27128: Benodin: (Info) CALL FOR A GENERAL STRIKE (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

CALL FOR A GENERAL STRIKE

The Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH) must once again express its 
concern about the undeniable resurgence of banditry in the metropolitan area of 
Port-au-Prince and its surroundings over the course of the last few month and, 
in particular, during the last 30 days.  The organization is outraged by the 
crimes being committed with impunity by armed gangs openly claiming their 
allegiance to the ousted Lavalas participating in the electoral process.

The kidnappings number in the dozens each day, with victims being sequestered 
in lawless neighborhoods that are completely beyond the control of national 
authorities.  These barbarous crimes, without precedent, have affected all 
classes, but particularly the poorest-who are subject not only to the terrorism 
of the armed groups in their midst, but to the unfeeling passivity and 
complacence of MINUSTAH forces on the ground.

The Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also shocked by the unsettling 
silence of the government of the Republic which, to date has not even been able 
to supply the command and officers of the Haitian National Police with the 
equipment and materiel necessary to be able to live up to its responsibility to 
"protect and serve."

Today, it is obvious that this climate of insecurity, which could easily spread 
throughout the country; together with the existence of these "no-man's lands," 
where a significant number of voters reside; represent a real threat to the 
holding of free, fair and credible elections.  The electoral process, already 
fragile, is in clear and present danger.

One of the principal causes of the failure of this "transition"-which was 
supposed to bring security and serious elections to the country - is the 
absence of political will on the part of those in charge of the United Nations' 
presence here, who have consistently refused to take concrete steps to address 
the problems associated with the existence of armed criminal and terrorist 
groups in the country, particularly in Cité Soleil.

In addition, then, Haiti's private sector demands that MINUSTAH and, in 
particular, Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés, take courageous, intelligent and 
vigorous action to deal with these criminals and terrorists-using all necessary 
force, and commensurate with similar measures being taken by democratic 
governments throughout the hemisphere.

To demonstrate its disapproval of both the government's and MINUSTAH's handling 
of the insecurity, to honor the memories of all of the victims of this climate 
of terror, and to demand that proper elections be held in the country, the 
Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls upon the entire population of 
metropolitan Port-au-Prince to observe a general protest strike this Monday, 
January 9, 2006.

All of us are affected by this lawlessness.  We must stand together against it. 
Laborers, merchants, public functionaries, white-collar workers, 
industrialists, the unemployed, parents, school children, students and 
teachers-let us all participate in this day of protest to demand of Mr. Juan 
Gabriel Valdés:

1)       that he give clear and precise orders to the troops under his command 
that CITÉ SOLEIL, like BEL AIR, be liberated from these gangs who prey upon the 
population, so that its people-today living as hostages-may finally be able to 
return to their normal lives.  The people of CITÉ SOLEIL deserve to live in 
peace!
2)       that he order his troops to provide proper assistance to the Haitian 
National Police, and to collaborate closely with them in the investigation, 
arrest and bringing to justice of the "chimères," the kidnappers and other 
criminals who are terrorizing the metropolitan area. The Haitian people have 
suffered enough!
3)       that he take concrete and forceful  measures to bring security to the 
metropolitan area permanently-rather than the sporadic and fleeting relief 
currently being provided.  Our future as a nation depends upon it!

MINUSTAH's unambiguous mandate from the Security Council is to establish and 
maintain a stable and secure environment so that we can have credible elections 
and begin the economic, social and political reconstruction of our country.

Today, with this general strike, the people of Haiti insist that the United 
Nations and its representatives finally honor this commitment.