Aristide Returns To Haiti

Former Haitian President, Jean Bertrand Aristide, made an emotional return to his homeland of Haiti last week, after years in exile. He was greeted by his supporters in the streets and at his home on the island.

Aristide was President of Haiti in the 1990s, before being unceremoniously and illegally removed by the U.S. government, then deposited into Africa. Former Jamaican Prime Minister, PJ Patterson, allowed Aristide to stay in Jamaica for a time, for a break from the distress and to visit relatives.

The Judiciary Report is not in favor of outside governments removing foreign heads of state. It is a matter for the people of each nation to decide, regarding their own world leaders. It is completely out of order, unseemly and unacceptable, for any government to invade a foreign nation and kick out their leader, duly elected or not.

Promises Made To Haiti Not Being Fulfilled

Haiti

A number of promises have been made to earthquake ravaged Haiti, but many of them have not been fulfilled. The Judiciary Report implores nations and world leaders to expedite assistance to Haiti, as a humanitarian emergency, to ease the plight of 1,000,000 homeless and suffering Haitians.

Jean-Claude Duvalier Returned To Haiti For The Money

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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Jean-Claude Duvalier Apologizes To Haiti

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Jean-Claude Duvalier Apologizes To Haiti

Jean-Claude Duvalier

Former President of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, apologized to the people of his homeland today, for years of oppressive and bloody rule, which left 60,000 dead. $500,000,000 was stolen from the Haitian Treasury as well, damaging the island's financial structure.

After years of exile, living in France, Duvalier arrived in Haiti this week and was promptly arrested for crimes against humanity, corruption and theft. Duvalier states he intends to clear his name. However, it should be noted, lawyers retained by the government of Haiti on the island and in South Florida, have volumes of evidence indicating criminal wrongdoing.

Jean-Claude Duvalier and wife Michele Bennett in the 1980s

The Judiciary Report has wondered for some time, why Duvalier's ex-wife, Michele Bennett, who actively participated in criminal misconduct along side her husband, has not been arrested and all her ill-gotten assets seized. The millions Bennett spent on homes, cars, jewels and clothes, in addition to the massive sum still in her possession from the divorce, came straight from Haiti's treasury.

This is not her money and she is sitting on criminally acquired assets that belong to the people of Haiti. Bennett should have been prosecuted. After all, it was said she would famously take part in cabinet meetings and chastise government ministers. Irrespective of that, she was paid money in a divorce settlement that was not her husband's to give.

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Haiti Arrested Former President Jean-Claude Duvalier

The Duvaliers Cost The People Of Haiti $500 Million

Duvalier Cost The People Of Haiti $500 Million

Jean-Claude Duvalier was arrested in Haiti this week for human rights abuses and corruption

Former Haitian President, Jean-Claude Duvalier and his family, cost the people of Haiti, an estimated $500,000,000 in stolen and misappropriated funds. The pillaging took place during his father François' tenure and his own. Had this money been properly invested, it would have reaped many millions more for Haiti's poor.

Duvalier and his family hid money abroad, purchased expensive sports cars, designer clothes, Louis Vuitton luggage, a chateau in France and an apartment in Paris. These unjustifiable expenditures infuriated Haitians at home and abroad, as they witnessed as their loved ones went without.

During a time of national financial struggle, Duvalier's wedding to Michele Bennet cost Haiti's taxpayers $3,000,000. A multi-million dollar home in Haiti was also given to Bennet's family to live in luxury as well (it was later seized by a new government and turned into an orphanage).

Currently, Haiti is considered the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere and it is not the Haitian people's fault. The earthquake is not the main reason either. Haiti, a nation of 10,000,000 people, should not be in this financial predicament and it is squarely due to the Duvalier years in office.

Haitian people worked hard, paid their taxes and it was squandered by the Duvaliers. Money that was needed to create jobs, expand infrastructure and build on social programs, went to bankrolling one family's lifestyle that almost rivaled Marie Antoinette and Saddam Hussein in extravagance.

None of the Haitians I know in Miami have ever spoken well of the Duvalier family. The mere mention of the Duvalier name brings back painful memories of tumultuous times in their beloved nation's history.

However, Haiti is at a crossroads. Like many nations, it has experienced a terrible natural disaster. It is time to rebuild on a new foundation and forgive old grievances, to help national emotional wounds heal. If Duvalier wants to help Haiti, as he has stated, he should give the nation his financial support and leave the governance to the next elected President.

Haiti Arrests Former President Jean-Claude Duvalier

A visibly ailing, Jean-Claude Duvalier, made his way from France back to his homeland of Haiti, only to be arrested hours after he touched down, for human rights abuses committed when he was President of the island nation.

At the age of 19, Jean-Claude succeeded his father, Francois Duvalier, as President of Haiti. He was unprepared for the role his father appointed him to, as he was not duly elected by the people and knew very little about successfully running a nation.

Jean-Claude Duvalier was ensconced in office from 1971-1986. During his bloody reign, over 60,000 Haitians were tortured and killed for opposing his rule. Duvalier and his money loving wife, Michele Bennett, looted Haiti's coffers to fund their very extravagant lifestyles.

The couple frequently took shopping trips, spending $100,000 on each outing. While they lived the high life, a segment of Haiti's population suffered in poverty and infirmity in City Soleil, which was originally named after his mother Simone Duvalier (Cite Simone).

Jean-Claude Duvalier in Haiti this week

Duvalier is being made to face the music this week and is a shell of his former self. He has the appearance of someone struggling with Parkinsons disease or Alzheimer's. It is a stark contrast to the Duvalier of 1986.

When he and his family fled Haiti for France, after a national uprising, Louis Vuitton bags lined the runway adjacent to their plane. They had pilfered millions of dollars from Haiti's treasury, only for it to be seized by world governments.

Duvalier, a former head of state, was humbled, forced to find work as a janitor in France to support himself. It was just and poetic, for all he and his family had stolen from the people of Haiti.

By this time, his wife had fled, stating she married the President of Haiti and not a pauper. During times of adversity, one learns who one's true friends are. His mother died embittered, after years of being pushed aside in favor of his wife's presence in his government, then losing their stolen possessions.

Clearing Haiti's Debris

Published reports this week indicate, one year after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, only 5% of the debris has been cleared. This is a massive obstacle in rebuilding and prolonging Haitians stay in a makeshift tent city of 1,000,000 people.

An organizational plan needs to be put in place with one or more designated dump sites, where the debris can be stacked like a mountain, then later removed. Nations such as China and Japan, due to the size of their workforces and the fact they deal in waste management for other countries, could lend a hand in removing some of the debris as well.

Some of the relief money is said to be tied up in the U.S. Congress, which is delaying the effort. Congress needs to speed up the process, on a humanitarian basis, as people are still suffering.

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Relocating Haiti's Displaced

Relocating Haiti's Displaced (Earthquake Survivors)

Today marks the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti that claimed 316,000 lives and left 1,000,000 people homeless. Recovery has been a difficult, arduous task for the island, but some progress has been made.

For the 1,000,000 Haitians currently living in a tent city, with security problems, due to the large number of people present, it is a tough existence, but they must hold on to hope, as things will get better. They will come out of this.

A possible interim solution is to temporarily relocate earthquake survivors to other regions of the island not affected by the seismic event and if need be, requisition buildings in said districts. As the rebuilding effort progresses, more people can return to the city, if it is deemed safe to do so.

Hot 97 DJ Insults Haitian Women Regarding HIV

Cipha Sounds

A thoroughly disrespectful disc jockey on New York's HOT 97 has been suspended for insulting Haitian women. DJ Cipha Sounds went on air and arrogantly stated, "The reason I am HIV negative is because I don't mess with Haitian girls." Anyone from any nation can acquire and or transmit HIV. His statements are ill-informed, offensive and dangerous.

His words are pure ignorance. The people of Haiti have been through so much and don't need the slurs. The point is the disease is here and needs to be cured via medicine. Spouting hurtful and unfounded statements about the women of an entire nation is vile. Furthermore, women of many nations don't find such small minded statements attractive coming from a man and would think twice before dating someone that held such beliefs.

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Haiti Elections Experience Turbulence

The Haitian Presidential elections have hit a bit of turmoil, leading to allegations of fraud. Violence erupted in a few polling stations, leaving some Haitians feeling disenfranchised. Everyone should get the chance to vote and have their opinions counted in the election. Hopefully, things will improve soon.

Many Haitians are frustrated with the conditions they are living under, due to the January 2010 earthquake and simply want help, regarding their predicament. It is my hope the next President of Haiti, will be a resourceful, quick thinker that is good with infrastructure, logistics and national planning. The quicker help can be disseminated to citizens the better.

Wyclef Jean Sues Haiti For The Right To Run

Wyclef Jean

Fugees rapper, Wyclef Jean, is suing the Haitian government, for rejecting him as a potential presidential candidate in the upcoming election. Jean failed to meet the Constitutional requirement, of being a resident of Haiti, for five consecutive years, prior to the election. Jean has now resorted to wasting Haitian taxpayer money, to essentially fight the nation's Constitution, as he has not abided by the rules.

What Jean needs to do is actually move to Haiti and live there for years, study politics and then apply during the next election, if he is determined to run. However, there's still the question of his character, as he is currently under investigation in America, for misappropriating tax-free charity money he collected through his charity Yele, which was meant to help the Haiti people, but has helped Jean more than anything. There are other more suitable candidates.

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Wyclef Jean Ruled Ineligible To Be Haiti's President

Wyclef Jean

Fugees frontman, rapper Wyclef Jean, has been deemed ineligible to become an official candidate for President of Haiti, after having failed to meet the Constitutional requirements. Jean, a resident of New Jersey, in the United States of America, has not lived in Haiti for 5-years before the election, ruling him out as a possible candidate. His campaign received much criticism from family, friends, Haitians, Haitian-Americans and prominent people on the island.

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Wyclef Jean In Hiding After Death Threats

Wyclef Jean

Fugees rapper, Wyclef Jean, has gone into hiding in his native Haiti, after receiving a death threat, ordering him to leave the island or else. This has placed a dent in Jean's floundering Presidential campaign bid, where many, from Miss Haiti to his own family, have publicly stated, he is not right for the position.

He is also faced with an eligibility issue, under the Haitian Constitution, which dictates, one must have lived on the island for five consecutive years, prior to becoming an official presidential candidate. A decision is expected tomorrow regarding his eligibility.

Another item of note is increased press scrutiny, regarding Jean's Yele charity, which was painfully exposed in the New York Times, for not truly helping the people of Haiti, after having raised $10,500,000 for earthquake relief. Jean should donate all the money raised to the people of Haiti. It is the right thing to do, in the face of the devastation the earthquake created.

The Judiciary Report wishes the people of Haiti well. I pray you will find a President and government cabinet capable of meeting the monumental task of rebuilding the capital, to house the staggering number of homeless, after January's earthquake.

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Miss Haiti: Wyclef Jean Is An Unsuitable Candidate

Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin

Beautiful, Miss Haiti, Sarodj Bertin, has publicly stated, singer Wyclef Jean, who is running for President of the island nation, is not suitable for the job. Bertin, who is a lawyer by trade, stated, “I really admire Wyclef, he’s a great singer and a really recognized Haitian artist – but I do not know if he’s going to arrive to his political objectives. After the earthquake, we need someone that really knows this position and has studied politics, and really knows Haitian society. We’re not in a place right now where we can just try people out. If Wyclef thinks he has the capacity then maybe he can arrive, I wish him good luck, but I we need to look at really moving the country forward politically.”

She is correct in her assessment. Haiti is in the worst shape it has ever been, due to January's devastating earthquake. The situation in Haiti can be somewhat likened to the flood crisis in Pakistan, in that their next head of state, has to be the absolute best their country has to offer, to undertake the massive rebuilding and reorganization effort required to return their respective nations to some semblance of normality.

It is not your average election, as it has come at the most crucial point in Haiti's history and Jean is not the best man for the job. He has many problems of his own, financial and otherwise, necessitating someone with a greater knowledge of Haiti's problems and the understanding of how to remedy them, be elected to office. The New York Times has also uncovered serious problems with Jean's Yele charity in Haiti (Star's Hopes to Lead Haiti Draw New Scrutiny). Haiti needs someone that can get the job done. One should not vote on sentiment, but sense.

Side Bar: The people of Haiti should also take Bill Clinton up on his offer, of any rebuilding assistance he can provide, as he has knowledge of dealing with government crisis. Just keep him away from any nubile Haitian government interns and everything should be fine.

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George W. Bush Accused Of Derisively Wiping Hand In Haiti

Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have started an organization aimed at helping earthquake ravaged Haiti. Clinton has been active in the country for a few years.

This week, Clinton brought Bush jr. along for a goodwill trip. However, the mainstream press is pointing to an incident regarding Bush shaking a Haitian man's hand, then wiping his own on Clinton's shirt immediately after.

How ironic. The enthusiastic Haitian survivor may have had a little dirt on his hands from the extremely dire conditions he is living in, due to the earthquake - meanwhile, Bush has blood on his hands from starting a deceitful war that killed over one million Iraqi civilians and thousands of American and British soldiers. I'd rather have dirt on my hands, than blood.

Haiti Wants Say In Rebuilding

Haiti's President, Rene Preval

Haiti's President, Rene Preval, stated his government wants a say in rebuilding his earthquake ravaged nation. Thus far, billions in donations have poured in, with an eye on rebuilding Haiti for the future.

Haiti should oversee the projects to their specifications. However, they should employ the world's best consultants, some may even work for a nominal fee or for free, due to the tragic circumstances, to help chart a course for rebuilding in a somewhat precarious seismological situation.

As with Louisiana (levees) in America, Haiti (very active fault lines) has distinct geographic features that can cause massive loss of life, if and when a natural disaster strikes. Therefore, thorough seismological surveys and earthquake resistant building codes and plans will need to be implemented and enforced. Retrofitting existing structures would be beneficial as well.

The Judiciary Report is confident Haiti has the skill, intelligence and labor to rebuild better than ever. Best wishes for the future.

Family Caught In Chile And Haiti Earthquakes

Video: Family survives Haiti and Chile earthquakes

Haitian musician, Pierre Desarmes, moved his family from their homeland, to Chile, after a terrible earthquake hit their nation, severely damaging the capital. He reasoned they would be safer in Chile, until Haiti is rebuilt and reorganized.

Not long after settling in Chile, a massive earthquake struck, leaving them stunned at what they were facing. It's amazing that this family has endured two serious earthquakes, two months apart. It is good they are alive. Life is precious and you were spared. Make the most of the life God has given you. God bless you.

Family survived Haiti and Chile earthquakes

Thu Mar 4 2010 18:30:15 - A Haitian family who left Haiti following the earthquake on January 12 has survived a second huge quake in Chile.

But having lived through two of the most devastating natural disasters in recent years, the Desarmes family is now refusing to stay in their eldest son Pierre Desarmes' house. They are instead living in the garden out of fear another tremor would cause the building to crumble...

http://itn.co.uk

Earthquakes Strike Chile And Japan

Strong earthquakes hit the nations of Chile and Japan this weekend. In Chile, 300 people are feared dead, with billions in damage, after an 8.6 quake struck, toppling buildings and highways.

In Japan, a 6.9 earthquake struck Okinawa. Both quakes symbolize the strongest to hit each nation in one hundred years. This is after a massive quake hit Haiti in January, claiming 150,000 lives and causing massive damage.

As stated in the past, missile testing is creating trouble within the earth's core, adding to preexisting pressure. Quakes are a response to tension and friction, in the form of seismic activity unleashing.

Seismic activity increases with earth tensions below the surface. Iran, North Korea and America, have been testing missiles and it is placing too much pressure on the earth. The gestation period for stress then builds up, due to nuclear stimuli, creating unusual quakes, at greater than normal intervals. It's a type of domino effect, causing greater eruptions (quakes).

Tsunami panic after Chile earthquake

February 28, 2010 - Residents look at a collapsed building in Concepion following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake
Tony Allen-Mills and Nathan Crooks in Santiago

JAPAN was warned of the possibility of 10ft waves early today as a tsunami swept across the Pacific after the huge earthquake that struck Chile early yesterday.

The first 12ft tsunami waves generated by the earthquake hit French Polynesia and the Chatham Islands in New Zealand.

On an island off Chile the high waves swamped a village with five people dying and 11 missing but elsewhere there were no reports of damage though authorities warned that higher tides could come later.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

The Key To Rebuilding Haiti

The key to rebuilding Haiti will be in logistics. The building code in the Caribbean has to be strict, as the climate is often subject to powerful hurricanes and sometimes earthquakes.

Prefab building can be quick, but may be dangerous, as most of the materials used for such structures are typically wood and softer fibers. Concrete, steel and rebar should be the order of the day.

Structural engineers should also be consulted, to create structures with room for swaying, in the event of a future quake. Seismology surveys need to be done, to avoid rebuilding on dangerous fault lines.

A centralized, organizational committee should be formed and issues of import duty, tax and any other VAT mandates (materials) will have to be thoroughly mulled over, lest it make the rebuilding process more tedious and lengthy than necessary. Haiti's damaged areas can be rebuilt and in good time, but a very good plan needs to be on the table.

Thus far, over a billion has been raised, but more is needed.

Haitian Man Survives 4 Weeks In Quake Rubble

Evan Muncie

A 28-year-old Haitian man, Evan Muncie, was found alive in a collapsed market, 4 weeks after a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti. He stated someone brought him water while he was trapped. He was extracted from the rubble, somewhat emaciated, but alive. Another great story of miraculous survival.

Doctors: Haitian may have survived 4 weeks in rubble

February 9, 2010 -- Updated 0212 GMT (1012 HKT) - Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- A man pulled alive from the rubble of a building in Haiti's capital Monday may have been trapped since the January 12 quake that leveled much of the city, doctors reported.

The 28-year-old man, identified as Evan Muncie, was found in the wreckage of a market where he sold rice, his family told staff at a University of Miami field hospital. He suffered from extreme dehydration and malnutrition, but did not appear to have significant crushing injuries, the doctors said...

http://edition.cnn.com