The Problems of Haiti
By Steve Strommer • Jul 4th, 2005 • Category: Logs
Haiti’s problems stem from numerous sources. Among them, but not limited to are: Washington, Paris, and Montreal, who planned, orchestrated, and financed President Jean Bertrand Aristide’s kidnapping and coup d’etat in February 2004 (more on this later) and are forever involved in Haiti’s politics.
The thing about Haiti, as in most places, is that if the people who pull the strings, namely the aforementioned, really wanted the violence and instability to be eradicated, it would be. However, that is not the case and the most money is made when the country is kept in a perpetual state of chaos and the poor are kept poorer and without a voice and a means to mobilize and organize––Aristide.
Another force with which we must also contend is the embattered and somewhat useless UN security force (MINUSTAH); which is badly in need of more civilian police, a clearer mission, and an overall stronger force and UN. Mark L. Schneider from the Boston Globe has suggested, and the Bush Administration has not completely ruled out, sending US Marines to Haiti to aid and embolden the hapless UN mission there. However, this has repercussions and if one looks into the history of Haiti, those repercussions will become apparent. Haiti needs less, not more US involvement. Thus far, the UN has not proved that it can provide adequate protection for the Haitian poor, let alone provide security for safe, fair, and democratic elections.
Then, of course, there is Andy Apaid, and his group 184 (helped in part by US taxpayer dollars), which has done nothing but cause ruckus. Mr. Apaid is also Haiti’s wealthiest man and is involved in rather dubious undertakings, such as the hiring of anti-Aristide gangs that roam the slums and kill his followers by the handful.
There are many more forces at play here and the levels at which they work are complicated. The point being is that under the current conditions, which get worse weekly, if not daily, elections at the standards that many in the Western world enjoy (well, at least some of us), will never come to fruition. In fact, as much as I would like to believe that things will get better, I am of the opinion that they will continue to deteriorate ahead of, and after elections which are slated for fall of this year. Of course though, you will not know that by reading the headlines, as much of it comes from a Haitian bourgeousie bias, eagerly supported by the established media. Nor will you know that the crowd of a “couple hundred” was actually hundreds of thousands demonstrating for Aristide, or vice versa.
This account by no means is a thorough or an intricate analysis of the situation. It is meant at least, to help to begin to understand some of the forces at play in Haiti’s struggle. I suggest reading ICG reports and checking the blog for more detailed analysis, and even better, visiting the country yourself.
Steve Strommer is sub-editor of Polo's Bastards.
Email this author | All posts by Steve Strommer
I am 12 and i did a project on Haiti. I would just like to add that a major reason Haiti is facing extreme poverty is because after the slave revolution of 1791 to 1804 France forced Haiti to pay to the tune of 150 million francs, which today would transfer to about 3.7 billion U.S. dollars, for “lost plantations, and slaves”. Aristide tried to make France pay back the money. But unfortunately at the same time he was fighting against the United States. This was not a well thought out move on his part because in the end the two countries aided the military coup which exiled Aristide from Haiti.
12?
Damn.
This World has to many millionares for any country to be in such a position as Haiti is…..But hey…Such is life
haiti needs to be recognized and helped.we need to realize the problems of other countries and take note.the u.s.a should stop trying to run everybodt’s governments and run their own.most of the problems are contributed by america and their involvement in everything
The revolution of Haiti will be slow, it was the first black country to gain it’s independence and because of this many forces like America, Europe and Canada have tried to keep it down. Unity makes strength is Haiti’s motto. They must keep up the fight. The UN is not going to help them. Those abroad in the US, France, Canada that have established themselves with education and jobs, need to invest back into their country. Even if it means going back for a couple of years.
Cancel all debt that France has incurred on Haiti, and pay them back reparations. They didn’t ask to be brought over, therefore you place them in an enviroment, they are resilient and they will survive and be prosperous just leave them be.
Viv Ayiti
Ayiti ap vin`e oncoU
Live on Haiti
Haiti shall prosper once more
All the problem Haiti is facing right now is because of the american government and the CIA. The CIA which fund by the american government destabilize my country Haiti in all kinds away. The CIA and the american government put Haiti in a position to poor nation, so haiti could fully depends on the United states for everything. This is exactly what is happening now. go to haiti’s Market, all you will find is the american producing rice everywhere in the country. 25 years ago, haiti produced somuch rice to feed the whole nation and export some of it rice to the United states. When the american company was going overseas. the CIA and the Goververnment undermine the government, fund gangs created a revolt against the current haitian government. they created instability and a political power strugle in the country causing the haitian people and leaders to turn againdt each order. My beloving country is suffering financially and politically because of the american government and the CIA. The american government and CIA involve in everything nagative that’s happenning in the world. The american government and the CIA should know, the weaker will not remain the weaker forever nor the strongerst will remain the stronger forever. most of the terroist oganization today whose a threat USA national sucurity was on time pay by the american and the CIA. America should know you cannot drink the blood without tasting the blood first nor should you taste the blood without drinking it. all these threat that facing the american people is the results of the crime american government has commited. The word of god in the bible stated, if you do evil to other, you will receive evil in return.the bible is alive.
I just glanced over all this info but waz Voodoo mentioned as a major problem in Haiti? If not it should have been.
um dont try to say people try to keep black people down.. our president is black and that no longer can be used as a “excuse”
Lala. Silence. The mixed breed you speak of that is in office now has NO effect on the state Haiti is already in. And even so, your right..his non-white half is black. Not Haitian. Ask alot of people and they aren’t the same. So before you contribute anymore of your ignorant comments, please take note that you may be encouraging the demise of intelligence in reader, like our 12 year old up top that states facts. Wouldnt want him going around repeating such bullshit.
We are lucky to have people such as Wyclef still supporting our people.
now its happened. The earthquake. Now we’ll see if the world has any moral mettle to speak of.
is he really half kenyan? What percentage arab?
Since when France know how to run anything ? No wonder they are so hated worldwide.
I wouldn’t be looking to much to Wyclef to save anything except his own bank account.
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/01/donations_to_yele_could_end_up.php
It’s always easier to blame someone else. I understand all the historical background of the French, the American ocupation and its support for dictatorial regimes and all the rest, but blaming this for the chaos this country has lived for so many years is totally absurd. It’s like saying that some American blacks today are delinquents, drug dealers and irresponsible parents due to slavery. The main problem with Haiti, as with so many countries in the world, (Including the US) is overpopulation. This is a country of over 9 million people that can hardly take care of 2 million. Haitians keep having children at the drop of the hat like so many people, black, white or hispanic in this country who can’t even fend for themselves let alone for 5-7 children. I am so sick and tired of all the politically correct bs that I hear constantly to justify irresponsible behaviour and ignorance. Just today, in Pacifica Radio, I heard someone “crying” over how poor a family was that their kids were saving milk and other items from their school lunch and taking them home to provide food for their younger siblings. Yes! I am poor but I’ll have another 10 children. Give me a break. They will never get away from poverty this way. On the other hand I am so sick of so many so called Christian Americans who blame the Haitians misfortune either on a pact with the devil or their practice of Voudou. Who are they to critize? The Pilgrims were religious ignoramuses who came to these lands to “escape from persecution” then stablished their own inquisition murdering innocent people burning them at the stake. They were thieves that stole the land from its owners, and they were so pious and christian like that they made slavery the law of the land. They didn’t make a pact with the devil because they devils themselves.
Military occupation is needed to create a facsimile of law and order, even if it means a curfew or shooting looters and criminals. This is necessary to be able to provide safety for distribution of more aid in food and medicine, also to ease in reconstruction which will take years and will provide work for many. It will also provide stability for prospective investors to believe in Haiti and create industry. A birth control plan has to be instituted to prevent more overpopulation. Something like in China. Education is of the essence. Ignorant, uneducated people will never be able to get away from the mire of unemployment and political corruption. Creation of a real infrastructure which will guarantee transportation, safe water, hospitals and roads. This is just to start.
Personally I don’t think that Mr. Handsome has received enough accolades for his humanitarian efforts. In my opinion a lot of celebrity do-gooders are totally phony and engage in so called good deeds merely for positive publicity. I have to say that I don’t think that George is one of the phonies out there in the world of celbrity do-gooders. I admire what he is doing for the Haitian people. I wish more celebrities were as real as he is when it comes to helping out those less fortunate in the world. So kudos to George and his desire to make this world a better place.
haiti wow i’m doing a report on that at school im 12 and i have poster for haiti made
Haiti is a really cool place (:
were doing a project on it in school.