is a better statesman than Aristide.