Haiti: Combating the Negative Implications of Linking AIDS and Haiti

• The Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE) responds to Worobey study, November 7, 2006The Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (Association des Médecins Haitiens à l'Etranger or AMHE) has reviewed the recent article by Thomas Gilbert and colleagues, reporting a phylogenetic analysis of archival blood samples collected from five early recognized AIDS patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1982-1983.

• The study authors identify these five patients as Haitians who left Haiti after 1975. This article has several important limitations and does not provide any scientific breakthrough. Before a detailed critique of this paper, AMHE would like to point at the following remarks in methodological biases that may explain some of the study findings. First, the bias in selection of early samples of HIV among Haitians is quite obvious. The investigators chose a convenient sample under the unproven assumption that all these Haitian immigrants acquired HIV infection in Haiti. They obviously ignore that the clinical course of these patients perfectly fits the natural history of HIV/AIDS. No culturally-sensitive epidemiological investigation has ever been conducted of these initial Haitian immigrants presenting with HIV infection at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Therefore, the assertion that they contracted HIV in Haiti is presumptuous and not based on facts. Moreover, no archival samples from Haiti are included in the phylogenetic analysis and this constitutes a serious flaw. We do not know either how many samples of the pandemic clade B might have come from Haitian subjects, which raises the prospect of misclassification.

• Second, the authors do not adequately report on some of their methods and results. For example, they do not specify clearly the number of sequences for which there was uncertainty as to which subtype they belonged to; neither do they try to replicate their results by sequencing other HIV genes. While computer simulation techniques and phylogenetic analyses are important to our understanding of biological evolution, the application of these methods with such serious methodological limitations does not prove unequivocally the origin of the pandemic clade B subtype in the United States.

• Because these findings lack scientific validation, we need to raise questions about the motives of the authors; their paper not only does not advance our knowledge of the HIV epidemic but it continues with a dangerous precedent of victimizing an ethnic group with flimsy data. Needless to say that such half truths have been very harmful to the country and its people. The hasty classification of Haitians as a group at risk for HIV more than 20 years ago can be considered as a cloud hanging over good scientific practice. It destroyed the tourist industry in Haiti; its citizens have since been suffering from the social stigmata of presumed carriers of dangerous germs even though that classification was finally removed by the CDC.

• We are also afraid that such mishandling of data can have the unintended consequence of the refusal of Haitian patients to participate in research studies at American Universities for the fear that they will be used as guinea pigs in the furtherance of biased scientific protocols and conclusions. That would be the saddest of ironies for we all need good science to help us all against this calamity. La Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme

• Christian Lauriston, MDPresident of the Central Executive Committee of AMHE.

Action Plan by Stanley Lucas
October 30, 2007

A University of Miami study http://www.haitivisions.com/docs/pdf/Worobey_PNAS.pdf was recently publicized linking the introduction of AIDS into the US with Haitian immigrants. Not only is the study false, but it perpetuates this cultural stigma and association of Haiti and AIDS. We need to address these allegations quickly and efficiently so that they do not have a chance to sink further into the psyche in the US and do further damage to the reputation of Haiti. The following is a simple 3-step action plan to immediately address this issue. -------------------

PHASE I:
DO THE RESEARCH
In the next two days, we need to gather information and data in order to factually combat the charges. I suggest we turn to the following sources for data to help shape our message: ---------------------------------------------------------

Haitian Community in the US

· The association of Haitian doctors living in the United States should take a leading role on this issue. The association should convene a special meeting to outline their plan to combat these claims. Specifically, they could: a) Collect data on the studies of virus HIV in Haiti to help combat the claims that Haiti was the “stepping stone” into the US; and b) solicit the support of Johns Hopkins and Cornell University', which have best the team of AIDS researchers in Haiti and works in collaboration with Dr. Reginald Boulos of the CDS and Dr. Jean Pape of Gheskio.-----------

US Organizations

· USAID should have a lot of data on this issue given their extensive program to combat AIDS in Haiti (note: President Bush made a $51 million grant this year to fight AIDS in Haiti).

· Dr. Paul Farmer can be of assistance to us in fighting this propaganda. He can help the group prepare a strategy to answer the study. I wa told that he is in the process of writing a rebuttal. --------

PHASE II:
DEVELOP THE MESSAGE
Using the information collected, in the next three days, we need to develop a succinct and powerful message that includes the following elements:

Haiti was not the stepping stone for the spread of AIDS into the US. (backed up with facts from prominent experts).

In fact, these types of studies appeared almost 20 years ago. The Haitian Community in the US was outraged at the allegations and launched an incredible protest. As a result, the CDC came out publicly and confirmed that AIDS was not brought to the US by Haitian immigrants.

There are many programs that help combat the spread of AIDS in Haiti. (cite USAID program and any others). However, more can be done. Much is done in Africa through the Clinton Global Initiative and Bono’s One campaign, but little attention is paid to Haiti, a country that is so close to the US.

Haiti, as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, is facing many challenges. Unfortunately, much of the news coverage is centered around attacking a country that is already in dire straights. Rather than conducting studies that result in staining the reputation of 8 million people, couldn’t this money be spent to help build up the country of Haiti? ------------------------------

PHASE III:
ADVOCACY AND GETTING THE WORD OUT!
Encourage the Haitian Government to engage the US Government on a Strategy and Message Dissemination

· Haitian Members of Parliament should request the support of their counterparts in the US Congress in getting the word out. Specifically, the Congressional Black Caucus should have an interest in defending Haiti and its reputation.

· The Haitian Minister of Health should contact his American counterpart at the CDC to express concern and work together to establish a strategy to counteract this.

· The Preval Administration should engage the Haitian Embassy to answer these allegations. A Washington PR firm is on retainer to the Government of Haiti and should be engaged to help develop and disseminate the message.

Get the Word Out Through As Many Channels As Possible

· Engage Journalists in the US: Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald and Labbe of Washington Post are both supportive of Haiti and will be willing to get out the message.

· Engage Haitian Journalists and Radio Stations: The Haitian radio stations in the US should work with credible Haitian American Associations to get the word out on their radio programs.

· Encourage Celebrities and Other Well Known Personalities to Speak Out: Celebrity attention can raise the profile of the issue with certain segments of the population and often draw media attention. Evelyne Danticat (Haitien writer in the United States), Wyclef Jean (artist), Patrick Gilles (Chrysler designer), Dr. Dalmacy and others should be engaged.

· Protest at the University of Miami: Students and Haitian Americans should raise the profile of this issue by protesting this study and the release of factually incorrect information. ----------------------------------------------
AIDS/HAITI: WASHINGTON D.C. ADVOCACY PLAN
By Stanley Lucas: centurionlucas@gmail.com

Dear Friends and Colleagues: As I'm sure most of you are aware, another study has surfaced linking Haitian immigrants to the introduction of AIDS in the US. The study was conducted by professors at the University of Miami and the University of Arizona. Clearly, the results of this study put a stain on Haiti's reputation in the US and make things more trying for Haitian immigrants. You may recall that several years ago, a similar study was put forth and the strong negative reaction from the Haitian community prompted the US government, namely the Center for Disease Control, to come out and denounce the findings. I believe we again need to take action and raise awareness of this issue within the US government. Having Haitian leaders visit Washington to raise this issues and provide the facts to the US officials will go a long way in accomplishing that goal and protecting and defending Haiti's image. To that end, if you are interested in considering a trip to DC to help get out this message, I would be more than happy to help arrange meetings with the appropriate officials, including the Center for Disease Control, the Department of Health and Human Services, Members of Congress, and others. We need to strike fast and efficiently on this topic before this misinformation has a chance to sink into the psyche of Americans and US officials. I believe your involvement would be greatly helpful on this front. I would strongly encourage you to make the trip -- it is certainly a worthy cause! I look forward to hearing from you soon. Regards
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Randall Robinson: Corrections and Comments by Stanley Lucas

For the Record … Corrections and Comments by Stanley Lucas On Randall Robinson's July 22, 2007 C-SPAN Interview

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101702222_Comments.html

Randall Robinson has written a book about Haiti's history, Unbroken Agony, which was published this year. On July 22, 2007, he gave an interview to C-SPAN http://www.q-and-a.org/Transcript/?ProgramID=1137 covering his perspectives on a variety of issues, including recent events in Haiti. The following are some corrections and comments on the interview intended to clarify several of his misleading statements. -----------------------------------------

1. Mr. Robinson omitted mentioning that his wife, Hazel Ross-Robinson, not only has an extensive background working on Capitol Hill, but left the Hill to go to work for Aristide earning millions of dollars as a lobbyist defending Aristide's interests in Washington, DC http://www.haitipolicy.org/Lobbying7.htm ------------------------------------------------------

2. Mr. Robinson failed to mention if there is a connection between his book and the $30 million that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged to actor and Aristide supporter Danny Glover to produce a movie about the Haitian independence and its impact on Latin America. The thrust of Robinson's book is essentially an effort to gloss over Aristide's abysmal record of drug trafficking, human rights violations, election rigging and corruption by positioning Aristide's story as an extension of the Haitian independence movement. The absurdity of comparing this man to the founding fathers of Haiti is evident and an insult to the Haitian people. There is a concern among Haitians that their history is subject to being sold out to the highest bidder – and therefore can be manipulated, specifically by the Aristide supporters. Comparing Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Toussaint Louverture would be like comparing Martin Luther King to O.J. Simpson. It's appalling.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Overall, it is disappointing to hear Mr. Robinson characterize everything in terms of race. Haiti is 99% black and proud to be the world's first black republic. However, the independence was not just about race. Haiti's founding fathers saw beyond race to the universal values of freedom and equality. Haitians fought alongside Simon Bolivar in his quest to liberate the Latin American countries. They fought alongside Americans in the Revolutionary War http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5173752062581162877&q=president+clinton+haiti&total=6&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 It was not about Latinos or Americans. For Haitians, it was about freedom and liberation. It is true, however, that outsiders may have considered us a threat because of our cause and because of our race, but that did not have an impact on our purpose. There is a further concern among Haitians that the collective memory of the Haitian independence movement could be tainted by these assertions. President Rene Preval requested that Danny Glover shoot the movie in Haiti and include Haitian historians and movie producers in the project to ensure that the only successful black revolution on earth is portrayed faithfully and accurately. ----------------------------

4. Mr. Robinson does not know me or my family. My father was a businessman and spent his career with the US Agency of International Development (USAID), where he retired. My mother is a businesswomen in her own right and never worked in Haiti. Neither were involved in politics. To state that my parents were supporters of Duvalier is an outright fabrication.------------

5. Randall Robinson and Ron Daniels were not in Savannah Georgia. Neither was Danny Glover. The unveiling of Haitian Monument in Savannah (see pictures below) to Honor a Platoon of Haitan Soldiers who fought for American Independence at the Siege of Savannah Georgia in 1779 was an opportunity for them to show that they cared about Haiti. This was a unique opportunity to showcase Haitian culture and highlight a truly positive aspect of the US-Haiti relationship. The political leaders of Savannah really extended themselves to make this monument come to fruition -- as did the people of the Haitian American Historical Society. However, when they could have used a little star power or support from black leaders -- neither were there. This reinforces the fact that they really only are interested in selling Haiti's history to the highest bidder.

Stanley Lucas

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Randall Robinson's Lies About Haiti

Randall Robinson and Ron Daniels were not in Savannah Georgia. Neither was Danny Glover. The unveiling of Haitian Monument in Savannah (see pictures below ) to Honor a Platoon of Haitan Soldiers who fought for American Independence at the Siege of Savannah Georgia in 1779 was an opportunity for them to show that they cared about Haiti. This was a unique opportunity to showcase Haitian culture and highlight a truly positive aspect of the US-Haiti relationship. The political leaders of Savannah really extended themselves to make this monument come to fruition -- as did the people of the Haitian American Historical Society. However, when they could have used a little star power or support from black leaders -- neither were there. This reinforces the fact that they really only are interested in selling Haiti's history to the highest bidder. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the Record … Corrections and Comments by Stanley Lucas On Randall Robinson's July 22, 2007 C-SPAN Interview
Randall Robinson has written a book about Haiti's history, Unbroken Agony, which was published this year. On July 22, 2007, he gave an interview to C-SPAN http://www.q-and-a.org/Transcript/?ProgramID=1137covering his perspectives on a variety of issues, including recent events in Haiti. The following are some corrections and comments on the interview intended to clarify several of his misleading statements. -------------------------------------

1. Mr. Robinson omitted mentioning that his wife, Hazel Ross-Robinson, not only has an extensive background working on Capitol Hill, but left the Hill to go to work for Aristide earning millions of dollars as a lobbyist defending Aristide's interests in Washington, DC http://www.haitipolicy.org/Lobbying7.htm . ------------------------------------

2. Mr. Robinson failed to mention if there is a connection between his book and the $30 million that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged to actor and Aristide supporter Danny Glover to produce a movie about the Haitian independence and its impact on Latin America. The thrust of Robinson's book is essentially an effort to gloss over Aristide's abysmal record of drug trafficking, human rights violations, election rigging and corruption by positioning Aristide's story as an extension of the Haitian independence movement. The absurdity of comparing this man to the founding fathers of Haiti is evident and an insult to the Haitian people. There is a concern among Haitians that their history is subject to being sold out to the highest bidder – and therefore can be manipulated, specifically by the Aristide supporters. Comparing Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Toussaint Louverture would be like comparing Martin Luther King to O.J. Simpson. It's appalling ----------------------------

3. Overall, it is disappointing to hear Mr. Robinson characterize everything in terms of race. Haiti is 99% black and proud to be the world's first black republic. However, the independence was not just about race. Haiti's founding fathers saw beyond race to the universal values of freedom and equality. Haitians fought alongside Simon Bolivar in his quest to liberate the Latin American countries. They fought alongside Americans in the Revolutionary War http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5173752062581162877&q=president+clinton+haiti&total=6&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0. It was not about Latinos or Americans. For Haitians, it was about freedom and liberation. It is true, however, that outsiders may have considered us a threat because of our cause and because of our race, but that did not have an impact on our purpose. There is a further concern among Haitians that the collective memory of the Haitian independence movement could be tainted by these assertions. President Rene Preval requested that Danny Glover shoot the movie in Haiti and include Haitian historians and movie producers in the project to ensure that the only successful black revolution on earth is portrayed faithfully and accurately. -----------------------

4. Mr. Robinson does not know me or my family. My father was a businessman and spent his career with the US Agency of International Development (USAID), where he retired. My mother is a businesswomen in her own right and never worked in Haiti. Neither were involved in politics. To state that my parents were supporters of Duvalier is an outright fabrication. -- Stanley Lucas
RANDALL ROBINSON IS INSULTING HAITIANS BY COMPARING THIS MAN TO HAITI'S FOREFATHERS
Aristide Embezzled $76 Million by Financial Inquiry Central Unit (UCREF), anti-corruption agency, on Caribbean Media Corp, During the 2001-02 period, the report found that about $10 million was spent by Aristide's office without proper justification, while more than $55 million was used, between February 2002 and February 2004, in violation of all administrative rules.
Vast Scheme of Corruption under Aristide by l'Unité Central de Renseig nement Financier (Ucref), Haitian government investigatory committe, on Radio Metropole, The UCREF's second report traces money-laundering from central bank through three Haiti-based front companies to Aristide's offshore accounts.
Major Report on Corruption of Aristide Foundation by l'Unité Centrale de Renseignements (UCREF), Haitian government investigatory commission, Haitian government investigators use the check register of the central bank to trace the outflows under the Aristide regime. Came out in July 2005.
Depositing Haiti's Money into Aristide's Bank Account by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal, "I am the state," Duvalier used to say, and that's the way Aristide felt about it, too. How he and prominent U.S. politicians stuffed their pockets with Haiti's money.
CEA Inquiry into Millions Found Diverted to Aristide Offshore Accounts--Text by Commission d'Enquete Administrative de Paul Denis, Full text of report and interviews by one of the two Haitian government committees looking into the missing millions.
Aristide's Stolen Millions by Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, Investigators in Haiti report that former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide funneled public money into his personal charities and front companies.
Overview of Aristide Regime Corruption by Radio Metropole, Preliminary report on theft from government agencies during Aristide regime.
The Emperor Has No Clothes by Jean-Claude Jasmin, How Aristide & Co. plundered the Haitian treasury;
Haiti: Aristide Stole Millions by Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, Haiti's interim government filed suit against former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Miami federal court, accusing him of stealing millions from the Haitian people.
Embezzlement Found in Aristide Administration by IOL.co, Zambia, Haitian commission calling on Aristide to testify about "assets stemming from drug trafficking and other serious offences, the extraction of public funds, abuse of authority, misappropriation of funds and corruption involving government officials."
Bring Aristide to Justice by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal, Critical information should be unsealed in the IDT case in which the telecom firm allegedly agreed to transfer funds to an offshore account set up on behalf of President Aristide by a Turks and Caicos Islands front company.
U.S. Indictment of Aristide in Drug Trafficking--How Near? by Joseph Contreras, Newsweek, Aristide reportedly a target of the federal grand jury that returned indictments against his underlings, five of whom have been convicted. Will federal prosecutors now charge Aristide himself?
Drug Lord: Aristide Runs 85% of Drugs by Associated Press Aristide controls 85% of the cocaine flow through the impoverished nation.
Another Aristide Official Guilty of Drug-Running by Associated Press, Another Aristide police official pleads guilty to drug-trafficking charges in federal court. Sent police cars to pick up cocaine and pack it aboard American Airlines flights.
Aristide Gave Protection to Drug Runner: Security Chief by Miami Herald, The former security chief for Jean-Bertrand Aristide testified that the deposed Haitian leader enabled a reputed cocaine kingpin to travel free of police scrutiny.
Former Aristide Security Chief Took Huge Druglord Payoffs by Miami Herald, The ex-security chief for former president Aristide testified that a drug-trafficking defendant gave him regular payoffs to safeguard shipments.
Drug-Dealers Running for Office by news sources, Watch out for a number of drug traffickers, among whom are former police and Aristide officials, running for the lower house from Trou du Nord and other districts.
Aristide's Former Security Chief Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge by Agence France-Presse, on Radio Metropole, Oriel Jean, palace security chief during 2001-2003, pleads guilty to drug-related money-laundering charge, agrees to cooperate with U.S. investigation.
We're Not Drug Dealers by President Aristide, Regarding the officials whose U.S. visas have been pulled for drug-dealing, the United States has no evidence of that. They're just picking on us because we're poor and weak. Reported by Reuters.
Former U.S. Drug Czar: Aristide Must Be Involved by Andrea Mitchell, NBC, McCaffrey was President Bill Clinton's drug czar. "It's hard to imagine that Aristide himself isn't taking part in this enormously lucrative form of criminal activity."
Expelled Haiti Drug-lord Implicates Aristide at Sentencing by Associated Press, Ketant says he paid off Aristide for years. He claims Aristide controls 85% of the cocaine flow through the impoverished nation.
Taint of Drugs Reaching Haiti's Upper Echelons by David Adams, Times Latin America Correspondent, Aristide's refusal to fire Jean in 2002, despite evidence of his ties to drug money, made U.S. officials begin to suspect the president. Jean was one of six Haitian police officers allegedly linked to drugs that the US pressed Aristide to fire.
U.S. Considering Indictment of Aristide for Drug Dealing by Jose De Cordoba, Wall Street Journal, Investigation has gained momentum since Aristide ousted. At least one convicted major cocaine trafficker has offered details of Aristide's purported involvement.
Aristide Lobbied To Get U.S. Acquiescence to His Murderous Regime by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal, America is now paying a price for the benign approach taken by the U.S. at the behest of Aristide's lobbyists. Over 1,900 U.S. troops are in Haiti trying to disarm violent militias Aristide left behind.
After Cocaine, Haiti's Most Successful Export Product Is Knee-jerkism by Herbert Gold, San Francisco Chronicle, Consider the Congressional Black Caucus, the well-worn New and Less New Left, and the knee-jerk street political thinkers. Aristide always seemed to have plenty of money for his propagandists, paying lawyers and lobbyists to represent him abroad.
Haiti Launches Corruption Probes by Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, Focus on suspected diversion of state funds in long-distance phone companies, Taiwan aid, and Miami lobbyist Ira Kurzban.
Closing the Circle by Ann W. O'Neill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The U.S. investigation into drugs, money and corruption under Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide stretched Tuesday from the ranks of the Haitian National Police into the upper echelon of the Senate and ruling political party.
Naming Top Aristiders in Drug Trade by Orlando Sentinel, Colombian drug runner to testify against former top palace, drugs, and police officials and senator. "Will this lead to Aristide? Who knows?"
U.S. Treasury in Haiti Investigating Aristide's Personal Role by Nancy San Martin, Miami Herald, U.S. Treasury Department investigators are in Haiti scouring bank and other records for evidence of corruption by ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Former Airport Police Chief Charged by Associated Press, This makes the sixth close associate of Aristide now charged in U.S. federal court with cocaine smuggling.
$1 Million Suspected Destined for Aristide Paramilitary by news services, A Haitian-Canadian arrested with $1 million in cash, suspected that it was intended for Aristide's "Operation Baghdad" to destabilize government.
Evidence of U.S. Telephone Company's Corrupt Relationship with Aristide by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Candidate Kerry on March 4 said he would send troops to Haiti to keep Aristide in power. Another telephone company is complicit in Aristide's corruption like Fusion International with its board of Democratic Party stalwarts.
Aristide Corruption Probed by Successor Government by Jane Regan, Miami Herald, Justice Ministry recommends corruption investigations of Aristide and 28 confederates. Suspected of stealing government money and giving it to thugs to commit violence.
List of Aristide Officials Arrested for Drug-Trafficking by Haitianpolitics e-mail list contributor, List of former Aristide senators and top security officials arrested, jailed in Miami and awaiting trial for drug-trafficking.
Drug Plea-Bargaining May Build Case Against Aristide by Jack Dolan and Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, Former Haitian security officials are beginning to cut deals with prosecutors as a historic drug-smuggling trial nears. Five Aristide-appointed police chiefs and drug czars to go on trial
Haiti Sues to Collect a Phone Bill by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal, The reporter who pioneered the story in 2001 notes the latest additions found in the Haitian government's lawsuit. If verified, these additions trace a money trail that implicates top U.S. politicians of both parties and should trigger U.S. prosecution.
Need to Move from Fact-finding to Prosecution by Judge Claudy Gassant, former prosecutor of Jean Dominique murder case, ursuing Aristide's corruption with only an administrative inquiry, the interim regime appears to be sending up a trial balloon and depending on the American case rather than using all the prosecutorial tools at its disposal. Presented at below seminar.
Haiti's Missing Millions: A Seminar by Haiti Democracy Project, The project held a presentation by the Winston & Strawn partner who co-authored the landmark lawsuit against Aristide. November 10, 2 p.m., Brookings
U.S. Executive Fired for Questioning Kickback to Aristide Private Bank Account by William P. Perniciaro, attorney at law, Text of lawsuit reported by Mary O'Grady: Michael Jewett is fired for objecting to IDT transfer into Mount Salem, Aristide's private bank account in Turks and Caicos.
Lawsuit Filed Against Aristide by Associated Press, "Aristide and his accomplices stole tens of millions of dollars from the public treasury and transferred a portion of those funds to the United States." --