The Plantation called Haiti: Feudal Pillage Masking as Humanitarian Aid
Ezili Danto
So why bother against these dreams of the BlackBerry-smartphone contingent? Against the NGOs' useless waste of money ...For whose entertainment shall we sing our agony? In what hopes? That the destroyers, aspiring to extinguish us, will suffer conciliatory remorse at the sight of their own fantastic success?" -- Ezili Dantò on the UN Donor March 31st Conference
For a good example of what real humanitarian help looks like, examine the proposal outlined in the Statement of the Cuban Foreign Minister at the UN Donors Meeting on Haiti .
Below we post the Haiti-Cuba proposal for building health care in Haiti that considers the needs of the poorest of the poor, Haiti's realities and is without the unseemly large budget and consumerish waste of the cork-popping champaign fanfare of the UN/Papa-Mama Clinton March 31st media show and pledging session that just took place. It is worthy of all our support. If only this Haiti-Cuba health care proposal that's made with the cooperation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and other countries and humanitarian organizations, could be brought into applicationcould be brought into application without the US/Euro policymakers' interference and use of their egotistical NGOs and mercenary military contractors to block it. If only their inhumanity and vulgarity could be held in abeyance while heart sore human beings, living under water-logged tents, old cardboard and wet sheets, people with damaged and inflamed limbs, some also tear-gassed by the UN for protesting their conditions; if only their inhumanity and vulgarity could be held in abeyance as Haiti tries to recover from the ravages of the US/Euro neoliberalism and despotism that exacerbated a 7.0 earthquake so that it took the lives of over 300,000...
While the champaign bottles were popping at the UN for the pledging session's success - $5billion, 10 billion pledged for the future. Whose future? Haitians in Haiti need a hoe, a tractor, some lifting equipment, so they might not have to use their bare hands to dig out the corpses still under the rubble almost three months after the earthquake. Just a hoe, a tractor - we'll do the work. But no, the Internationals are going to give us $5 billion later, be happy. Wait for it as you die inside because your daughter, son, wife, mother, father, cousin and friends are still dead under the rubble and no one will help you lift up the cement blocks and steel cables so you might bury them. Yep, you have no food, no water, no medical treatment, no job to go to, no shelter today, but don't worry, "The international community pledged $5.3 billion Wednesday for earthquake-shattered Haiti over the next two years, launching an ambitious effort not just to rebuild the hemisphere's poorest nation but also to transform it into a modern state." ( $5.3 billion pledged over 2 years at U.N. conference for Haiti reconstruction.)
So right now, at Fort National Haiti, the people are just walking over corpses and digging on the spot they find them to bury them. Others are burning the remains they find so that the stench and airborne disease won't kill the living. But don't worry. Remember, papa and mama Clinton cares, the UN cares, Preval cares because at the UN Donor session the $5.3 billion amount "exceeded by more than $1 billion the goal set ahead of a conference co-sponsored by the United Nations and the U.S. government. In all, countries, development banks and nongovernmental groups pledged nearly $10 billion for Haiti in years to come." (http://bit.ly/97OTp6 .)
In years to come...
What is needed now is to finish extracting and burying the remaining dead, nurture the living, find a job to survive, get shelter from the elements and coming rains and hurricanes, medical treatment, food, water and get rid of the foreign experts who say their country is financing the Haitian government budget and therefore are the ones to represent the people of Haiti. Meanwhile Senator Dodd of Connecticut and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are not going to these rulers of Haiti for the failure of the so-called Haitian government but asking for more foreigners like them to take charge despite the Internationals' six-year dismal failures in Haiti.
Besides, what can the people under water-logged tarps and tents do with the abstract $5.3 billion pledged by these Internationals? A backhoe, tractor, some seeds to plant food and fruit trees, some electricity, in-Haiti production of all daily necessities, shelter, sanitation, a wheelchair, a prosthetic limb to replace the one cut off by the quake's ravages, a safe place to live, food, running water, antibiotics, some compassion and a living wage job to keep one from thinking about the lost of one's everything, would be helpful. Like now, per chance? Using, not foreign resources, but Haiti's gold, petrol, iridium, uranium, bauxite, limestone and the expertise of Haitians from the US, Canada, France, Latin America or the Caribbean who are willing to VOLUNTEER their time and transfer their skills to native Haitians for the nation's good - to build Haitian capacity not NGO capacity in Haiti.
But alas, the West dreams of riding the world economic recession and political dangers for themselves on the backs of Haiti's dead to the tune of the $5.3, $10 billion do-gooder image they've siphoned off for themselves. Officialdom's policymakers dream of doing more of what they've done in Haiti these last nightmarish six-years and of using the earthquake windfalls to build tourist enclaves and waterfront casinos in Site Soley, Fort National and throwing out the Black Haitian majority as was done in New Orleans.
So why bother against these dreams of the BlackBerry-smartphone contingent? Against the NGOs' useless waste of money, their setting up projects where no Haitians participate, justifying their jobs by holding meetings upon meetings with the people in the camps but with no follow-up except their trophy reports/press releases and conferences to show direct connection to justify their existence.
***************************************************Bellerive (Haiti's Prime Minister) and a consortium of well-known Haitian figures, such as Reginald Boulos, worked on a document concerning the economic future of Haiti. The text does not explore the amazing opportunities offered by the exploitation of Haiti's mining and oil resources, nor does it mentioned any of the serious studies done on the subject. Instead, it presents agriculture as the main alternative to resolve Haiti's problems. By ignoring the question of Haiti's natural resources, it is as if the message was: there will be looting, pillage. But we will give you a little piece of bread. Even more deceiving is that they managed to get the help of left wing Michel Chancy, to sanction this masquerade. The peasants may only receive a little of the leftovers from the NGOs but at least they will eat bread". One bag of rice against one bag of Gold"" (-- See, Shocking declarations made by Prime Minister Bellerive about the presence of gold, oil & iridium in Haiti / http://bit.ly/duqo6r | http://bit.ly/8XtZ5o (Video) | French- http://bit.ly/bg5gL9.)Haiti has oil, and in terms of its gold, $10 million dollars have been invested by CFI (the World Bank private sector) in relationship with the IMF for a project worth billions of dollars. Where is this information measured in these UN/US-sponsored reconstruction plans and UN Donor media shows?
Like always, we're mostly on our own. Just different Haitians are dying, in jail and being abused and tear-gassed by the UN. Oceans of our blood have poured and watered the soil upon which Haiti stands.
For whose entertainment shall we sing our agony? In what hopes? That the destroyers, aspiring to extinguish us, will suffer conciliatory remorse at the sight of their own fantastic success? The last imbecile to dream such dreams is dead, killed by the saviors of his dreams. (Ayi Kwei Armah, from the book Two Thousand Seasons.)
"And so it is an exercise in futility to go to the perpetrators and executioners of human rights crimes in Haiti in hopes of getting justice for our people. Those who ousted the constitutional government of Haiti the U.N., which acts as proxy to maintain this international crime, the Haitian lackeys and their State Department masters are dead inside and cannot hear the cries of the Haitian masses.It's not their mission or mandate. For they don't represent life, liberty, democracy, development and decency, but its opposite." -- Ezili Dantò, Another Haitian independence day under Occupation, Jan. 1, 2009
Who in Haiti and in the Diaspora is not soul-tired of the US/Euro resource war on Haiti masking as humanitarian aid? False charity, false benevolence, false "bringing security to Haiti" doesn't veil Officialdom's market share impositions and resource wars on independent Black Haiti. Not even barely. This Cuban proposal for health care ought to be brought into application. Really. And if Haiti's majority had any say, if Haiti had any sovereignty, if the law, the good, the decent and moral had any teeth in these trying of times, there's no doubt, it would be. But the foreigners and their Haitian Blan peyi making more than $500 a day in Haiti from donation funds pilfered from the pain they've caused, exacerbated and made worst through their rule in Haiti are not embarrassed at all. They make more than $500-a day in Haiti happily proclaiming it's kosher for Haitians to make .38cents an hour. And through their self-serving defamation and denigration of Haiti's Black people and always "evil government" or officials, these modern day slave-making Gran Blan, of all the classes and races, make Haiti's suffering so ordinary, so natural, so-explainable, even they don't see their own vulgarity. The day these vampires in Haiti accept to level the social and economic hierarchies they've imposed on Black Haiti, especially on Black Haitian women, and accept to come to "help" for the same .38 cents per hour salary their policymakers deem good enough for Haitians, is the day the majority in Haiti shall take any of them seriously. Until then, the Haitian Revolution shall continue. Liberty or Death. The souls gone shall add to our strength to continue until we've stopped or tied-up the Bafyòti (black collaborator), Mundele (white colonist/imperialist) and all their Ndoki evil forces. E, e, Mbomba, e, e! Kanga Bafyòti. Kanga Mundele. Kanga Ndòki. (The Bwa Kayiman exhortation that began the Haitian Revolution.)
In the last six-years since Bush's bi-centennial regime change and since the tyrannical NGO industry and US/Euro market privateers took over Haiti, what has worked to assuage the vivid ills inflicted on the poor is the direct help Haitians have provided to each other and the Diaspora remittances. Other than that, with some small exceptions from a few small human rights organizations, Haitians may count on the Cuban doctors whose services do not strip them of their sovereignty, equality, humanity and dignity.
Ezili Dantò
Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
(See also: Ezili Dantò's Re-memberment for the quake victims and HLLN
Delegation mobilizing Haiti-led Relief/Rebuilding and Haiti Women Noticeably absent at UN Donor Conference.)
************************************************************
Background Information:
*
Statement of Cuban Foreign Minister at UN Donors Meeting on Haiti
Statement of Cuban Foreign Minister at UN Donors Meeting on Haiti
Statement of H.E. Bruno Rodríguez Parilla,
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Cuba
at the Haiti Donors Meeting
United Nations Headquarters
New York, 31 March, 2010
Mr. President,
The international community has a tremendous debt with Haiti where, after three centuries of colonialism, the first social revolution on the American continent took place, an act of boldness that the colonial powers punished with close to 200 years of military dictatorships and plunder. Its noble and hardworking people are now the poorest in the Western hemisphere.
We all have the moral obligation to contribute additional financial resources and greater cooperation to Haiti, not only for its reconstruction but, in particular, for its development.
In order to have an idea of the magnitude of the human tragedy in Haiti, suffice it to note that the death of 230,000 people in its small and high-density population, is equivalent to the death of more than 30 million people in a country such as China, whose population reaches a total of 1.3 billion inhabitants; an unimaginable tragedy.
In the wake of this devastating earthquake that shook the conscience of humanity, we trust that the numerous promises heard will be converted into action, that Haiti's independence and sovereignty will be respected and ennobled, that the government of President René Préval and Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive will be facilitated to exercise all its faculties, and that it will be able to benefit, not the whites and foreign companies, but the Haitian people, especially the poorest.
Generosity and political will is needed. Also needed is the unity of that country instead of its division into market plots and dubious charitable projects.
The program for the reconstruction and strengthening of the Haitian national healthcare system, drawn up by the Haitian government and Cuban governments, with the cooperation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and other countries and humanitarian organizations, will guarantee wide health coverage for the population, in particular the low-income sector.
That program is based on 101 primary healthcare centers which are being created, at which an estimated 2.8 million patients will be treated, 1.3 million emergency operations performed, 168,000 babies delivered, and 3 million vaccinations administered every year.
These health centers will be supported by the services of 30 community reference hospitals distributed throughout the country and equipped with cutting-edge technology for secondary attention, which can treat 2.154 million people per year, perform 54,000 operations 1 million of these emergency surgery , 276,000 electro-cardiograms, 144,000 diagnostic ultrasounds, 43,000 endoscopies, 181,000 X-Rays, 107,000 dental examinations, and 487,000 laboratory tests.
Given the extraordinary number of poly-traumatized patients, 30 rehabilitation rooms are likewise being equipped which, within 12 months, will provide services for 520,000 patients and 2.4 million therapeutic treatments.
There will also be three electromedicine centers, a prosthesis laboratory and an integral hygiene and epidemiology program.
Also planned is a Haitian National Specialties Hospital at tertiary level, involving cooperation from other countries, directed by 80 high-level Cuban specialists responsible for services and clinical departments, research and teaching, and Haitian professionals who will be trained at the institution and progressively replace the Cuban medical professors.
The cost of the already mentioned services will amount to $690.5 million over 10 years, a total that includes the medical services provided, calculated at 50% of international prices; the sustainability of these services and the personnel providing them; and the training of a further 312 Haitian doctors in Cuba.
As can be deduced, the approximate cost is $170 million per year for a country of approximately 9.33 million inhabitants.
It is possible to do this. Our practical experience confirms it. In fact, this program is already underway and, post-quake, 23 of these primary care health centers, 15 community reference hospitals and 21 rehabilitation rooms are up and running.
From almost immediately after the earthquake, Cuban specialists have been dedicating their attention to the population affected. To date they have seen 260,000 patients, performed more than 7,000 operations, delivered close to 1,400 babies, and administered close to 100,000 vaccinations. More than 50,000 patients have undergone rehabilitation therapy and more than 75,000 children have received psychosocial therapy, in the presence of some of Cuba's most eminent professionals.
A total of 783 Cuban and 481 Haitian doctors, plus 278 health professionals from 28 countries all of them graduated in Cuba are working on this program.
Last Saturday [March 27], as part of the program outlined, a memorandum of understanding for the strengthening of the healthcare and public services system and epidemiological prevention was signed in Port-au-Prince, thanks to the will of the Haitian government and a significant contribution from President Lula and Brazil, which will be decisive for the planned healthcare program.
During the 11 years of work prior to the earthquake, the Cuban medical brigade, which has a presence in 127 of the 137 Haitian communes, saved 223,442 lives, treated 14 million people, performed 225,000 operations and delivered 109,000 babies. Via the Operation Miracle program, 46,000 Haitians have had their sight restored or improved. During the same period, 165,000 Haitians have become literate in Creole.
If we evaluate the medical services provided in these 11 years and the training of medical personnel in Cuba, it would represent $400 million throughout the period.
The medical program that we are proposing, in its entirety, will benefit 75% of the poorest population of the country at a minimum expense.
We invite all governments, without exception, to contribute to this noble effort. For that reason, we attribute particular importance to this conference, and aspire to its success.
Thank you very much.
Translated by Granma International
Posted by Overseas Review at 1:29 AM
*******************************************************
Forwarded by Ezili's Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
*******************************************************
More Background Info:
English: Shocking declarations made by Prime Minister Bellerive about the presence of gold, oil & iridium in Haiti - http://bit.ly/duqo6rVideo - http://bit.ly/8XtZ5o
Published March 6th 2010
This week, specifically March 4th and March 5th, a conference was held at "L'École Polytechnique de Montréal".
The subject of this conference, organized by GRANH ( Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour une Haiti nouvelle), was the reconstruction of Haiti. Daphney Laraque, one of the participant (MRDH Mouvement pour le respect des droits humains), asked Haitian Prime Minister Bellerive the following questions: Does Haiti have a plan for the exploitation of its natural resources, specifically Gold, Oil and Iridium? Did anyone sign off the rights to exploit these resources to foreign interests? Are there contracts underway, if yes, what is the nature of these contracts?
Jean-Max Bellerive, the same who said at "La Perle Retrouvée": 10% of 1,000$ is better then 100% of 0, could not avoid the question. Remember that at the conference held at "La Perle Retrouvée" last month, Ricardo Lamour (Pétition Villanueva) asked a similar question, but received no answer. This time, the recently appointed prime minister could not escape the subject.
He even made the following revealing statements:
1 There is oil in Haiti.
2 Contracts regarding the exploitation of oil in Haiti and oil refineries are currently underway.
3 Bellerive declared he had knowledge of documentation about the presence of Iridium in Haiti.
4 Contracts have already been signed and work is in progress for the exploitation of Gold in Haiti. 10 millions dollars have been invested by CFI (the World Bank private sector) in relationship with the IMF for a project worth billions of dollars.
All of which is going on while Haiti is struggling to recover from the earthquake.
The Prime Minister did not specify what was the nature of these contracts, which companies or governments are the beneficiaries, and which part, (if any), will profit Haiti. It seems though, that for the beneficiaries of these contracts, nature does it best!
Bellerive and a consortium of well-known Haitian figures, such as Reginald Boulos, worked on a document concerning the economic future of Haiti. The text does not explore the amazing opportunities offered by the exploitation of Haiti's mining and oil resources, nor does it mentioned any of the serious studies done on the subject. Instead it presents agriculture as the main alternative to resolve Haiti's problems. By ignoring the question of Haiti's natural resources, it is as if the message was: there will be looting, pillage. But we will give you a little piece of bread. Even more deceiving is that they managed to get the help of left wing Michel Chancy, to caution this masquerade. The peasants may only receive a little of the leftovers from the NGOs but at least they will eat bread". One bag of rice against one bag of Gold"
Question: What is Bellerive aiming at by his multiple trips abroad? The solicitation of Haiti's Diapora's resources? Not really. He even warns us: " Do not bear the arrogance of telling us what to do, please remain humble". But he does not forget to flatter the Diaspora by telling them that they are essential to the reconstruction of Haiti.
In fact, Bellerive an ex-diaspora himself, hero of the private sector, is more in line with the views inspired by neo-imperialists such as Denis Coderre, Pierre Pettigrew and Lawrence Cannon. Their discourse seems to say: Diaspora we love and respect you, please validate us as people representing your interest abroad. Do not worry, abusive exploitation contracts will be sign under your name.
But do not take my word for it, Bellerive isn't that obvious. He is an intelligent man. A clever politician, and he will lose you around the corner. He follows itineraries such as those of Gerard Latortue. By praising foreigners he imposes his presence inside Haiti, and his visits abroad seem more and more like an electoral campaign..
Where we need to thank him, is that his revelations force us to question the validity of imposed Haitian governments since 2005 with Latortue by the friends of Haiti and the legality of signed contracts since then.
Well Mr. Bellerive, the 10% of these billions that you previously referred to, where are they in Haiti's reconstructions plan? Who are they going to? Apparently, not to people! Well in this case let's take 100% of 0$ if you know what I mean.
And for the diaspora, why not give money and help directly to the brothers and sisters in Haiti, instead of believing in the so-called generosity of leaders.
Written by Zulu Didier Berry
*****************************************
Author's Bio: Human Rights Lawyer, Ezili Danto/Marguerite Laurent is dedicated to correcting the media lies and colonial narratives about Haiti. A writer, performance poet and lawyer, Ezili Danto is founder of the Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network, runs the Ezili Danto website, listserve, eyewitness project, FreeHaitiMovement and the on-line journal, Haitian Perspectives.
April 6, 2010
www.opednews.com/articles/The-Plantation-called-Hait-by-Ezili-Danto-100406-214.html