 | Advisory
group releases report on how Florida can aid Haiti
Gov.
Bush lauds recommendations on helping Caribbean nation By
Alva James-Johnson and
Doreen Hemlock, Sun-Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted
April 12 2005
MIAMI --
Gov. Jeb Bush and Interim Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue sat side-by-side
Monday as the governor's Haiti Advisory Group released recommendations on how
Florida can help the struggling Caribbean nation.
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The advisory group unveiled
the 243-page report at a luncheon kicking off the Haitian-American Chamber of
Commerce of Florida, which drew more than 300 people to a downtown hotel.
Bush set up the task force in July after his first trip to Haiti. Made up
mainly of prominent Haitian-Americans living in Florida, the group made 25 recommendations
on security, economic development and disaster preparedness.
The group
calls for Florida to begin Florida-Haiti professional and student exchange programs;
mobilize Haitian hometown associations; provide law enforcement and public safety
training in Haiti, and host political reconciliation talks for the island nation
of 8 million people.
Florida has the largest Haitian-American population
overseas, estimated by the task force to be almost 500,000. Other estimates say
half of that population lives in South Florida. Worldwide, at least $1 billion
is sent back yearly by Haitians to help sustain Haiti's economy. Bush saw opportunities
for the Diaspora to do even more, working with Florida's new programs.
"Imagine if we organize ourselves and ask every member of the Diaspora to buy
a Haitian product, help a small business or travel to Haiti," Bush told the luncheon
crowd.
The governor described the recommendations as "first-class" and
"doable ... short- and long-term goals that can be immediately worked on."
Using Latortue as an example, he called Haiti's Diaspora its greatest resource.
He thanked the prime minister for leaving retirement in comfortable Boca Raton
to return to his impoverished and troubled homeland.
"You're a hero in
my eyes, Mr. Prime Minister," Bush said. "We welcome you back to Florida."
But
while the governor and other attendees praised the solidarity between Florida
and Haiti, more than 50 protesters outside called for Latortue's ouster and the
return from exile of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. They charged the
Bush administration with kidnapping Aristide, a claim that U.S. State Department
officials deny.
"[President] Bush ... sent someone to take my
president out," said Lamerci Frenel, a Miami shopkeeper born in Haiti 60 years
ago. She carried a sign saying, "Coup d'etat and kidnapping are terrorist acts.
Fight terrorism in Haiti too."
When questioned by the Haitian news media
after lunch, Latortue dismissed calls for his resignation, saying his team that
took office in 2004 should be allowed to organize elections this fall and hand
over power to a new government next February. He said none of his Cabinet would
seek elected office.
Latortue said he has been laying the foundation
to rebuild Haiti's economy by getting its financial house in order.
When
he came to office last year, Haiti had a fiscal deficit of roughly $60 million.
It now has a surplus, with the Central Bank holding "the largest reserves in Haiti's
history," Latortue said.
To stem the flow of red ink, the government
cracked down on tax evasion and slashed unnecessary spending, including outlays
on foreign lobbyists. It also closed dozens of checking accounts at government
offices that had been used to funnel cash into private accounts for politicians
and their friends. Plus it tightened up management at money-losing state companies,
the prime minister said, especially the electricity and phone companies known
for waste and corruption.
Latortue said the fiscal discipline has paid
off, with Haiti's currency now stabilized at about 38 gourdes per U.S. dollar,
compared to 45 or more last year. Furthermore, the World Bank, International Monetary
Fund and InterAmerican Development Bank are starting to disburse tens of millions
of dollars to Haiti -- in some cases for the first time in nearly a decade. The
international community has pledged $1.4 billion to help Haiti rebuild, he said.
"The conditions are set now for Haiti to go forward," Latortue said. "And
we count on you, the Diaspora."
Alva James-Johnson can be reached
at ajjohnson@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4523. Key
recommendations from Haiti Advisory Group Key recommendations
from Haiti Advisory Group
After months of work, the group produced a
243-page report with 25 main recommendations in several major areas: security,
economic development and disaster preparedness.
Following are some highlights:
- Designate an office
or organization to keep a Florida-Haiti initiative ongoing.
- Establish
a Florida-Haiti student exchange, including scholarships.
- Set
up a Florida-Haiti professional services and training exchange.
- Promote
Haitian Hometown Associations and sister cities programs with Haiti.
- Help with police
and law enforcement training...
full report
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