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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Haiti's Preval Clings to his Coup: Celestin to Advance by Stanley Lucas (Updated December 9 @ 9:05 a.m.)



Despite an outcry from all Haitian society and various actors of the international community over the widespread irregularities during and blatant manipulation of the November 28 presidential and legislative elections, Rene Preval remains committed to executing his electoral coup (see: http://solutionshaiti.blogspot.com/2010/12/haiti-seven-steps-to-prevals-november.html ).  He is steadfastly moving forward to finalize the coup.

Haitian Youth Confronting a MINUSTAH Tank

As of Monday, December 6, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) was busy at work at the tabulation center putting the final touches on the results that will be announced shortly.  Out of the 99 seats up for election in the legislature, only two senators and nine deputies won their seats in the first round. Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly qualified for the presidential runoff.  Despite being “unofficial”, the news (see: http://radiokiskeya.com/spip.php?article7305 )was so certain that many in the foreign press broadcast these results on Monday night, and on Tuesday afternoon at a USIP roundtable on Haiti, OAS Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Albert Ramdin, confirmed that information.


On Tuesday, December 7 around noon, President Preval ordered the CEP President Gaillot Dorsinvil and Director General Pierre Louis Opont to change the results. They did, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhFkYsk65o0&feature=player_embedded  They gave INITE 90% of legislative seats, sent their remaining legislative candidates to the runoff, and replaced Martelly with Jude Celestin, the ruling party's candidate.  In the run up to the elections, it has been extensively reported that Celestin would win in rigged elections.  Despite the fact that the plot was exposed, Preval did not alter his plot to illegaly install Celestin as president and control two-thirds of parliament.



Also widely reported was the fact that the root of every political crisis in Haiti is a rigged election.  This overt manipulation and disrespect for Haitian citizens has infuriated people around the country and in the Diaspora.  Protests have broken out throughout the country:




According to many analysts, if this farce is allowed to continue, the situation will quickly deteriorate. Preval reportedly told members of his inner circle that Domincan President Leonel Fernandez is fully behind him and is working to ensure international support for the electoral coup.  We were not able to verify that, but it has been widely reported that the international community would likely note some “irregularities”, but dismiss them as being isolated instances, and focus on the importance of having a new government in Haiti at this critical time.



The US Embassy issued a press release on Tuesday calling for calm (see below). They stated that the irregularities will be addressed, but the Haitian people do not believe them anymore because of the double talk of the international community since November 28.  The people are in the streets calling for Preval's resignation.  After a string of controversies, including firing on protestors in Cap Haitien and Saint Marc and links to the introduction of cholera, MINUSTAH has lost all credibility among Haitians.  While the outcome is still uncertain, Wednesday surely will be a difficult day around the country.

MINUSTAH GASING YOUNG HAITIANS


US Statements on Haiti's Elections: Merely Checking a Diplomatic Box
By Stanley Lucas

The United States Government has issued two statements on the November 28 elections in Haiti (see: http://solutionshaiti.blogspot.com/2010/12/haiti-preval-clings-to-his-coup.html ).  In both statements, they call on the Haitian political leaders and their supporters to be calm and follow the electoral contestation process.  These statements do no more than check a diplomatic box, and they do nothing to actually address the escalating tensions in-country.  There is still time to ensure that this situation does not become a full blown crisis, but action must be quick and decisive.


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Calling upon the Government of Haiti and the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to ensure the process reflects the will of the people is unrealistic.  The CEP has no credibility.  It is well known that this partisan CEP rigged elections in 2009; has presided over this 2010 electoral coup from the beginning; and, as the U.S. statement acknowledges, changed the vote even after the international community had witnessed firsthand the results in the tabulation center.  Why would the USG call upon the CEP to “reflect the will of the people” after these events?

The people are taking to the streets because they have no other alternative. They have concrete proof of manipulation.  They have seen the mishandled, discarded and pre-marked ballots that flooded the country with their own eyes.  They are now being encouraged to accept a process led by the very people who stole the election. The CEP is in charge of the “electoral contestation process”, and no one believes that they will review or respond to any of the documented proof of rigging and manipulation that has occurred.

And quite unfortunately, the international community, in a misguided effort to support stability, has lost credibility in the wake of the elections by making statements about some “irregularities”, but an overall process that was sound.  International actors remind the Haitian people that it's important at this time to have new leadership.  The people of Haiti know that the stakes are high.  As a result of failed leadership, more than1.7 million Haitians are still sleeping on the streets among rubble from an earthquake that happened 11 months ago.  The people of Haiti are not willing now – nor have they ever been willing – to swallow a less than perfect election for the sake of stability.  Now more than ever, the Haitian people want to see new, accountable leadership in charge of the country.  They Haitian people have called for the annulment of these rigged elections, a new CEP, and new free and fair elections.  If the international community truly wants to see the Haitian people be able to democratically elect their leadership, they should get behind the people they want to help. The situation is deteriorating too quickly to continue to play these diplomatic games.


State Department Daily Press Briefings : Daily Press Briefing - December 8, 2010

Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
December 8, 2010
We also continue to monitor very closely the situation in Haiti. The United States, together with Haiti’s international partners, stand ready to support efforts to thoroughly review irregularities so that the final electoral results are consistent with the will of the Haitian people as expressed through their votes. We remain concerned by the Provisional Electoral Council’s announcement of preliminary results that are inconsistent with the published results of the National Election Observation Council, or CNO, which had more than 5,500 observers. It observed the count in 1,600 voting centers nationwide.

And as Haiti goes through this process of a review and a designated period for electoral complaints, leading to the runoff election on January 16, we urge all political actors and their supporters to remain calm and to work peacefully through the contestation period, providing the electoral process to resolve any claims of irregularities.


QUESTION: Can I go back to Haiti when you made some opening remarks about Haiti? President Preval is accusing the United States of being responsible, at least partly responsible, for the rioting, saying because of its criticism of the election. Do you have any response to that?

MR. CROWLEY: I haven’t seen those comments. We have and continue to support the Government of Haiti. We have been a leading supporter of this election process. We’ve been a leading supporter of the Government of Haiti led by President Preval. We will be a leading supporter in the reconstruction of the country, and the government that is going to be put in place early next year will be leading that effort. The United States is in no way responsible for the actions of any individual. What we are determined to help Haiti achieve is a credible election and a result – not one that one that the United States will impose, but one that the people of Haiti can participate in fully and that the government that emerges reflects the will of the Haitian people and will have the legitimacy and support necessary to move the country forward.

QUESTION: Have these events set back the reconstruction effort?

MR. CROWLEY: That’s hard to say. Obviously, the situation on the ground is very tense at the present time. Many employees of ours at the embassy found it difficult to get to work. The airport has been closed because of the difficulty in personnel getting to that location. We certainly would hope that calm will prevail and the efforts on reconstruction, as well as day-to-day life in Haiti can continue while there is a designated process to work through the complaints that have or will be filed.


Statement by the Embassy of the United States
on the electoral process on December 8, 2010

The United States urges all Haitians, including all political leaders and their supporters, to express themselves peacefully now and to work through Haiti 's electoral contestation process to address any electoral concerns. The 2010 elections represent a critical test of whether the Haitian people will determine their destiny through their vote, and it would be regrettable that violence would mar this process.

The United States supports the right of the Haitian people to free, fair, and transparent elections.  The United States has called upon the Government of Haiti, the Conseil Electoral Provisoire, and all political forces in the country to work through the electoral process to ensure that the will of the people is reflected in the outcome of this election.   The United States reiterates that it stands ready to work with the Government of Haiti and its international partners to support electoral results that reflect the will of the Haitian people.

(end of text)


Statement by the Embassy of the United States
Following the Publication of Results 
of the November 28 National Elections by the CEP

As Haiti enters the period of electoral contestation, it is essential that all political actors remain calm and encourage their supporters to do the same.  The United States , together with Haiti ’s international community partners, stands ready to support efforts to thoroughly review irregularities in support of electoral results that are consistent with the will of the Haitian people expressed in their votes.

Like others, the Government of the United States is concerned by the Provisional Electoral Council’s announcement of preliminary results from the November 28 national elections that are inconsistent with the published results of the National Election Observation Council (CNO), which had more than 5,500 observers and observed the vote count in 1,600 voting centers nationwide, election-day observations by official U.S. observers accredited by the CEP, and vote counts observed around the country by numerous domestic and international observers.

Haiti’s transition to democracy over the past 24 years has seen many successes, overcoming major challenges. The 2010 elections represent a critical test of whether the Haitian people will determine their destiny through their vote.  The United States is committed to the consolidation of democracy in Haiti and calls on the Government of Haiti, the CEP and all political forces to ensure that the will of the people is fully reflected in the outcome of this election.
                        
(end of text)

Ros-Lehtinen Urges Calm Following Announcement of Election Results in Haiti, Says Reports of Fraud Must Be Thoroughly Investigated

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on tonight’s announcement of the results of last month’s elections in Haiti.  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: 

“Many questions have emerged regarding the fairness of the recent elections in Haiti.

“As the appeals phase now begins, I urge all parties to reject calls for violence and instead fully utilize the processes put in place to submit evidence of irregularities or fraud and actively engage in correcting any wrongs. 

“Fair and accurate results that reflect the will of the Haitian people are essential to the successful conclusion of this electoral process.  Without credible elections internationally recognized as free and fair and accepted by the Haitian people as a legitimate reflection of their will, the Haitian government will lose trust in the eyes of Haiti’s people and Haiti’s allies and supporters.

“The Haitian people deserve better.  The U.S. and other responsible nations have also invested much time and resources in support of Haiti, including assistance for transparent, effective, and legitimate elections.  For Haiti to move forward, corruption and electoral fraud must end permanently.” 

#####


ELECTIONS 2010 POUR L'HISTOIRE ET LA NATION: NOTE DE QUATRE SENATEURS DE LA REPUBLIQUE


Comme sénateurs, nous, soussignés, avons pour devoir de défendre les intérêts de la République quand ils sont menacés comme aujourd’hui, par ces temps de déchainement de passion et d’aveuglement politique. Nous élevons la voix dans ce chaos créé par la volonté à tout prix de M. René Préval, Président de la République, malgré son impopularité manifeste, de s’accrocher au pouvoir par l’entremise de M. Jude Célestin, son candidat aux élections programmées du 28 novembre 2010, et la détermination de certains secteurs de l’International à nous régenter sous prétexte de promouvoir la stabilité.
De quelle stabilité  parle-t-on,  quand il était prévisible que toute élection réalisée dans les conditions qui prévalaient avant  le 28 novembre 2010, allait déboucher sur cette pagaille. Il est évident que les Nations-Unies, sans le savoir et certainement sans le vouloir, ont plutôt œuvré à la déstabilisation du pays en partageant et en appuyant l’agenda de M. René Préval  d’organiser des fausses élections qui ont abouti à cette débâcle.

A qui profite  le crime ? Une cascade de provocations et de malheurs se sont abattus sur le peuple, depuis la gestion scandaleuse de la catastrophe du 12 Janvier, en passant par l’insolite épidémie de choléra et aujourd’hui la manipulation éhontée des élections du 28 Novembre.  Tout se passe comme si on s’acharnait à provoquer  l’exaspération et la colère de la population.  Cette situation de déchaînement de la population ne peut que perpétuer la présence des troupes onusiennes en Haïti toujours en quête de justification de cette « entité chaotique ingouvernable, un danger pour la région ».
Il est, disons-nous,  de notre devoir de dénoncer cette mascarade électorale que  le CEP et certains secteurs de l’International veulent nous faire cautionner. En tant que Sénateurs  chargés également de veiller à la sauvegarde de la souveraineté du pays, nous manifestons notre indignation, au nom du peuple haïtien, par rapport au comportement  maladroit joué par les représentants des Nations-Unies et de l’OEA dans le pays. La Constitution haïtienne contient  les provisions qui permettraient de remplacer sans casse, le cas échéant,  M. Préval dont le mandat touche à sa fin, tenant compte des difficultés d’organiser quant à présent de bonnes élections. L’International, par la voix du Représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général des Nations-Unies, a décidé  « qu’un régime élu doit être remplacé immédiatement par un régime élu » per fas et nefas et qu’il « ne traitera pas avec un gouvernement de transition ». Et pourtant, c’est ce même International qui nous a imposé récemment un gouvernement de transition qui a abouti aux élections de M. Préval en 2006 !

Qu’on ne nous parle pas d’élections acceptables avec tout ce processus entaché de violations de la loi électorale, avec ces chiffres fabriqués  par le CEP, après la manipulation préalable très adroite de l’opinion par certains secteurs. Qu’on ne nous parle pas de vote populaire quand tout a été fait pour empêcher à la majorité des électeurs inscrits d’exprimer leurs choix, quand des partis politiques ont été, dès le début du processus, habilement écartés de la course.
Le problème n’est plus électoral, il est politique. L’International, par un détour dit électoral, cherche à imposer  au pays un nouveau président manipulable en fonction de ses intérêts et en fonction de sa perception de nous comme peuple en déficit de dignité, tandis que M. René Préval veut nous imposer son poulain impopulaire. Et la population en a assez.

Comme le souhaite le Secrétaire Général des Nations-Unies, Monsieur Ban Ki Moon, appréciant la profondeur et la gravité, des irrégularités entachant le scrutin du dimanche 28 novembre,  nous préconisons la recherche immédiate d’une solution politique nationale  qui prendrait en compte:

1)    l’annulation de ces élections dont la publication des résultats cause tant de dégâts matériels et humains à la nation;
2)    L’application de sanctions légales contre les responsables les auteurs de cette
       calamité ;
3)    La concertation nationale pour la formation immédiate d’un nouveau gouvernement avec un premier ministre de consensus, jouissant de la confiance de la population pour gérer le pays, en attendant le remplacement de M. Préval, le 7 février prochain, et la mise en place dans le meilleur délai des conditions nécessaires à la tenue d’élections libres, transparentes et crédibles ;
4)     le dialogue et l’entente nécessaires avec la Communauté Internationale sur le droit du peuple haïtien à choisir ses propres dirigeants.
                                                                                                     
Port-au-Prince, ce 8 décembre 2010
Sénateur Jean William Jeanty 
Sénatrice Edmonde Supplice Beauzile 
Sénateur Melius Hyppolite
Sénateur Maxime Roumer            
                                                                                              
NOTE D’INFORMATION DU SECTEUR PRIVE

AUX Conseils d’Administration des Membres du Forum
DATE : 8 Décembre 2010
Objet : Publication des Résultats Préliminaires des Elections du 28
Novembre 2010


Faisant suite à sa note d’information du 5 décembre courant, le Comité Exécutif du Forum Economique du Secteur Privé exprime son étonnement face aux résultats préliminaires des élections du 28 novembre dernier publiés le 7 décembre courant par le Conseil Electoral Provisoire (CEP). Se référant plus particulièrement aux scores obtenus par les candidats à la présidence, le Comité note que ces scores s’écartent sensiblement de ceux issus des comptages d’echantillons de procès-verbaux de bureaux de vote effectués non seulement par le Forum mais également par les organes d’observation, ambassades, institutions internationales et autres entités indépendantes. Le Forum avait alors choisi par sagesse et en respect de la loi electorale de ne pas publier le résultat du comptage réalisé le jour même des élections. Tous ces résultats montrent un deuxième tour entre Myrlande Manigat et Michel Martelly.


Comme exprimé dans sa note d’information du 5 décembre, le Forum estime qu’il est crucial de s’assurer que le processus électoral reflète, en finale, la volonté réelle des électeurs et ne soit pas entachée d’erreurs ou d’irrégularités regrettables, de nature à frustrer les citoyens de leur droit de choisir librement leurs dirigeants politiques.


En ce sens, le Forum invite les candidats concernés à user de tous les moyens légaux à leur disposition pendant la période de contestation électorale en vue d’établir et de corriger, le cas échéant, toute situation de nature à fausser l’expression de la volonté populaire.


Cependant, vu la détérioration rapide de la situation et la colère exprimée par les électeurs déçus des résultats, le Forum fait appel a tous les protagonistes pour trouver rapidement une solution qui respecte de manière claire et nette la volonté populaire. Le pays ne peut pas encore faire les frais d’une crise prolongée et le Forum souhaite que le patriotisme des uns et des autres permette d’éviter le chaos et la destruction des vies et des biens.