USA/Haiti Agreement Is Giving The Right To Arrest People In Haiti

Jean Pierre Alexandre - March 26 2012, 6:21 PM

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht)- The leader of political party Unity of Democratic Convention (KID), Evans Paul, denounced last Saturday, March 24th, a plan by foreign countries including the United States to arrest and extradite former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and former rebel leader Guy Philippe.

Speaking at a rally to mark the 26th anniversary of his party, Evans Paul stated that former President Rene Preval signed an agreement on October 17th 1997 with the U.S. Secretary of State at the time, Madeleine Albright, allowing Washington to intervene directly in the Haitian space to track down drug traffickers.

"I solemnly call upon the parliament to denounce this agreement giving the US the right to arrest people in Haiti," uttered Paul Evans who addressed hundreds of supporters and KID sympathizers gathered in a nightclub in Port-au-Prince.

"I'm not for impunity, but I find it inconceivable that the United States can come and arrest a Haitian citizen in Haiti while there is no reciprocity," noted Paul Evans.

The former mayor of Port-au-Prince and candidate for president added that it "is not to foreigners, but the Haitian institutions, to restore order in the country."

Several former employees of Jean-Bertrand Aristide or senior officials of his administration in recent years have been extradited, tried and convicted in the United States for drug trafficking.

Former Lavalas President, who returned to Port-au-Prince a year ago after seven years of exile in South Africa, lives in the strictest confidence and is regularly the subject of rumors of lawsuits.

As for the former rebel leader, Guy Philippe, who had contributed to his overthrow in 2004, he escaped several joint operations of the U.S. Agency Drug (DEA) and the Haitian police and practically lives in hiding.

During the celebration of the anniversary of KID, Evans Paul, also emphasized the key role of parties in strengthening democracy and stressed the importance for the population to favor good policy choices.

Several political figures, including the leader of the Rally of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Mirlande Manigat, defeated candidate in last presidential, former Prime Minister Rosny Smarth of Organization of Struggling People (OPL) and Professor Victor Benoit of Fusion of Social Democrats welcomed the continued presence in the struggle for democracy by Paul activist repeatedly jailed and tortured under the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier and military.

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Comments

Bernadette says...

This is absolute nonsense. Haiti can give the right to extradite to another country to face charges if the alleged crimes were committed in the... more »

Jean Pierre Alexandre says...

Benardette,sorry to tell you the way it goes with the USA specially if you was an informant,CIA,Attache,contractor,the eyes,Monitor,Stand by... more »

Bernadette says...

Jean Pierre, Yes I do understand that when you play the game, you have got to pay the piper. As dry as that may sounds, there is also a Haitian... more »

Jean Pierre Alexandre says...

Benardette,your answer is so clear and direct,you even confuse me more.You have me wondering,if those guys are really that bad or if the system... more »