Issue 020211

AITIAN TIME S H THE

BRIDGING THE GAP

w w w. h a i t i a n t i m e s . c om

SPORTS

vo l . 1 3 n o . 4 / February 2–8, 2011 $ 1 . 0 0

US Women Win 4 Nations Tournament CHONGQING, China – After stumbling through World Cup qualifying and losing their opener in China, the U.S. women's team beat the hosts to win their first warmup for this summer's tournament.

Carli Lloyd scored her second goal of the tournament in the 31st minute and Amy Rodriguez added a goal in the 68th to lead the United States over China 2-0 Tuesday for a firstplace finish in the Four Nations Tournament.

"I think first and foremost we were focusing on playing soccer the way we want to play," midfielder Heather O'Reilly said. "Obviously, we always want to win and we always want to win championships. Fortunately for us, playing good soccer meant finishing a couple of good chances and winning 2-0. We're happy about the result, we're happy about the goals we scored and now we have a few training camps to look forward to so we can keep growing as a team."

The top-ranked Americans opened Friday with a 2-1 defeat to Swe- U.S. den, the first time since March 2002 against Norway that the U.S. lost a match in which it led. The U.S. rebounded to beat Canada 2-1 on Sunday. ""It's so much more fun to win," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "We took some good things from the loss to Sweden game, and that's one of the reasons we stepped up a little bit against Canada. We took certain things from the 2-1 win against Canada,

Women's Soccer team

and I think today we ended up controlling the game."

In Tuesday's first game, ninth-ranked Canada defeated No. 4 Sweden 1-0 on a 32nd-minute goal by Christine Sinclair.

The U.S. and Canada both finished with six points, and the Americans won based on head-to-head record.

"We were really upset as a team to come

out and lose our first game," American forward Amy Rodriguez said. "It says a lot about our team that we were able to come out in our second two matches and pull out some wins. I'm really excited that we were able to build in this Four Nations Tournament and kind of develop more chemistry because that is going to help us in the World Cup."

Us Soccer Cancels Exhibition Game In Egypt CHICAGO – The U.S. national soccer team canceled its Feb. 9 exhibition against Egypt in Cairo because of the political turmoil there.

The game against the Egyptian national team had been announced Dec. 13. In the last week, street protests aiming for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak have caused disruption in Cairo and Alexandria.

"We were excited about the opportunity to play against Egypt, but due to the current situation all parties agreed it was best to cancel the match," U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said Monday. "We appreciate the efforts of the Egyptian Football Association and the U.S. State Department as we worked through this situation."

The U.S. State Department

has recommended American citizens avoid travel to Egypt "due to ongoing political and social unrest." On Sunday, the State Department authorized the voluntary departure of dependents and nonemergency employees, saying "U.S. citizens currently in Egypt should consider leaving as soon as they can safely do so."

The U.S., ranked 18th in the world, had planned to fly a top roster to the game, including Americans based with European clubs, to face 10th-ranked Egypt.

The two nations met in the first round of the 2009 Confederations Cup, with the U.S. winning 3-0.

The next game for the U.S. team will be March 26 against Argentina at East Rutherford, N.J. The Americans play Paraguay three days later at Nashville, Tenn.

At the World Cup in Germany, the U.S. opens against North Korea on June 28, then plays Colombia on July 2 and completes the first round four days later against Sweden.

At this tournament, the Americans were missing star forward Abby Wambach because of a heel injury and top goalkeeper Hope Solo, still recovering from shoulder surgery in September.

The 11th-ranked Chinese failed to qualify for the World Cup and is trying to secure a spot in the 2012 Olympics.

"We played three very different games and we'll take out the different parts we need moving forward to the World Cup," Sundhage said. "In the first minutes, we started off well, but China made it hard for us and they forced us to change the formation from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1, and I think in the second half we controlled the game by playing good defense. I am very happy about winning today and winning the tournament."

AITIAN TIME S H THE

BRIDGING THE GAP

w w w. h a i t i a n t i m e s . c o m

v o l . 1 3 n o . 4 / February 2–8, 2011 $ 1 . 0 0

Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph Named President of Bronx Community College Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph, an educator and mainstay of the Haitian community was appointed as President of Bronx Community College, becoming the first Haitian born person to lead a campus in the City University of New York system.

page 3

Haiti To Release Election Results Haiti's electoral authorities will release results next week from the country's disputed presidential election and set a date for a runoff vote in signs a protracted electoral impasse may be easing.

page 5

In Assisting Haiti Quake Survivors, Start at the Beginning: A Birth Certificate This was the day that Jacqueline and her neighbours in a ramshackle settlement for victims of last year's devastating earthquake were going to be born again.

page 9

Art & Culture A Dozen Haitian Artists to Participate at New Orleans Jazz Festival

page 18

Jean-Bertrand Aristide, former President of Haiti.

Haiti Opens Door for Return of Ex-President Aristide

By Joseph Guyler Delva Haitian Times Staff PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – Haiti’s government is ready to issue a diplomatic passport to ousted former President JeanBertrand Aristide, opening the way for his return home from exile in South Africa, a senior official said on Monday.

Aristide’s Miami-based lawyer formally requested the passport in a letter to Haitian authorities, asking them to guarantee security for the former leader’s return to his poor, earthquake-battered Caribbean homeland.

No timing was specified, but the United States and other western donors are wary that the reappearance of the leftist former Roman Catholic priest on his home soil could disrupt an already edgy political climate after chaotic presidential and legislative elections held in November.

“The Council of Ministers, under the leadership of President Rene Preval, decided that a diplomatic passport be issued to President Aristide, if he asks for it,” Fritz Longchamp, general secretary for the presidency, told Reuters.

Aristide, who became Haiti’s first freely elected president in 1990 before being driven out by an armed revolt, said this month he

was ready to return to his homeland “today, tomorrow, at any time.”

His willingness to go home follows the controversial return to Haiti on January 16 of former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc”

“Consistent with Haitian law, I kindly request that his diplomatic passport be issued immediately and that plans for his return commence immediately.”

Duvalier. The reappearance of Duvalier, 59, was judged unhelpful by many foreign governments. He now faces charges in Haiti of corruption, theft and crimes against humanity.

The return of Aristide, who is still popular and could mobilize fanatical support in the

streets, would complicate the charged atmosphere as Haiti awaits first-round results from the November 28 elections, expected to be released on Wednesday.

Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas party, the biggest in the country, was barred from the poll

by Haiti’s electoral authorities.

The Western Hemisphere’s poorest state is in the grip of a cholera epidemic and struggling to recover from a devastating 2010 earthquake that killed more than 300,000 people.

INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE Haiti’s government and electoral authorities are under pressure from the United States, the United Nations and other donors to enact Organization of American States recommendations that revise contested preliminary election results.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew to Haiti on Sunday to back the OAS election proposal.

In his letter to Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marie-Michele Rey and Minister of the Interior Paul Antoine Bien-Aime, see ARISTIDE on page 12

2

The Haitian Times

E N

F R A N

ç

A I S qui prend l’allure d’un véritable tribunal. ****

Ouest Port-au-Prince Les séances de délibération se poursuivaient tard mardi au siège du Conseil Electoral Provisoire moins de 24 h avant la publication des résultats prévus pour mercredi. “La permanence est décrétée dans les travaux, tout le Bureau du Contentieux Electoral National (BCEN) est en train de délibérer sur les différent cas de contestation qui ont été entendus, a déclaré le Conseiller Jacques Belzin à Haiti Press Network. Mardi soir, cinq chambres de

délibération composées chacune de trois conseillers, deux avocats et un greffier épluchaient les dossiers électoraux. Interrogé sur le respect du calendrier électoral qui prévoit la publication mercredi des résultats, Jaques Belzin a répondu que “ ca prendra le temps que ca prendra, mais tout sera mis en œuvre pour respecter le calendrier”. Tous les conseillers prévoient de terminer de travailler jusqu’a 2h am et de recommencer a travailler à 9ham le lendemain, a ajouté un autre conseiller.

105 cas de contestation pour les législatives et deux pour la présidence (à côté de la demande d’annulation de Charles Henry Baker) ont été entendus au BCEN

L’ex président Aristide a obtenu son passeport diplomatique de la part du gouvernemet Haitien. Il avait officiellement écrit aux autorités haïtiennes pour l’obtention d’un passeport diplomatique, a-t-on appris de source proche du parti Lavalas. Entre temps à Port-au-Prince, ses partisans ont annoncé une manifestation devant le ministère des affaires étrangères.

Lundi, le ministère de l’intérieur ainsi que le ministère des affaires étrangères avaient assuré dès que M. Aristide ferait une demande de passeport, elle sera honorée avec célérité. **** Une loi nommée « Lex Duvalier » donne depuis mardi le pouvoir à la Suisse de bloquer l'argent litigieux des potentats.

Les sommes gelées seront restituées sous forme de programmes de développement, a-t-on appris.

Le peuple haïtien pourrait être le premier à bénéficier de la toute nouvelle loi fédérale sur la restitution des valeurs patrimoniales d'origine illicite de personnes politiquement exposées, la Lex Duvalier,

February 2-8, 2011

entrée en vigueur mardi 1er février 2011.

Elle concerne principalement les avoirs illicites des dictateurs. Ce texte approuvé en juin 2010 par le Conseil des Etats et en septembre par le Conseil national permettra le blocage, la confiscation et la restitution des fonds mal acquis. La nécessité de légiférer a été constatée à la suite d'affaires dans lesquelles les Etats requérants n'étaient pas en mesure de mener des procédures pénales nationales, en raison de la défaillance de leur système judiciaire. **** 1 policier tué et 1 commissaire gravement blessé lors de 2 attaques différentes perpétrées dimanche contre les membres de la Police nationale d’Haïti dans la zone métropolitaine. Le frère du policier qui l’accompagnait a également été tué lors de l’attaque. Le commissaire principal Edouard Webster est responsable des affaires pénitentiaire à la direction générale de la police. Touché par trois projectiles, il reçoit les soins nécessaires dans un hôpital de la capitale. Plusieurs policiers sont tués et blessés depuis la semaine écoulée, dans différentes attaques armées commises contre les membres de la police nationale dans l’aire métropolitaine.

Cela veut dire quoi “It’s a free country”?

Du côté de chez Hugues

par Hugues St. Fort

Je m’arrange toujours à trouver du temps libre pour écouter la radio. La télé, pas vraiment. Sauf pour regarder des matches de tennis (je suis gâté ces joursci avec l’Open d’Australie) ou du foot européen ou suivre C-Span2 le week-end, je ne regarde guère la télé. Mais la radio, c’est autre chose. Mes 4 stations de radio préférées, c’est dans l’ordre : France-Culture, France Inter, la BBC et NPR. J’aime bien NPR (National Public Radio). Bien sûr, pas autant que France-Culture que j’écoute régulièrement depuis mes années d’adolescent à Port-au-Prince où j’avais érigé une longue antenne en bois sur le toit de notre maison qui me permettait d’écouter France-Culture et France-Inter aussi clairement que si j’étais en France, à travers le vieux « Grunding » de mes parents. En fait, je me demande comment j’ai fait pour réaliser toutes ces connexions de l’antenne à la radio et de la radio à l’antenne car j’ai jamais été très fort avec mes dix doigts.

Qu’est-ce qui me plait tant à NPR ?

Oh, malgré tous les bons côtés de NPR, ce n’est pas bien sûr la « haute culture »

que dispense France-Culture. Ce n’est même pas la « culture de moyenne intensité » véhiculée par France-Inter. Ce qu’on trouve à NPR est finalement relativement proche de ce qui se fait à la BBC : des grands titres présentés en moins de 7 minutes et qui sont approfondis au cours des 23 minutes qui suivent, puis de nouveaux grands titres qui sont eux aussi approfondis. De temps en temps, surtout le weekend, de grands dossiers sur des sujets de fond. Cependant, la qualité des reportages trouvés sur NPR dépasse, à mon avis, les commentaires que j’écoute sur la BBC. C’est vrai que la BBC se fait le devoir de couvrir presque tous les points de la planète et qu’il n’y a pas comme elle pour nous livrer les reportages les plus éclairés sur les endroits les plus reculés de la planète, et je n’exagère pas en disant cela. Cependant, même si les journalistes américains délaissent quelque peu l’international, il y a une qualité journalistique qui n’appartient qu’à NPR, qu’elle couvre des faits nationaux ou internationaux.

A New York, NPR est relayée par WNYC, une excellente station de radio que je considère presque sans égale dans la ville. WNYC diffuse depuis quelque temps une courte séquence de pub sans prétention commerciale que j’ai moi-même intitulée « It’s a free country ». Ce sont des variations ironiques, sarcastiques à partir de cette expression populaire américaine qui désigne d’après le « Cambridge Idioms Dictionary », deuxième édition, 2008

« something that you say which means that you have the right to do something even if someone else has criticized you for it. » (quelque chose que vous venez de dire qui signifie que vous avez le droit de faire quelque chose même si quelqu’un d’autre vous a critiqué pour cela). (Ma traduction).

Voici un exemple: « I’ll shout if I want to. It’s a free country!” Depuis quelques années, cette expression est devenue extrêmement populaire aux Etats-Unis.

Elle est devenue en quelque sorte le cri de ralliement de tous ceux qui veulent défendre leur « personal freedom » (la liberté individuelle) que certains croient menacée surtout depuis que M. Barack Obama a été élu président. L’extrême-droite américaine en a fait son cheval de bataille et les cerveaux faibles illuminés par les mousquetaires de Fox News ne ratent aucune occasion d’attaquer verbalement le président Obama, accusé d’être un communiste, de n’être pas américain, de vouloir confisquer les libertés individuelles, etc.

Au-delà de l’extrême-droite américaine, ce qui semble assez inquiétant, c’est la tendance grandissante chez une majeure partie des Américains à associer les droits humains et les libertés essentielles qui sont les caractéristiques fondamentales de toute démocratie aux choses les plus triviales.

L’expression « it’s a free country » sortie à tout bout de champ de la bouche des locuteurs témoigne de la banalisation dangereuse de l’idée des libertés individuelles dans la société américaine.

Bien sûr que nous avons le droit d’exprimer notre opinion sur tel ou tel sujet. Nous avons le droit de critiquer Barack Obama ou n’importe quel personnage public quelque puissant ou riche qu’il puisse être et, dans ce pays, c’est le premier amendement à la Constitution qui nous en donne le droit. Mais nous avons aussi tous appris (que ce soit en Haïti ou dans n’importe quelle société occidentale) que nous avons également des responsabilités civiques, des devoirs envers la société, la nation, la patrie ou nos concitoyens. Nous ne sommes jamais libres de dire ou de faire n’importe quoi.

En anglais, on dit « Freedom isn’t free » (La liberté a un prix) (ma traduction). Je me garde d’entrer ici dans ce débat qui fait rage après la tuerie de Tucson dont tout le monde a entendu parler et pour laquelle certains ont blâmé la violence verbale qui a sévi sur certaines ondes radiophoniques américaines. Surtout après le superbe discours du président Obama à l’occasion des funérailles des victimes de la tuerie de Tucson. J’espère que les parents immigrés haïtiens sauront expliquer à leurs enfants qui peuvent facilement tomber victimes de la rhétorique trompeuse de ceux qui brandissent les fausses vertus du mythe « it’s a free country » les limites des libertés individuelles, aux Etats-Unis ou dans n’importe quelle autre société.

Contacter Hugues St. Fort à : Hugo274@ aol.com

February 2-8, 2011

Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph Named President of Bronx Community College tinction as President of Bronx Community College since 1997.

Bronx Community College was established in 1957 and serves more than Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph, an educator 11,000 degree and more than 14,000 adult and mainstay of the Haitian community and continuing education students at its was appointed as President of Bronx Comhistoric University Heights campus. munity College, becoming the first Haitian As the president of MassBay Comborn person to lead a campus in the City munity College since 2005, Dr. Berotte University of New York system.

Joseph restructured and reactivated the Dr. Berotte Joseph, whose career in Foundation Board of Directors, estabhigher education spans more than 35 lished several Fund Guidelines and preyears, has been president of Massachupared the college to launch its first capital setts Bay Community College, in Wellescampaign. She also ley Hills, MA., since created the MassBay 2005. Her appoint“Dr. Berotte Joseph is Alumni Council, and ment as the President worked collaborativeof Bronx Commu- returning to CUNY with ly with the college’s nity College marks extensive experience Student Government her return to CUNY, Association to estabwhere she served as as a community collish a Textbook Fund.

Vice President of AcaBy revitalizing the lege president, faculty demic Affairs at Hoscollege’s planning tos Community Col- member, administrator, processes, she facililege in the Bronx after and higher education tated the college’s having been a faculty focus on outcomes. member at City Coladvocate.

She has a Faculty and staff lege for over 20 years. expressed pride Prior to becoming deep commitment to have about the emphasis president of Masson excellence, which Bay, she was Chief student success and to has led to a steady Academic Officer and the University’s mission increase in MassBay’s Dean of Academic graduation rates and Affairs at Dutchess of access to a high qualits recent successful Community College ity education.

We are accreditation. Prior to of The State Univershe was Dean of sity of New York. A delighted to welcome that Academic Affairs at prominent authority her back to CUNY and Dutchess Community in the field of socioCollege/SUNY from linguistics, she is the to the Bronx.”

2000 to 2005, where co-editor, with professhe provided leadersor Arthur Spears of ship for all academic City College, of the programs. Her responsibilities included groundbreaking book, “The Haitian Crecoordinating and evaluating all credit acaole Language: History, Structure, Use and demic programs and developing new acaEducation,” which was published last year. demic programs, encouraging the incorpoIn a joint statement, Board Chairperson ration of technology in the classroom, and Benno Schmidt and Chancellor Goldstein facilitating communication among faculty stated: “Dr. Berotte Joseph is returning and other campus constituencies. to CUNY with extensive experience as Dr. Berotte Joseph was born in Port-aua community college president, faculty Prince, Haiti, and grew up in New York. member, administrator, and higher educaShe has taught at the Bank Street College, tion advocate. She has a deep commitment Graduate School of Education; New York to student success and to the University’s University’s School of Education, Health, mission of access to a high quality educaNursing, and Arts Professions; Indiana tion. We are delighted to welcome her University’s Creole Institute at Bloomback to CUNY and to the Bronx.” ington; and in Haiti as a visiting profesDr. Berotte Joseph said: “This is a wonsor. In 1997, she was selected as a Kelderful and very special homecoming for logg Fellow for the prestigious program, me as I return to my roots in the CUNY “Expanding Leadership Diversity in Comsystem, where I earned my bachelor’s munity Colleges.” Her community service degree and where I served as a faculty includes leadership positions with numermember and administrator for many years. ous national and regional organizations.

It is a great honor to be chosen to lead She sits on the Board of the American Bronx Community College, with its outAssociation of Community Colleges; is a standing faculty, staff, students, alumni commissioner with the American Council and many community supporters. I look on Education’s Commission on Internaforward to building on the College’s fivetional Initiatives; and is past president decade record of service to the Bronx and of the National Association of CommuNew York.” nity College Teacher Education Programs.

Dr. Berotte Joseph, whose term will begin in the summer, succeeds Dr. Carolyn see BEROTTE on page 12 G. Williams, who served with great dis-

The Haitian Times

3

By Garry Pierre-Pierre Haitian Times Staff

Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph to Lead Bronx Community College

Haiti President Could Extend Term Slightly if Election Follows Recommendations PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - President Rene Preval could conceivably remain in power for a few weeks beyond his soon-to-expire term if the election for his successor is deemed to be proceeding fairly, senior U.S. officials said following a one-day visit by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Under Haiti's constitution, presidential terms begin and end on Feb. 7. An emergency law passed four months after last year's devastating earthquake by an expiring Senate said Preval could remain in power for up to three months extra because his inauguration was delayed in 2006.

The key issue is what will happen after he leaves office. Clinton made clear in meetings with Preval, the candidates and officials on Sunday that the United States wants Haiti to follow recommendations that would result in the elimination of the president's chosen candidate, Jude Celestin, from the second round.

The members of the provisional electoral council, which has the final say, were individually approved by Preval.

Following those recommendations,

made by an Organization of American States expert team, would leave former first lady Mirlande Manigat, a conservative law professor, and singer Michel ”Sweet Micky” Martelly, a populist, to meet in the second round. ”We support the OAS recommendations and we would like to see them move forward because we think that's the best way to respect the votes of the Haitian people,” Clinton told Haiti's Radio Caraibes.

Leaders of Preval's Unity party said last week that Celestin had rightly won the election but should step down because of pressure from the United States and other countries. Days before the State Department cancelled visas of Haitian officials, nearly all reportedly from Unity, and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said sustained U.S. support for Haiti depended in part on the OAS recommendations being implemented.

Celestin has not publicly commented since. Unity's co-ordinator did not return calls Monday. His lawyers have continued see ELECTIONS on page 23

4

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

Obama Omits Pledge to Immigration Reform, Frustrates Immigrant Rights Advocates President Barack Obama made no pledges to advance immigration reform during his State of the Union address Jan 25. to the frustration of immigrant rights advocates who say he could face political consequences for his inaction.

Instead Obama only said he ”strongly” believes ”we should take on, once and for all, the issue of immigration.”

That didn't cut it for 73-year-old Julia Quintero Munoz, a Los Angeles out-ofwork housekeeper. ”This is the second time I've been left frustrated,” she said after watching the presidential address at a viewing party at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). ”He talks a lot, but he says very little. And once again, he made no commitments.”

Last year, Latino leaders strongly criticized Obama for offering barely three dozen words on the immigration issue during his State of the Union address.

This year he more than quadrupled that amount, but it still marked barely a minute of his speech, which largely focused on the economy and the federal budget. ”I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows,” Obama said. ”I know that debate will be difficult and take time. But tonight, let's agree to make that effort.”

But Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte, an immigration reform advocate herself, said reform isn't likely coming over the next two years. ”We are going to have to fight hard to maintain what we have now,” she said. ”That is what our time is going to be spent on.”

Chu sits on the Judiciary Committee and, under the new Republican majority, the legislative agenda there is now focused more on the 14th Amendment and the birthright debate rather than comprehensive immigration reform, she said.

Chu said the prospects for reform will improve if Obama is elected and Democrats win back the House in 2012.

But the consequences of inaction for two years are significant, reform supporters at the CHIRLA speech-watching event said.

For one, states across the country are right now considering Arizona-style immigration legislation. Even in California,

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Speaker of the House John Boehner before delivering the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2011.

Rep. Tim Donnelly, R-XXX, has proposed a bill similar to Arizona's, though it likely faces a legislative dead-end. ”It is the responsibility of the federal government to protect against antiimmigrant legislation happening at the state level. It is happening because of the absence of federal reform,” said CHIRLA executive director Angelica Salas.

And if Obama doesn't deliver something on immigration in the next two years, he could find himself without the support of Latino voters. ”If he fails to do something, we are going to mobilize to find a new candidate, because families are being kept apart, students are being kept out of college, said La Puente resident Justino Mora, 21. ”He has missed two years to make something happen. He has two more years, but he

has to try.”

Given the choice between Obama and a Republican, Latino voters will just stay home, added 22-year-old Raul Preciado. ”Before, in 2008, he came to our community and he talked a lot. He made a lot of promises. That isn't going to work this time. If he doesn't do something to help our community, he is going to be in trouble,” Preciado said after the State of the Union.

Preciado said Obama can easily show he is serious about his commitment to reform by reducing the number of deportations which reached a high last year - a step he can take at the administrative level. ”It seems like there are a lot more advancements in the enforcement measures - in deportations, in e-verify, in border security, but there is nothing advancing on reform,” he said.

Though he didn't mention it by name, Obama also gave a nod to the DREAM Act, which would create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before they were 16 and who complete high school and meet certain conditions. ”Today, there are hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens. Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet live every day with the threat of deportation.

Others come here from abroad to study in our colleges and universities. But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us. It makes no sense,” Obama said.

Study Finds Jump in Immigration Prosecutions WASHINGTON – New government data shows the Obama administration has sharply increased immigration prosecutions and has stepped up cases against white-collar crimes, drug violations, organized crime and official corruption.

An analysis compiled by a private group using government data also found that there has been a decline in the Justice Department's felony prosecutions aside from immigration cases, particularly outside the Southwest.

The study was released Tuesday by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a private, nonpartisan group based at Syracuse University that compiled the data from the first two years of the Obama administration and the last two years of the Bush administration.

Justice Department spokeswoman Jessica Smith said Tuesday that the department cannot confirm TRAC's numbers or its methodology. She said the Justice Department's U.S. Attorney's offices filed a record number of criminal cases in U.S. District Courts last year. ”The U.S. attorneys' offices and the litigating divisions have been extremely busy with active investigations not necessarily reflected in these numbers, as well as the thousands of criminal cases they've pursued in the last two years,” Smith said. ”In fact, we've seen increases in the last two years in some of the most complex areas of criminal prosecution, including white collar, organized crime, public corruption and significant drug trafficking cases.”

TRAC said that felony immigration

”The U.S. attorneys' offices have been extremely busy with active investigations not necessarily reflected in these numbers. prosecutions in federal court systems along the border from Houston to San Diego went up 259 percent from 2007 to 2010, increasing nearly 16,000 to 36,321.

Nationally, felony prosecutions that were not immigration cases totaled more than 18,500 in 2007 and 2008, the last

two years of the George W. Bush administration, while prosecutions declined to just over 16,000 in the first two years of the Obama administration, according to TRAC. In complex top-priority areas, drug prosecutions rose modestly to 26,805 last year, up from 26,336 in the last year of the Bush administration, TRAC found. White-collar crime prosecutions topped 9,700 last year, up from 8,108 in the last year of the Bush administration. There were 727 public corruption prosecutions last year, up from 675 in the last year of the Bush administration.

Organized crime prosecutions were 572 last year, up from 450 in 2009 and 481 in 2008.

Weapons prosecutions totaled 7,614 last year, TRAC reported, down from 8,188 in 2009, 8,484 in 2008 and 8,919 in 2007.

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

Haiti To Release Election Results PORT-AU-PRINCE, (Reuters) - Haiti's electoral authorities will release results next week from the country's disputed presidential election and set a date for a runoff vote in signs a protracted electoral impasse may be easing.

The results from the first-round vote will be made public on Wednesday with a runoff set to take place on March 20, Haiti's electoral council said in a statement late Friday.

Political uncertainty has gripped Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, since a chaotic Nov. 28 presidential vote that was marred by fraud allegations and street protests.

Official preliminary results showed a government-backed candidate, Jude Celestin, would advance to a second-round vote against former first lady Mirlande Manigat.

But President Rene Preval, who has faced accusations of rigging the first-round vote results, is under intense pressure from the U.S. government and other Western

5

powers to accept a report by Organization of American States experts that recommends dropping Celestin from the runoff in favor of another candidate.

The recommendation followed a review

by OAS electoral experts of the contested results in the earthquake-battered Caribbean country.

On Wednesday, Haiti's ruling party said it had agreed to pull Celestin from the elections, but he has not yet formally withdrawn.

Michel Martelly, a popular musician who finished a close third in the November vote, has warned his supporters will take to the streets if he is not included in the runoff.

The new vote schedule came ahead of a planned visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is expected to arrive in Haiti on Sunday.

Clinton will meet with Preval and the Haitian candidates to discuss the election and reconstruction efforts a year after a devastating earthquake hit the country

Switzerland Blocks Funds of Haiti Ex-leader Duvalier Switzerland has blocked funds held in Swiss bank accounts by Haiti's former leader Jean-Claude Duvalier under a law that has just come into force.

The funds of some $6m (£3.7m) were frozen in 1986 after Mr Duvalier was ousted as Haitian president.

Last year, a Swiss court ruled that the money be returned to him but the Bern government sought a new law covering the restitution of the money to Haiti.

Mr Duvalier last month made a surprise return to Haiti from exile.

He has been charged with theft and

misappropriation of funds during his 19711986 rule and is also being sued for torture and other crimes against humanity.

Mr Duvalier, also known as ”Baby Doc”, has denied any wrongdoing.

The new law took effect in Switzerland on 1 February, governing the ”freezing, forfeiture and restitution” of assets.

It allows the Swiss authorities to confiscate funds and return them to the country of origin, even if the nation in question cannot seek restitution through the courts.

The new legislation was drawn up with

the case of Mr Duvalier partly in mind.

In March 2010, a Swiss court ordered that the money must be returned to him.

However, the government blocked the release of the funds in order to formulate a better law to deal with the assets of what it termed ”criminal origin”.

If Mr Duvalier wants the accounts to be

unblocked, he will have to show that the money was earned legitimately. If he cannot, the money will be returned to Haiti.

Mr Duvalier has said that he returned to Haiti after years in exile in France in order to help the country rebuild after last year's devastating earthquake.

The story was first published by BBC

Is ”Baby Doc” Case First Step on Haiti's Road to Rule of Law? BOGOTA - Haiti may have netted its most high-profile defendant in former dictator Jean-Claude ”Baby Doc” Duvalier, whose surprise return this month led to charges of corruption and abuse of power and sent fear rippling through those who survived years of tyranny.

But experts say the real test is whether Haiti's dysfunctional judicial system, further weakened by last year's massive earthquake, has the capacity and political will to prosecute the man who came to power as a chubby-cheeked 19-yearold playboy, following the death of his father Francois ”Papa Doc” Duvalier, a doctor-turned-despot.

Together the Duvaliers, backed by the dreaded Tonton Macoutes militia, ran the Caribbean nation for almost three decades until Baby Doc fled in the face of a revolt in 1986.

“Is the Haitian judicial system really up to the task?” said Peter Hakim, president of the Washington-based think tank, the Inter-American Dialogue.

“This was the one of the longest running dictatorships in Latin America. It’s

an enormously complex task to ensure a fair trial. I don’t think the Haitian government has the capacity to manage a trial that would be constructive to Haiti,” he told AlertNet in a phone interview.

Hakim pointed out that in comparatively more stable democracies in the region, the trials of former dictators such as Chile’s Augusto Pinochet and Peru’s Alberto Fujimori took years to conclude and caused political and social upheaval.

CONFUSION AND CHAOS Duvalier's case is now in the hands of a Haitian investigating judge, who has initially three months to decide whether a criminal case should go ahead.

The challenges are huge.

The country is still reeling from last year's quake in which the reconstruction of toppled court houses has barely begun, but it's also facing an electoral crisis and a drawn-out cholera epidemic.

The disaster killed thousands of civil servants and destroyed untold official documents. see LAW on page 12

Jean-Claude Duvalier walks by the media at the Hotel Karibe in Port-auPrince.

6 8

The Haitian Times

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

Planning, Coordination, Control Are Basic In Governance

Recent natural and man made cata- can help they should be part of a well strophic events in Haiti have dominated planned, coordinated and controlled prothe news about the country, emphasiz- gram to rehabilitate the Artibonite Valley ing its critical conditions of poverty and and Gonaives, the city of the independespair. Among all the disastrous after- dence. Instead of a master plan the Haitian maths, it has been reported the alarming government is at the stage of make do with cases of children dying from hunger and temporary shelters and some school buildmalnutrition. Whether the number is 60 ings scattered here there to accommodate or 600, at Cité Soleil within the capital some 2500 adults and children who are Port-au-Prince, or in a remote area, these trying to survive.

These people are now sending an SOS, children should not be subjected to such because they say, ”the autorités want us to degradation. live by December 15, Haitians in Miami, telling us where New York and elseThis editorial was writ- without to go. They only offer us where in the Diaspora have collected clothes ten on Feb. 1, 2008 by mattresses, some roughing sheet metals, some and food they sent as rapidly as they could Roger Savain. Three pounds of nails and 1000 gourdes.” These with the support of stricken people have several benevolent years later the actors lost their homes and all U.S. citizens and their belongings. They organizations. Those have changed but the survive mainly thanks to who could travel to conditions are still the the help of some interthe country came like national organizations. these volunteers from same.

Since the first GonaHollywood, American ives flood, the Haitian and Italian artists, led government should have

by John Edwards, former U.S. senator and presidential candi- considered a master plan for the construcdate. They came to participate, as reported, tion of a larger and modern city.

It could have taken advantage of the in the inauguration of a rehab center for Brazilian Senate’s decision since July deficient children.

This Rehabilitation Center called “Kay 2008, to approve the sending to Haiti of Sent Jèmèn”–“Maison des Petits Anges” 100 military engineers, integrated in the [Little Angels House} is established by UN Mission of Stabilization (MINUSthe humanitarian organization NPES (Nos TAH) to help in infrastructure works in Petits Frèrs et Soeurs} [Our little Broth- the country. As we have once suggested, a ers and Sisters]. It will provide consulta- well plan and built Independence city of tion services to 5000 children and assist Gonaives could become the ”Brazilia” of 400 continuously every year. According to Haiti and a world tourist attraction.

All it takes is a vision and a will!

John Edwards, “It is clearly a combination What was true for Gonaives then is still of efforts and works by many people. I am only here to call attention on the situation true for Port-au-Prince and Haiti as a whole of the Haitian people in its search for a bet- now. Without a master plan and a national ter life.” Open on the commemoration of socio-economic program, the country and World Day of the Handicapped, the center its population will not progress.

This editorial was written on Feb. 1, “will give the children one daily hot meal, physiotherapy care and school activities 2008 by Roger Savain. Three years later in order to improve their conditions and the actors have changed but the conditions are still the same. develop their talents.”

However, as much as private initiatives

Got an Opinion?

Give us Your Two Cents!

e-mail us at info–ht@haitiantimes.com

HAITIAN TIMES THE

BRIDGING THE GAP

Founded 1999

GARRY PIERRE-PIERRE, Editor/Publisher • DARLIE GERVAIS, Promotions/Public Relations • MURIEL FENTON, Executive Office Manager Executive Offices 495 Flatbush Ave., 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY, 11225 For display advertising and classifieds in New York call (718) 230 — 8700 • Fax (718) 230 – 7172 • Web site: http://haitiantimes.com Florida Bureau, Roosevelt Jean-Francois, P.O. BOX 8171, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310, (954)323-2941

All materials contained herein may be reproduced whole or in part only by permission of the publisher. All copyrights reserved. The Haitian Times (USPS# 018612) is published weekly every Wednesday for $45 in the tri-state area, $52 per year outside, by the Haitian Times Inc., 495 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11225. Periodical Postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Haitian Times, 495 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11225.

February 2-8, 2011

Egypt in Ebullition the notion of a social network revolution in Egypt powered by Twitter and Facebook, it fails to connect the upheaval to the downside effects of globalization.

Egypt’s economy has had robust growth

By Max A. Joseph Jr. for many years, yet more Egyptians are having trouble making ends meet, a clear While the right of indication of a vacuum between the posipeople everywhere to tive side of economic liberalism and the determine their des- reality facing the majority of the populatiny is fundamental, as tion. Any jump in prices or shortages of US president Barack basic foods will produce many of these Obama readily acknowledges, this precept popular revolts throughout the developing is systematically ignored by many politi- world, but the architects of globalization cal leaders or suppressed whenever it runs see no need for corrective measures. contrary to the interests of entrenched Though the initial protests were about elites or strategic goals of powerful the crushing poverty affecting 40% of the nations. Though the deficiency of sup- population, high unemployment, endempressing that right is periodically tested ic corruption and the systemic represby popular revolts, these leaders continue sion that epitomize the Mubarak regime to stay the course. This has the effect of (1981-?), the objectives of the protesters fueling a cycle of violence that tear up the can easily evolve from wanting to fix social fabric of the affected nation. Most these irregularities to doing away with the importantly, on the day of reckoning, the system altogether. In that regard, Washspecter of instability is invariably used as ington should heed the wisdom of the a rationale by these leaders to deflect or late French president, Charles de Gaulle, block out the people’s who famously stated anger. What is happen“The cemeteries of the Indeed the process ing in Egypt is a case world are full of indisin point. of change in Egypt can pensable men.” AbanIndeed a radical doning a trusted friend only be managed as and ally, who was too political change in Egypt, similar to what obstinate for his own long as the initiative good, may be morhappened in Iran (circa 1979), would be disasreprehensible but comes from the gov- ally trous to US national hold long-term bensecurity interests in the ernment. Unfortunately, efits for the US, since region. Lebanon is on its national security shaky ground; Jordan that is not the case. interests in the region could be next and the will certainly outlast the aging Mubarak. mother of them all, At the 2011 Davos World Economic Saudi Arabia, will then become the focus of anti-US and western sentiments in the Forum, Tony Blair, the former British Arab world. For that reason, Washington prime minister, admitted that a process of must forcefully and unequivocally demand change is happening in Egypt but pointed that Hosni Mubarak step down because out the need to manage it because obscure historically street revolutions’ objectives forces might try to take advantage of the changed from one hour to the next. Any situation. Indeed the process of change prolongation of Mubarak’s rule in the in Egypt can only be managed as long as face of such spontaneous and widespread the initiative comes from the government. revolt may be regarded by the protesters Unfortunately, that is not the case. Thereas having Washington’s explicit blessing. fore, the longer the crisis persists, the As a result, grassroots support for the out- more difficult it will be for the Egyptian lawed Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s establishment and the West to influence largest and best organized political party, the outcome and prevent a takeover of the could swell to the point where it threatens country’s future by radical forces. Ironically Mubarak is a victim of his own sucthe secular outlook of the Egyptian state.

After 30 years in power, Mubarak is cess, a fact that could prove problematic clearly disconnected from the reality. Hav- to solving the crisis, because he cannot ing received 85% of the vote in the 2006 negotiate with an unruly mob of angry presidential election, which was neither citizens. Had he tolerated a middle-of-thefree nor fair, the 82 year-old president road political opposition, today he would may have thought that he was in fact have a legitimate partner to negotiate a indispensable and enjoyed the support of smooth transition and avert chaos in the the Egyptian people. This is a man who, as most politically significant Arab country. vice-president, became president follow- Fortunately for the US, Egypt is presently ing the assassination of Anwar Al-Sadat not in danger of falling prey to Al-Qeada in 1981, yet chose not to have a stand-in or other radical Islamists because its powsuccessor for the last 10 years. Like many erful army, as in Pakistan and Turkey, acts dictators before him, Mubarak must have the guardian of the secular order.

Repression is not the nucleus of stabilfelt that he was infallible and immortal.

Most importantly, for a man trying to ity, as history is littered with the carcasses quell a revolt that started over human of regimes that behaved otherwise but rights abuses by his security forces, his were swept away by the universal appeal appointment of Omar Suleiman, a former of human rights. Hence, the Mubarakintelligence chief, as vice-president, was types of this world must heed this judgsomewhat bizarre. It implied that continu- ment of history and abandon their propenity meant more to Hosni Mubarak than sity to use repression as an antidote to the the legitimate aspirations of the Egyp- legitimate aspirations of their people, if tian people, which he cavalierly ignored the cycle of violence and destruction were to end. throughout his rule.

Contact Joseph at djougan@yahoo.com Because the world media is taken with

Under The

Radar

February 2-8, 2011

Sugarcane Ethanol – Haiti’s Salvation The Haitian crisis will continue to be a problem for this Hemisphere unless it can become economically sustaining in a way that would ensure that its huge lower class gets to share in the spoils. Supply-side economics interventions that promise a trickling down of the benefits to the lower class simply will not work. For decades the wealth has remained with the minority while the vast majority continued to languish in abject poverty with no significant trickling down being experienced. For that reason, the candidate model for the country’s economic rejuvenation must involve interventions that go directly to the lower and working class without going through the Government or the Private Sector as a unit.

With that said, we believe that the creation of a sugarcane based ethanol industry in Haiti as obtains in Brazil (world’s largest producer of ethanol), could be the potion that the doctor ordered. With the enormous amount of abandon and waste lands in Haiti, we can quickly see the emergence of a new middle class of small sugar cane planters in much the same way that banana worked for Saint Lucia and the other Windward Islands in the 70’s and 80’s. This will effectively transform Haiti into one of the world’s leading producers of Green Energy and a country on the path of economic recovery or resurrection.

The people of Haiti need to be able to provide for themselves and end that cen-

tury long poverty. It is a very vicious cycle for those people; since they are poor, they must depend of government and others.

We also know that the more dependent that people are on government is the more susceptible they become to corruption and the politically related undesirables that has characterized the Haitian experience. Our idea will economically empower families away from the dependence on government and drug lords.

While we are confident that Ethanol will work for Haiti, its people and government must step up to the plate. The Land ownership problem must be addressed. The Government must find creative ways to make lands available to those who are willing to farm. It will have to deal with the fact that most of the lands in Haiti are owned by a few. Haiti would do well to get going with this initiative as soon as possible. There are very few learning curves to surmount -sugarcane production is nothing new to Haiti. In fact, there are still quite a number of Sugarcane farms on the coast of Haiti which supports a dying Sugar Industry (i.e sugar production and not ethanol as we are suggesting here).

In addition, thousands of workers periodically migrate to the Dominican Republic to do temporary work on sugar plantations there – so the labour force is experienced. Haiti got to know sugarcane as earlier as Columbus’ second voyage.

It later became the French Colony’s most important cash crop, at least for the pre-

independence years. Well we know of the post independence burning down of plantations and factories which saw the commencement of the decline of sugar production in Haiti. But Haiti can make a comeback with ethanol.

Sugar is not the future, it is ethanol.

Countries around the world are moving

Also important for noting is the fact that, sugarcane is not as volatile to floods and hurricanes as does bananas. Hence, its frequent experiences of Hurricances and storms should not severely damage the industry. to green energy thus creating a perpetual market for Haiti’s ethanol.

Moreover, the sugarcane plant with its fibrous roots will serve as an excellent shield against top soil erosion which is a big problem in Haiti that always seems to be tormented by torrential downpours cut-

The Haitian Times

7

ting into the vast amount lands that have been left bare from charcoal deforestation.

The ethanol initiative brings yet another benefit to the environment. The production and availability of ethanol in Haiti would immediately cause a reduction of this type of deforestation as charcoal is a more expensive cooking fuel than ethanol.

Also important for noting is the fact that, sugarcane is not as volatile to floods and hurricanes as does bananas. Hence, its frequent experiences of Hurricances and storms should not severely damage the industry. It could be argued however that Haiti is not in the position at this moment to invest in the Ethanol Manufacturing Plants. True as that maybe, but the country could get started with the initiative with export the sugar juice to Brazil (about 48 hours by sea) for onward processing. All that would be required initially is an agreement by Brazil to buy the unprocessed cane juice, and some cheap outfits in Haiti to extract the sugarcane. Haiti will be able to afford its own ethanol processing plants as the industry matures.

Unless there is a fundamental issue that eludes me, this could morph into a very lucrative business for Haiti and reclaim its pride as the first independent country of the Hemisphere. The people of Haiti have suffered too much; this is a chance to turn things around without depending on handouts from abroad or reparations from France.

–Amatus Edwards BSc. Mgmt (U.W.I)

Can Obama's 'Startup America' Project Create Jobs?

New York – The administration is teaming up with big tech firms to encourage entrepreneurs to launch new companies.

Could this really start a hiring boom?

President Obama is trying to create jobs through an initiative called the Startup America Partnership, led by AOL founder Steve Case. The plan is to fund entrepreneurs in high-growth, job-creating industries such as clean energy, medicine, and technology. Intel is committing $200 mil-

Most Americans don't work for a ”tech darling,” and would not qualify for all these jobs President Obama is hoping to create. lion in added startup investment, and IBM is pledging $150 million for mentoring programs. Will this really help reduce unemployment, or is it just good PR? This is mostly about polishing Obama's image. It can't hurt to give ”a million or so dollars” to a handful of new companies, says Mike Taylor in the New York Observer. ”There's always the off chance that the government will help a small-time firm become the next Google or Facebook.” But such a tiny effort is less likely to ignite ”a new American bull economy”

than to earn Obama some friendly press by showing he's doing something about unemployment.

Obama is on the right track. Training and mentoring programs certainly won't hurt, says David Dayen at Firedoglake, ”but the big news here is a huge tax break for startup companies.” These days, it

looks like tax cuts are the only job-creation option left for the administration, and startups ”appear to hire at an accelerated rate,” compared to established businesses big and small.

Too bad most of us will be left out: This is terrific news, provided you're an unemployed computer whiz, says Larry Dignan

at CNET News, but ”what about the rest of the country?” Most Americans don't work for a ”tech darling,” and would not qualify for all these jobs President Obama is hoping to create. How about starting up something ”for the rest of us”?

This opinion was first published in yahoo.com.

8

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

CChheecckk UUss OOuut t! !

T h e New N e w HaitianTimes.com H a i t i a n T i m e s . co m The The Haitian Times website has more features and functions than ever before.

•Daily local and international news updates •Online Forum •Comments on Articles •Advertising packages for small businesses

And watch for the Haitian Times photo/news archive, coming soon!

AITIAN TIME H S THE

BRIDGING THE GAP

4 9 5 F l a t b u s h A v e . • B r o o k l y n N Y 11 2 2 5

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

9

US Not To Suspend Haiti Aid Despite Political Deadlock The Haitian Times Newswires

The United States will continue to provide aid to cholera-hit Haiti despite its failure to resolve the political deadlock.

This was stated by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a press conference in Haiti capital Port-au-Prince.

She was in the Caribbean country on Sunday to consult with members of civil society, political leaders, Haiti's President Rene Preval and international partners on the ongoing electoral situation as well as reconstruction efforts.

Talking to reporters after meeting with the outgoing President and the three leading candidates of the inconclusive presidential election, Clinton rejected suggestions that the U.S. would cut off aid to pressure Haiti into accepting the recommendations made by the Organization of American States (OAS) to settle the electoral crisis.

She also met with the Special Representative of the United Nations and visited Partners in Health Cholera Treatment Center.

Steven Smith from the U.S. Embassy, who is the health sector coordinator in Haiti, said the cholera situation in that country was improving. ”It's been a very rough few months, but we're seeing a decrease in the number of cases, and in human fatality,” he told Clinton.

But Clinton reminded that ”we have a long way to go in our ongoing work with Haiti.”

Haiti has not yet recovered from a massive earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people in January last year. Compounding its woes, more than 3,300 people have died of cholera and 16,000 others infected by the disease late last year.

The contagious disease has also spread to all provinces in neighboring Dominican Republic.

It was for the first time in more than a century that the dual Hispanola island nations were struck with an outbreak of cholera.

The Caribbean island nation is weakened by a political deadlock, as official declaration of the results of the disputed presidential election has been indefinitely postponed.

USAID Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with Haitian Presidential Candidate Jude Celestin on January 30, 2011, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

In Assisting Haiti Quake Survivors, Start at the Beginning: A Birth Certificate PETIT GOAVE, Haiti, (UNHCR) - This was the day that Jacqueline and her neighbours in a ramshackle settlement for victims of last year's devastating earthquake were going to be born again.

Jacqueline is one of hundreds of Haitians who have benefitted from a UNHCR project to provide identity documents to vulnerable people who either lost them in the quake or never possessed them. Her inability to prove her identity or citizenship has made it difficult to access services put in place to help those whose lives were shattered by the earthquake on January 12 last year. ”In just 40 seconds, I lost everything my husband, two children, my house, my possessions, my livelihood. Even our documents were destroyed,” she said. ”Since then, we have lived in this camp. Without papers I can't do anything. I cannot receive assistance, access services or enroll the little ones in school.”

A year after the earthquake struck, an estimated 800,000 people still live in more than 1,000 camps or settlements that emerged in its aftermath. The daily challenge of survival in these conditions can make replacing a lost birth certificate or an identity card a low priority for many. ”After an emergency, having the necessary documentation plays an important role in ensuring that vulnerable people don't slip through the cracks,” said Vincent Briard, UNHCR protection officer in Haiti. ”In the short term, identity documents allow people to access aid; longer term they can prevent them from becoming stateless. Many of the people we are working with never had these documents and without them they do not formally exist.

Providing a birth certificate allows them to regain their rights as citizens.”

The documentation drive is one of 43 quick-impact projects that UNHCR has

initiated to assist survivors of the earthquake, which killed tens of thousands of people. The other projects address needs such as providing survivors a means of earning an income or protecting women against violence or sexual assault in the camps.

Like Jacqueline, the majority of the 1,500 people who have been assisted by the documentation project are women who no longer have a partner to help them raise a family. Many have taken in children who were orphaned by the quake. Some have given birth in the camps. Without proof of citizenship, children may not be

able to attend school or receive medical care. They may also be more vulnerable to human trafficking. ”Birth registration is an essential first step in ensuring a child's rights,” said Urbens Dieuveuil, manager of the local non-governmental organization, ACAT Haïti, a UNHCR partner involved in the project. ”It provides proof - not only of the rights that come with citizenship, but also proof of their mere existence.”

Registering a birth in Haiti was never a simple process. The bureaucratic hurdles can trip up even those who are informed and reasonably well off. For the poor and

vulnerable left homeless by the earthquake, the time, distance and money needed to register a child within its first two years - as required in Haiti - can be too great a task.

The right to citizenship is often called the ”right to have rights,” because of the official status it conveys and the access it provides to basic services and recognition before the law. Working with Haiti's Ministry of Justice, local NGOs and other UN organizations, such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN refugee agency plans to expand the registration project in 2011.

Like a Biblical mass exodus, the villagers crossed the fields in waist-deep water to collect their jerrycans that would provide them with purified drinking water and ultimately, give them life.

10 8

The Haitian Times

Paj Kreyòl Ayisyen

February 2-8, 2011

Dèyè Ni “Ke Makak”, ni “Pitit Tig”! Pètèt Aganman!

Pawòl Gen Pawòl Avèk Wozvèl Jan — Batis Depi Janklod Divalye, Bebi Dòk, retounen ann Ayiti dimanch 16 janvye 2011 lan, diskisyon moun te konn ap fè toupatou—nan lari, nan radyo, nan kwafè, nan makèt, nan estidyo, nan tap­tap, nan garaj mekanisyen…—sou eleksyon pachiman 28 novanm 2010 yo chanje ton. Gen on gwo kesyon marasa: « Ki van k mennen Janklod nan peyi a? Sa l vin regle? » Sa k di ou se Ame­riken, Fransè ak Brezi­lyen met ansanm ki voye l vin simen latwoublay… on jan pou yo bwouye pi plis forè politik Ayiti a, kote madigra mele ak bon mas, kote tout moun tout bèt, kote nèg ki te konn ap woule tout moun nan farin mare kou krab machann ap vin vann moun lavil pou yo fè sa yo konnen avèk li… Sa k di ou ankò, depi ou gade figi mouche a (kidonk Janklod), ou wè se on moun malad li ye, ki­donk se mouri li vin mouri nan peyi l pou yo pa antere vye zo l nan tè frèt Lafrans. Men Janklod li menm te pral reponn kesyon an… pou l retire tout moun nan erè (!?).

Nan konferans pou laprès li te fè vandredi 21 janvye a, li te di (an franse): « …m konnen ki jan anpil nan nou ta renmen konnen rezon ki fè m tounen Pòtop-

rens apre vennsenk an m kite peyi a. Se on kesyon tout moun ap poze. / Enben m te vle vin salye memwa tout moun ki te viktim nan tranblemanntè 12 janvye 2010 la, ki te fè, dapre estimasyon ofisyèl, 316 mil mò. Malerezman m rive apre seremoni komemorasyon yo. » Sa se bèl pawòl. Men Janklod pa tounen pou mò sèlman—ki pa gen kapasite pou yo ni rekon­nèt li, ni chonje sa k te pase pandan kenz an li te fè sou pouvwa a kòm prezidan a vi. Li vini nan lespri solidarite ak kon­byen mil moun ki pa gen kay pou yo rete apre tranblemanntè a, moun « k ap dò­mi deyò », nan mitan mazi, kay kraze, destriksyon. Li te konnen byen pami moun sa yo gen­yen ki t ap chonje l. Men li gen jan pa l li di sa: « Depi m te pran desizyon tounen ann Ayiti pou m vin nan komemorasyon anivèsè evennman tris sa a, m te gentan konnen yo te pral lage nan kò m. Men m ap di nou anvi antre pou m vin pa­ti­sipe avèk nou nan konbit rekonstriksyon nasyonal la pi fò lontan pase santiman laperèz pou kèl­ke­lanswa pwoblèm yo ta vle ban m nan peyi a… M pa bezwen konnen sa m pase, sa k pi enpòtan pou mwen sè ke m la a avèk nou. E m ap di, nan jan sa a, tout Ayisyen, gason kou fanm, ki dis­po­ze pou sa, gen dwa pou yo vle pote kole. » M pa konn si nou remake pawòl la chanje sou nou. Tankou on aganman, Janklòd soti nan « vin salye memwa », epi l ton­be nan « vin patisipe nan konbit rekonstriksyon nasyonal ». Se on gwo

lakilbit! Konsidere tan l fè deyò (25 an), re­zon k te mete l deyò (on diktatè ki te vin an pàn pou­vwa), li tou fè on kout gi­don—ak fraz « tout Ayisyen… gen dwa pou yo vle pote kole » a—pou l fè konnen, konmkwa li ta santi l jennen, se pa li menm sèl­man, kòm ansyen prezidan ann egzil, ki dwe gen privilèj re­tou­nen nan Ayiti Cheri a (Titid ak lòt mesye ki deyò yo gen dwa pou yo tou­nen tou).

Se pa on ti koze, se on gwo pwojè.

Men èske ansyen Pitit Tig la, ansyen Ke Makak la gen mwa­yen pou l reyalize pwojè sa a? Blan an ta gendwa ankouraje sitwayen an antre nan peyi a, li ta gendwa menm deside ba l sipò, men èske sitwayen an li menm gen moun dèyè l ki pou rele ‘Viv !’… tankou nan tan lontan? Janklod pale de bèl akèy on ekip jèn ki pa t menm konnen l te ba li lè l te debake nan ayewopò dimanch 16 janvye a. (Sa a se pawòl pa l, pawòl on politisyen: politisyen toujou wè foul ki an favè yo, lè gen sèlman de twa grenn moun; yo toujou wè foul ki leve kanpe kont yo tankou on ti mino­ri­te zuit. De ki jèn l ap pale a? Kilès yo ye? Ki kantite ki te genyen toutbon vre?) Men li fè on gwo deklarasyon an favè patizan l li kwè ki la toujou … apre vennsenkan an.

Deklarasyon an fè 5 liy edmi nan papye a. « M pwofite okazyon an pou m fè plizyè milyon patizan m yo konnen piblikman ki jan sa fè m mal, sa yo te fè yo sibi, lè yo te san pwoteksyon, an 1986, apre m te chwazi kite peyi a pou m te ka evite twòp san kou­le e pou m te ka pèmèt pe­yi a soti

nan on kriz politik. Gen konbyen mil la­dan yo, yo te fè kò ansasinay, yo te boukannen yo, griye yo, ba yo ‘Pè Lebren’, on pawòl ki vin selèb jou­nen jodi a. Yo te piye kay yo, piye byen yo, dechouke yo, met dife.

E tou sa t ap pase de­van je ka­mera lemonn antye. » Konpare deklarasyon sa a ak sa l di an 2 liy konsènan vyolans ki te genyen sou reny li an: « M pwofite okazyon an tou pou m di tout moun ki rekonnèt, avèk rezon, yo te viktim sou gouvèn­man m lan ki jan, on lòt fwa ankò, sa fè m tris. » (Men gen on gwo diferans ant 2 tablo yo: kame­ra televizyon pa t la ni Fò Dimanch, ni Rechèch, ni nan kazèn makout toupatou nan peyi a ... pou yo te anrejistre yakoukout, djake, kalòt marasa, touye sigarèt nan je, wonfle anba baton…)

Nan finisman konferans pou laprès la, Janklod al chache Maten Litè King pou ede l nan on koze « rekonsilyasyon nasyonal » ki ta dwe vin pèmèt tout Ayisyen « mache men nan men san pyès moun pa ret deyò, epi patisipe ansanm nan remete Ayiti sou de pye l. » E se sa menm li konsidere kòm vrè mesaj tounen l lan.

Adyeridan! Rekonsilyasyon, se pa sèlman yon mo: pou n rekonsilye, fò n retounen sou sa k te mete n dozado, fòk gen mande padon, fòk gen garanti on sistèm jistis—paske padon pa geri maleng, ni tou li pa bon pou se vanjans moun ap fè tèt yo!

Kontakte Wozvèl Jan-Batis nan rorojb@netzero.com

Trio Accused of Scam using Famous Name

NYC to Resume Collecting Trash, Recyclables Following Latest Snowstorm NEW YORK - New York City's sanitation department plans to resume collecting trash and recyclables after services were suspended because of last week's snowstorm.

The Department of Sanitation says collection services will resume Monday. Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty calls on residents to clear snow from paths so crews can get to the trash.

Up to 19 inches of snow fell on the New York metro-

politan area during last week's storm.

New York City has had 36 inches of snow this January, a record for the month. Residents have criticized Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his sanitation commissioner for their slow cleanup efforts this winter, especially after a Christmas weekend blizzard.

Bloomberg admitted the city's handling of the blizzard was ”unacceptable.”

NEW YORK, (UPI) -- Three people were charged with wire-fraud for allegedly trying to use the family name of the New York Guggenheims to promote fake investment opportunities.

Two of the three charged on Monday, David Birnbaum, 67, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Vladimir Zuravel, 45, of Queens, N.Y., were arrested, but Catarina Pietra Toumei, 45, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., is still at large, the New York Daily News and the New York Post reported.

The Guggenheim family business involves financial services and is the founder of New York City's Guggenheim Art Museum.

Birnbaum and Zuravel were released on bond and all face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted, the newspaper said.

Birnbaum and Zuravel allegedly identified themselves in phone calls to potential victim investors as ”David B. Guggenheim” and ”Vladimir Z. Guggenheim,” court documents indicated.

The three allegedly tried to lure people, such as the family of former President George W. Bush and CocaCola executives, into phony investments including a $4 billion sale of crude oil and a $1 billion sale of diamonds and a vodka distribution deal, the newspapers reported.

None of the intended victims actually gave any business to the alleged scammers, prosecutors said.

The authentic Guggenheims are suing the three for their alleged use of the family's name to defraud potential investors, the newspapers said.

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

Malaysia Is The First Country To Make A Financial Contribution To The Newly-Established ”Fellowship Fund” NEW YORK- Malaysia is the first country to make a financial contribution to the newly-established ”Fellowship Fund” created by the the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

UNITAR is the main training arm of the United Nations (UN).

UN sources hailed the US$100,000 contribution as a ”symbolic and timely gesture” in the spirit of South-South cooperation.

They also said the contribution would ensure access of diplomats from the least developed and developing countries to the Core Diplomatic Training (CDT) courses.

Since 1965, UNITAR has been implementing a comprehensive training curriculum for diplomats in New York, Geneva and elsewhere on topics ranging from informational sessions on the main UN bodies, workshops on election procedures, or UN reforms, to courses on negotiation, resolution drafting and public speaking at the UN. UNITAR maintains that its new business model launched in 2011, based on a cost-recovery fee-based system, envisaged the establishment of a Fellowship Fund to give diplomats from the least developed and developing countries an opportunity to benefit from its training curriculum.

Datuk Hamidon Ali, Malaysia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told Bernama at his New York office, that the contribution underscored the country's commitment to continued learning and education within the UN context. ”This is for more effective multilateral negotiations and to ensure that diplomats from the developing countries can benefit from the UNITAR courses,” he said. ”We decided to do this (contribute the money) as we also stand to benefit from

the training,” he added.

According to Hamidon, UNITAR, which is cash strapped and does not receive a budget from the UN, will not require Malaysian trainees to pay any fees as ”we are paying upfront”.

He also pointed out that education is an important priority for Malaysia which allocates about 20 percent of its budget to promoting it in the country. ”Thus, if you look at it from that perspective, this would also be in keeping with our policy to promote education,” he said.

UNITAR hopes that other countries would emulate Malaysia’s example in making contributions to the training program.

Malaysia recently completed its oneyear term as President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Hamidon, represented Malaysia as the ECOSOC president.

Reflecting on the presidency, he said:”We tried to innovate and make the term more interesting. Last year, we had gender equality as the theme, and this generated a lot of interest. ”We looked at rural women’s issues and organized a philanthropic event for women. Also, a UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) event in March, managed to get good participation from the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund),” he highlighted. ”We also had a retreat and looked at the General Assembly Resolution 61/16 on strengthening the ECOSOC. ”This resolution provides for a review after five years, which will be in 2011.

Thus, the retreat was helpful in finding solutions for ECOSOC,” he said.

A lit tle ad travels far.

Reach out to NYC, Miami, Boston and the Caribbean with The Haitian Times.

Call (718) 230–8700

Looking for Office Space to Sublease in Brooklyn?

Great Price. Great Location.

In Lefferts Garden Call 718-230-8700

Datuk Hamidon Ali, Malaysia’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

11

12

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

Haiti Opens Door for Return of Ex-President Aristide Aristide

continued from cover

Former Presidents Clinton and Aristide

Berotte

continued from page 3

She is also a member of the board of the New England College Council; and sits on the boards of the Technical Education Research Center; the Wellesley Chamber of Commerce; the Boston Foundation’s Haiti Advisory Council; the Secondary Postsecondary Career/Vocational Technical Education Linkage Consortium; and One Family, Inc. She is also an Overseer at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Dr. Berotte Joseph has served on the editorial boards of several scholarly journals including the Journal of the International Reading Association, Journal of the New York State Association for Bilingual Education, and the Wadabagei Journal of the Caribbean and its Diaspora. She is a past president of the Haitian Studies Association, an international, scholarly and professional organization that promotes research and scholarship on Haiti and Haitians, and is fluent in four languages: Haitian Creole, French, Spanish and English. Dr.

Law

continued from page 5

Duvalier’s case will test whether Haiti’s polarized political landscape and elite will allow the trial to go ahead.

“It all depends on the political will and actors involved. Haiti does not have a rich tradition of exemplary justice,” Human Rights Watch counsel Reed Brody told AlertNet in a phone interview from Brussels.

Most analysts agree that Duvalier, who said ”solidarity” led him back home, does not enjoy a high level of popular support.

His return has been both welcomed and scorned by Haitians, revealing a generational divide. Around half of Haiti’s population is under the age of 18 and have never lived under either Duvalier.

Hakim said Duvalier is a potentially destabilizing figure, who could make an already fragile political situation even more unpredictable.

“Whether Duvalier can mobilise people no-one knows. But Duvalier’s return is not good news for Haiti because it creates more confusion and chaos. His presence makes the situation in Haiti more traumatic,” Hakim added.

Just days after Duvalier was charged by state prosecutors with corruption, theft, misappropriation of funds and other

Aristide’s lawyer, Ira Kurzban, asked that the diplomatic passport be delivered to South Africa’s government.

“Consistent with Haitian law, I kindly request that his diplomatic passport be issued immediately and that plans for his return commence immediately,” said the letter, a copy of which was sent to Reuters by a source close to Aristide.

The lawyer also asked for the Haitian authorities to draw up a security plan for Aristide’s return.

OAS experts, citing widespread irregularities in voting tallies from the first-round election, have recommended that presidential candidate and popular musician Michel Martelly be included in a secondround runoff vote in place of the government-backed candidate, Jude Celestin.

The preliminary results announced in early December triggered street

riots by Martelly’s supporters, because Celestin was placed narrowly ahead of their candidate.

Opposition matriarch Mirlande Manigat is already confirmed through to the runoff, to be held on March 20.

Despite the OAS report and international pressure, Celestin, a government technocrat and protege of Preval, has not formally withdrawn from the race despite urging from his own INITE coalition to do so.

February 2-8, 2011

The Haitian Times

According to the New York City Council, 3 million people lack adequate access to grocery stores.* Here’s how special interests would solve the problem: I keep my prices high and my overhead low.

- CEO of NYC-based supermarket chain, (Progressive Grocer, 1986)

Berotte Joseph has lectured extensively at New York University. She was and has authored, translated and edited the recipient of the Distinguished numerous articles on educational polAlumni Award from NYU last year. icy issues facing Haitian communities And her two daughters, Marjorie and in the U.S. as well as in Haiti. She has Claudine, were featured in the book, served as the Principal Investigator and “Nurturing Success,” published in first director of the statewide Haitian 2000.

Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Nicole Rosefort, director of Center in New York, currently housed HABETAC at Brooklyn College at Brooklyn College, and has received called the appointment ”fantastic. several major grants. Most recently, She credited Berotte Joseph with she co-chaired the Higher Education bringing HABETAC to Brooklyn Task Force, which is working to estabCollege and was one of the founding lish a consortium of colleges and unimembers of the leading organization versities that will foster partnerships in the community, Haitian Americans with higher education institutions in United for Progress.

Haiti to rebuild the higher education ”Name it in the Haitian communisystem there. ty, Carole’s involved and supporting Dr. Berotte Joseph earned a bachwith her work with her money when elor’s degree in Spanish, with minors needed, here and in Haiti,” Rosefort in French and education from York said.

College/CUNY; a master’s in educa” Carole doesn’t just talk; she’s a tion, with specializations in curriculum Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph to Lead Bronx Com- doer, she’s efficient, she gets things and teaching, from Fordham Univer- munity College done! She’ll bring caring, expersity; advanced graduate coursework tise, efficiency, creativity to the job! linguistics and bilingual education from in administration and supervision at New So happy to have her back nearby.” the Department of Teaching and Learning York University; and a doctorate in socio-

A Walmart store in your neighborhood would offer a different solution.

alleged crimes committed during his 19711986 rule, four Haitians stepped forward to file criminal complaints, accusing him of crimes against humanity including torture.

BURYING HAITI’S GHOSTS Despite these challenges, international rights groups are pressing the Haitian authorities to prosecute Duvalier for crimes against humanity, which have no statute of limitations, in what they see as a landmark trial that could help Haiti bury the ghosts of its past.

With Duvalier back in his homeland, there is a better chance of his trial going ahead because it is easier to bring charges in the country where the crimes occurred, legal experts say.

Rights groups and lawyers are now busy sifting through the archives and digging up testimonies of systematic torture, detention without trial, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of political opponents that took place under Duvalier. Amnesty International says it has already handed over some 100 documents detailing such abuses to the Haitian authorities.

Many of these crimes were believed to have been committed at the notorious Fort Dimanche prison in the capital, Port-auPrince, a crumbling fortress prison and torture chamber set behind wrought-iron gates that became to symbolize the epicentre of the Duvalier dynasty’s reign of terror.

Join Walmart’s Community Action Network at WalmartNYC.com or 1-855-NYC-JOBS (1-855-692-5627)

Baby Doc maintained a tight grip on power by using the same security force his father had created. Hidden behind dark glasses and packing submachine guns, these trigger-happy gunmen, were dubbed Tonton Macoutes by Haitians after mythical bogeymen who take away bad children in knapsacks, or ”macoutes”.

The Macoutes were behind the killing and torture of up to 30,000 dissenters during the Duvalier years, rights groups say.

“The human rights allegations against Duvalier are that he did not torture with his own hands -- you would have to prove he gave orders. These are very complex charges,” said Human Rights Watch’s Brody, who has been a prosecutor in Haiti.

LONG ROAD TO RULE OF LAW Duvalier’s arrest has also prompted victims of his regime living abroad to seek justice. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were forced into exile, many settling in the United States and Canada, to escape persecution.

“Haitians are mobilising to file individual complaints against Duvalier. The call for Duvalier’s trial in and outside of Haiti is increasing by the day,” said Gerardo Ducos, Amnesty’s Haiti researcher, by phone from Port-au-Prince.

Ducos said it could take at least a year for a trial to go ahead, but that Haiti had a ”golden opportunity to start this long road towards the rule of law”.

“It’s a chance for Haitians to define themselves. It can determine what kind of society Haitians want - whether the rule of law will prevail or whether the country remains in the status quo where impunity reigns,” he said.

But for many Haitians, it seems, the most pressing issue remains one of daily survival and putting food on the table.

With the second round of presidential elections postponed indefinitely while disputes over the winners of the first flawed round remain unresolved, Haitians are looking to the outgoing government to solve the country’s political impasse and improve their dismal living conditions.

More than 1 million Haitians are still stuck in makeshift tents a year after the earthquake. ”There is an uneasy atmosphere in Haiti.

There is much social frustration,” Bernice Robertson, senior Haiti analyst at International Crisis Group told AlertNet. ”I think that Haitians are more interested in seeing how the Haitian authorities move forward to conclude the electoral process and form a new and legitimate government rather than Duvalier’s return. They want to know how the government is going to help provide access to adequate housing, create jobs.”

This story was first published by Alert Net.

If you want a bargain, you get in your car and you go to the bargain.

You don’t ever want to bring the bargain into the neighborhood.

- A lobbyist for the grocery workers’ union, (The New York Times, 2010)

Support us at facebook.com/WalmartNYC *SOURCE: “FoodWorks: A Vision to Improve NYC’s Food System”

13

14

The Haitian Times

The

Prescription

By Dr. Gerald W. Deas

A Gas That Kills: Carbon Monoxide The air that we breathe daily is made up ness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and a of several life-giving gases, among them, feeling of light-headedness. Do not be oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon fooled by these symptoms. It is important dioxide. When these gases react with one to realize that carbon monoxide may be the another, they produce substances that are cause of these symptoms.

Since it is difficult to detect carbon monessential for life on this planet. For example, when one part of oxygen reacts with oxide’s presence, it is important to place two parts of hydrogen, water is produced carbon monoxide detectors in your home (H20). When plants take up carbon dioxide at all floor levels.

I recall an incident that occurred while produced by living creatures, they give off I was working in the emergency room oxygen, which is essential for life.

It is therefore obvious that we need of a city hospital, I observed a family of plants to survive on this planet. If plants five returning weekly with chronic cough, die, we all die. Please be kind to plants difficulty breathing and headaches. They were treated for flu symptoms and sent and trees.

There is a gas I didn’t mention that is home. When they returned to the ER, produced in our homes by water heaters, and a more detailed history was taken, it was revealed that gas stoves, heating systhey were living in tems and dryers. This Carbon monoxide is an unheated house, gas is carbon monoxthe stove to ide. The unique propcolorless, odorless, taste- using provide much neederty of this gas is that it can displace oxygen less and difficult to detect ed warmth. It was also related that the in the blood. The red material in the blood is unless you have a car- furnace in the basement was not workmade up of hemoglobin, which carries oxy- bon monoxide detector, ing properly. Oh, by the way, they had gen to all of the organs which all homes should also purchased a in the body and is used kerosene stove. It for fuel. When carbon be supplied with. was evident to me monoxide is present, that the likely cause it replaces the oxygen, of these symptoms which causes death to was carbon monoxide. I immediately cells in the body.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, called a social worker to see whether this tasteless and difficult to detect unless you family could be housed temporarily in a have a carbon monoxide detector, which local motel while their home was being all homes should be supplied with. Often, investigated by the health department for when a house is completely winterized and the presence of this deadly gas. I’m sure becomes airtight with sealed windows and lives were saved.

Remember, upper respiratory symptoms doors, carbon monoxide can build up and cause death. Warning! Do not cover win- can also mimic carbon monoxide poisondows completely with plastic for this will ing. All homes should be equipped with not allow some outside air to enter. Often, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. just a window slightly open will ensure For more health tips and access to an adequate ventilation.

Carbon monoxide poisoning often mim- online community of physicians and other ics flu-like symptoms such as nasal stuffi- healthcare professionals visit: DrDeas.com

Face The Music

by Gerald W. Deas MD

I love music. Music is universal and is found in every culture of the world.

Music conveys social conditions, political thoughts, spiritual reflections and love.

In other words, music defines what’s in our hearts, minds and souls. I would like to quote the famous guru Sri Chinmoy, taken from his book, Meditation (ManPerfection in God-Satisfaction): Each time we hear soulful music, we get inspiration and delight. In the twinkling of an eye music can elevate our consciousness. But if we also pray and meditate, then we are undoubtedly more illumined and fulfilled than a music-lover who is not consciously leading a spiritual life.

Each spiritual musician is consciously spreading God’s light on Earth. God is the cosmic player, the eternal player and we are His instruments. There is some music that is really destructive to our inner being.

This music comes from the gross physical or the lower vital. Undivine music tries to awaken our lower vital consciousness and throw us into a world of excitement.

The spiritual person will immediately be affected by this music. For a few fleeting moments or hours, we get a kind of pleasure; but then this pleasure takes us into a lower vital consciousness where temptation looms large. From the temptation world we enter into the frustration world and from the frustration world we enter into the destruction world.

It appears today that certain music directed at our youth is causing destructive

February 2-8, 2011

behavior. In other words, our youth are placed in a hypnotic state and consequently become easily led by the media and those who control it. We must remember that although we, as African Americans, produce a great deal of this music, we do not control the programming of it on radio or television. We do not own the media.

In the Gospel of Luke 17:1-3, Jesus states plainly, “Things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen; but how terrible for the one who makes them happen. It would be better for him if a large millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard.”

We must make a concerted effort to encourage our youth to listen to music that elevates their minds and souls. At one time, that kind of music was plentiful, but it has now been replaced by music that destroys their souls.

Music does definitely affect the mind, and we must continue to develop musicians who will raise our spirits. In closing, Sri Chinmoy states: “Music and the spiritual life are like twin brothers; we cannot separate them. Music helps the spiritual seeker to go deep within to get the utmost satisfaction from life, from truth, and from reality.

The spiritual life, in turn, helps music to offer its capacity and its strength, which is the soul’s light, to the world at large.”

As I close this article, I would like you to lift up the musician who has inspired you and has increased your desire to make this world a better world to survive in.

February 2-8, 2011

HEALTH

The Haitian Times

15

Hospital Confirms Cholera Case in Montreal MONTREAL — The first case of cholera has been confirmed in Quebec since the outbreak in Haiti that has killed more than 4,000 people since October, but officials were quick to add there was no chance of ”retransmission” of the disease.

A woman suffering from severe diarrhea was admitted to Montreal's Ste. Justine Hospital on Jan. 1, the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal reported.

Upon hearing that the woman had recently been in Haiti, the emergency room doctor suspected cholera and had her placed in isolation. She was given antibiotics and rehydrated, and released on Jan. 3.

Samples were sent for testing, in keeping with regulations in cases where dangerous infectious diseases are suspected, and came back positive for cholera on Jan. 5. ”There is no danger of retransmission

in Quebec,” said Stephanie Menard, a spokeswoman for the province's public health agency. ”Unlike gastroenteritis or the flu, which can be spread through particles in the air, cholera is transmitted though tainted water or food. In a hygienic place like Quebec or Canada, transmission is unlikely.”

The last recorded case of cholera in Quebec came in 2007. Menard could not say where that case originated.

In Haiti, a cholera outbreak that began in late October has sickened more than 200,000 people and killed more than 4,000. Although mostly contained to Haiti, the disease has spread to neighbouring Dominican Republic, where 300 cases have been reported, resulting in one death of a Haitian migrant worker. The Dominican Republic has started deporting thou-

sands of Haitian illegal immigrants in fear of an outbreak.

Cholera is an intestinal bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and can result in death through dehydration within 24 hours in serious cases if not treated quickly. Countries with poor sanitation infrastructure, especially those in the midst of upheavals requiring refugee camps, are most at risk, said Dr. Jean Vincelette, a microbiologist at Montreal's St. Luc Hospital.

Cholera is spread through the ingestion of infected fecal matter, be it through drinking water, often from contaminated rivers, or from food handled by people who have not cleaned their hands properly.

Caregivers who don't wash their hands well are also at risk. Rapid rehydration, either orally or intravenously, can quickly

cure the disease. ”The problem in Haiti is either people lived too far from medical help, or waited too long to get treatment,” Vincelette said.

Anybody worried they might have cholera should seek treatment immediately, but it's only probable if the patient has travelled to a country with a known cholera outbreak. Vincelette said he had only seen one case in the last 15 years, in a patient recently arrived from abroad.

Montreal suffered a cholera epidemic in 1832, when Irish immigrants fleeing the famine in their homeland were infected and brought the disease to the urban poor living in squalid conditions. More than 6,000 died.

The story was first published in canada. com.

Haitian Clinics Battle Cholera while Facing Overwhelming Challenges PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CNS) -Despite its numerous corrugated steel and cinder-block shacks, the impoverished, crowded and crime-ridden Cite Soleil area of Port-au-Prince was spared some of the worst effects of the 2010 earthquake.

Not so during Haiti's cholera epidemic, said Sister Marcella Catozza, an Italian Franciscan who has worked in the Wharf Jeremie area of Cite Soleil for five years. ”I spent my holiday time with cholera,” she said of the epidemic that began in October and has affected more than 200,000 people nationwide.

Sister Marcella, 48, does not like to dwell on the particular horrors of the victims. But she does recall what was probably the worst moment.

Early in the epidemic, she arrived at the health clinic she oversees and found two people barely alive at the front door.

Within 10 minutes, they were dead.

The Franciscan's pragmatic manner betrays no hint of exhaustion or frustration with having to deal with one more chronic problem in what had already been a difficult year. Not only has she dealt with the human suffering after the January 2010 earthquake, Sister Marcella also has had to rebuild her damaged clinic and has struggled to provide health care in a part of Port-au-Prince where many nongovernmental groups refuse to work because of the Cite Soleil's notorious reputation.

In the densely populated area surrounding the clinic, cholera has taken a serious toll. In November, Sister Marcella's clinic became a cholera treatment center. Staff treated 80 patients a day in a facility with half as many beds.

Overall, about 2,000 cholera patients have been treated at the clinic. Seventeen died. Haiti's Ministry of Health and Population reported that as of Jan. 24, 209,034 Haitians had contracted the water-borne disease, with 4,030 dying.

Although the number of patients has declined in recent weeks, Sister Marcella said cholera is unsparing and unpredictable, and she expects cases to spike again.

Sister Marcella noted that cholera --

which causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and, left untreated, can kill a person within hours -- is linked to Haiti's other ailments and social problems, including malnutrition and hunger. ”Malnutrition is a basic problem for people here,” she said, noting that those who suffer from a poor diet are more susceptible to the disease.

Dr. Jean-Gardy Marius is another clinician who knows the tremendous challenges Haitians face all too well. He oversees the OSAPO Clinic in Rousseau 65 miles north of Port-au-Prince that receives assistance from U.S. and European churches.

While the number of new cholera cases at the rural clinic declined by mid-January, Marius noted that treating the disease is ”problematic because it's tied to so many other things, like poor nutrition.”

Small clinics such as Sister Marcella's and Marius' are limited in what they can do in the absence of a functioning health system. Some 52,000 persons are dependent on health care from OSAPO. Its overworked staff must deal not only with cholera, but also with other problems, including malaria.

Yet, Marius and his staff seem to be doing some good.

Germilia Omisca, a mother of nine who lives in the nearby village of Coline, was among the cholera patients at the clinic's outdoor tent facility. Laying in a bed with an intravenous drip replenishing lost fluids in mid-January, Omisca told Catholic News Service that she felt much better since arriving a day earlier. She confirmed some of Marius' concerns: She had not been eating regularly before becoming ill.

Such problems must be addressed holistically, said Marius and Sister Marcella. ”We need to figure out a way to break this cycle,” said Sister Marcella, arguing that temporary ”emergency” solutions won't solve long-standing underlying problems.

She knows firsthand about the challenges and shortfalls of temporary measures.

One humanitarian group working in Haiti, the Brazil-based Viva Rio, established

Viva Rio members helped Haitians clear water from their homes after Hurricane Tomás.

temporary portable latrines, with paid latrine monitors, on her clinic grounds.

While welcome, such assistance is unsustainable because the latrine monitors eventually will leave, Sister Marcella said. She suggested the group's high-tech ”bio-digester” latrines aren't as practical as simpler, composting toilets.

Nearby, another set of latrines, donated

by Doctors Without Borders, had been sitting full for weeks, waiting to be cleaned or removed.

Charles Wilner, one of several young Haitian volunteers who work with Sister Marcella at the clinic, said problems like drug and alcohol abuse and violence are constant in Wharf Jeremie. ”There are no police here,” he said. ”It's a ghetto zone.”

As for the presence of cholera, Wilner

said residents have accepted it as one more fact of life in an unsettled, volatile environment. Still, they believe that with care about usage and handling of water and with ongoing educational efforts, cholera can be controlled.

Sister Marcella said speculation as to how cholera reached Haiti -- with many arguing it was brought to Haiti by U.N. peacekeeping forces -- is understandable.

But, she said, cholera is now a fact of life in Haiti, just as it is in her native Italy. ”When cholera is in a country, it doesn't leave,” she said. ”It's a condition of life.

Cholera is now endemic to Haiti. It's part of the country now.”

The story was first published in catholicnews.com.

16

The Haitian Times

New YorkManhattan-

February 2-8, 2011

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory due to a

mixed forecast of snow with sleet and freezing rain. The dangerous conditions will start during the Tuesday morning rush hour and could continue through the Wednesday evening rush hour.

The National Weather Service forecasts two to four inches of snow, a quarter of an inch of ice and up to one

inch of rain for the New York City area early Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening. OEM strongly recommends that people use mass transit and avoid driving during and immediately after the snow storm. Information about any service changes to public transportation is available on the MTA website at http://www.mta.info/.

For real-time updates on hazardous conditions in New York City, sign up for Notify NYC at www.NYC.gov/ notifynyc.

For Motorists: If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions.

Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible as these roadways will be cleared first.

Drive slowly. Vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive, take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.

Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck in the snow.

If you get stuck on the road stay with your car and contact a towing company.

For Pedestrians Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces.

Wear layers including a hat, gloves and scarf to stay protected from the cold. And, keep clothes and shoes dry.

Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

Fire Hydrants Snow covered fire hydrants are a potentially dangerous condition that may impede fire fighting operations. Property owners are urged to clear snow from fire hydrants in front of or adjacent to their property.

Snow and Ice Removal All builders, contractors, and property owners are reminded to take preventative action to safely remove ice and snow from flat top roofs, overhangs, and awnings and secure their construction sites and buildings in preparation for the coming storm.

Suspension of Alternate Side Parking Regulations: The New York City Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Department of Sanitation, has suspended Alternate Side Parking Regulations citywide until further notice to facilitate snow removal.

Payment at parking meters is also suspended throughout the city until further notice.

New Jersey The Hudson County Jaycees in partnership with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Hudson County WIB presents a Job Fair and Resource Event to connect employers and jobseekers on Friday, February 4, 2011 from 10:00AM - 2:30PM at New Jersey City University. This event is being hosted by New Jersey City University’s Career Planning & Placement and SBDC. This event, Jersey City Job Fever, is designed to pair highly qualified candidates with companies seeking specific skill sets. The target audience is primarily white collar individuals with college degrees and a wide array of skills and experience from various sectors. We intend to also secure employers for non-degreed positions, as well.

As a valued New Jersey employer, the Jersey City Job Fever Job Fair and Resource Event is an ideal opportunity to examine the landscape of talent available to fill your current and anticipated job openings. Registration is free.

For more information, please contact: Rita Linterno, Hudson County Jaycees jerseycityjobfair2011@gmail.com -

BUSINESS

February 2-8, 2011

The Haitian Times

17

Cuomo's Budget Seeks Cuts to Schools, Health Care and Programs Cuomo proposed a $132.9 billion budget plan by the beginning of the fiscal year, for the 2011-12 fiscal year that would cut April 1. But a budget's adoption is historispending by $3.7 billion, a decrease of 2.7 cally late.

Cuomo said he's closing the budget gap percent, as he seeks to close a $10 billion without raising taxes and fees, but the budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year.

His proposal would come with deep cuts budget does include about $450 million in funding for schools, health care, higher in new revenue actions, mainly through education and municipalities. He said as an expansion of gambling and greater many as 9,800 state jobs would be elimi- enforcement of tax collections. And it also nated if he can't reach $550 million in sav- has about $800 million in one-shot revings from public-worker unions through enue actions, such as sweeps from unused state accounts. negotiations.

Schools quickly Cuomo's budget now State operating funds would increase by $900 warned that the spending reductions would heads to the Legisla- million to $88.1 billion, a 1 percent increase attribwreak havoc on programs. Unions said ture, which is required uted to making up for a loss of about $5 billion they are being unfairly targeted. Health care to pass spending plan in federal stimulus aid. overall, Cuomo is groups said services by the beginning of But the first governor to profor the sick and elderly would be decimated. the fiscal year, April 1. pose an overall decrease in the state budget since The budget set the But a budget's adop- Republican Gov. George stage for what has been Pataki did so in 1996, expected for months: a bruising battle among tion is historically late. officials said.

Cuomo also plans to Cuomo, lawmakers let expire at year's end a and special-interest groups on how to remedy the state's fiscal higher income-tax bracket for people making more than $200,000 a year. troubles.

School aid, slated to grow 13 percent in Cuomo implored the state Legislature to go along with his plan, saying the state 2011-12, would be held at $19.4 billion, can no longer afford the high spending and a reduction of $1.5 billion or 7.3 percent, high taxes that have resulted from decades Cuomo said. The budget offers $500 million in competitive grants for schools. of fiscal decisions made at the Capitol.

School groups warned that after recent ”This budget is about transforming our government around a new set of values years of cuts, another round of reductions that face today's economic reality,” he said would be devastating. ”Governor Cuomo's cuts to our kids' in his roughly 45-minute address to lawschools are the largest in history,” said makers at a theater near the Capitol.

The Democratic governor said that the Billy Easton, executive director of the public is demanding relief from Albany, Alliance for Quality Education. ”If they despite efforts by special-interest groups are adopted, the damage to students will to continue New York's rate of spending. be permanent because children do not get He said spending has grown by 5.7 percent a second chance.”

Cuomo took great effort in his speech annually over the past decade -- higher than the growth in tax receipts, personal to show, in a 125-page slide presentation, how state formulas have been adopted in income or inflation. ”The people get it and the people are budgets that call for spending growth that with you,” Cuomo said to legislators. simply can't continue. The budget, Cuomo ”And at the end of the day, it's about the estimated, would reduce the projected four-year deficit by 86 percent, from $64.6 people.”

Cuomo's budget now heads to the Legis- billion to $9.2 billion. He is seeking legislature, which is required to pass spending lation to revamp the funding formulas.

Gov. Cuomo

For example, the cost of Medicaid, the health-insurance program for the poor and disabled, was slated to increase by 13 percent this year, Cuomo said.

Under his proposal, Medicaid would be cut by $982 million in year-to-year spending, a 2 percent decline, but that would be part of a reduction of $2.9 billion in the estimated growth in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

Cuomo, however, is leaving the specifics on how to cut the program to a Medicaid Redesign Team, which is made up of industry officials, unions and lawmakers.

And some of the group members knocked Cuomo for his Medicaid cuts -- even as they are tasked with finding savings in the program by March 1. ”We believe this to be the largest Medicaid cut in New York's history, and if enacted it will decimate New York's health care infrastructure, threaten access to care, and harm communities everywhere,” according to a statement from George Gresham, president of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and Kenneth Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association.

Union reaction

Cuomo said he plans to cut state operations by 10 percent, which could include as many as 9,800 layoffs if he can't reach a cost-saving deal with unions.

They also reacted strongly to the budget. ”There is nothing fair nor shared in the proposed state budget,” said Danny Donohue, president of the Civil Service Employees Association. ”Slashing aid to our communities, to our hospitals and nursing homes, to our schools and disproportionate cuts in state operations does not represent any new direction.

Cuomo plans to establish a task force to come up with recommendations for closures of some prisons, but he would offer $100 million in economic-development aid to the areas of the state affected. He said there are at least 3,500 excess beds in the state's prison system.

For state colleges and universities, operating aid would be reduced by 10 percent, as well as for private colleges. He is not proposing any tuition increases. Cuomo put in legislation that would allow the state University of New York to improve its ability to enter into public-private partnerships see CUOMO on page 22

MultiAd Releases Recas Mobile: Media Sales Reps’ Secret Weapon to Closing More Sales Peoria, Illinois—MultiAd announces the release of Recas Mobile, an application that delivers targeted co-op advertising information directly to media sales professionals. The mobile application is a media sales tool that helps close deals during sales calls. Native applications are currently available for mobile devices running Blackberry, Android, iOS (Apple) and Windows Mobile.

Recas Mobile delivers only the information a media sales representative needs to assist their clients with maximizing advertising budgets. The app is based on MultiAd Recas, the leading solution for media companies— newspaper, yellow page, outdoor advertising and broadcast companies—to research and manage their co-op sales initiatives.

“Recas Mobile extends the reach and impact co-op adver-

tising has on our clients’ bottom line,” states Ryan Stevenson, product development manager.

“It’s an exciting new addition to the Recas solution that a media sales representative can quickly reference while consulting with their retail clients.”

Recas is the tool that newspaper, yellow page, outdoor advertising and broadcast media properties rely on for growing revenue through the use of co-op advertising.

The app provides instant access to the Recas co-op database, allowing media sales representatives to search active co-op plans by category or search for specific brands or product types. Each manufacturer plan details earning levels, reimbursement rates and manufacturer contact information. The plans are segmented by media type so the sales representative can focus on the specifics of their product line.

Co-op advertising provides a revenue stream to media outlets by allowing them to augment their customer’s advertising budgets. It increases the reach and frequency of the advertised brands and drives traffic to the retailer(s) that distribute those brands.

Recas Mobile is available as a stand-alone monthly subscription or can be bundled with a Recas. com subscription.

18 8

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

A Dozen Haitian Artists to Participate at New Orleans Jazz Festival

Compiled by Ralph Delly

Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis Inaugurates “School without Hunger “ On January 12, 2011 the Haitian-American actor Jimmy Jean-Louis proudly inaugurated “Espoir Sans Faim” school in Cadet, Petion-Ville. The event officially presented Belo, members of Pan American Development Foundation, quickly filled up with proud parents and their excited children all displayed their joy with the school director Jonas Petit. The school “Espoir Sans Faim”, an initiative of Jean-Louis’ Hollywood Unites for Haiti, received 10,000 dollars from the Pan American Development Foundation. Hollywood Unites for Haiti is a non profit organization, whose mission is to promote sports and cultural activities for the underprivileged youth of Haiti. Designed to accommodate three hundred children, the school currently has one hundred twenty and is provided with three buildings with seven classes. Other buildings are being built to accommodate more children, benches and tables furnish the new classroom space and faculty veteran are ready to supervise the children.

Magician without Border to Travel in Haiti President of Canadian enterprise, Maurice Maunet who was in Haiti last week has announced that Magician Without Borders will be in Haiti in the month of May to present a charity show, organized in Quebec in order to raise the funds to be used to buy a house Tenta for an orphanage in Haiti. This is an organization that employs a certain number of shows and promotes them through the world.

Depending how popular Magician Without Borders show will be, Haiti could get several weeks of shows at a time doing up to 15 shows a week. The show is all about people bringing their dreams to life, and the proceeds will go to help an orphanage.

“Afrik for Haiti” Hits Shelves in Africa The song, “Afrik for Haiti”, a project of a dozen African artists in memory of the January 12, 2010 earthquake hit the shelves of thousands of record shops across Africa, and is on sale for 1.50 Euro. Fans around the world can buy the single in order to help education and health projects in Haiti, which has been terribly hit last year. African artists who collaborated on this piece are Gawlo Zandi, Manu Dibango, Ismael Lo, Alpha Blondy, Youssou Ndour, Aisha Kone, Oumou Sangare and Lokua Kanza. Haitian group Tabou Combo is already featured on it.

TOP 10 SONGS

1. Trankil La - An n'Al Plante Bwa 2. Barbara Guillaume - Pa Kite m' Ale 3. Shabba Djakout - Bispidida 4. Tanya Saint-Val - Psaume 5. Jhon Clark - Panike 6. ZIN - Souké dada' w 7. Groove Kreyol - Se Ou Mwen Vle 8. Steeve Khe - Si Ou Renmen Mwen 9. Don Q - Tell Me Where You'...

10. Alan Cave - YERESWA LIVE To send in your request, log on to haitinetradio.com

Courtesy of Haitinetradio.com

Several Haitian musicians and groups will be at the 41st edition of the jazz festival in New Orleans (April 29-May 1 and May 5-8). On 29 April at the opening of the festival, Haiti will be represented

by Wyclef Jean. Ti Coca, Wanga Nègès, Emeline Michel and Dr. Jean Montès will perform the same day. The next day, Emeline Michel will be on stage alongside ADI Rara in Haiti, Ti Coca & Wanga Nègès, and Sunday May 1, Boukman Eksperyans will perform alongside ADI Rara in Haiti. The second week of the festival, which begins May 5, will feature the musical group Djakout # 1. RAM group will be on stage May 7. Tabou Combo and RAM are part of groups that will close the 41st edition of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will include many renowned artists such as Lauryn Hill, Bon Jovi, Arcade Fire, John Legend and the Roots, Lionel Richie, Jason Mraz, Drake, Kirk Franklin, Aaron Neville and Wyclef Jean.

Three Haitian Scholars Discussed at Harvard’s “Black in America” Conference

“Black in Latin America” is a multinational conference that took place at Harvard University on January 27-29, 2011. Inspired

by Professor Henry Louis Gates’s upcoming documentary of the same name, to air on PBS on April 19, the “Black in Latin America” conference gathered together scholars from Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Perú, Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S. to discuss a variety of issues related to race relations of Afro-descendants in the Caribbean and Latin America. Haitian scholars Rachel BeauvoirDominique, Edwige Dantica, and Michel DeGraff were among the panelists. The conference began with an evening reception on Thursday, January 27 at the Institute’s Rudenstine Gallery, Six panels on Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 28 at the Tsai Auditorium in CGIS featured presentations by scholars from or at work in these African Diaspora communities; simultaneous translation in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English were available.

Mayor Edo Zenny is Sweating for T-Vice Participation in Jacmel Carnival Jacmel Mayor, Edo Zenny said that he’s still confident that T-Vice will participate at this year carnival, and he has no doubts that the manager Jessie would not hesitate to participate free of charge at the event, considering that indirectly, the money from the sponsors will go to the victims of the catastrophe of January 12th. The call for T-Vice to participate at Jacmel Carnival was rejected by Jessie who said that she does not have a contract with the Mayor in order to do so.

However, Mayor Zenny believes that donations of the band’s talent, in fact, proved much more successful than the call for money. He stressed that his official partner, Voilà should consult T-Vice for their participation in the carnival.

Haitian Basket Ball Federation Gets New Court Haitian Basketball Federation is going to have the teams play on some new hardwood.

The new court was built thanks to the partnership between the Federation and Voilà that unveiled the new basketball court with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Classic Center of Turgeau. Three days earlier, representatives of federations of basketball and volleyball already announced the inauguration of the land built by Digicel. An initiative which should serve as a way forward to everyone moving in the rebuilding efforts in Haiti, who tend to sell their service, make profits and bask regardless of whether they have a duty to contribute to the Haitian society empowerment to help make this a reality. In the presence of representatives of the Haitian Olympic Committee (HOC), the team Digicel is the first encounter played basketball against a team of (COH) that was beaten 58-48.

February 2-8, 2011

ART&CULTURE

The Haitian Times

19

Women Of Haiti In The Spotlight Of New Show The Haitian Times Newswires

The victimized women of Haiti are being spotlighted in this year’s production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues.

The production that runs the gamut between high emotion and high comedy with the goal of instilling a broader sense of female empowerment, highlights a new cause every year.

And the latest is the plight of Haitian women, who are not only victims of a crushing earthquake, but are also experiencing a high rate of sexual violence.

“The whole country is in turmoil,” said Melanie Willerth, community action coordinator with the Central Alberta AIDS Network.

With many homeless Haitians still living in temporary camps, lawlessness seems to rule, with women being particularly vulnerable to attacks.

A survey conducted by the Haitian women’s rights organization Kay Fanm found 72 per cent of Haitian girls were raped in the country that only made rape a crime in 2005, said Willerth.

As well, some 70 per cent of Haitian women were victims of domestic or other types of violence.

Willerth, who is directing the production that runs Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11 and 12, at the Memorial Centre in Red Deer, said a new monologue about Haiti pays tribute to activist Miriam Merlet.

The feminist, who was killed in the January 2010 earthquake, first brought The Vagina Monologues to Haiti — a gutsy move, considering how slow the country has been in recognizing any rights for women.

While the Monologues also deals with female repression in other parts of the world, it’s more than just a summary of the indignities women suffer globally.

It’s a celebration, said Willerth.

She noted the production, written after Ensler interviewed real-life women, can be extremely touching and funny, containing speeches about orgasms, male-female relationships, childbirth and — of course — vaginas. “It’s a very empowering experience.”

This year’s cast of 24 includes three mother-daughter pairs and the youngestever participant at 13.

Some higher-profile volunteers are radio hosts Lindsay Rae of The Kraze 101.3 and Whitney Grace of 100.7 The River, Robin Armitage of the Soroptimists, and

Myriam Merlet was one of three leading activists in the Haitian women's movement who died, a victim of the earthquake.

Kim Berube, founder of Real Woman magazine.

“This year’s group is very close-knit,” said Willerth, who added participants are interested in drawing attention to acts of violence against women. “They are fighting to stop it, and are saying, ‘We can do

something about it.’ ” Tickets to the 8 p.m. shows are $30 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre. There will be a silent auction and cash bar. Ten per cent of proceeds will go towards women’s programs in Haiti, while 90 per cent will stay in the Red Deer community.

Haiti Noir

These 18 gritty tales – edited by award-winning Haitian author Edwidge Danticat – offer unique perspectives on life in the struggling nation.

In 2004, the Brooklyn-based independent publisher Akashic Books released “Brooklyn Noir,” a collection of all-new crime stories, each set in a different neighborhood of the borough. “Brooklyn Noir” won readers and awards, and spawned “Brooklyn Noir 2: The Classics,” then “Chicago Noir,” “San Francisco Noir,” and “D.C. Noir.” “Dublin Noir” was the first book in the series to leave the borders of the US Although crime-fiction stars like Dennis Lehane and George Pelecanos have edited previous volumes in the series, with Haiti Noir Edwidge Danticat becomes the first of the series’s editors to have made her name as a mainstream literary author.

(Coming up are “Lagos Noir” from Chris Abani and “New Jersey Noir” from Joyce Carole Oates.) Though best known as the author of melancholy, well-crafted works of fiction, Danticat is also the editor of the anthology “The Butterfly’s Way,” and three contributors to that book also appear in this one.

NBCC nominees: the best fiction of 2010 Haiti has been the subject of more than its share of lurid narratives. In her introduction to “Haiti Noir,” Danticat discusses some of the “dark tales” that emerged from Haiti during the US Marine occupation of 1915-34. Books like “The Magic Island”

by William Seabrook and “Voodoo Fire in Haiti” did their part to create a persistent image of Haiti as a land of zombies and

cannibals.

By focusing on tales of crime and cruelty, “Haiti Noir” might be expected to generate more of the same. But Danticat maintains that if “mind-blowing and sometimes bone-chilling” stories are to be written about Haiti, they should be written by Haitians themselves.

Of the 18 stories in this collection, all but two are written

by Haitians, though many of them live in the diaspora. Madison Smartt Bell and Mark Kurlansky, white Americans with a deep knowledge of the country, are given the honor of inclusion.

Danticat tells us that she began working on this anthology about a year before the devastating earthquake of January 2010. She includes three tales that focus on that historic disaster, and chooses two of them to begin and end the book. In “Odette,” by Patrick Sylvain, a grandmother in a neighborhood of Port-auPrince survives the destruction only to become the target of the fears and suspi-

cions of her neighbors. In “The Harem,”

by Ibi Aanu Zoboi, a charming lady’s man with three lovers has a twisted response when he loses two of them in the quake.

And in “The Blue Hill,”

by Rodney Saint-Éloi, the earthquake comes as the final blow of what is already an apocalyptic scene brought on by the dumping of chemicals and an outbreak of blue pustules.

Unlike other volumes in the series, “Haiti Noir” features few stories of mystery and detection.

One exception is “Dangerous Crossroads,” by LouisPhilippe Dalembert, a satisfying police procedural about a veteran police detective and a series of strangely deformed corpses.

For all the drama and violence in this book, some of its most effective stories focus on quieter losses. Populated by slaves (after the indigenous Taino Indians succumbed to European diseases), Haiti began as a land of displaced people and has remained a hard land to thrive in. “Migration is such

an integral part of the Haitian experience,” writes Danticat, “that those living outside of the country were once designated as part of a ‘tenth department,’ an ideological auxiliary to Haiti’s first geographical nine.”

Within Haiti itself, survival sometimes requires internal exile. Some of these stories refer to restaveks, or children whose parents are driven by poverty to send them away to work as domestic servants for richer families. Restaveks may be abused, deprived of education, or even raped. In “Rosanna,” by Josaphat-Robert Large, a wealthy woman who owns a boutique in the capital takes in a boy as a restavek, and although she treats him well the decision ends in tragedy. In “Which One?,” by Evelyne Trouillot, a mother contemplates a deception that would send her daughter to Brooklyn in hopes of a better life.

Danticat’s own story may be the highlight of this collection. In “Claire of the Sea Light,” a fisherman’s wife dies while giving birth to their daughter, Claire. Gaspard, the father, raises the child but is constantly haunted by the sense that he is inadequate to the task. Though the love between Gaspard and Claire is strong, Gaspard devotes years to convincing a woman who sells fabric to become the girl’s godmother — in fact, to take her away and raise her. It is a heartbreaking story, and when Gaspard finally succeeds, the result is more heartbreaking yet.

The story was first published in CSMonitor.com.

20

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

Wedding Series: TableTop Décor I have been getting great feedback from you all about the wedding series. Now that the holidays are over, I thought I would continue the series with Décor. Now that you have your planner in the bag, your caterer set and your space in place, we will start to get down to details.

If you happen to be one of those individuals who will be going with a catering hall that provides everything, than, your job is easy. You will not have to worry too much. However, if you are like me and love to create unique events, then you will definitely appreciate this article.

Today’s focus will be on tabletop décor. Looking for ideas for a great centerpiece? This article is for you.

Flowers Yes, Flowers are beautiful!

And since flower vendors know how much we love and appreciate these beauties, they sure charge us for them. Calla Lilies are the ultimate wedding flowers. They are beautiful, unique and well, expensive. Each flower can cost you anywhere from $4 to $6 per flower depending on season and location. These flowers are so versatile and gorgeous that they can be used at all stages of your wedding. They make amazing bride bouquets, but also serve great as cake decoration or centerpieces. They come in a variety of colors.

Not a fan of calla lilies, orchids

also make beautiful wedding flowers. They are great for summer, fall or winter. There is something so romantic and cheerful about orchids.

Recent trend in the wedding décor business has been combining flowers and herbs such as mints, and various greens as part of the bouquet. This adds a nice warm and earthy feel to most events. Try it!

Roses and Herb Bouquet And of course, you know you can’t ever go wrong with roses.

Use them in small vases as centerpieces. Use the petals to decorate tabletops, or simply use them to line archways. Roses are beautiful and classic.

Not a Flower Person If you are like me, flowers are not necessarily the end of all, be all, décor prop. So where does one turn to, when they want to step out of the flower box?

Candles remain my all time décor favorite item. I love them.

With candles you can create any mood. Whether you are looking for something lavish, intimate or warm, candles can help you set the tone. Floating candles are elegant and dare I say it: affordable! With candles, mirrors, and some lose flowers, the sky is the limit with the number of looks you can create.

Check out these candle centerpieces.

Now, candles are cheaper than flowers, but by the time you add the bowl, mirror, and pedals, things can still add up. Want to keep it even more budget friendly? How about a Fruit centerpiece. Fresh fruits, especially citrus add a really unique and fresh look to tables. Try these ideas up for size.

Basically anything can serve as décor for your centerpieces.

It’s a matter of being creative.

Try to think outside the box.

Do you love lanterns, you can find great mini lanterns at craft stores. Perhaps you like bird cages, or cards? Make something creative and fun. Wine bottles may also be wrapped in fabric or colorful paper and serve as a very budget friendly décor solution.

Nadege Fleurimond is the owner & business manager of Fleurimond Catering, Inc., an off-premise catering firm serving the NY/NJ/CT/MA areas.

She is also the author of a Taste of Life: A Culinary Memoir, a humorous and heart warming compilation of recipes and funny anecdotes. (http://www. nadegefleurimond.com) Please submit thoughts and questions pertaining to the column via email at nadege1981@ gmail.com

HTCLASSIFIEDS HTCLASSIFIEDS

February 2-8, December 2-8,2011 2009

place an in adTHE in THE CLASSIFIEDS Section, — 8700 To To place an ad CLASSIFIEDS Section, call call (718)(718) 230 230 — 8700

LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE ANNONCE L’ATTENTION DE: NOTICE OFA FORMATION OF Ulrick Dutervil LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. Faisant commandement NAME: suite 2865Ă CONEY ISLAND donnĂŠ l’ honorable AVENUEparLLC. Articles Juge of Gerald M.Fox,were Jr., filed pour with une Organization audience devant se tenir le 15 the Secretary of State of New fĂŠvrier 2011Ă 8 on heures 45 devant York (SSNY) 12/14/05. le “of Probate’’, sis 888 Thetribunal latest date of dissolution is Washington Boulevard Ă location: Stanford, 12/31/2045.Office Connecticut 06904 Kings County.

SSNY2152 has USA, been Afin de dÊterminer la recevabilitÊ designated as agent of the LLC d’une demande de rÊvocation upon whom process against des droits concernant it may be parentaux served. SSNY shall un enfant mineur to nÊ the le mailcertain a copy of process 15 1995.Goldstein, La dÊcision LLC, mars c/o Stuart 150 du Tribunal peut Great affecterNeck, vos Great Neck Rd., droits.

DROIT A L’ASSISTANCE New York 11021, which is also JUDICIAIRE Si laagent personne sus the registered address. nommÊe de Purpose: dÊsire For bÊnÊficier any lawful l’assistance purpose. judiciare, un avocat sera nommÊ d’office. Pour ce faire, cette demande doit intervener et lefiled dit Articles ofimmÊdiatement Organization nommÊ le Tribunal with thedevra SSNYpourvoir on 6/25/09 for de la prevueWEALTH-BUILDING de son incapacitÊ SAINTWELL financière.

AND INFORMATION CENTER, Sur Tribunal Ave 6G, LLC,Ordre 1405du Brooklyn Nelly Slocum, Clerk Brooklyn NY 11210.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF ANTONI MOSZCZYNSKI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPAGNY. NAME : 754ATGRAND ATTORNEY LAW, STREET, LLC, a LLC. Articles of Organization domestic Professional Limited were filed with (PLLC) the Secretary Liability Company filed with of State New York (SSNY) the Sec of of State of NY (SSNY) on on 09/10/09. date 12/15/10.

NY The officelatest Location: of dissolution is 12/31/2050.

Kings County. SSNY is designated Office location: Kings County. as agent upon whom process SSNY has been may designated as against the PLLC be served. agent shall of the LLCa upon whom SSNY mail copy of any process against against may be process the itPLLC served served.

SSNY to shall a copy upon him/her Themail PLLC, 835 of process Ave., to the LLC, 220 Manhattan Brooklyn, NY MontaukPurpose: Street, Law Valley Stream, 11222.

New York 11580. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of SVB Realty, NOTICE FORMATION LLC. Arts. OF of Org. filed with of 6715 Bay ofPkwy., LLC Art. Secy. of State NY (SSNY) on of Org filed Office Sec’y of State 12/28/10. location: (SSNY) 11/2/09.

Office Kings Co. SSNY designated as location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to c/o Domenico and Anna Aulisa, 24 Bayridge Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11209 Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of formation of LLC ALWAYS AT SEA PRODUCTIONS, LLC128 St. Marks Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Notice of Formation of Golden 88 Realty LLC, Art. of Org. filed Sec'y of State (SSNY) 10/8/09.

Office location: Kings County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 6820 15th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11219. Purpose: any lawful activities.

JWGF ENTERPRISES LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Sec of State of NY on 10/23/09.

NY Office location: Kings County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to Richard Gordon, 291 Warren St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. General Purposes

agent of LLC upon whom process adoption against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Eiges and A BABY IS OUR Cos. DREAM: Eiges Management Inc., We'reEastern Lori & Pkwy, Steve, Brooklyn, a loving 201 couple who's longing to NY 11238.

Purpose: any lawful adopt! We care about you. activities.

Please call 1-800-982-3678. ____________________________ Expenses paid.

NYC VANTAGE MEDIA, LLC, aautos domesticWanted Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed with the Sec of State of VEHICLE: NY on 11/16/10.

DONATE RECEIVE NY OfficeGROCERY location: Kings County. $1000 COUPON. SSNY is designated as agent NOAH'S ARC SUPPORT upon NO whom process against the LLC KILL SHELTERS, RESEARCH may be served.

SSNY shall mail TO ADVANCE VETERINARY a copy of any process against TREATMENTS FREE the LLC served upon him/her to TOWING, TAX DEDUCTIBLE, NYC VANTAGE MEDIA, LLC, NON-RUNNERS ACCEPTED 869 E. 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 1-866-912-GIVE 11230.

Latest date to dissolve: Indefinite. Purpose of LLC: Any lawful purpose.

BusinessoppoRtunity

ALL CASH VENDING. Do you earn $800 in ofa VREM day?

Notice Of formation Your own DESIGN LLClocal the candy arts. of route.

Org. Includes 25 Machines was filed with the Secretaryand of Candy.

State of New York (SSNY) on All for $9,995.888-77110/13/2010.

Office location, 3496 of Kings. SSNY has been County designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it Help Wanted may be served.

SSNY small mail process to : Robert Volek, 395 Washington Ave, Apt 8. Brooklyn, AIRLINES ARE HIRINGTrain NY lawful for 11238. high Purpose: paying Any Aviation Act. Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified- Housing Available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387

Evelyne Cesar who is the land Guardian of Laureen Smarah Desir is looking for Laureen‘s NC MOUNTAINS ClOSEOUT father.

Her mother’s name is SALE! Cabin 2+Cesar acres Laumise Desir.shell, Evelyne with view, very private, livesgreat at 63 Greenbrier St, big trees,waterfalls large Dorchester, Mass, &02124. public lake She can benearby, reached$99,500 at 617 Bank financing. 866-275-288- 1792.

0442

lots & acReage ABANDONED UPSTATE NY FARM! 10 acres- $26,900 Adjoins State Land, views, mowed fields, woods, apple trees, lots of deer! Terms! Call now! 877-856-0882

Miscellaneous ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal Justice.

Job placement assistance Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 888-201-8657 www.CenturaOnline.com

Misc foR sale New italian Leather Living Room Set. Orig. $3000 Steal for $699* Solid Wood Captain Stirage Bedroom New In Box Orig. $2,800 Steal for $699* Call 718-499-4499

Can deliver.

917-731-0425 CLASSIFIEDS ITALIAN LEATHER LIVING

Adoption ROOM SET in original plastic,

never used. Original price A truly happy couple withBill so $3,000, sacrifice $975. much love to share hopes to 347-328-0651 give your precious newborn a lifetime of happiness. Michael Real estate and Eileen 1-877-955-8355 babyformichaelandeileen@gmail.

Smithville, NJ -55+ FOUR com SEASONS-Large MULBURY Model, handicap acceddible, 2 sunrooms, premium lot.

Autos Wanted Near AC and shore. Owner financing VEHICLE: 3%. 609-748DONATE RECEIVE 2988 609-335-5124 $1000 GROCERY COUPON. NOAH'S ARC SUPPORT NO UpstateSHELTERS, NArrowsburg!

27+/KILL RESEARCH AcresADVANCE Private, VETERINARY Secluded, TO Fields, Woods Views, TREATMENTS FREE TOWING, TAX Excellent HUnting, Camping DEDUCTIBLE, NON-RUNNERS and Four Wheeling.

Accessed ACCEPTED 1-866-912-GIVE by 3,000 Ft. Right-Of-Way, Asking $150,000 #10764 Auto Donations www.eaglevalleyrealty.com 845-252-3085 DONATE YOUR VEHICLE: RECEIVE $1000 Commercial Real GROCERY Estate COUPONS BREAST Auction Dec. 5.UNITED Margaretville/ CANCER FOUNDATION Free Arkville, Catskills.

18,000 Mammograms, Maximum sf bldg, 2.5 ac. 845 586tax deduction upon pickup.

1234, theoldbatfactory.com FREE Towing, Non-Runners Accepted, 877-822-8287 www. driveoutbreastcancer.org

equipment.

130% LTV. FLORIDASBA Loans DOCKABLE LEARN MORE: Developer 1-888-906-4545 LAKEFRONT! Must www.turnkeylenders.com Sell! was $350,000, NOW $149,900. Land sales are booming! Own dockable Drivers lakefront acreage on one of Florida's top recreational TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED! 2011 lakes- at price well below cost.

PAY RAISE! UP TO $.52 PER MILE! ALL infrastructure HOME WEEKENDS! completed!

EXCELLENT Prime location90 minutes BENEFITS! NEW EQUIPMENT! Disney.

Financing.

These HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800-441bargains wonĂ­t last! Call 4953 www.heartlandexpress.com now 866-352-2249 www.

FLlanddeal.com

Education

Wanted to Buy Military Personnel Current/ Former. Learn to Earn $36,000WE BUYaverage ANYTHING $50,000 1st yr. OLD. Train Costume Jewelry, fountain for Commercial Driving TUITION/ pens,PAID old ifwatches, fair FEE's qualified.world National and military Tractor Trailor items.

School,Cigarette Liverpool lighters; anything gold.

Call NY. 1-888-248-9305 www.ntts. edu Mike 718-204-1402.

A little Use ad Federal ARMY PERSONNELtravels Tuition Assistance For far.

Tractor Trailer Training.

Active Duty, Reservists, Reach out to NYC, National Guard If Qualified.

Miami, National Boston Tractor Trailer and School.

Liverpool, Buffalo, NY Branch the Caribbean with 1-888-243-9381 www.ntts.edu

The Haitian Times.

Help Wanted

out of state land foR sale Business Opportunity

Call

AIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for high paying Aviation Career. FAA (718)program.

230–8700 approved Financial aid if qualified- Job Placement Do you earn $800 in a day? Assistance. CALL Aviation Institute Your Own Local Candy Route! of Maintenance (866)296-7093 25 machines and candy All for $9995. 877-915-8222 All Major CCI LOCAL COORDINATORS Credit Cards Accepted! to place and supervise foreign to the Outreach Center “Car for Kids� exchange students withProgram volunteer host . Free families.†Independent Pick-up and Tow Business Services contractor with compensation, . Any Model or Condition training, and travel incentives. To Hurry and Donate Now to Receive Your of Year End BUSINESS LOANS- Bank Lines apply: www.cci-exchange.com// IRS Tax Deduction Credit.

Let us finance your contract arearepinquiry.aspx Help Kids in Need client. GREAT leases new/ used

DONATE YOUR CAR OUTREACH CENTER

1-800-580-1244

A little ad HOT t r a vTUB e l s f ar.ď€ ď€ ď€ƒď€€

Buy a we’ll u Weekend & pgrade you to a

ď€ ď€ RENTALS Reach out to NYC, Miami, Boston 631-HOT-TUBS and the Caribbean with WeightlossTheMedications Romantic Weekends • Parties • Anniversaries Try Before You Buy • Or Just to Warm Up Your Winter!

Weekend, Monthly & Seasonal Rentals Available! www.TheHotTubRentalCompany.com

Haitian Times.

Call (718) $80 (631) 462-6161 230–8700 (516) 754-6001 Phentermine, Phendimetrazine, etc OfďŹ ce visit & one month supply for &

www.MDThin.com

ď Œď ?ď ?ď ‹ď€ ď ™ď ?ď •ď ’ď€ ď ‚ď …ď “ď ”

“EXCELLENT HEALTHCARE CLOSE TO HOME�

Adirondack Medical Center is currently looking for a

Assistant Vice President Physician Network Administrator

Misc foR sale CHERRY BEDROOM SET. Solid Wood, never used, brand new in factory boxes.

English Dovetail. Original cost $4500. Sell for $749.

This person will be responsible for development and oversight of hospital based physician practices for AMC to include practice operations management, practice infrastructure, staffing, revenue cycle management, marketing, physician recruiting, employment and contracting.

Requirements are: Master’s degree in business or health care administration with significant ambulatory care or practice management experience, preferably with oversight responsibility of several physicians or practices.

Come join the AMC team where our Guiding Principles of Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, Exceptional, and Service are our way of doing business. EOE

Visit our website at www.amccares.org and go to “Career Opportunities� to apply today!

The The Haitian haiTian Times Times

21 21

YAZ_SAU50NY.ai 11/19/2009 4:09:33 PM

SALE!

28

acres

-$39,900

2/12-13 ONLY! Adjoins State ď ‰ď ­ď °ď Żď ˛ď ´ď Ąď Žď ´ď€ ď Žď Ľď ˇď łď€ ď Śď Żď ˛ď€ ď °ď Ľď Żď °ď Źď Ľď€ ď ˇď ¨ď Żď€ ď ´ď Żď Żď Ť

ď ™ď ď š

Houses For Sale ÂŽ

road, survey, clear title! ď€ ď ™ď ď “ ď ?ď ‰ ď ŽCall FARM NOW! (888) 479-3394 www.

Land! Woods, stonewalls! Town

ď ?ď ’

ÂŽ

SOUTHERN TIER ď‚Žď€Źď ™ď Ąď łď ­ď Šď Žď‚Žď€ ď Żď ˛ď€ ď ?ď Łď Ľď Źď Źď Ąď‚Žď€ ď ¨ď Ąď śď Ľď€ ď ?ď Ąď Žď šď€ ď ľď łď Ľď ˛ď łď€ ď Żď Śď€ ď ´ď ¨ď Ľď€ ď ˘ď Šď ˛ď ´ď ¨ď€ ď Łď Żď Žď ´ď ˛ď Żď Źď€ ď °ď Šď Źď Źď€ ď ™ď Ąď ş SACRIFICE! Open house 2/12- NewYorkLandandLakes.com ď łď ľď Śď Śď Ľď ˛ď Ľď ¤ď€ ď ˘ď Źď Żď Żď ¤ď€ ď Łď Źď Żď ´ď łď€ ď Šď Žď€ ď ´ď ¨ď Ľď€ ď Źď ľď Žď §ď łď€Źď€ ď Źď Ľď §ď łď€ ď Ąď Žď ¤ď€ ď Żď ´ď ¨ď Ľď ˛ď€ ď Ąď ˛ď Ľď Ąď łď€Źď€ ď Ąď łď€ ď ˇď Ľď Źď Źď€ ď Ąď łď€ 13! Renovated Greek Revival ď łď ´ď ˛ď Żď Ťď Ľď łď€Źď€ ď ¨ď Ľď Ąď ˛ď ´ď€ ď Ąď ´ď ´ď Ąď Łď Ťď łď€Źď€ ď §ď Ąď Źď Źď€ ď ˘ď Źď Ąď ¤ď ¤ď Ľď ˛ď€ ď °ď ˛ď Żď ˘ď Źď Ľď ­ď łď€ ď Ąď Žď ¤ď€ ď Ľď śď Ľď Žď€ ď ¤ď Ľď Ąď ´ď ¨ď€Žď€ ď€ ď ‰ď Śď€ ď šď Żď ľď€ farmhouse, barns, 10 acres ABSOLUTE NY LAND SALE! 50 ď Żď ˛ď€ ď Ąď€ ď Źď Żď śď Ľď ¤ď€ ď Żď Žď Ľď€ ď łď ľď Śď Śď Ľď ˛ď Ľď ¤ď€ ď Śď ˛ď Żď ­ď€ ď Ąď Žď šď€ ď Żď Śď€ ď ´ď ¨ď Ľď łď Ľď€ ď °ď ˛ď Żď ˘ď Źď Ľď ­ď łď€ ď Łď Ąď Źď Źď€ ď ľď łď€ ď Žď Żď ˇď€ ď ´ď Żď Źď Źď€ -$249,000 Stonewalls, views, acres -$69,900! 2/12-13 ONLY! 20,000+ square foot barn space, No closing costs! Adjoins State ď Śď ˛ď Ľď Ľď€ ď Ąď ´ď€ ď€ąď€­ď€¸ď€°ď€°ď€­ď ”ď ˆď …ď€­ď …ď ď ‡ď Œď …ď€ ď Śď Żď ˛ď€ ď Ąď€ ď Śď ˛ď Ľď Ľď€ ď Łď Żď Žď łď ľď Źď ´ď Ąď ´ď Šď Żď Žď€Žď€ ď —ď Ľď€ ď °ď ˛ď Ąď Łď ´ď Šď Łď Ľď€ ď Źď Ąď ˇď€ Hilltop setting! Additional acreage Land, woods, trophy whitetails, ď ´ď ¨ď ˛ď Żď ľď §ď ¨ď Żď ľď ´ď€ ď ´ď ¨ď Ľď€ ď •ď€Žď “ď€Ž ď Żď Žď Źď šď€ ď Šď Žď€ ď ď ˛ď Šď şď Żď Žď Ąď€Źď€ ď ˘ď ľď ´ď€ ď Ąď łď łď Żď Łď Šď Ąď ´ď Ľď€ ď ˇď Šď ´ď ¨ď€ ď Źď Ąď ˇď šď Ľď ˛ď łď€ available! (866) 982-3308 very secluded! Way belowď ł ď š market!! (888) 476-4569 www. ď€šď€ąď€ľď€ ď —ď€Žď€ ď ƒď Ąď ­ď Ľď Źď ˘ď Ąď Łď Ťď€ ď ’ď ¤ď€Ž ď ¤ď Ą ď€ ď€ˇď€ ď Ľď Ľď Ť ď ?ď ¨ď Żď Ľď Žď Šď ¸ď€Źď€ ď ď šď€ ď€¸ď€ľď€°ď€ąď€ł ď Ž NewYorkLandandLakes.com ď Ľ ď ˇ ď ?ď ° ď Ąď€ Land For Sale Upstate New York LAND Miscellaneous BARGAINS ATV & Snowmobile Trails. State Game Lands. 19 Acres ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Valley Views-$29,995. 5 Acres home. *Medical, *Business, Camp Lot-$15,995. Adirondack *Paralegal, *Accounting, River-WAS: $119,995. NOW: *Criminal Justice. Job placement $69,995. 24 Acres-Tug Hill- assistance. Computer available. $17,995. Scheduling land tours Financial Aid if qualified.

10thousanddoors.org 7days/ week. Call 800-229-7843 Call 888-201-8657 www.

Or Visit www.LandandCamps.com CenturaOnline.com

Christmas presents or Christmas presence?

RETHINK CHURCH

Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors.

The People of the United Methodist Church Lots & Acreage Vacation Rentals of The New York Conference

UPSTATE NY LIQUIDATION! 7 acres - $19,900. Woods, fields, views, walk to State Land! Town road, survey, clear title! Buy 2/12-13 pay no closing! (888) 905-8847 www.

NewYorkLandandLakes.com OWNER SHORT SALE! 10 acres -$24,900. Lush meadow, Âş mile to State Land, snowmobile, camp, hunt! Ideal Southern Tier location!

Guaranteed buildable! Hurry!

(888) 701-7509 NY FARM LAND LIQUIDATION

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals.

Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102.

Online reservations: www. holidayoc.com

Wanted to Buy WE BUY ANYTHING OLD. Costume Jewelry, fountain pens, old watches, world fair and military items. Cigarette lighters; anything gold. Call Mike 718204-1402.

3TAY 7ARM 6ISIT 3PEND,ESS/N(EAT COM START SAVING MONEY TODAY

s 5PDATED )NFRARED (EATER 4ECHNOLOGY %XCELLENT "45 /UTPUT LASTS LONGER THAN OTHERS

s ,OWER 9OUR (EATING "ILL UP TO s %ASY /NSITE -AINTENANCE " 7 )NC -. ! """ 2ATING s (EALTHY 4OASTY 7ARM (EAT )N "USINESS 3INCE s &REE 3HIPPING 1UIET 2UNNING ,ASTS FOR 9EARS s 0URIFIES THE !IR s 4HERMOSTATICALLY #ONTROLLED

#ALL .OW

ACCELERATE your career Earn a DEGREE!

GET CASH NOW!

1-866-FUND-108 Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments.

High payouts. Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. ™

www.jgwentworth.com

Career Training in

MEDICAL ASSISTING BECOME A:

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Certified CPR/First Aid Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certified EKG/ECG Technician (CET) •Financial Aid for those who qualify •Externships & Job Placement Assistance DAY, EVENING & WEEKEND CLASSES OPEN HOUSE • CALL 718.514.7024

www.PlazaCollege.edu

74-09 37 AVE., JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS

To place an ad in THE CLASSIFIED section, call (718) 230 — 8700 Ad Deadline: 5pm Friday for following issue. Classified ads may be placed over the phone with a credit card from Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm. Ads may be faxed to (718) 230 — 7172. Ads must be sent in by Friday, 5pm for insertion in the following Wednesday's paper. Please include credit card details (card number, Name, Experation date, a contact phone number) Ads may be sent in via email to info-ht@haitiantimes.com Ads may be sent in by mail. Send typewritten or clearly printed ad along with a check or credit card information and contact phone number to: Haitian Times, Classified Dept., 495 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn NY 11225 We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. 3 line minimum for all ads.

22 8

The Haitian Times

HEALTH&BEAUTY

A Better You

By Onyi

Nwosu

Winter is for Chilling 2011 is in full swing. There's only a week left in the first month. We've all either made New Year's resolutions or at least know someone who has. This is right around the time were the resolutions start to slack.

Most resolutions are around health, ranging anywhere from losing weight to quitting smoking. We all want to become better versions of ourselves so wanting to do something for our health is only natural. It should be easy. We know exactly what we need to do. So why is it that it takes almost no time for us to begin slacking off on our New Year's resolution?

Well, the modern world has attempted (and in many ways succeeded) in making our lives non-stop. The only stopping point we recognize is the New Year when we reset and start fresh. But think about this: If there were no calendar, what would you use to indicate a time to reset?

If you're in the northeast, like I am, it sure wouldn't be the dead of winter. If you're in the southern hemisphere does it make sense to start over in the middle of the summer? I'm guessing no.

It would probably make a lot more sense to start fresh with the seasons. Think about it. Before the modern information age or even before the industrial revolution, this is the time when we would be

Cuomo

continued from page 17

to spur new revenue.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said she appreciated some of Cuomo's proposals, but ”we remain deeply concerned about our mounting fiscal challenges and how they will impact our ability to provide a quality experience and education for our students.” The 64-campus SUNY system has more than 465,000 students.

Lawmaker reactions Lawmakers largely applauded Cuomo's stance, saying they would work with him to trim state expenses. ”It's a strong message, one that we need.

We've all been saying that we have to reorganize New York and I think he's right,” said Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton. ”It's about the people. It's not about Albany or special interests.”

But powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said that as Cuomo talked about lawmakers doing the right thing for the public, the public could be hurt under Cuomo's plan. ”As the governor said, this is about people and how this budget affects people,” Silver said. ”There are children in schools, there are senior citizens, there are people

I don't know about you, but in the dead of winter the only thing I'm thinking about is staying warm. I don't want to go anywhere and sweat. hibernating. Yes, just like bears. In the months leading up to the winter we would have prepared ourselves to chill out in the house.

So why is it that in the dead of winter we

say that we're going to start a new diet? Or start going to the gym? Or quit smoking?

I don't know about you, but in the dead of winter the only thing I'm thinking about is staying warm. I don't want to go anywhere and sweat. I'm always thinking about eating warm soup or macaroni and cheese or something that's going to stick to my ribs and keep me warm.

Every year when we make our New Year's resolutions we just don't know what happened to them by the time March rolls around. But it's not your fault. It's not my fault. It's partially the calendar's fault.

In the winter time, we're meant to just chill (pun completely intended). Use the winter, not as a time for action, but as a time to plan what you're going to do when nature tells you to start fresh: the spring time.

Spring time is nature's new beginning and time to reset. Notice that spring is when plants start growing, animals and insects come back or come out and trees sprout new leaves. As humans we need to fall in line. This is the time to start a new diet or get a new pair of running shoes.

You also have the added bonus of having the summertime so much closer. We all are basically working on getting that beach body ready.

So take a load off in the winter. Use it as a time to prepare and chill. If you're working on your weight your goal should just be to not gain any weight during the winter. For many people, that is a triumph in itself. But that's a topic for another day.

Until next time, cheers to a better you!

February 2-8, 2011

Check Out the New

HAITIANTIMES.COM

Our Website Has More Features C h eand ck Us O Functions than Ever Before!

The New Haitian

If you have any questions, ideas, products you’d like reviewed, or just want to chat feel free to email Onyi at onyi@ okeeki.com or find me on Facebook.

in our hospitals, and I think what we need as expanding the hours of the keno-like is an evaluation of his proposal.”

Quick Draw game.

Related Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, former mayor of Proposed budget would require substan- Rochester, told the crowd that the time of tial Tier school cuts endless budget gaps in state government Proposed aid cuts to municipalities needs to end.

Aid to municipalities would be cut by 2 ”It stops today. It stops today with this percent. That includes $2.2 million less for budget,” Duffy said. the city of Yonkers, to Lawmaker reaca total of $108 million, tions and $1.8 million less to Lawmakers largely Lt. Gov. Robert Rochester, to a total of applauded Cuomo's $88 million. stance, saying they Duffy, former mayor would work with him Other aid cuts include $188,764 less for the trim state expenses. of Rochester, told the to ”It's City of Binghamton, to a strong mesa total of $9.2 million; crowd that the time of sage, one that we need. $93,445 less to the City We've all been saying of Elmira, to $4.6 mil- endless budget gaps that we have to reorlion; $86,694 less for ganize New York and in state government I think he's right,” said Poughkeepsie, to $4.2 million; and $53,273 Sen. Thomas Libous, needs to end. less to the City of Ithaca, R-Binghamton. ”It's to $2.6 million. about the people. It's There are two new not about Albany or fee increases: from $5 special interests.” to $60 for background But powerful Assemchecks on child-abuse cases and a higher bly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, surcharge on horse-racing purses. Like said that as Cuomo talked about lawmakpast governors, he also seeks to expand ers doing the right thing for the public, the gambling, hoping to generate $155 mil- public could be hurt under Cuomo's plan. lion in new revenue through such things ”As the governor said, this is about peo-

The Haitian has mo functions th

•Da new •On •Co •Ad bus

And Tim

HAIT

ple and how this budget affects people,” Silver said. ”There are children in schools, there are senior citizens, there are people 495 Flatb in our hospitals, and I think what we need is an evaluation of his proposal.”

Aid to municipalities would be cut by 2 percent. That includes $2.2 million less for the city of Yonkers, to a total of $108 million, and $1.8 million less to Rochester, to a total of $88 million.

Other aid cuts include $188,764 less for the City of Binghamton, to a total of $9.2 million; $93,445 less to the City of Elmira, to $4.6 million; $86,694 less for Poughkeepsie, to $4.2 million; and $53,273 less to the City of Ithaca, to $2.6 million.

There are two new fee increases: from $5 to $60 for background checks on childabuse cases and a higher surcharge on horse-racing purses. Like past governors, he also seeks to expand gambling, hoping to generate $155 million in new revenue through such things as expanding the hours of the keno-like Quick Draw game.

Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, former mayor of Rochester, told the crowd that the time of endless budget gaps in state government needs to end. ”It stops today. It stops today with this budget,” Duffy said.

The story was firt published in stargazette.com.

The Haitian Times

February 2-8, 2011

Repressive African Governments Under Siege (GIN) – Unpopular and anti-democratic rulers throughout the region are facing new and unexpected pressures from firedup citizens demanding democracy in the wake of a people power uprising in the northern African nation of Tunisia.

In Yemen, police arrested Ms. Tawakul Karman after she led two protests at Sanaa University, criticizing autocratic Arab leaders and calling on Yemenis, using SMSs and e-mails, to topple President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Karman, who heads the Yemeni activist group Women Journalists Without Chains, also called on Yemenis to support the Tunisian people in their political struggle.

Protesters in Sanaa last week held signs reading: ”Leave, before you are forced to leave.”

In Algeria, helmeted riot police armed with batons and shields were reported to have clashed this week with rockand chair-throwing protesters who tried to march in defiance of Algeria’s ban on public gatherings.

In the past two weeks, eight people have set themselves on fire in the country to protest unemployment, poverty, social inequality and government corruption.

The largest protests were reported in Egypt, where thousands of demonstrators demanded an end to President Hosni Mubarek’s decades-old rule.

In Cairo and Alexandria, protestors were met with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. The rallies had been called on Facebook and Twitter, mostly by young Egyptians facing the same poverty and oppression that set off Tunisia's unrest.

Emergency laws in place since 1981 outlaw demonstrations without prior permission. Opposition groups say they have been denied such permits, and Egyptian security forces have a track record of dealing violently with protesters.

Writing on the VOA Africa website, Reuben Camara warned: “You can oppress some of the people some of the time - but you cannot suppress the vast majority all of the time. North Africa is about to explode.”

Mamdouh Khayrat, 23, said to Al Jazeera news service: “We want a functioning government, we want Mubarak to step down, we don't want emergency law, we don't want to live under this kind of oppression anymore… Enough is enough, things have to change…”

Elections continued from page 3

fighting for him to advance in the race.

The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing department policy, said that Clinton neither asked Celestin to pull out of the race nor Preval to force him out, and that Celestin gave no indication he would resign.

They characterized the meeting with Celestin at the U.S. ambassador's sprawling estate in Petionville as ”very respectful.”

The announcement of who will be on the rescheduled March 20 ballot is expected Wednesday. Five days later comes the day set by Haiti's 1987 constitution for presidential transitions of power: The anniversary of ex-dictator Jean-Claude ”Baby Doc” Duvalier's flight into exile — from which he shockingly returned weeks ago.

Haitian and foreign officials are trying to figure out what to do next.

Preval has said he does not want an interim government and asserts his right to remain in office through May 14.

But he is deeply unpopular, especially in urban areas, after years of continued poverty and following his perceived inaction in response to the earthquake. But officials are also concerned about leaving a power vacuum atop the chronically unstable nation.

”Preval doesn't like the Haitian people.

One day he said that he would leave. The next day is that he wants to wait for the next president,” said Mona Delcine, a 39-year-old cooked food vendor in Portau-Prince. ”If he can leave on Feb. 7 there will be less problems.”

But Jean Pierre, a 28-year-old bread seller whose home was destroyed in the earthquake, cautioned patience. ”President Preval should leave after the elections happen, not before, so there won't be any confusion,” he said.

Celestin headed Haiti's state-run construction firm. He is widely seen as a continuation of Preval's policies who would be amenable to foreign investment and could keep Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive — former U.S. President Bill Clinton's partner on the interim reconstruction commission — in power.

Manigat is a social conservative who supports reinstituting a security force to supplement Haiti's struggling police. Her husband was briefly president in the late 1980s under a military junta.

Martelly is a populist whose views are closer to the U.S. right wing and who supports fully remaking the banned Armed Forces of Haiti, in part as a means of addressing rampant unemployment. ”As President of Haiti, I will look forward to a full partnership with the United States,” Martelly said in an email Monday.

Madonna Scraps Plans For Girls School In Malawi (GIN) – A pledge by superstar Madonna from others like Oprah [Winfrey] who did to invest $15 million in an academy for it in South Africa.”

According to her publicists, Madonna underprivileged girls in Malawi has been has teamed up with the Global Philanscrapped by the recording artist.

The pop star known for racy videos thropy Group to ”shift the strategies so that had offered the “gift” after her adoption we can accomplish our goals with more of two Malawian children. The $15 mil- efficiency as we continue to consult our lion “Raising Malawi – An Academy for government partners in Malawi”. A pilot Girls” would have taken in 500 young school is on the cards “that will address women to prepare them as future leaders. the barriers keeping girls from secondary The school was scheduled to open this education”. year.

Her revised plans have embarrassed government officials who had evicted some 200 villagers from their ancestral lands for the school. The villagers were reportedly paid about $1,500 each for their houses, gardens and trees but offered no other land. ”We'd like to know why,” said education minister Peter Mutharika. ”Yes, we do appreciate that it is her project; she devised it and she knows best how to implement it. But still, as government, we'd be interested to know why there is this change.”

Children’s rights activist Maxwell Matewere chided Madonna for ”dumping” the project. ”You educate a few to educate others,” he said. Madonna and Anjimile Oponyo, Malawian educa“She must borrow a leaftor chosen to head the now-cancelled Academy.

23

to The Haitian Times For more information visit

www.haitiantimes. com