Preval In Washington, DC. Part II, Damage Control

[Michel Nau_]

From my previous post to Ann Pale, I mentioned that 2 microphones were available and a long line of people waiting to ask questions to Preval and members of the Private Sector of his entourage, unfortunately, it did not happen. Why?
I naively thought that it was because they had a long day, and they had to wake up by four o'clock in the morning to catch a commercial plane the next day. Other important things that I noticed, Preval did not mention Aristide's name, Lavalas, GNB, political prisoners, Neptune, So Anne and others, and the MINUSTAH contract that LaTortue signed.

After reading a post from Jean Erich René , “Préval lié comme un crabe” that I may have an idea of what could have gone wrong:

Mr. René said « La rencontre au York College à Queens avec les partisans d'Aristide est une gaffe suicidaire.
René Préval qui était en observation sur le sol américain n'est plus perçu comme l'homme du changement par la Maison Blanche. Il s'est révélé par son style truculent un décembriste encore fidèle à Jean Bertrand Aristide et ses ouailles. Les débordements lyriques à York College, les propos sulfureux tenus par René Préval, sous couvert de plaisanterie, loin d'être drôles sont jugés de mauvais goût.

Comme un enfant mal élevé en quête de vedettariat, Préval de manière grivoise a exprimé ses préférences pour Chavez et évoqué l'éventualité du retour d'Aristide. Dans l'espace de quelques bits les données ont été postées et analysées par la chancellerie américaine. Des hommes que le hasard des circonstances, plus que leur valeur personnelle, a hissé au pouvoir pour cacher leur médiocrité souvent jouent au clown.

Il y a une incompatibilité flagrante entre la demande d'un plat chaud pour les enfants haitiens formulée par René Garcia Préval et la mission de la Banque Mondiale. Il en a fait une boutade qui a fait éclater de rire l'assistance de York College mais qui a révolté la diplomatie américaine. Ipso facto le protocole d'accueil a changé.
Une rencontre de 5 minutes lui est accordée René Garcia Préval esté victime du comportement délinquant des lavalassiens au York College.
Il est tombé dans un piège que lui a tendu Jean Bertrand Aristide dont il voulait se départir publiquement pour une retouche cosmétique. A York College les lavassiens viennent de rappeler à Ti René qu'il demeure encore un sujet de la Cour du Baron de Tabarre
Cette manifestation lavalassienne est interprétée comme le noyautage de René Préval.
Il n'est plus perçu par Washington comme l'agent du changement tant attendu pour une transition sans heurt. Aristide a méchamment boycotté L'Espoir. La brièveté de la rencontre de George Bush et de René Préval au Eisenhower Executive Office Building n'a d'autre signification que le désaveu de Washington.

Sa maladresse de la veille au York College a forcé la diplomatie américaine à changer d'agenda."

Damage Control
I am not concurred with Mr. Rene's opinion at all, but his opinion is his opinion and we should respect that. I don't like to pass judgment on other people, but I think that Mr. Rene was a little too harsh on President Preval. I think that the protocol was mediocre, and those things should not have happened.
I was not aware of those negative incidents that happened days before Preval's visit to Washington, DC. After ready this post, now I know why the Haitian Ambassador in Washington Mr. Raymond Joseph before the event in Mars 29, 2006 at The National 4H Council auditorium was working really hard to do some damage control and to make sure that the audience will not misbehaving.

First he asked to stand up members of the audience who are foreigners, former and present diplomats, World Bank employees, and friends of Haiti just to test the tension in the audience. Then the event continues with National anthems of USA, and Haiti followed by a prayer in English, and in Kreyol.
Preval should have gone to Washington DC first to take care of business, then meet and joke with his people later.

It is inappropriate and risky to make fun of Washington while in official visit and try to negotiate.
This is a place where jokes are not welcome, and are taken seriously.
If you give a joke in Washington, and you are the only one laughing, this is not a joke, and they will make you pay for it.
A joke is when both parties are laughing!!

Damage Control!! Too little too late!!
The deed is already done, so let's move on!!
Mesye Washington DC yo pa nan griyen dan, sitou si se sou yo ke blag la ye e avek moun ke yo pa rinmin[Chavez, Aristide]. Si se bagay serye ke w vinn regle, w pase Washington DC dabo, answit, le ou fini e satisfe, wa al chita bay blag avek res Diaspora. Atitid relax sa, yo pa kwe nan sa.

Mwen espere ke yo pap kinbe 8 million Ayisyen nanke pou tet yon ti plezantri e yon ti maladres konsa!! Afe ti sipo intenasyonal la, nou bezwen li. Lere e di domen de lom!!

Come on Washington, DC!!!
Loosen up, chill, mouri poul w!!
Let's hope they will.

Michel

[Jonas]

Erich René started against Préval already?

Whatever happened to the proverbial "grace period"?

Mark my words, six months from now JER is going to call for the overthrow of Préval.

Thank "God" he is like the flea in the famous La Fontaine fable "La Mouche de la Coche"...

[Hyppolite]

All J.E.R. is doing is simply stating this: he is a mental lackey. He cannot understand that a Haitian political leader can have his political opinion without first seeking the approval of foreign embassies.

I am not sure why I, or anyone who cares first and foremost about Haiti, should care about what J.E.R. has to say in this debate. Maybe if and when he talks about something else. Not this one.

Hyppolite

[Tidodo_]

I have always faulted René in the past, during JBA's administrtion, for diagnosing ad nauseum the problems of Haiti without proposing solutions. But, here, the question I have is: "Is René right when he asserted that Preval's comments irked Washington, who consequently is reevaluating its perception of him?" If he is right, the only evidence provided by René is the short duration of his meeting with Bush. Does anyone know for a fact that Préval was scheduled for a longer visit than that, before his sarcasms towards Washington?

[quote]Il y a une incompatibilité flagrante entre la demande d'un plat chaud pour les enfants haitiens formulée par René Garcia Préval et la mission de la Banque Mondiale. Il en a fait une boutade qui a fait éclater de rire l'assistance de York College mais qui a révolté la diplomatie américaine. Ipso facto le protocole d'accueil a changé.
Une rencontre de 5 minutes lui est accordée René Garcia Préval esté victime du comportement délinquant des lavalassiens au York College....

......Il n'est plus perçu par Washington comme l'agent du changement tant attendu pour une transition sans heurt. Aristide a méchamment boycotté L'Espoir. La brièveté de la rencontre de George Bush et de René Préval au Eisenhower Executive Office Building n'a d'autre signification que le désaveu de Washington. [/quote]

If Washington is reevaluating his position towards Préval, I think it may be unfair to blame René for pointing it out. Certainly, it is customary for leaders to find sometimes that their biggest hurdles come from within their own partisans. One can make that argument for JBA II administration. But, with JBA's announcements of his desire to return to Haiti within days of Préval election, it is not surprising that Préval will be put under pressure by JBA's partisans. I am not saying that was the case in Washington and New York, as René alleged. I don't know the answer. But I would like to know whether anyone here has evidence to prove that René is wrong. René viewed the five minute-meeting as that evidence. True, Haiti does not figure in Washington's priorities, when political jobs' approval ratings are bottom-fishing in the USA. But, even though the five-minute meeting is kind of weak as evidence, it is evidence anyway. Does anyone have a stronger evidence than René's to counter his arguments?

J-M.

[Michel Nau_]

JER a écrit : [quote]Des hommes que le hasard des circonstances, plus que leur valeur personnelle, a hissé au pouvoir pour cacher leur médiocrité souvent jouent au clown. L'éducation de l'individu [Preval] more majorum dépend de son vécu quotidien au sein de sa famille et du cercle de ses amis.[/quote]
I still believe that JER has right to his opinion even tough his comment about Preval is not surprising to a lot of people. He said openly what a lot of people are saying privately. JER is one of the members of the Haitian elite intelligentsia and other politicians who believe that they are more qualified than Preval or Aristide to be President of Haiti. They are angry, frustrated, disappointed about the outcome of the Presidential election. Coming back with Preval again for a third time (PM, president, and president again) shows a lack of creativity and innovation from the Haitian people, and they merit what the got.

What these politicians such as Manigat, Deronceray, Bazin, and JER have forgotten is that presidential election is not an IQ contest, but the choice and the voice of the people.

However, JER is right when he said that Preval is just like the energizer bunny. He is going and going and going. It seems that he is always at the right place at the right time, and not his ability, experience and track record as a politician (le hazard des circumstances, plus que leur valeur personelle de l'homme, JER said).

In addition, JER and other political analysts believe that LESPWA is a by-product of Lavalas, and as such is the continuation of a system of government. Therefore, the burden of proof is on Preval to show that he plans to bring his own system of government with creativity, and innovation, otherwise LESPWA through time, will revert itself to its presumably original entity, corruptions, kidnapings, murders, drugs etc...

It is not surprising that, the Bush administration is a little bit skeptical about Preval's ability to govern under pressure, and his attitude cavalier will make things worse. The Bush Administration has no doubt about Preval's good faith but they are concerned about his ability to steer with dexterity. They are looking for "un homme fort".

Is Preval up to the job?
Only time will tell, and they are watching.

Michel

[Leonel JB]

Who cares about Washington?
Di bonjou diab lap manje w. Pa di bonjou, lap manje W.
Oudimwen kisa frize te fE pou koukou, pou l fE pitit li, l rele l Frizelia!!!
Haiti is not on Washington's radar screen! We need to look everywhere else than People who never helped us.
Why would we care? These are the same people after the Gonaives'incident, who offered sixty thousand dollars!
Actually, a meeting with Bush was wrong at the first place. Why?
And Michel with regards to your question, is Preval up to the job?
It shouldn't be too hard. As long as He doesn't sign any paper without reading! As long as He can pick the right people for his administration! Things should be OK!
Unlike the US administration, this is a Democratic Government (LEspwa)...
I don't think that we would accept any grading from this incompetent Administration with the worst tracking records ever. With their approval rate at its normal state in the thirties. Eight years of Failures and they want to fix Haiti or the World!
Pleaase Preval, look East! Check with real Friends in the Caribean, to the South. Not there, trust our memory. 1915 and 2004 is our point of reference. They even approached the Freedom Fighters for possible destabilization of the elected President... How can we trust this Bush administration?
L'union Fait la Force,
leonel

[admin]

[quote]JER is right when he said that Preval is just like the energizer bunny.[/quote]
Michel, excuse me. Where exactly did JER say that?

[Jonas]

[quote]JER is one of the members of the Haitian elite intelligentsia and other politicians who believe that they are more qualified than Preval or Aristide to be President of Haiti.[/quote]

First of all, what makes a JER think that he is more qualified academically or otherwise than an Aristide or a Préval?

After all, from what I garner, Aristide is a relatively well educated man, doesn't he have a master in psychology?

And Préval isn't he an agronomist like JER and like the "brainiac" Jean Dominique?

And this business about "the ablest", I am surprised that they are still hunting with this old dog.

After the unmitigated disaster of the last two years, pardon one, if he tends to believe that these people would have given a sabbatical to this self-serving half-baked theory.

Could anyone imagine in present day Haiti, people like LULA da SILVA with a fifth grade education who still has difficulty reading or a EVO MORALES with a 10th grade education, being elected president?

How do these people measure ability?

People like LULA da SILVA or MORALES would have been so ridiculed in an Haitian context, that it hurts to even think about it.

And as we can witness, LULA is transforming BRAZIL into a world power.

ADYE!

JER is considered part of the Haitian elite intelligentsia? ... ... ... Poor us!

[Tidodo_]

Leonel,

You are right! Washington can't and won't do us any good. But, it can do us a lot of harm. We have to treat it with kid gloves.

J-M.

[admin]

[quote]And what if Préval's objective is precisely the following: to seek to reduce Haiti's dependence on assistance from only the US?[/quote]
That, to me, is thinking out of the box. What is the definition of absurdity? According to Einstein, it's doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results each time. U.S. policy towards Haiti has been consistent since our independence in 1804, and it has even been codified within the context of a larger American foreign policy by the Woodrow Wilson government. All U.S. administrations since, Democrat or Republican, have pretty much followed the same line, changing the book cover once in a while for Public Relations purposes, but keeping the contents of the book essentially unchanged. Yet, Haitians continue to believe that if only they bend over backwards to please a U.S. administration, that the United States will cease their hostile disposition towards Haitians and shower them with their largesse. We continue to be the willing captives, and any serious attempt to reduce our near-absolute dependency on the United States is seen as heresy.

Ki lè nou panse blan an va di nou ke se noumenm ki granmoun tèt nou?

[Tidodo_]

There is not much new in our previous discussions about Haitian-American relations. The relationship is a very simple one. It is and has always been a one-way relationship. But, the future of these relations, if there is to be any change for Haiti in them, is how Haitian-Americans can affect them. We know it is not impossible. Jewish-Americans did it. The focus now should be how Haitian-Americans channel their strength to influence American policy towards Haiti. So far, it is a failure because we are too divided.

J-M.

[Michel Nau_]

Jonas wrote:[quote]Erich René started against Préval already? Whatever happened to the proverbial "grace period"? Mark my words, six months from now JER is going to call for the overthrow of Préval. [/quote]
Jojo my friend, there is no ceasefire in politics! You hit your enemy when he is least expected. We call it ‘Preemptive Action”.

As you know this old Haitian idiom: Nin pot ti AK-100(disturbance) ke yon moun ta gen radiyes fe, yap met siwop pou li san li pa konnin. Sa se bagay vye granmoun!!

Now they give the syrup regardless if someone intend to create the AK-100(disturbance) or not. And if they miss reading your move, then that's too late. The deed is done, they will not apologize, or sorry about it!!

No free ride!! Preval will be under the microscope like everybody else my friend, and should not be immune from constructive criticism.

Hyppilite wrote: [quote]He cannot understand that a Haitian political leader can have his political opinion without first seeking the approval of foreign embassies.[/quote]
Leonel wrote: [quote]Who cares about Washington? Haiti is not on Washington's radar screen! Why would we care? Actually, a meeting with Bush was wrong at the first place. Why?[/quote]
JER answered : "Les rapports entre les Chefs d'Etat du monde sont régis par les règles du protocole. Les intérêts matériels, sources de conflits, relèvent du Droit International. Les représentants surtout lorsqu'ils sont en mission en terre étrangère doivent suivre scrupuleusement les règles de l'étiquette. Le Président est avant tout le Premier Citoyen de la Nation. Par sa délicatesse et sa finesse il doit servir de modèle et vendre l'image du pays à l'étranger".

Jonas wrote: [quote]Could anyone imagine in present day Haiti, people like LULA da SILVA with a fifth grade education who still has difficulty reading or a EVO MORALES with a 10th grade education, being elected president? [/quote]
JER a ecrit: "Il ne suffit pas de remporter la victoire aux urnes"

Tidodo wrote: [quote]You are right! Washington can't and won't do us any good. But, it can do us a lot of harm. We have to treat it with kid gloves.[/quote]
Whooow!! Tidodo! Your are good indeed Chen pafet pou mode min ki bal manje. Malerezman, gen moun ki pa vle admet philozofi de sajes sa. Me konpliman Tidodo ! W se yon moun ki we lwyen.

Serge wrote: [quote]according to US protocol, a president-elect does not receive the same treatment as a president: he is not received in the Oval Office by the US President. Therefore, by emphasizing the 5 min visit as a key indicator, Mr. René is not only echoing what the rightist press in Haiti was saying about the visit, but he is choosing the least important aspect of the visit to cast as much negativity as possible in order to deny Préval any credit.[/quote]
JER a ecrit : "Les faits en politique ne sont jamais isolés. Préval de manière grivoise a exprimé ses préférences pour Chavez et évoqué l'éventualité du retour d'Aristide. Il en a fait une boutade qui a fait éclater de rire l'assistance de York Collège mais qui a révolté la diplomatie américaine. Dans l'espace de quelques bits les données ont été postées et analysées par la chancellerie américaine. Ipso facto le protocole d'accueil a changé."

Serge/Bush, how would you feel if a visitor/guest [Preval] comes to your home, and deliberately keeps on talking about your enemies A and C right in your home and in your face?. You wouldn't be happy. Would you??

JER continues : Une rencontre de 5 minutes lui est accordée. Pour minimiser cette gifle et faire dormir les imbéciles, on soutient la thèse du caractère non officiel de sa visite parce qu'il n'a pas encore prêté serment. Rappelons qu'avant le départ de Préval pour Washington, le Gouvernement Intérimaire a publié dans le Moniteur la proclamation
officielle de René Préval comme 55ème Président d'Haiti.

JER continues:"Sa victoire lui est due par procuration. Le peuple a voté Préval dans l'Espoir du retour d'Aristide. La thèse de la non prestation de serment de René Préval agitée pour le dédouaner vis à vis du mépris de la diplomatie américaine ne tient pas debout. Il s'agit d'une invitation officielle mais non d'une visite à caractère privé. Rappelons que nous sommes en diplomatie et René Préval n'est pas seulement un Nouveau Président élu mais aussi un ex-Président.

La brièveté de la rencontre de George Bush et de René Préval au Eisenhower Executive Office Building n'a d'autre signification que le désaveu de Washington. Sa maladresse de la veille au York College a forcé la diplomatie américaine à changer d'agenda. Le gros de la conversation a été confié plutôt au responsable de la sécurité nationale Stephan Hadley dont la présence n'était pas prévue.
Comprenne qui pourra!!"

Serge wrote: [quote]And what if Préval's objective is precisely the following: to seek to reduce Haiti's dependence on assistance from only the US? [/quote] Serge you know very well in Washington, DC it's better to come clean than try to play tricks, a game that they invented. Janr de ti krapounaj sayo, yo pa pran ladan.

Guy wrote:[quote]That, to me, is thinking out of the box. [/quote]
Guy my friend! This is a cavalier answer that doesn't have any substance and blue print map telling Haitian people HOW to get out of the box.

Telling people to think out of the box while within is just like throwing a National Geographic magazine to a bunch of caged animals in a zoo and tell them to think that they are in the jungle and free. I would rather throw them a Popular Mechanics magazine and tell them to find their way out.

Guy ekri : [quote]Ki lè nou panse blan an va di nou ke se noumenm ki granmoun tèt nou?[/quote] Kile !! Kile !! Nan tand ki le, nous an le tounin pwatand ! Nou granmoun tet nou, min nou pa konnin sa, nou pa agi konsa, nou pa panse konsa.

Se viye politisyen san visyon nasyonalist, sivist e lanmou pou peyi a kap vire loloj pep Ayisyn an a dwat a goch kankou vye pandil granmoun pousa rete pandye sou yon pouwa kipa chita sou anyen.
Capitalism !!! Socialist Communist !!! ki sa nou vle !!

Nou pavle ni yon ni lot se strateji ke nou vle pou retire nou anba mize, e ignorans.

Guy wrote: [quote]According to Einstein, it's doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results each time. U.S. policy towards Haiti has been consistent since our independence in 1804, and it has even been codified within the context of a larger American foreign policy by the Woodrow Wilson government. All U.S. administrations since, Democrat or Republican, have pretty much followed the same line, changing the book cover once in a while for Public Relations purposes, but keeping the contents of the book essentially unchanged.[/quote]I don't agree with you Guy. Political dimensions are multi dimension and can change in a second. The blue print and the policy package may stay unchanged or may be amended once in a while, however the matrix element variables may send a signal that could change previous decisions in a second. Like someone said: "La politique n'est pas une ligne droite, et seuls les idiots ne changent pas d'idée" , n'est-ce pas. Do you agree??

Tidodo wrote: [quote]There is not much new in our previous discussions about Haitian-American relations. The relationship is a very simple one. It is and has always been a one-way relationship. But, the future of these relations, if there is to be any change for Haiti in them, is how Haitian-Americans can affect them. We know it is not impossible. Jewish-Americans did it. The focus now should be how Haitian-Americans channel their strength to influence American policy towards Haiti. So far, it is a failure because we are too divided.[/quote]

The Haitian-Americans are very influential, and they are part of the blame on what is going on in Haiti. Most of the Interim Government rats pack is from Florida and where recommended by the Bush Administration. The equivalent of Minister of Heatlh for the State of Florida is a Haitian-American. I have more example and names, but I would rather stop here. One-way relationship! I don't think so.

Pou zafe Haitian-Canadian menm se pa pale! Michaelle Jean is a perfect example on how deep we can be in politics.

Michel

[Jonas]

"There is no ceasefire in politics"

You could have specified -haitian politics.

And some of us will continue to agitate, in order to overthrow governments they don't like, and we'll continue with this chronic instability.

Michel, I know J.E.R, virtually not personnally; I have had exchanges with him on various venues on the internet; oh, for the better part of four years now.

Believe me, J.E.R was not engaged in constructive criticisms, and people who call for the overthrow of elected governments are not engaged in conventional politics.

And please, don't call me Jojo, I am probably at least 5 years older than you are and it seems a little condescending.

[admin]

Michel, I read your last reply and all I can say is ... ... ... (damn, I don't know what to say!)