Monday, March 22, 2004
PDR On Line
PDR On Line
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PDR - the laymen, physicians and druggists' term for the 'Physicians' Desk Reference' has become short-hand for the books and manuals which re-capitulate essential information about pre-scribed drugs and medications. This one, on-line, is recommended -especially for its good info on drug and food interactions. - Free - (Even has VIAGRA ) The second link below for PDR.net has other FDA based information about health matters and new experimental medicines. PDR.net Pharmaceuticals Info Index on line PDR.net -home page |
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Closing On NOME
Closing On NOME
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Iditarod - the Last Great Race .. the leaders will soon close on NOME Alaska - race end! |
HAPPY GREEN DAY
Friday, March 12, 2004
Iditarod Trail Map & Description - CABELA
Iditarod Trail Map & Description - CABELA
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Iditarod interactive trail map with trail descriptions checkpoint to checkpoint from CABELA CABELA is Cable Alaska .. broadcasting the Iditarod event with the Outdoor Channel. The section by section descriptions are recommended, and a pleasure to read. |
Iditarod 2004 Trail More Northerly
Iditarod 2004 Trail More Northerly
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Iditarod's Race trail varies for more race exposure to Alaskan interior villages, different trail challenges, and with the weather -- but still is a dog and man trek across Alaska from Anchorage to Nome. Map image from official race site shows the leaders past Ruby Checkpoint. (image from profile of any musher on Race Updates image alone click here) Iditarod |
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Iditarod in 3rd Qrtr-CABELA Does It
Iditarod in 3rd Qrtr-CABELA Does It
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CABELA - Cable Alaska's Iditarod Site is by far the best -whether one gets the race on TV (Outdoor Channel & CABELA) or not. Click the link above for their trail guide -the one chosen is fairly current - 'Ophir' to 'Cripple Creek' checkpoints -- with a detailed 'topo' (ordinance map) map adn text details of the trail. |
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Iditarod Leaders Past Rohn Checkpoint
Iditarod Leaders Past Rohn Checkpoint
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Iditarod - the famous Alaska dogsled race is reaching the trail-end of its first quarter section. Maps and race news and more information at the links above and below. Don't miss any more! Iditarod Race News & Newsletter Supscription -free by e-mail click here Iditarod Race Official website 'debrief' Iditarod links |
Monday, March 08, 2004
Haiti Watch
Haiti Watch
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Debrief is transfering its Haiti blogging to a new blog (same author) turning over from 'DEBRIEF's blog the task of Haiti information watch and news which has become voluminous at DEBRIEF. That blog's archives continue and this blog "HAITI" will follow Haiti news and events with commentary and reports. the new sblog url is http://haitiwatch.blogspot.com -- -its RSS-XML newsfeed URL will be: http://haitiwatch.blogspot.com/atom.xml DEBRIEF continues at its informal snappy self at Blogger here just click this link |
Iditarod Dogsled Race Alaska
Iditarod Dogsled Race Alaska
| Iditarod - the Last Great Race is off and running. Celebrating the heroic lifesaving medicine run from eastern Alaska overland to Nome on the icebound Bering Sea. Official Iditarod Race Website ... More Iditarod Race links at 'debrief'
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Saturday, March 06, 2004
Miami Herald Paints Haiti Police Picture
Miami Herald Paints Haiti Police Picture
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Miami Herald article interviewing Jocylene Pierre paints a pathetic picture of an inadequate disordered police response in Haiti last month. It continues to be Haiti's chief problem since that republic disbanded its armed forces. The news is part of democracy -the evaluation of an inadequate infrastucture whicah cannot save lives proeprty or protect a functioning governemtn without a foreign military protectorate. Haiti can dobetetr --Lavalas and Aristide - the latter returned or not must face a measure of public confidence on the issue. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/haiti/8082386.htm |
Aristide Addresses His Haiti Departure March 6 2004
Aristide Addresses His Haiti Departure Macrh 6 2004
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Article posted by "resist.ca" dated March 6 2004 purports to be Aristide's address to the world and his country -- in English no translation noted. - http://resist.ca/story/2004/3/6/114021/8181 He disputes the voluntary resignation -alleges a force play or coup -- actually reads like a confusing night with ambiguity and course treatment to a head of state in a hustle. He can and should revoke his resignation and seek return to Haiti. Posted address is followed by a Los Angeles Times article which opines Bush wanted Aristide out from January 2001. |
Haiti News Note
Haiti News Note
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In two news notes via Google News Alerts -- President Aristide continues to affirm his involuntary removal by US Marines in a reported telephone communication with Barbados Prime Minister Arthur - Barbados Nation News and in another develop -Guy Phillipe -the self-styled rebel leader has declared he and his men will not disarm without an amnesty for their actions. - Dallas Fort Worth Times By normal law -any 'resignation' formal or implicit in duress can be revoked --that would be a matter to settle by the Haitian Constitution and its Congress which can be summoned to special session. A disablement of Aristide by the Constitution would have the Prime Minister directing the Executive Branch temporarily. As Phillipe communicated his cause of rebelion was Aristide's removal by force --his sustenance or return could reflame the rebellion -but against a newly introduced international professional armed peacekeepng force -which could be used by UN initiative to defeat capture or disarm him. A democratically elected president - Mr. Arisitide should never be forced from office by force of arms. CARICOM's compromise - like Aristides' for 'power' sharing did not require his resignation -- but no factor of the Opposition Group 184 would participate with Aristide in office; hence a coalition impediment. Not yet moot -but should a force to preserve and help protect the national government be landed and is enlarging now - and Aristide were returned -the opposition would count and number itself in elections for the Congress due this May or November. As to the Aristide version of his removal -he could have been removed for the safety of his person by genuine concern -but should not have been removed from power - nor the scenario of a coerced duress ridden resignation been conveyed. If his and public safety permit he should be returned forthwith to Haiti -address his government and so on. A broad amnesty could calm and envelop political participation. |
Haiti Economy-Tourism
Haiti Economy-Tourism
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Haiti's recent rebellion has dampened the tourist climate temporarily in that nation's high tourist season (which contiues through the rainy & hurricane start (mid-April). Tourism is an important employment and income sector for any island economy. Haiti's ahs been reviving and improving -especially in safety and accomodations -but with continuing concerns for crime. Some of the same factors referenced by investment and trade intended businessmen in and off Haiti . Some of these issues were those raised by CARICOM, OAS and others pertinent to aid and economic expansion in Haiti. The links below are noted by year of publication and go back to 2000. Noteworthy in reading is the creation and formalization of travel and guide services by the Haitian tourist Agency ..and the building of bona fide internal Haitian travel services. Royal Viking Carribbean a major resort and Cariibean cruise line temporarily stopped its Cap Haitien stopovers - this past February after the Gonnaive assault. Its passengers would have been offered a safe docking at Cap Haitien's improved dock - bus trips to either the Citadel or shopping there or in Cap Haitien; and bus day trips to a protected safe nearby beach. These tourists alone like floating customers and conventions seeking shopping and dining can land several thousand tourists a month. The Aristide and Preval Administrations had worked to re-intice the cruise lines to stop at Haiti. With calm and peace -they and other tourists return -but meanwhile those businesses must risk recession. Cap Haitien -an easy flying hor from Miami and the Bahamas was also developing a day trip business -and a shopping emporium at Turtle Island. Private yacht traffic also makes vists to Haitian ports in the north adn south. Haiti's Grande Hotte -the southernpeninsula has long drawn tourism via Port au Prince down to Jacmel for it beauty mountain wilds further west and art colonies. Port auPrince is a tourist draw which may again receive cruise ships along with airline tourists seeking the history and ambience of a safe Haitian capital. (American Airlines offrs roundtrip Haitian passage from New York City starting at $250 -similar fres from Chicago). US Dept of State Travel Warning-Haiti -current ie 2004 -but same text warning as Lonely Planet in 2002 Haiti Travel - Lonely Planet Travel 2002 Haiti Travel - Sean Rorison 2000 Island Systems - Haiti Travel 2004 Haiti Links-DEBRIEF |
Friday, March 05, 2004
Haiti-Info: AFP, AP, Washington Times, Figaro, RadioMetropolitan-Haiti
Haiti-Info: AFP, AP, Washington Times, Figaro, Radio Metropolitan-Haiti
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Additional on-line source for Haitian news sources: as noted. More now from this blog - some Haiti de-bunking .. to counter erroneous conservative charges - Commune - mentioned in many place descriptions and news reports in Haiti - it is a governmental term for a municipality -not a Marxist collective property organization there. People's Organization -OP- -is simply the name for an educative particpatory group of Aristide and democracy supporters in Haiti - of the people -- not a Maoist group -some are armed and ready to fight for Aristide. Its adherents were ready to defend the government. Partisan - the good vocabular term for the adherent of a group or socio-political philosophy. Partisans are active in a party - hence the term It is an ok term - not one reserved just for reds. Fraudulent Elections --a cheap shot-Haiti's elections were as fair as the US Iraqi elections will be in the time needed to register, organize, and teach and vote. The opposition -fearing a poor vote showing boycotted them... They had irregularities and problems but were fair - held in May 2000 for a 4 year term for Deputies and the 6 year Senate (one third of the Senate evry 2 years) Players: Jesse Helms - retired US Senator -a Southern Baptist or the agent of a constituency of them. Haiti is mainly Roman Catholic with Voodoo influences. Retired Senator Helms (US Foreign Relations et al) never really liked majoritarian Haiti -he was wined and dined by Haitian mulattos -- Powell got Helms endorsement. President Bush welcomed Aristide to Washington last year and likes (liked?) him --or has to check. Noriega -US Asst Secretary of State for Latin America (Haiti is supposed to be Latin) - he claims the US never stopped US Aid - Molly Ivins (reporter in AlterNet.net) claims the US withheld $100 million of appropriated humanitarian aid. Foley - the US Ambassador to Haiti - a 'dream' in a crisis -role model ="Rick Blaine" in Casablanca. "I stick my neck out for nobody!" Aristide -the former President of Haiti - sent back to Africa after 300 years in Haiti. Mildred - Mrs. Aristide -American born - wanted to go allegedly urgently by Sunday February 29 morning -- Yvon Neptune -past Haitian Senator and present Prime Minister Jean Bertrand Alexandre- the Chief Justice of Haiti's Supreme Court and its likely next Acting President by Haiti's Constitution Andy Apaid -the Chamber of Commerce's leader for Haiti -not a bad businessman and well meaning politican -head or co-founder of the Opposition Group 184 - but won't join Aristide in anything -and moving an opposition which doesn't participate in elections. Also borne in New York of Haitian parents - but has double passport problems. Guy Phillipe - Buteo Metayer - Jean Louis Chamblain - the three musketeers who took arms they thought, to rescue Haiti-or were badly bought and used howver you'd read it -and are convicted assassins, killers, or former death squad leaders -sometimes while in past government service - -they head the para-military and Haitian disbanded army veterans as FRAPH -and lead the 'rebels'. They reinforced themelves with prison breaks -arming and freeing real - well - criminals. Prosper Avril -a de-throned "Big Daddy" - busted out of the National Penetentiary in Port au Prince -- was Haiti's Military Dictator after Doc Duvalier- -convicted of murder and rights abuses -- has a $45 million civil lawsuit lost to Miami resident victims of his regime - brought against him when he relocated there. (Haiti's Marcos -but never elected) Jean Paul Duvalier -'Baby Doc' - infamous son of Doc Duvalier and Haiti's last President for Life -- wants to return to Haiti and do good. Lives in millionaired exiled -away from lawsuits by hosting arrangement - in France with Michelle -she taxed Haitians $1 per sack of flour for her wardrobe and shoppign fund. Fled Haiti in 1987? or 1991? Now buying "I've changed" press in Miami and elsewhere. Dominican Republic- shares the island Hispaniola with Haiti - was unable to warn or stop the rebel army from camping and busting into Haiti to, well, "change things" from Dominican territory. Somehow lost mis-consigned US surplus arms. Jamaica - an island nation with a good constabulary -a democracy and a sufficient army - which with other CARICOM nations -chided Haiti for crime -wanted to help - and then stopped arms reinforcements for Haiti sent from South Africa. USA- the home of the 'Black Caucus" and a large percentage fo exiled Haitians and their friends -all of whom vote - especially in Florida. The US wanted to avoid being in the center of a war with Aristide and the rebels -so it waited - and waited -even after the UN ordered military assistance. France --called la mere terre - maman -- It wanted to wait and did - Cop -out= --we don't have to do anything Creole or Kreol -one of Haiti's two official languages -French is the other --the usual American problem with the language. Security Expert -what the US Embassy has assigned to it in dozens. Guantanamo -a base for the US Navy with Marines in eastern Cuba -40 minutes flying time from Cap Haitien and Port au Prince -in case the US needs them (with enough leftover to guard the terrorists imprisoned there). CARICOM -a regional government which like the US President and Congress toward the US government - orders or obtains its members' (like Haiti's) agreement to do things -then short-changes the 'doer' with no money or resources; then calls the UN for help; then boycotts peacekeeping. Cuba - simply Cuba - you know -60 mles west of Haiti - Fidel's paradise with 900? medics in Haiti -with an official 'safe' from the US Department of State regarding their Haitian presence. Blanche Arme -- machete the poor 's rifle (literally 'white arm' -you get the image) Blanche -literally a white person -but any one from abroad -a foreigner in Haiti -no hostility toward them per se - but Haitians' angry sometimes, wish for better times - and well, lose it. Chimere - society avenging ghosts or spirits automating human beings - probably hurling accusatons by telepathic perception of 'friends or enemies' for denunciations - a lasting French revolution reliquary j'accuse Haitian style- - many transformations in Haiti - TonTon macoutes & Attaches Jean Claude Jean-Baptiste - Haiti's deputy police director in the past and sub-minister in the Social Affairs Ministry and liason to urban gangs for the Government - fled to Cuba last week after arming gangs. Jocelyne -last name forgotten- Haiti's National Police Director - just replaced --is a woman -don't know if it mattered --Haiti has no Army -it was disbanded to protect the civilian government. Lavalas - the political party of Aristide and his supporters --Fanmi Lavalas -- the majority party in Haiti by balloting and Congressional representation; and the Presidency - means landslide or floodwash -- as in sweeping/washing in clean government or cleaning by the power of its size - its votes - also Avalanche in Kreol. Believed that the Helms influenced Bush Administration feared its natural popularity would lead to a single party state in Haiti -like conservative concerns of Kenyatta in Tanzania and Mugabe in Zimbabwe and their one-party states. Haiti's Constitution guarantees pluralism and as many parties as the people choose. It is a liberal private property and individual rights protecting party - not communist ..and with social concern. |
Haiti News Note & Analysis
Haiti News Note & Analysis
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Aristide resigned the Haitian presidency per the information conveyed to the Haitian Senate today (March 5) by Prime Minister Neptune; and wished that information be conveyed to Haiti's Congress and that the constitutional process of affirming the successor President Alexandre be followed. Haitian politicians are taking the position that the required affirming Joint Session of Haiti's Congress cannot be held due to the recess of the House of Deputies. --Analysis - Haiti's elections in May 2000 grant the Deputies four year terms - the Senate 6 years -a third facing relection every two years - which terms may not be lengthened nor shortened. Article 105 of the Haitian Constitution permits the Haitian Congress to be called into special session after recesses etc between elections. Most constitutionalists would suggest that the Acting President has the implicit power to specially summon Congress to present his articles for succession. Any question of accepting Aristide's resignation or challenging it would be settled there. In other Haitian News - pieces from Radio Metropole Haitian (with Reuters & AP in French - link above) - the Opposition via another business group are calling for Neptune's arrest for involvement or malfeasance in the St Marc February killings. And South Africa has blasted Jamaica and has called for an investigation of the stopped delivery of the police arms it sent Jamaica for Haiti on the latter and CARICOM's request. (note - press reports about three days before the Aristide departure noted an OAS or CARICOM imosition of an arms embargo for HAiti to chillthe fighting - but that embargo was not clearly intended for Haitian Government arms reinforcements reuested through and delivered via CARICOM.) Hence South Africa is seeking that investigation of the international military response. -Again at Radio Metropole Haitian. By AP's reports of a vociferous but largely peaceful pro-Aristide in Port au prince today -10000+ marched for his return - his support is not diminished. --- Analysis- By law he could revoke his resignation and place his status before the Haitian Congess. However this may revive hostilities -save the protection of the international force -and may bolt an prospect of the Opposition's peacemaking participation in a national unity coalition envisioned by CARICOM and the purpose of the Conciliation Council -now called the Council of Sages and TriPartite Council. |
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Haiti's Democracy Nightmare
Haiti's Nightmare Democracy
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Summing up Haiti's democracy tested nightmare - at a critical anniversary and popular holiday time -- heavily armed rebels -mainly para-military and old Haitian army veterans -crashed and killed through Haiti's DR border in the North -made asweep to its fourth largest city - Gonnaive - on the seacoast wherin one rebel leader established a 'republic' backed by his clan in his home territory - the Haitian Governemnt unable to rally with its thin force lost to carnival and 'rebel change' fever and ceded the north and northwest to outgunning and better armed and experienced insurgents. Lootign and pillaging and vengeance killings rampant - the rebels dictated an ultimatum to the civil government in the South -which began unequivocally seeking immediate international military and police aid. The aide promised earlier in the prior week 800 special police from the OAS never materialized. The Dominican Republic closed its northern boredr and received some fleeing or border crossing police and Haitian officials to asylum or interned them - including one group of Haitian Police in hot pursuit. Haiti's rebels then capitalized after seising Cap Haitien -a profitable tourist center and the second city and its international airport with a choke point at Mirebelais to reinforce and blockade the north and the capital. The American Ambassador with 50 newly arrived Marines and the additional 5 people as security specialists (the US Office of Security Coordination at the Embassy) confronted the President with his situation -negotiated a truce of two days to stall the rebel advance - a US military response -now delayed was a day away by ship - more nearby by air - along with France. The UN Security Council again approached by CARICOM for and with Haiti finally resolved a peacekeeping force this past Sunday which would not reach Haiti in time. If the President wished a bloodbath -his firepower was concentrated in Port au Prince at the Palace - but that wold cost his urban supporters and worsen damage possibly his life. The clencher was early Sunday morning pre-dawn -when the Haitian television station was assaulted by explosions which knocked out that communication point -as a nearby reminder - blocks from the palace - lke a military unit would -- and the President was given the worse case for an immediate asault particluary his Palace and life and was rushed with his wife to a US Marines exit and aircraft with a resignation readied and allegedly witnessed. The option of resignation was always Aristide's but should never have been by arms - but was. Why the arms -and why the leukwarm response during the Carnival season is unanswered. Only the seaport of St Marc and the South and the yet unengaged Port au Prince district were in government hands - -the police only rebuffing and effective as a small army -and Haiti has no government army - at St. Marc. Mr Aristide much loved and hated - was left as solo leader with a few remote men and is police strength at the capital. Expectedly, he spared the people more blood. No coup or rebellion of this kind could or is supposed to happen - it did. Haiti will have another or an indefinite international protective force dometically or a constitutional armed force with its national police. Haiti's budget cannot afford $300 million. Sadly the media while also reporting the rebellion -joined a chorus of reports critical of Aristide -the man who materially made democracy happen in Haiti. He was filmed the week before at the capital Carnival events instead of attending to the rebellion's capture of Cap Haitien. Obviously a patient delegator - he was owed more. Worse -his liason to the gangs -once a euty police director and Cabinet deputy minister for social affairs defected to Cuba -leaving motly armed gangs and a dispirited police force to protect the capital and the rest of the country. Behind this were enspirited former military men probably obeying their own and the minds of the old Haiti miitary dictators -especially General Prosper Avril -the one they freed Saturday during the time buyig 'truce' by springing Haiti's National Penetentiary. A full security failure - and a loss for a country which expanded its schools - decreased illiteracy by 40% -stayed poverty and starvation with more to do - -restored a better tourism trade -and voted in a popular majority government. Haiti nver seeking much - was owed much more. In the end Aristide remebered the only thing he could do alone to save a form of his country realized from dreams - he left office. The rebellion is cooling temporarily now -- a UN force there now -- to help keep order - after $300 million in damages - over 100 dead -and virtually all the countrys' prisons emptied by criminals freeing drug dealers and former dictators. The latter still had the will, money and latent power to buy these events (and someone did) from the National Penetentiary. Small countries like Haiti need international help -police -military -and finance --and before a country or government is put to the blade. Half of the rebels at 25 are middle aged Haitien men - life expectancy averages 54. |
Haiti's Resolves
Haiti's Resolves
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Haiti's Acting President and Prime Minister today joined with the previous compromise approach to a new Prime Minister and Government (Cabinet) for Haiti - which compromise is generally that of CARICOM and the OAS before the departure of Aristide. Its approach through two councils would select from a list of nominees a bi=partsan (ie meretricious) Prime Minister who would then form a Cabinet. A similar approach was made by Aristide and Prime Minister Neptune long before the weekend but was regularly rejected by the Opposition. Several news items noting the current humanitarian crisis and its address in Haiti are at the link above at the UN-OCHOA site in English-French-Spanish. Other news in summary: Prime Minister Neptune has estimated the rebellon has cost Haiti as much as $300 million - nearly a year's annual government budget; and the news of the Tri-Partite Council and Council of Advisors. Several Haitians will partipate in the coalition government approach in addition to the earlier nominee Herard Abraham. Acting President Alexandre named a new Police Director - Haiti's former Coast Guard Chief. Whether the sex of the outgoing Police Director was a factor in Haiti's male dominated society may be analyzed later. News sources had constant reports fo a failed confidence in Police Command including its lack of confidence in President Aristide. Those stories at Metropole Haitien -via AP and Reuters -in French Metropole Haiti and at Haiti en Marche: Haiti en Marche: "... Jocelyne Pierre directrice de la police nationale par le commissaire divisionnaire L�once Charles qui dirigeait pr�alablement la garde-c�te ha�tienne. ... " The UN Peacekeeping Force -via DAP at UN-OCHOA will be headed by Brazil which is contributing 1100 men - a leadership choice of sensitivity with greater possible contribution to Haiti's favela like gang-clan structure in a longer assist. As in the previous nights - military patrols -mainly French-American and newly arrived Chilean - are attempting to keep a lid on further looting and gang war in Port au Prince .. sustaining diplomatic institutions and seeking to containdamage at the P au P waterfront. Joint humanitarian aide is beginning to return along with proised humaniarian funds. What is damning in all this is the absence of anything but an anti-Aristide reason for the lack of it before the rebellion. Those questions are placed also by OAS CARICOM and referenced to the UN for investigation. |
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Haiti State of Emergency by Prime Minister
Haiti State of Emergency by Prime Minister
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Haiti's Prime Minter Yvon neptune has declared a state of emergency throughout Haiti -per AFP March 3 2004. Mr. Neptune would continue as Prime Minister until the President or Acting Prresident with the Haitian Congress replaced him. Mr. Abraham has been mentioned as the successor and nominee of Acting President Alexandre. Should Mr. Aristide have been disabled rat than having resigned the office - the Prime Minister maintains the Government wihout a succession of the Presidency. Prime Minster Neptune -endangered b an aroused mob was the object of protection by US Marines Monday & Tuseday and is in safety apparently and in charge - per AFP's news story posted at UN Relief-Web. While the dispute is settling over Mr. Aristide - - his resignation will be construed and detremined by constituted bodies of overnmentin Haiti- A finding of non-resignation (ie revocation by duress) could sour matters - but could also sustain as a 'disablement' the compromise interim of Prime Minister Neptune until the poitical climate settled. From assorted news summaries - -the Rebels of Guy Phillipe have been orderd by Phillipe to lay down arms - AFP in ReliefWeb March 3 2004 ... and have had one rrdenied run in with the National Police which Philipe allayed to thieves attempting to discredit FRAPH (Haiti en Marche) - that same source recounted in a Tuseday report the burning of as many as 15 top government and Lavalas officials homes in Petit Goave - including the deputy security chief. Also noted in news sources is the looting of Aristide's ome - and the sharp contrast to public protection for the home of Raoul Cedras in 1994. CBS News reports the diplomatic irritated non participation of CARICOM nations in peacekeeping due to the failure of the UN to act on its request for immediate help days earlier. Other news reports note the arrival tomorrow of Chilean troops and the promised aid of Brazil and Canada. The USA and the Republic of France with regional forces are on the ground in Port au Prince. US State Department Asst Sec't'y of State Noriega and others testimony before Congress about the Haiti matter - and noted the US commttment to democracy and stated a continued financial and humanitarian aid flow -cited diffculties with aristide's governance -- continued claim fraudulent Congressional elections in 2004 (a disputed issue now - they may have been imperfect and actually less than wholly franchising the Lavalas party and the opposition boycotted them) - and State Department Spokesman called on the Rebels to disarm stating they had no part in the country's governing politics as armed men. basically the US Government is now backing the established constitutional institutions of Haiti. On additional matters - the FRAPH leader Phillipe has called for a plebiscite on the rebel army -but is disbanding - -nb that the Haitian Constitution bars any constituitional referendum - howver the Constitution does provide for a military - but states no minimum nor maximum. Aristide's Administration moved to disband he military - zeroed out its budget in favor of a single Police Constabulary. As a furtehr note - a State of Emergency reqires the assent of the Cabinet the Prime Minister the President and a post continuing approval by the Haitian Congress. Te Constitution and various Haiti news-links - English, French and Spanish at the "debrief" haiti site above. Also of critical importance - former dictator Prosper Avril -perhaps a motif for the rebellions -is believed still at large after being 'sprung' by the rebels from the Haitian National Penetentiary on Saturday (Haiti en Marche news brief March 1 2004). |
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Haiti's Herard Abraham
Haiti's Herard Abraham
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Herard Abraham - former Lt General of the Haitian Army was the figure who passed power from the generals to the civilians in Haiti in 1991 and succeeded the dictator General Prosper Avril. Avril -was sprung from prison by the insurgents over the weekend (Haiti en Marche.com) -- and Abrahams was designated by Acting President Alexandre, acting constitutionally, as his Prime Minister nominee (ahphaiti.org) to succeed Prime Minister Yvon Neptune. Background of Herard Abraham was referenced from the Borneo Online news website which contributed it to the AP (Associated Press) newswire - found via Google news search. [ nb Borneo -part of Indonesia was represented at the Caracas Venezuela G-15 summit ]. Borneo on line in English -other Haitian news sources -in French |
Haiti Discussion Message Board - Includes baby Doc
Haiti Discussion Message Board - Includes Baby Doc's
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While the Message Discussion Board noted above is mainly in French some English discussion is invited - post at the bottomm of the page there. Join the news posts and opinions of Haiti's resident and foreign comnity -the interested and the non-plussed - including a spokesperson for Jean Paul "Baby Doc" Duvalier from French exile. (Baby Doc wished for Aristide to go for a regime change kinder to the Haitian people [sic]) Duvalier Message Board Posting ... Haiti Discussion Board |
Herard Abraham Named Haitian Prime Minister by Acting President Alexandre 29-02-04
Herard Abraham Named Haitian Prime Minister by Acting President Alexandre 29-02-04
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Herard Abrahams haas been nominated the new Haitian Prime Minister by Acting President Alexandre according to the Haitian Press Agency in a story filed Sunday by the AHP - Haitian Press Agency. News dispatch in French follows below or at the link above. Abraham is a former -honorably served presumably Haitian Armed Forces Commander. By the Haitian Constitution - the Acting President could appoint a Prime Minister who would be confirmed with his Cabinet by the Haitian Hosue of Deputies. This action awaits the more formal presentment of Acting President Alexandre of his succession to the Presidency. The Prime Minister forms and runs the Cabinet Government with the Haitian President as in France -save the House of Deputies is not dissoluble - its terms were due to expire May or November this year ( ear terms for Deputies) (blog summary and notation with AHP news source) Article notes that Aristide has been forced to abandon his post and cautions against violence in the Capital to of the last 48 hours (ie the rebels delay period). Noted are sounds of explossions in the centre of the capital near Lalue (the item of another news story in Haiti en Marche about damage at the city's Televison center) Saying that the government would remain in place 2 days before joing a government of national consensus. -AHP does not give the sourec for the articel -resumably the Acting President's spokesman. Note in any case - the President or Actng President in constitutional from may sit a new Prime Minister subject to Haiti's House of Deputy's assent. " ... Nouvelles du 29 f�vrier 2004 Flash!!!! Le pr�sident Aristide a �t� contraint d'abandonner son poste dimanche suite aux pressions dont il a �t� l'objet la nuit derni�re. Le chef de l'Etat est accus� notammment d'avoir cautionnn� les actes de violence enregistr�s dans la capitale au cours des ces derni�res 48 heures. Des coups d'armes sont entendus en plusieurs points de la capitale. Des sc�nes de d�choukage ont �t� signal�es notamment � Lalue dans le cente de la capitale Selon les informations, l'actuel gouvernement pourrait rester en place pour deux jours, en attendant la formation d'un gouvernement dit de consensus. Le pr�sident de la cour de cassation, Alexandre Boniface pourait devenir pr�sident et l'ancien g�neral des ex-forces arm�es, H�rard Abraham, premier ministre. AHP 29 f�vrier 2004 8:45 AM Nouvelles du 28 f�vrier 200 |
Monday, March 01, 2004
Haiti en Marche News - Prosper Avril Jail Release by Rebels
Haiti en Marche News - Prosper Avril Jail Release by Rebels
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Haiti en Marche - latest news for the 1st of March from Port au Prince reports former Haitian Dictator Propser Avril released by break-out Saturday or Sunday by the insurgents from a Port au Prince prison. (Haiti en Marche referenced earlier below at this blog - prior entry). Unknown whether this was motif beyond Aristide's departure for the insurgents - most analysts would have been searching prisons for a customer of a prison break by diversion -whether drug dealer or whatever. Avril was extradited to Haiti after a publicized civil suit brought in US Courts by some of his victims in Miami. Status of him save escapee is unknown at this time - he was held with Haitian drug dealers at the Port au Prince National Penetntiary. Haiti Support Group is another group on line which assisted the restoration of human rights and constitutionalism in Haiti. At this writing per Haiti en Marche - Haitian television's Tele-Haiti in Port au Prince was party knocked out -- former General Avril's temporary liberty would - and hopefully he'll see the cards and turn himself in - would be a matter for Interpol warrants or a specific UN criminal writ for human rights crimes -while he remains at large. Avril partial case history here ... Avril presided over the transition from Papa Doc to Baby Doc Duvalier -sustaining a military dictatorship . |
No Inter-Regnum For Haiti
No Inter-Regnum For Haiti
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Whatever the circumstances of Mr Aristide's departure - -save proof of duress - which is progressively discounted - though unhappy - Haiti cannot sustain a vacuum in its Executive power. By the Constitution - the Chief Justice becomees Acting President until the next election for the presidency which must commence within 45 days after his 'formal investiture' before the Haitian Congress. By all standard constitutional law-- as in the vacanacy of a crown - the executive is never vacant -if the qualified successor is living. Haiti's lawyers ordinarily would be in accord. The same process in the United States would apply - whereby the law intreprets a vacancy in the office as instantly empowering the constitutional successor. The swearing-in and verification before the Congress would follow and affirm the succession. It is constitutional in Haiti's case, and politically wise - very wise. Various news sources today - reported a haste in the Port au Prince National palace early Sunday -- among thsoe advising Arisitde - his wife -the First Lady - to depart. Concerns for blood apparently genuine --and his decision as in the past - was a decision to spare that blood. Aristide, wished well, will return some time again - but unless the Constitituion is changed - not as President - he cannot have athird term. Haiti's rebels are urged - with the Haitian people who know their rights to support their liberty in law --their soverigntly -by their Constitution. They know it generally as we know ours in the USA. It is Haiti's Government and in its mixedly popular de facto power -FRAPH's choice -to commit to the constitution and conciliation. Politics by vote. The MultiNationalForce MNF will simply buttress Haiti's lesened and reparable police and armed defense force as the government would decide --and not forever. Haiti votes on it. |
