Still following Haiti
And it still sounds like Iraq.
Quote of note:
"The most important thing is that this is a regime that came into power through a coup, led by a well-known criminal element. The prime minister had the audacity to describe this criminal element as freedom fighters.
Black Caucus Meets Haitian Prime Minister; Critics Bristle
Date: Thursday, May 06, 2004
By: CHRISTINA ROYSTER-HEMBY, BlackAmericaWeb.com
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus held a morning meeting with interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue Wednesday. Afterward they met with Secretary of State Colin Powell to discuss rebuilding Haiti, the crisis in Iraq and upcoming G-8 and NATO summits.
CBC Chairman Elijah Cummings told Powell that caucus members "are concerned about the humanitarian problems and efforts currently ongoing in Haiti," Paul Brathwaite, CBC executive director told BlackAmericaWeb.com.
"Sixty percent of the people in Haiti do not have more than one meal a day," said Brathwaite. "Mr. Cummings believes that we have to address that issue immediately. And the prime minister shared with members of the caucus that if they don’t get money in 30 to 60 days, Haiti will be on the brink of catastrophe.
…also asked Latortue to work on re-establishing a constructive working relationship with Haiti's CARICOM neighbors, and stressed the importance of ensuring fair and free elections in Haiti next year.
Bill Fletcher Jr., president of TransAfrica Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on the economic, political and moral ramifications of the United States as it affects Africa and the Caribbean, said that the caucus should not have recognized Latortue.
Chalabi's Latortue's administration is "an illegal puppet regime,” said Fletcher. “It has no international credibility. It’s completely illegitimate. According to the Haitian constitution, you have to have been living Haiti to have an office of that level.
"I don’t believe that the prime minister has lived in Haiti in years."
