Canadians at the head of the MINUSTAH?
According to diplomatic and governmental sources in Port-au-Prince and Ottawa, Canada would like to contribute more concretely to the efforts of the UN peacekeeping force of the Minustah and is considering taking over the next Fall from the Brazilian staff (979 blue berets), which represent the biggest contingents (40 %) strengths of Minustah in Haiti.
At present only 5 Canadian blue berets (out of 2,370) and 90 policemen (out of 2,376) have been deployed in Haiti. If this Canadian succession does take place, 2,000 soldiers and policemen will be Canadian. However nothing has been finalized. Other sources are talking about a thousand men.
By becoming the majority contingent of the Minustah, Canada would take the command according to the rules. Besides the interest of Canada for a seat on the Security Council, the use of French by Canadian soldiers in Haiti could work in the country’s favor, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned last month.
HL / HaïtiLibre
BANK HOLDUPS
According to a report by the head office of the Criminal Investigation Department (DCPJ), several suspects were arrested last week for bank holdups. During these interventions led during this period, 2 cars, 3 motorcycles, 5 firearms, 31 cartridges, 10,000 gourdes, 2,480 US dollars, several telephones and some kilos of marijuana were seized.
The inspector urges the population to collaborate with PNH to apprehend these bandits. He emphasized that PNH will do its best to restore order in the capital and other regions of the country and to render gangsters harmless.
Haiti-security: bandit attacks two new victims
A young man in his twenties about, was killed Wednesday in Petion-Ville. He was attacked by three men on motorcycles. This young man, who ran from Clervaux Street to escape his captors, was intercepted by bandits at the corner of Faubert Street.
One of the men got off his bike and shot him in the stomach then escaped on Pan American street before returning to Clervaux Street, according to PNH. The young man died a few minutes after the attack.
No police officer was seen in the area at the time of the crime. A little later that morning, one of the presenters from Radio Solidarity, Bushnor François, was also attacked by armed bandits. Wounded, he was urgently taken to hospital.
Diplomacy : Jocelerme Privert advocates dialogue with DR
In an interview granted to the Dominican media CDN, President a.i. Jocelerme Privert, declared that the only thing that guarantees coexistence between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is the harmonious dialogue: "I confirm it, it is through dialogue and understanding that we can find any solution to what can happen. Relations were cordial because we share the same island and similar situations. We are condemned to live in harmony and dialogue, there is no other way to live."
Regarding immigration policy of the Dominican Republic, Jocelerme Privert limited to say that he respected the measures taken by the country in the framework of the Constitution and laws "I respect the law and the Constitution of a country in the same way that I respect the rights of people living in my country, as I respect the rights of citizens living in both parts of the island."
Taking advantage of this interview, he sent a message of solidarity and encouragement for Haitians living outside their country of origin stating "In the short time that I would be President, my role, my goal is to do my best to have elections soon and form a government so that in Haiti there is peace, stability and harmonious development. My message to all Haitians living in the Dominican Republic or elsewhere, is that when they want to return, they will find work and hope..."
SL/ HaitiLibre
HAITI CANNOT AFFORD POLITICAL INSTABILITY DURING THE CURRENT PERIOD.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Ban warns in his latest report that progress remains fragile and Haiti “could be susceptible to setbacks.” He said the political crisis has an even greater impact on the quarter of the population living in extreme poverty; the 59,000 persons still living in 37 camp-like settlements six years after the earthquake; and the thousands who have returned or been deported to Haiti from the neighboring Dominican Republic.
“Haiti cannot afford political instability during the current period of negative economic trends, characterized by low economic growth and decreasing levels of investment,” said Ban, who has called on the political class through his Special Representative Sandra Honoré to find a consensus.
“The country continues to be vulnerable to humanitarian crises, including drought; insufficient water, health and sanitation infrastructure, and the presence of diarrhoeal disease,” he said.
In his talk with Haitians, Moïse highlighted some of the ongoing challenges while touting his desire to tackle them. He promised the diaspora that under him, the constitution would undergo a profound reform to include them.
Sounding more like an opposition contender rather than the government-backed candidate, he was critical of past governance of the country. He, however, steered clear of any criticism involving the Martelly administration, which some have blamed for the current problems because of its refusal to hold elections in four years. Moïse also continued to reject opposition fraud claims, telling the crowd that they were baseless and done because they feared him and “were afraid of losing power for five years.”
“The people’s patience has a limit,” he later said in the Herald interview, addressing criticism about his PHTK supporters burning tires this week in support of him after the party has long touted itself as the peaceful protesters. “We don’t always have control over supporters,” he said. “You cannot hold Jovenel Moïse responsible for this.”
Jacqueline Charles: @Jacquiecharles
The State Department maintains the alert concerning the trips in Haiti
The State Department revised its Travels Alert published January 11th, 2016 concerning the electoral period. The latest date announced for the elections, which have already been postponed twice, is April 24th, 2016.
This alert Travels expire on June 10th, 2016.
"The tensions remain high and we urge American citizens to use caution and to remain informed of safety issues while the electoral process progresses towards a resolution. Zones of tension can occur, particularly during time preceding or immediately the election; the date in which the results will be announced and in the installation of a new president, which is scheduled for May 14th, 2016.
You can expect road traffic restrictions imposed by the authorities or caused by political gatherings. The Office of Security of the Embassy informed the employees of the Embassy not to participate in the supervision of the elections to avoid useless movements outside of their home the day of the elections.
Because of it and as a general rule in preparation for emergencies, you have to maintain a sufficient supply food, water, essential medicine and other supplies which will allow you to stay put for at least 72 hours.
Watch the local media for any change in the electoral calendar. The Embassy of the United States can update this Alert Travel in case of a change in the calendar or the circumstances."
From Haiti to Cuba, One CEO’s Big Plans For Caribbean Aviation
March 9th, 2016 | 12:41 pm
HAITI — On a bright February morning amid a mild westerly breeze, a newly painted plane sticks out like a fresh blade of grass as it parks and prepares to load passengers on the tarmac of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Price, Haiti.
Philippe Bayard, the CEO and founder of Sunrise Airways, Haiti’s only Haitian-owned airline, climbs aboard his newest aircraft, an ATR 42-320, as a small procession of employees board the plane, along with a priest who will deliver an inaugural blessing.
Minutes later, the formalities conclude, Sunrise employees scatter in pursuit of responsibilities and passengers clamor aboard for the airline’s now-blessed first flight to Camaguey, Cuba.
I grab a window seat – eager to add Cuba’s interior vistas to my already vast exposure to her pristine, alluring coastline.
As the engines spark to life, my thoughts are occupied with the complex history shared between Cuba and Haiti.
In the beginning, Hispaniola was the site of the first European settlement in the Americas thanks to Christopher Columbus’ first voyage in 1492.
Since then, the winds of global commerce, misalignment of interests and epic inhumanity have shaped the two nations in ways that many hope can become a source of strength rather than a source of weakness and rancor.
More recently, at least through the lens of an American, Cuba has been forbidden while Haiti has been seemingly foreclosed on.
I can only think about pushing forward, pointing the nose upward and gaining altitude.
We were in flight, banking West and headed for Cuba.
Camaguey is Cuba’s third largest city and the home to the largest concentration of Cubans with Haitian heritage.
Cuba acquired its Haitian connection in the early 1800’s after some French slave owners fled Haiti’s revolution, bringing thousands of Haitian slaves, coffee and sugar cane production to Cuba for the first time.
Later, some Haitians migrated to Cuba as “brazeros” or hand workers. Perhaps some of the passengers are descendants of those original Haitians.
Once in flight, my curiosity invites me to move across the row next to Philippe.
I wonder if his thoughts are adrift with the history surrounding people of Camaguey and Haiti.
To my surprise, and with comfortable precision, Philippe jumps from the details of load factors and fuel costs to what regional travel can mean for Caribbean people today.
After all, the new aircraft and Lithuanian crew are leased, so Philippe’s mental acuity is concentrated on commercial viability. He is a man with a plan, and there is no room for miscalculation.
“I don’t see Haiti – I see the Caribbean” – Philippe Bayard.