Marketing Haiti
International Viewpoint #267 June 1995
THE GOVERNMENT, international donors and the private sector were in the headlines in mid-May. President JeanBertrand Aristide hosted two conferences setting Haiti on the rails of neo-liberal, export-led "economic growth." After five days of meetings, the government had promised to reduce taxes, reaffirmed its determination to sell public enterprises and pledged to raise electricity fees. It embraced the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as "partners," their "Structural population on crucial issues. The government promised that the state will not intervene in the private sector and will "play by the rules of the game". Minister of Finance Marie Michele Rey reaffirmed her faith in "free enterprise," the "liberalization of the economy" and competition, and stressed again the need to "attract capital to promote production." The conference ended with the announcement of several big contracts for business people who supported the coup d'etat, reinforcing even more the economic domination and privileges they sought to protect with the coup, and built up over the last three years of their de facto rule. *
• Teachers win 120% pay rise after student riots Adjustment Policy" as its guideline, and the private sector as its salvation. The first meeting was a convening of the "Consultative Group" — the multilateral and bilateral "donors" who met with the government-in-exile in August, 1994, and again in January, 1995. This group, heavily dominated by US officials and USdominated institutions like the IMF and WB, designed and now oversees the implementation of the "Paris Plan." At meetings on May 11 and 12, the govemment gave an update to its tutors on measures carried out so far: the price of fuel now varies with the value of the gourde (Haitian currency) and the price of oil. Customs fees have been cut 50% and privatization is moving forward. Ms. Nancy Birdsall of the Inter-American Development Bank applauded "the govemment's firm and difficult commitment to sustained growth that is private-sector driven." Others praised the president's steady endorsement of "reconciliation" and the decision to sell state enterprises "in order to improve sorely needed services." The only discordant note came when Prime Minister Smack Michel hinted he would like to see "aid" paid out more quickly (only about US$ 300 million of the promised US$ 1.2 billion has been
After weeks of activities which ended with two days of mobilization of public school students in the capital during which 20 people were injured, public school teachers will get a 120% salary increase. The promise came after a month-long struggle for just wages and better conditions which included a nation-wide strike, rallies and marches, one attended by thousands of teachers, students and supporters. Although the raise represents less than half of what they demanded (300%), and does not make up for inflation and devaluation over the last three years, the two major trade unions decided to accept the offer, announced by President JeanBertrand Aristide in a television broadcast on May 9. Aristide bypassed Minister of Education Emmanuel Buteau, who had earlier announced that the state had only enough resources for a 30% increase. By intervening personally when the population's demands are not being met:, the president gains political mileage and further propagates the myth that unpopular policies are not his responsibility, but that of those around him.
On May 8 and 9, public students took to the streets of the capital. On several occasions, when they asked private schools to close in solidarity, rock fights broke out. UN soldiers sprayed crowds with tear gas and shot in the air. On May 8 students responded by chanting "If you spray us with tear gas, we'll throw rocks," and "Down with the occupation!" The following day, similar confrontations occurred. Students at Metropolitain private school, kidnapped and beat two public school students. Others threw rocks at cars. However, many observers reported seeing armed, unidentifiable adults in the crowds, leading to speculation about provocation. At a press conference on May 10, the teaching unions Union Nationale des Normaliens d'Haiti (UNNOH) and Corps National des Evaluateurs Haitiens (CONEH) called for teachers to "remain mobilized" and negotiate for benefits, better conditions and continuing education. The unions have been criticized by other teachers' groups and others in the democratic movement for their willingness to forego a broad, well-organized mobilization for negotiations. *
• Flag day? Under occupation ? dispersed - mainly to cover the interest on the country's massive debt, and to pay govemment salaries. The second conference was organized by President Aristide. He restated his determination to make Haiti self-sufficient in food: a laudable goal but completely at odds with the neo-liberal guidelines his government has adopted, which will drive peasants from the land and convert farms into agro-industries producing export crops. One more example of Aristide's willingness to confuse and mystify the
Information on this page is reprinted from Haiti Info, 20 May 1995, Vol. 3, #16
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President Jean-Bertrand Aristide used Flag Day/University Day (May 18) to hand out tee shirts, lay the corner-stone of the long promised university campus, and promise jobs in the Arcahaie region (where the national flag was first sewed in 1803). He also invited citizens to display the country's flag at least until the Organisation of American States (OAS) meets in Port-auPrince later this month. Peasant and student groups said the day should not be celebrated at all. "Can we celebrate Flag Day when there is another flag flying above it?" asked a press release of the national peasant group Tet Kole Ti Peyizan Ayisyen. "Can we say we are independent? Can we talk about national sovereignty?"
Four student groups organized a "politicalcultural" day at the university's Science Faculty. Under the banner of anti-imperialist and anti-occupation struggle and opposition to the government's neoliberal policies, some 70 participated. Speakers stressed the urgent need for mobilization to make the university autonomous and democratic and to reform the curriculum. The low turn-out was partly the result of 'competition' with other opposition and official events. But it also testifies to the government-encouraged confusion - on the occupation, and concerning the real nature of the government and on its objectives — which keeps people waiting and demobilized. *
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