Jean-Claude Duvalier
A recent report on a South Florida television station indicated, former Haitian President, Jean-Claude Duvalier, returned to Haiti from exile in France, to control earthquake aid money pouring into the island from the international community. The broadcast on NBC 6 in Miami stated, Duvalier seeks to take charge of the funds, as opposed to allowing former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, to manage the financial relief effort.
Other newspaper reports stated Duvalier also seeks to claim $7,100,000 in Swiss funds he stashed abroad that were later frozen by the government in Europe. A new Swiss law that goes into effect on February 1, 2011, will enable the government of Switzerland to return the money to Haiti on a humanitarian basis, which is the right thing to do, as the stolen funds belong to the people of Haiti, not Duvalier.
It is said Duvalier believed returning to Haiti before the law takes effect, would give him the opportunity to illustrate to Switzerland, his homeland saw no wrongdoing in his past brutal conduct and it is okay to unfreeze and turn over the funds to him.
However, the Haitian government promptly arrested Duvalier within 48 hours of landing in Haiti and have correctly charged him with crimes against humanity, corruption and theft of national funds.
As stated previously, Duvalier and his family cost the people of Haiti $500,000,000 in wealth that was stolen from the nation's coffers to bankroll a very lavish lifestyle and squandered on frivolities.
Yes, the Haitian people should forgive him, but Duvalier has shown through past conduct that he cannot be trusted with the nation's money. It is better to form a well-rounded, respected committee, consisting of financially astute members and outside auditors, to disburse the aid funds to the projects and areas most needed.
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