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Haiti: PBS Examines Haiti as a "Fragile State"
Teledjol.com - Monday January 11, 2010
Haiti deserves better. Haiti should not have to settle for a corrupt government in order to have foreign investment.
Haiti: PBS Examines Haiti as a "Fragile State" Stanley Lucas: www.solutionshaiti.blogspot.com Tonight PBS aired a 15 minute segment on Haiti under the "Fragile States" series click here: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/social_issues/... The segment focused on the increased international attention, mainly through former President Clinton's role as UN Special Envoy and the Hope legislation, as providing some real hope to Haiti. The report touched on the dire state of Haiti as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and the decades of political turmoil showing old and well worn footage of Papa Doc and Baby Doc that's dusted off for each of these types of stories on our country. The report quoted the US Ambassador saying that he feared this level of international attention was Haiti's last shot. They foreshadowed the upcoming February elections noting that already 15 political parties have been excluded. The implied that this time, during these elections, the Haitian people had to prove that they could be a stable country. So are we to conclude that Haitians should "put up or shut up" and deal with the elections no matter the outcome or circumstances? The saying goes: "all press is good press." But let's be clear -- this was not good press. It is critically important for Haiti to have stability in order to attract investment and see economic development. That is clear. But it is also clear that we must have a functioning government that is accountable and transparent. There was no mention of the current state of affairs with the Preval Administration. In fact, his Administration is glossed over and almost positioned as a stabilizing force in country. As I've explored in previous articles and in interviews, nothing could be further from the truth. Undeniably, the Hope legislation and President Clinton's attention are huge opportunities to be taken advantage of -- but is the current government doing this? Or are they more focused on selling off teleco for pennies on the dollar in order to enrich themselves? Haiti should not have to settle for a corrupt government in order to have foreign investment. We can "have it all" and we should.
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