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[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Thu, Jun. 08, 2006



President Préval's chance to govern
OUR OPINION: NEW CABINET A PROMISING SIGN OF CHANGED POLITICS



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 Mr. 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.

For the greater good

That's particularly the case for five former ministers brought back into office 
by Mr. Préval, including Prime Minister JacquesEdouard Alexis, and opposition 
cabinet members. Their job is to look out for the greater good, not just for a 
political party or other narrow interest. 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 cooperation 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.

Mr. Préval's government would be wise to try to heal social rifts created by 
decades of class warfare. Up per- and middle-class people who may not have 
voted for Mr. 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 -- both at home and to the international 
community -- 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 and determine its 
merits.

Support and investment

In this way, Mr. 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.

President 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.