28438: Craig (news) Promising move in Haitian politics (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Dan Craig


Promising move in Haitian politics
Jun. 9, 2006. 01:00 AM

Haitian President René Préval's new cabinet is a heartening sign of a break 
with the winner-take-all tradition of Haitian politics. In one of his first 
significant moves, he has named members of five opposition parties to work with 
him. That's a positive effort to unify a nation splintered by warring political 
factions for far too long. The multi-party cabinet and Préval's 25-year 
development plan provide a measure of hope for a nation that has been on the 
brink of anarchy. But the true test will come as they set about the task of 
governing.

That's particularly the case for five former ministers brought back into office 
by Préval, including Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, and opposition 
cabinet members. Their job is to look out for the greater good, not just for a 
political party or other narrow interests. Now is their chance to show that 
Haiti can be set on the road to an independent, prosperous, well-functioning 
and inclusive democracy.

The new government needs to focus on improving Haiti's security, economy and 
governance. Those are tough challenges best conquered with co-operation among 
all players in Haitian society. Such inclusive government has been virtually 
absent in Haiti's history. The rule of dictatorships gave way to democratically 
elected governments in 1990. Yet even then, political payback and violence led 
to increasing misery.

Préval's government would be wise to try to heal social rifts created by 
decades of class warfare. Upper- and middle-class people who may not have voted 
for Préval still have a stake in improving Haiti's future. The government 
should engage the business community and groups representing the poor in the 
hard work of rebuilding.

One way to signal a fresh start is for the Préval government to address the 
issue of thousands of prisoners who have not been convicted of crimes. Among 
them is former prime minister Yvon Neptune, widely considered a political 
prisoner because of his ties to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Panels 
of Haitian and international jurists could be convened to review each case.

In this way, Préval can demonstrate the importance of judicial fairness and an 
impartial rule of law — regardless of the politics involved in any given case. 
It will also be an antidote to corrupt judicial practices.

Préval has the opportunity to set the tone for a new Haitian way, one of 
inclusiveness, political debate and compromise and respect for divergent views. 
Not only would such an approach encourage international support and foreign 
investment, but it would also lay a foundation for a stable democracy.
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/This is an edited version of an editorial in yesterday's /Miami Herald/.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1149803409885&call_pageid=968256290204
/