Haiti Democracy Project

www.haitipolicy.org

Haiti's Flag Day: President Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Appeals to the Opposition For Unity and Peace Citing the Deepening Suffering of the Haitian People

The government and the opposition should unite every time it is necessary. Right now it is more than necessary.

After months of well-documented efforts by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resolve Haiti's crisis through negotiations, President Aristide used Haiti's Flag Day on May 18 to call upon one of Haiti's opposition groups to look beyond their differences and immediately unite for the sake of the nation. Through a televised speech from the birthplace of Haiti's flag President Aristide said, "Under the flag of our father Dessalines, the opposition and the government must unite themselves every time the nation's interests are endangered. Under the flag of our father Dessalines, the government and the opposition should unite every time it is necessary. Right now it is more than necessary."

President Aristide articulated the urgency for an end to this crisis when he spoke on his citizens' behalf stating that, "Too much suffering. Too much delay. Too much aid is blocked because of a crisis that is already done. Too many innocent people are infected by the crisis. Under the same flag of our father Dessalines, the government and the opposition cannot be enemies. Opposing, yes. Adverse, maybe. Enemies, no."

Appealing to the opposition to respect democratic principles and constitutional mandates, President Aristide said, "To my fellow compatriots in the opposition, I address to you my wishes for peace in pointing out to you that the land of Haiti can tolerate but one democratic sun, under which we all can shed rays of peace. Do not be afraid! Let us not be afraid! Do not be afraid of universal suffrage! Democracy is a prerequisite for stability and peace. It is from this font of democracy that economic stability will flow. Peace is a prerequisite to investment With a nascent democracy and such a fragile economy, we cannot be indifferent to the phenomenon of a geo-economy. Insecurity is contradictory to peace. Peace is the source of unity."

Referring to the proud history of Haiti and its forefathers, President Aristide said, "Even despite the contradictions and vicissitudes of their time, Dessalines and Petion found a way to transcend their racial differences, command the geopolitical landscape and unite to protect our self-respect. If for the flag, for the nation, to die is beautiful, let us walk together so Haiti can live."
To the Haitian people's detriment, the international community has continued to withhold monies originally committed to Haiti since 1997. Despite their commitment to release those funds once free and fair elections were held, funds are still being held back because of a controversy over the method used to calculate the vote on a handful of Senate seats. President Aristide obtained the consent of those senators in question to step down in the interest of the nation and schedule new parliamentary elections. One opposition group has stonewalled all of President Aristide's efforts for a resolution to the crisis.

This past week the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Fanmi Lavalas
spokesperson, the President of the Senate, the senators who have agreed to step down and popular organization leaders have all reiterated their commitment to the negotiations and to new parliamentary elections. President Aristide remains steadfast in his commitment to dialogue with the opposition. President Aristide has invited this opposition group to meet on several occasions to no avail. Still committed to finding a peaceful solution and looking for common ground to move Haiti forward on its democratic journey, President Aristide said, "We can transcend our political divergences through a convergence of patriotism."