Haiti Democracy Project

www.haitipolicy.org

Evans Paul Responds

Evans Paul, one of the Convergence leaders, says the Convergence is ready to meet with Aristide anywhere except at the National Palace or Tabarre. He explains that Aristide does not really want to negotiate to get the country out of the political, social, and economic deadlock that it is experiencing now.

"We say that we are ready to participate in any meetings held on a neutral field. I already said that we do not invite people to the Convergence premises in Pont Morin, and we would never invite people to discuss solutions at the residence of president Gerard Gourgue. Similarly, we cannot be asked to come to any appointment or to participate in any meeting that takes place either in Tabarre or at the National Palace. They know the answer in advance. We are not beating around the bush. Since they want to hold meetings in those places, it is certain that they are not looking for solutions. If you want people to attend your funeral, you must attend other people's funerals. Aristide always tries to look important and never shows up when they invite him. Now he has decided to invite everybody. I do not think that it is a meeting aimed at looking for solutions. It is a meeting that is being held in order to have people waste time, a meeting used for delaying tactics, (?in spite of) the Haitian people's poverty. I believe that everybody should clearly see that Lavalas, particularly Aristide, does not want a solution."