That concludes Fox News' coverage of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to reach out to and agree to speak with Fox News. We also really appreciated your feedback on the website and its content.
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Thursday, December 16, 2010
Fox News Exclusive: Interview with the Clintons
Following the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, Fox News had the opportunity to speak with power-couple Bill and Hillary Clinton, both members of the conference steering committee.
"I think it was a very successful conference," former president and UN Special Envoy to Haiti Clinton said.
"The U.S. is entirely committed to all the committments we made here as a group," Secretary of State Clinton affirmed.
"We're actually heading down to Port-au-Prince right after this conference to celebrate our 30th anniversary," President Clinton revealed. "[It's] the place where we spent our honeymoon."
"I think it was a very successful conference," former president and UN Special Envoy to Haiti Clinton said.
"The U.S. is entirely committed to all the committments we made here as a group," Secretary of State Clinton affirmed.
"We're actually heading down to Port-au-Prince right after this conference to celebrate our 30th anniversary," President Clinton revealed. "[It's] the place where we spent our honeymoon."
Haiti Reconstruction Conference Comes to a Close
Today the delegates to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference met in a final plenary to introduce a final report as a way forward for development in Haiti.
The report includes four pages key recommendations regarding managing of the reconstruction process through the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, monitoring and evaluation of aid disbursement, implementing a "Haiti sector system" along the sector-wide approach (SWAp) model, ensuring continued capacity building, and support for the private sector, among others.
Working group leads discussed the outcomes of their sessions and the Steering Committee addressed the representatives to review the conference's progress.
"It is important for us to acknowledge that the current humanitarian situation on the ground presents significant challenges related to humanitarian relief that must be addressed," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, introducing the final document. "Even as we make recommendations in this report related to longer-term recovery and reconstruction we still have to face current issues while we implement."
Read the report here.
While there was significant unanimity on the introduction of the "sector system," the conference reached an impasse on the issue of funding collaboration. They reached consensus to support pooled funding only "in principle" while still maintaining bilateral funding mechanisms.
The delegates were invited to sign the final report or submit a dissenting opinion if they so chose. While no conferees declined to sign, many did submit "Additional Viewpoints" on the final report.
The international financial institutions -- which were not allowed to present at the opening plenary -- were the first delegates to address the audience, and largely expressed their disappointment with the weaknesses of the recommendations.
"We find it hard to believe that the sector partnership will be an equal partnership given the current weakness of the Haitian government," Inter-American Development Bank representative Eduardo Marques Almeida said. "Why do I believe this to be the case? Quite simply: power and politics."
The remaining diplomats were allowed to briefly share their closing thoughts before the signing ceremony. The delegates from the House of Representatives referred the audience to the Fox News blog's article on their support for the final report. Presidential candidates Michel Martelly and Mirlande Manigat also referred to the website's coverage of their pledge to uphold peace in Haiti.
Mario Andresol, Haiti's National Police Commissioner, was satisfied with the conference outcome and expressed appreciation to the U.S. government for its contribution of $19.4M in support of security. However, he stressed the importance of the document's first recommendation, that donors quickly follow up on their contribution pledges.
"This will be necessary in order to continue the great work in Haiti," he told Fox News.
Time will tell if his wishes -- and those of the long-suffering Haitian people -- will be fulfilled, and that the delegates' actions will not have been in vain.
The Dominican delegation closed the session on a positive note.
"To our Haitian friends and neighbors, to our brothers and sisters of Hispaniola," Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic Carlos Morales Troncoso began, "we in the Caribbean know that after the hurricane, the rays of sun come out; that this time of sorrow is also a time of hope."
The report includes four pages key recommendations regarding managing of the reconstruction process through the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, monitoring and evaluation of aid disbursement, implementing a "Haiti sector system" along the sector-wide approach (SWAp) model, ensuring continued capacity building, and support for the private sector, among others.
Working group leads discussed the outcomes of their sessions and the Steering Committee addressed the representatives to review the conference's progress.
"It is important for us to acknowledge that the current humanitarian situation on the ground presents significant challenges related to humanitarian relief that must be addressed," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, introducing the final document. "Even as we make recommendations in this report related to longer-term recovery and reconstruction we still have to face current issues while we implement."
 |
| UN Secretary General Ban presents the final report of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference. |
While there was significant unanimity on the introduction of the "sector system," the conference reached an impasse on the issue of funding collaboration. They reached consensus to support pooled funding only "in principle" while still maintaining bilateral funding mechanisms.
The delegates were invited to sign the final report or submit a dissenting opinion if they so chose. While no conferees declined to sign, many did submit "Additional Viewpoints" on the final report.
The international financial institutions -- which were not allowed to present at the opening plenary -- were the first delegates to address the audience, and largely expressed their disappointment with the weaknesses of the recommendations.
"We find it hard to believe that the sector partnership will be an equal partnership given the current weakness of the Haitian government," Inter-American Development Bank representative Eduardo Marques Almeida said. "Why do I believe this to be the case? Quite simply: power and politics."
The remaining diplomats were allowed to briefly share their closing thoughts before the signing ceremony. The delegates from the House of Representatives referred the audience to the Fox News blog's article on their support for the final report. Presidential candidates Michel Martelly and Mirlande Manigat also referred to the website's coverage of their pledge to uphold peace in Haiti.
 |
| The delegates line up to sign the final document. While all pledged support, some expressed reservations. |
Mario Andresol, Haiti's National Police Commissioner, was satisfied with the conference outcome and expressed appreciation to the U.S. government for its contribution of $19.4M in support of security. However, he stressed the importance of the document's first recommendation, that donors quickly follow up on their contribution pledges.
"This will be necessary in order to continue the great work in Haiti," he told Fox News.
Time will tell if his wishes -- and those of the long-suffering Haitian people -- will be fulfilled, and that the delegates' actions will not have been in vain.
The Dominican delegation closed the session on a positive note.
"To our Haitian friends and neighbors, to our brothers and sisters of Hispaniola," Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic Carlos Morales Troncoso began, "we in the Caribbean know that after the hurricane, the rays of sun come out; that this time of sorrow is also a time of hope."
 |
| The final signatures. |
House Delegation First to Show Support for Final Report
At 12:54AM Thursday, as most delegates were asleep the night before the final session of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, the House contingent of the four-member congressional delegation released a press statement indicating their full support for the final report of the conference.
They are the first delegates to do so.
"While I do not agree with everything in the final report -- particularly the language on more pooled funding -- I am pleased that my push for enhanced accountability and transparency measures has borne fruit, and I will sign on," Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said.
She and Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) are the only two House members in the congressional delegation. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen is the only Republican on the "bipartisan" delegation.
The final report has not yet been released to the public.
The congresswoman -- who is the incoming chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and whose district is hosting the conference -- had previously indicated to Fox News that based on the first session she was not optimistic about the conference and suggested she would not support the final draft.
"I believe my message to the conference attendees -- that the U.S. government has no intention of writing Haiti a blank check or of abdicating its responsibility to the American taxpayers -- was received loud and clear," she said. "I sincerely hope that this week's conference...marks a turning point in the international effort to help Haiti get back on a path towards stable democracy and long-term development."
They are the first delegates to do so.
"While I do not agree with everything in the final report -- particularly the language on more pooled funding -- I am pleased that my push for enhanced accountability and transparency measures has borne fruit, and I will sign on," Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said.
She and Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) are the only two House members in the congressional delegation. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen is the only Republican on the "bipartisan" delegation.
 |
| Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) insists to fellow delegates the importance of anti-corruption and anti-waste measures at the working group sessions. |
The congresswoman -- who is the incoming chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and whose district is hosting the conference -- had previously indicated to Fox News that based on the first session she was not optimistic about the conference and suggested she would not support the final draft.
"I believe my message to the conference attendees -- that the U.S. government has no intention of writing Haiti a blank check or of abdicating its responsibility to the American taxpayers -- was received loud and clear," she said. "I sincerely hope that this week's conference...marks a turning point in the international effort to help Haiti get back on a path towards stable democracy and long-term development."
SWAps Dominate Exchange of Ideas at Working Groups
Fox News
MIAMI, F.L., December 15, 2010 – Diplomats at the Haiti Reconstruction Conference nearly all support implementing sector-wide approaches (SWAps) as the premier mechanism for long-term development in Haiti, though the program was scarcely mentioned in the opening plenary.
In particular, the sectors covered would include agriculture, disaster management, education, public financial management, transportation, and water and sanitation, according to meeting minutes released to the public.
“SWAps present the strongest possible mechanism by which to coordinate donor funding for priority needs,” said Robert Quinn, CEO of Save the Children and delegate to the conference. “When it comes to our work, functioning education and health SWAps are the first step to providing quality and sustainable services.”
Sector-based approaches aim for coherence in international development by putting forth a single set of policies or projects in any given sector. They bring together donor governments, local officials, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop these policies and implement them. According to a World Bank report the term “SWAp” was coined in 1997, though similar models had been tried previously. As of 2004, the World Bank supported over 30 SWAp projects in 17 countries.
At this week’s conference the idea was first suggested in a joint communiqué from the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund which was sent to all delegates an hour before the opening plenary last Thursday.
“SWAps are designed to prevent project overlap, increase coordination…and minimize the administrative burden on both donors and the Haitian government,” the statement read.
Only Save the Children CEO Quinn mentioned SWAps at the plenary, and did so only briefly. The three international financial institutions were not given the opportunity to address their fellow delegates at the session.
But in a remarkable display of accomplishment, all three working groups – one on coordinating NGO and government action, another on donor government policies and coordination, and a third on state capacity building – championed SWAps as the signal approach for long-term recovery, according to draft reports from each group.
“SWAps should be the method for transitioning from the current cluster system to a more long-term coordination mechanism,” reads the first “Key Recommendation” in the draft report for the working group on NGO-government action. Similar recommendations are found in the other two draft reports.
The delegates meet tomorrow at the conference’s final session to sign a final report, which has not yet been released.
For all the unanimity, there are still several areas of disagreement and uncertainty. Some delegates are reluctant to commit a significant portion of their pledged aid to pooled funds – essential in implementing a SWAp – and prefer to use bilateral channels for donation in order to preserve sovereignty of funds and ensure proper oversight.
“Americans are hesitant to donate to a multilateral fund,” Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and incoming House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, said at the meeting. “The lack of transparency of knowing exactly how that money is being spent [and] how the steering committee is making decisions” is not in the interests of the United States.
Jacques Gabriel, Haiti’s minister of public works, transportation, and communication replied by “strongly beseeching” the delegates to contribute to pooled resources, which he said was essential to maintain budget support for the Haitian government.
There is also the issue of who would administer the SWAps and for how long.
It was widely recognized by the participants – including Haitian officials – that the government didn’t have the resources to implement these programs in the immediate future. In the working group on donor government coordination, most delegates wanted the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) to assume these duties with individual donor country leads in each sector until they could be transferred to the respective Haitian government ministries.
However, the Canadian delegation warned that implicit in its name, the IHRC was intended to be an interim institution, and they worried about creating a parallel structure for reconstruction programs that contended with the government.
Though the World Bank was itself the proponent of the initiative, it was not without its misgivings.
Bank representative Dhruv Malhotra – largely credited for proposing the SWAp idea at the conference – was cautious about the program’s applicability to Haiti.
“We very much imagine that is going to be a medium-term to long-term objective because the kinds of conditions required for a SWAp to be operational and effective are currently certainly not present in Haiti,” Malhotra said in the meeting.
He also issued a word of warning on the historical effectiveness of the program more generally.
“I must emphasize that the performance of SWAps in various countries has been very uneven,” he told Fox News during a short break between sessions. “Great idea, but we have to be very careful about the way we implement it.”
And yet, he told Fox News that he is very satisfied with the direction in which the meetings had been going. In the run-up to the working groups, prospects for accomplishment and consensus seemed dim.
“There is a lot of good will in the conference room,” Canadian foreign minister Lawrence Cannon diplomatically told Fox News before that morning’s deliberations. “If everyone buckles down and works hard at this, then we can get some tangible results that will be beneficial to the Haitian people.”
Luckily for the long-suffering Haitians, buckle down they did.
MIAMI, F.L., December 15, 2010 – Diplomats at the Haiti Reconstruction Conference nearly all support implementing sector-wide approaches (SWAps) as the premier mechanism for long-term development in Haiti, though the program was scarcely mentioned in the opening plenary.
In particular, the sectors covered would include agriculture, disaster management, education, public financial management, transportation, and water and sanitation, according to meeting minutes released to the public.
“SWAps present the strongest possible mechanism by which to coordinate donor funding for priority needs,” said Robert Quinn, CEO of Save the Children and delegate to the conference. “When it comes to our work, functioning education and health SWAps are the first step to providing quality and sustainable services.”
Sector-based approaches aim for coherence in international development by putting forth a single set of policies or projects in any given sector. They bring together donor governments, local officials, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop these policies and implement them. According to a World Bank report the term “SWAp” was coined in 1997, though similar models had been tried previously. As of 2004, the World Bank supported over 30 SWAp projects in 17 countries.
At this week’s conference the idea was first suggested in a joint communiqué from the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund which was sent to all delegates an hour before the opening plenary last Thursday.
“SWAps are designed to prevent project overlap, increase coordination…and minimize the administrative burden on both donors and the Haitian government,” the statement read.
Only Save the Children CEO Quinn mentioned SWAps at the plenary, and did so only briefly. The three international financial institutions were not given the opportunity to address their fellow delegates at the session.
But in a remarkable display of accomplishment, all three working groups – one on coordinating NGO and government action, another on donor government policies and coordination, and a third on state capacity building – championed SWAps as the signal approach for long-term recovery, according to draft reports from each group.
“SWAps should be the method for transitioning from the current cluster system to a more long-term coordination mechanism,” reads the first “Key Recommendation” in the draft report for the working group on NGO-government action. Similar recommendations are found in the other two draft reports.
 |
| Jeff Ross, president of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies, addresses the diplomats. The statesmen showed strong support for SWAps at the sessions. |
The delegates meet tomorrow at the conference’s final session to sign a final report, which has not yet been released.
For all the unanimity, there are still several areas of disagreement and uncertainty. Some delegates are reluctant to commit a significant portion of their pledged aid to pooled funds – essential in implementing a SWAp – and prefer to use bilateral channels for donation in order to preserve sovereignty of funds and ensure proper oversight.
“Americans are hesitant to donate to a multilateral fund,” Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and incoming House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, said at the meeting. “The lack of transparency of knowing exactly how that money is being spent [and] how the steering committee is making decisions” is not in the interests of the United States.
Jacques Gabriel, Haiti’s minister of public works, transportation, and communication replied by “strongly beseeching” the delegates to contribute to pooled resources, which he said was essential to maintain budget support for the Haitian government.
 |
| Minister Jacques Gabriel (right) "strongly beseeching" fellow delegates to contribute to pooled resources. |
There is also the issue of who would administer the SWAps and for how long.
It was widely recognized by the participants – including Haitian officials – that the government didn’t have the resources to implement these programs in the immediate future. In the working group on donor government coordination, most delegates wanted the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) to assume these duties with individual donor country leads in each sector until they could be transferred to the respective Haitian government ministries.
However, the Canadian delegation warned that implicit in its name, the IHRC was intended to be an interim institution, and they worried about creating a parallel structure for reconstruction programs that contended with the government.
Though the World Bank was itself the proponent of the initiative, it was not without its misgivings.
Bank representative Dhruv Malhotra – largely credited for proposing the SWAp idea at the conference – was cautious about the program’s applicability to Haiti.
“We very much imagine that is going to be a medium-term to long-term objective because the kinds of conditions required for a SWAp to be operational and effective are currently certainly not present in Haiti,” Malhotra said in the meeting.
He also issued a word of warning on the historical effectiveness of the program more generally.
“I must emphasize that the performance of SWAps in various countries has been very uneven,” he told Fox News during a short break between sessions. “Great idea, but we have to be very careful about the way we implement it.”
 |
| World Bank representative Dhruv Malhotra listening intently at the working group session. He has mixed feelings about implementing SWAps in Haiti. |
And yet, he told Fox News that he is very satisfied with the direction in which the meetings had been going. In the run-up to the working groups, prospects for accomplishment and consensus seemed dim.
“There is a lot of good will in the conference room,” Canadian foreign minister Lawrence Cannon diplomatically told Fox News before that morning’s deliberations. “If everyone buckles down and works hard at this, then we can get some tangible results that will be beneficial to the Haitian people.”
Luckily for the long-suffering Haitians, buckle down they did.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Nordic Norway Notes Slight Cite Slight as Scandinavian Sister Sweden
Ingrid Fiskaa, Norway's State Secretary for the Environment and International Development, denounced the World Bank for its apparent ignorance at the difference between the major donor country and the Kingdom of Sweden.
"Never before has a country with such an interest been treated in such a way," Fiskaa said. "We're quite insulted that the World Bank can't tell the difference between Norway and Sweden."
At a working group session of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, Dhruv Malhotra of the World Bank -- apparently giddy that his organization's proposal has been widely adopted -- accidentally referred to Fiskaa's delegation as Swedish.
At the opening plenary, Fiskaa noted that Norway has provided $35 million in emergency relief to Haiti and pledged $100M more to long-term recovery. It is a pledging donor to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund and a board member of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC). Sweden -- which is not on the IHRC board -- has only committed $54 million to Haiti.
Despite this slight, Fiskaa remains undeterred.
"Nevertheless, this won't stop us from doing work for the betterment of Haiti," she said.
"Never before has a country with such an interest been treated in such a way," Fiskaa said. "We're quite insulted that the World Bank can't tell the difference between Norway and Sweden."
At a working group session of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, Dhruv Malhotra of the World Bank -- apparently giddy that his organization's proposal has been widely adopted -- accidentally referred to Fiskaa's delegation as Swedish.
 |
| The Norwegian delegation speaking at the opening plenary on Thursday. State Secretary Fiskaa (left) is offended by the World Bank's word blunder. |
At the opening plenary, Fiskaa noted that Norway has provided $35 million in emergency relief to Haiti and pledged $100M more to long-term recovery. It is a pledging donor to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund and a board member of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC). Sweden -- which is not on the IHRC board -- has only committed $54 million to Haiti.
Despite this slight, Fiskaa remains undeterred.
"Nevertheless, this won't stop us from doing work for the betterment of Haiti," she said.
Fox News Exclusive: Interview with Dhruv Malhotra of World Bank
During a short break between working groups in this morning's session of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, Dhruv Malhotra -- fresh off denouncing Soros' agenda -- spoke with Fox News to discuss that morning's progress.
"A lot was discussed and very little was discussed, as is often the case in these discussions," Malhotra said.
Of particular note was the seemingly unanimous consensus throughout all three working groups to adopt sector-wide approaches (SWAps) for reconstruction aid, a proposal first put forth by the the World Bank and other financial institutions in a communique following the opening plenary. (They weren't given time to address the delegates from the floor.)
Despite his contentment at the proposal's acceptance, he issued a word of caution.
"I must emphasize that the performance of SWAps in various countries has been very uneven," he said. "Great idea, but we have to be very careful about the way we implement it."
"A lot was discussed and very little was discussed, as is often the case in these discussions," Malhotra said.
Of particular note was the seemingly unanimous consensus throughout all three working groups to adopt sector-wide approaches (SWAps) for reconstruction aid, a proposal first put forth by the the World Bank and other financial institutions in a communique following the opening plenary. (They weren't given time to address the delegates from the floor.)
Despite his contentment at the proposal's acceptance, he issued a word of caution.
"I must emphasize that the performance of SWAps in various countries has been very uneven," he said. "Great idea, but we have to be very careful about the way we implement it."
Working Group Sessions Begin, Canada FM Cautiously Hopeful
Working group session begin today at the Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL. The begin work today and their final report is due in just two days.
"There's a lot of good will," Candian FM Lawrence Cannon said today of the groups. Unfortunately, there's not much else.
"There's a lot of good will," Candian FM Lawrence Cannon said today of the groups. Unfortunately, there's not much else.
Congressional Delegation Endorses Haiti-US Exchange Program
In a generous show of bipartisanship, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) joined hands with her Democratic colleagues to support a bill that would establish a professional exchange program between Haiti and the U.S.
“Haitian-Americans in my district and across the country have both the skills and the desire to make a positive difference in their former country. We in Congress should do all we can to encourage this spirit of generosity,” Ros-Lehtinen said.
The representative is the only Republican on a congressional delegation to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL. She is also slated to become the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the new Congress in January.
The bill is H.R. 417, the "Next Steps for Haiti" Act, which was introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) in January 2009. It would send Haitian-born Americans with technical expertise to Haiti to work with the Haitian government and civil society groups on development projects. The volunteers would be eligible for stipends and student loan forgiveness in return.
The congressmen announced their decision after consultation with the conference representative from the Haitian Diaspora, Feker Tadesse. The Diaspora delegate delivered a statement thanking the congressmen for their support.
“Members of the Diaspora are delighted that the initiative is gaining ground and hope that the program will be rolled out in a timely manner so that a technically and culturally competent Diaspora is put to best use in the reconstruction of the country,” she said.
In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Lehtinen said she was committed to "trimming the fat" off of foreign assistance and recognized that excessive largess was difficult in times of runaway spending and a poor economy.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, she made it clear that she has "some concerns with how the program would be funded".
"She and her colleagues are committed to reaching an agreement and pushing the bill towards final passage next Congress," according to the statement.
“Haitian-Americans in my district and across the country have both the skills and the desire to make a positive difference in their former country. We in Congress should do all we can to encourage this spirit of generosity,” Ros-Lehtinen said.
The representative is the only Republican on a congressional delegation to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL. She is also slated to become the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the new Congress in January.
The bill is H.R. 417, the "Next Steps for Haiti" Act, which was introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) in January 2009. It would send Haitian-born Americans with technical expertise to Haiti to work with the Haitian government and civil society groups on development projects. The volunteers would be eligible for stipends and student loan forgiveness in return.
The congressmen announced their decision after consultation with the conference representative from the Haitian Diaspora, Feker Tadesse. The Diaspora delegate delivered a statement thanking the congressmen for their support.
 |
| Haitian Diaspora delegate Feker Tadesse at the opening plenary. She thanked the congressmen for their support of the "Next Steps for Haiti" Act. |
“Members of the Diaspora are delighted that the initiative is gaining ground and hope that the program will be rolled out in a timely manner so that a technically and culturally competent Diaspora is put to best use in the reconstruction of the country,” she said.
In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Lehtinen said she was committed to "trimming the fat" off of foreign assistance and recognized that excessive largess was difficult in times of runaway spending and a poor economy.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, she made it clear that she has "some concerns with how the program would be funded".
"She and her colleagues are committed to reaching an agreement and pushing the bill towards final passage next Congress," according to the statement.
Haitian Candidates Pledge Peace
In a short op-ed released to the media yesterday, Haitian presidential candidates Mirlande Manigat and Michel "Sweet Mickey" Martelly joined hands to urge their supporters to restore civility to the battered nation.
Over the weekend Haiti was racked by election-related riots. In the editorial, Manigat and Martelly make it clear that they are not behind the demonstrations and assert that they "do not condone the violent actions you are taking."
"Even though we two are opponents in this election, we feel it is important that we come together on this issue of non-violence," they wrote. "We hope you will join us in this effort."
Both candidates spent the weekend in serene Miami, FL at the ongoing Haiti Reconstruction Conference. Each addressed the delegates at the opening plenary and focused their comments on Haiti's long-term recovery. Neither mentioned the riots.
However, over the weekend the candidates woke up to the reality in their home country.
"Our country has already sustained natural disasters and a major health epidemic, do we need to cause more strife in this nation? The answer is no!" they wrote in the op-ed.
The candidates were first urged to make such a gesture last week by Dominican Republic foreign minister Carlos Morales Troncoso, in an e-mail sent to all the delegates.
"We, the delegation of the Dominican Republic, ask that all presidential candidates disavow the use of violence by their supporters...and commit to using only peaceful means," he wrote.
It is unclear what direct effect Troncoso's e-mail had on the candidates' decision to release the op-ed.
Over the weekend Haiti was racked by election-related riots. In the editorial, Manigat and Martelly make it clear that they are not behind the demonstrations and assert that they "do not condone the violent actions you are taking."
"Even though we two are opponents in this election, we feel it is important that we come together on this issue of non-violence," they wrote. "We hope you will join us in this effort."
Both candidates spent the weekend in serene Miami, FL at the ongoing Haiti Reconstruction Conference. Each addressed the delegates at the opening plenary and focused their comments on Haiti's long-term recovery. Neither mentioned the riots.
However, over the weekend the candidates woke up to the reality in their home country.
"Our country has already sustained natural disasters and a major health epidemic, do we need to cause more strife in this nation? The answer is no!" they wrote in the op-ed.
The candidates were first urged to make such a gesture last week by Dominican Republic foreign minister Carlos Morales Troncoso, in an e-mail sent to all the delegates.
"We, the delegation of the Dominican Republic, ask that all presidential candidates disavow the use of violence by their supporters...and commit to using only peaceful means," he wrote.
It is unclear what direct effect Troncoso's e-mail had on the candidates' decision to release the op-ed.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
USAID Offers U.S. Embassy to Haitian Government
In a Dec. 3 private meeting between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Haitian government, the American delegates tentatively offered evacuating the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and donating it to the Haitian government.
As a result, U.S. State Department and military officers and employees would relocate onto an aircraft carrier outside of the country.
This gesture would serve as “an immediate means of restoring governance capacity,” according to the meeting minutes.
USAID -- the U.S. government agency responsible for providing economic and humanitarian assistance around the world -- made welcome gestures in the lead up to the ongoing Haiti Reconstruction Conference and during the opening plenary, calling for increased development of the Haitian private sector and authorizing $500 million for this initiative.
During the meeting, which included the Haitian cabinet including the prime minister and the National Police, the agency also discussed outsourcing technical assistance for the Haitian government to McKinsey and Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The U.S. government’s use of corporate contractors is rampant, and is renowned for leading to unnecessary high expense to the American taxpayer.
Donating the U.S. Embassy to the Haitian government would remove U.S. personnel from the center of the action in Haiti, and limit its ability to conduct their reconstruction activities and to oversee implementation and funding allocation.
More importantly, the gesture comes in the wake of a national security breach of leaked State Department cables, which were recently posted on the secret-divulging website WikiLeaks. Cable archives are easily accessible from any Embassy computer network, and allowing the Haitian government – notorious for corruption and ineptitude – free reign over the embassy might risk further exposing U.S. confidential information.
This offer calls into question the degree of flexibility the agency is granted in the Obama administration and the degree to which its actions are vetted by the State Department. The meeting notes make it clear that the offer was made without prior consultation with the Secretary of State and the U.S. military, both represented at the conference.
Responding to a question for comment, Andrews Kim and Shaver, the USAID representatives to the conference, said only that they will confirm that the agency is "committed to assisting the Haitian Central Government establish office spaces in the shortest period of time possible."
"Most Haitian government facilities were damaged if not altogether destroyed during the earthquake," they wrote in an e-mail. "Without office space, most governance building initiatives must be postponed until federal Haitian employees can return to rebuilt offices."
They also disclosed that -- a full 11 months to the day after the earthquake -- the Obama administration is still "exploring various options" to provide Haiti with institutional capacity assistance and is "yet to present an official plan to the appropriate Haitian Government officials." What has taken the State Department so long to act on this seemingly basic, yet essential issue remains to be seen.
As a result, U.S. State Department and military officers and employees would relocate onto an aircraft carrier outside of the country.
This gesture would serve as “an immediate means of restoring governance capacity,” according to the meeting minutes.
USAID -- the U.S. government agency responsible for providing economic and humanitarian assistance around the world -- made welcome gestures in the lead up to the ongoing Haiti Reconstruction Conference and during the opening plenary, calling for increased development of the Haitian private sector and authorizing $500 million for this initiative.
 |
| USAID representatives Andrews Kim and Shaver, who offered the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince to the Haitian government. |
During the meeting, which included the Haitian cabinet including the prime minister and the National Police, the agency also discussed outsourcing technical assistance for the Haitian government to McKinsey and Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The U.S. government’s use of corporate contractors is rampant, and is renowned for leading to unnecessary high expense to the American taxpayer.
Donating the U.S. Embassy to the Haitian government would remove U.S. personnel from the center of the action in Haiti, and limit its ability to conduct their reconstruction activities and to oversee implementation and funding allocation.
More importantly, the gesture comes in the wake of a national security breach of leaked State Department cables, which were recently posted on the secret-divulging website WikiLeaks. Cable archives are easily accessible from any Embassy computer network, and allowing the Haitian government – notorious for corruption and ineptitude – free reign over the embassy might risk further exposing U.S. confidential information.
This offer calls into question the degree of flexibility the agency is granted in the Obama administration and the degree to which its actions are vetted by the State Department. The meeting notes make it clear that the offer was made without prior consultation with the Secretary of State and the U.S. military, both represented at the conference.
Responding to a question for comment, Andrews Kim and Shaver, the USAID representatives to the conference, said only that they will confirm that the agency is "committed to assisting the Haitian Central Government establish office spaces in the shortest period of time possible."
"Most Haitian government facilities were damaged if not altogether destroyed during the earthquake," they wrote in an e-mail. "Without office space, most governance building initiatives must be postponed until federal Haitian employees can return to rebuilt offices."
They also disclosed that -- a full 11 months to the day after the earthquake -- the Obama administration is still "exploring various options" to provide Haiti with institutional capacity assistance and is "yet to present an official plan to the appropriate Haitian Government officials." What has taken the State Department so long to act on this seemingly basic, yet essential issue remains to be seen.
Fox News Exclusive: Democrats Praise “Bipartisanism,” Call for Change to Clinton-headed Commission
Fox News
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – Democrats on the U.S. congressional delegation to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference are looking forward to working with “all international donors” at the upcoming working group sessions this week, Senators Theresa Chalhoub (D-NY) and Ani Akinyibi (D-MD) said Friday in an exclusive interview with Fox News.
They also said that they wanted to reach out across the aisle, by including Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in their delegation and speaking with Fox News.
“Bipartisanism (sic) is important to us,” they explained.
The senators, both of whom serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – Senator Chalhoub is the outgoing chairwoman – addressed the conference at the opening plenary on Thursday, and stressed the importance of providing aid to Haiti as quickly as possible.
“We are committed to finding a way to hasten this process, as we realized that every delay prolongs the suffering of the victims of this disaster,” Senator Akinbiyi said in prepared remarks.
Though neither addressed American taxpayers’ concerns as to whether the money being allocated quickly is done so without falling susceptible to corruption, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen said in a separate interview that she would ensure program effectiveness and protect against “waste, fraud, and abuse” before disbursing U.S. aid. (Read: Exclusive interview with Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.)
In order to achieve their goals, the senators also promoted the value of international donor cooperation, and declare themselves ready to collaborate with any member of the conference, including Venezuela. That country’s president-for-life, Hugo Chavez, denounced the U.S. at the opening plenary for its “Yanqui imperialism” and demanded the removal of all U.S. troops from Haiti.
“We want to keep the door open for collaboration,” Senator Akinbiyi explained. “We don’t think that it’s going to be easy to have everyone get on the same page, but we definitely don’t want to close any doors.”
Sentor Chalhoub shared a similar sentiment.
“We want to do as much as we can to collaborate on goals, to make sure as much as possible that we’re on the same page,” she said. “Obviously different countries have different interests, but the more we can share those goals, the better it’s going to be for the country of Haiti.”
Regarding the senators’ interests, they said that a top priority for them was restructuring the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission (IHRC), headed by UN Special Envoy to Haiti and former U.S. president Bill Clinton and current Haitian prime minister Jean-Max Bellerive. The commission was formed following an international donors conference in March to better coordinate global aid and reconstruction efforts.
The senators said that in their pre-conference meetings they conveyed their lack of faith in the current IHRC leadership.
“We talked about improving the IHRC, making sure it’s better staffed, it has a leader, a competent leader, that can really be a strong voice in the country,” Senator Chalhoub said. “[One who can] make sure things are better streamlined and that countries are donating their money knowing that IHRC is going to be making a decision about where it will be best allocated.”
Senator Akinbiyi quickly asserted that they weren’t questioning the performance of Clinton or Bellerive, but intended only that the commission needs a full-time director.
“We’re not putting out there that the current leadership is incompetent,” he said.
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – Democrats on the U.S. congressional delegation to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference are looking forward to working with “all international donors” at the upcoming working group sessions this week, Senators Theresa Chalhoub (D-NY) and Ani Akinyibi (D-MD) said Friday in an exclusive interview with Fox News.
They also said that they wanted to reach out across the aisle, by including Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in their delegation and speaking with Fox News.
“Bipartisanism (sic) is important to us,” they explained.
 |
| Senators Akinbiyi and Chalhoub describe their willingness to partner with Venezuela to Fox News reporter. |
The senators, both of whom serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – Senator Chalhoub is the outgoing chairwoman – addressed the conference at the opening plenary on Thursday, and stressed the importance of providing aid to Haiti as quickly as possible.
“We are committed to finding a way to hasten this process, as we realized that every delay prolongs the suffering of the victims of this disaster,” Senator Akinbiyi said in prepared remarks.
Though neither addressed American taxpayers’ concerns as to whether the money being allocated quickly is done so without falling susceptible to corruption, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen said in a separate interview that she would ensure program effectiveness and protect against “waste, fraud, and abuse” before disbursing U.S. aid. (Read: Exclusive interview with Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.)
In order to achieve their goals, the senators also promoted the value of international donor cooperation, and declare themselves ready to collaborate with any member of the conference, including Venezuela. That country’s president-for-life, Hugo Chavez, denounced the U.S. at the opening plenary for its “Yanqui imperialism” and demanded the removal of all U.S. troops from Haiti.
“We want to keep the door open for collaboration,” Senator Akinbiyi explained. “We don’t think that it’s going to be easy to have everyone get on the same page, but we definitely don’t want to close any doors.”
Sentor Chalhoub shared a similar sentiment.
“We want to do as much as we can to collaborate on goals, to make sure as much as possible that we’re on the same page,” she said. “Obviously different countries have different interests, but the more we can share those goals, the better it’s going to be for the country of Haiti.”
Regarding the senators’ interests, they said that a top priority for them was restructuring the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission (IHRC), headed by UN Special Envoy to Haiti and former U.S. president Bill Clinton and current Haitian prime minister Jean-Max Bellerive. The commission was formed following an international donors conference in March to better coordinate global aid and reconstruction efforts.
The senators said that in their pre-conference meetings they conveyed their lack of faith in the current IHRC leadership.
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| Prime Minister Bellerive of Haiti addresses the plenary. The senators expressed disapproval of the Haiti recovery commission he co-chairs with former president Bill Clinton. |
“We talked about improving the IHRC, making sure it’s better staffed, it has a leader, a competent leader, that can really be a strong voice in the country,” Senator Chalhoub said. “[One who can] make sure things are better streamlined and that countries are donating their money knowing that IHRC is going to be making a decision about where it will be best allocated.”
Senator Akinbiyi quickly asserted that they weren’t questioning the performance of Clinton or Bellerive, but intended only that the commission needs a full-time director.
“We’re not putting out there that the current leadership is incompetent,” he said.
Sidebar: Ros-Lehtinen Denounces Chavez, Declares Lack of Faith in UN
Fox News
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – The United Nations has lost its credibility as an honest broker, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said Friday, referring to its lack of control at the opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference.
“The UN is an unruly place and sometimes it gives a forum to those who don’t really deserve it,” she said in an exclusive interview to Fox News. (Read article: “Ros-Lehtinen Not Optimistic About Conference Outcomes.”)
The Conference, which is being hosted in Ros-Lehtinen’s home district of Miami, was ambushed by President-for-life Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, whose surprise visit to the event was condoned by the conference Steering Committee, chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Though uninvited, Chavez was allowed to address the delegates, and he used that opportunity to deliver a rant against America’s assistance to Haiti.
“This is one of the flaws so the current conference organization,” she said. “To allow a human rights violator…to just speak out of turn and in an insulting fashion at a conference that’s suppose to be about the international community coming together to help a country in need completely politicized what should otherwise be a nonpolitical event.”
The congresswoman, who is poised to take over the chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress, is a “leading voice on the need for UN reform,” according to her website. She introduced HR 2712, the United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act, aimed at combating the “rampant moral and fiscal corruption” of the international body.
“Unfortunately, the UN just doesn’t have the capacity to effectively enact global change,” she said.
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – The United Nations has lost its credibility as an honest broker, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said Friday, referring to its lack of control at the opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference.
“The UN is an unruly place and sometimes it gives a forum to those who don’t really deserve it,” she said in an exclusive interview to Fox News. (Read article: “Ros-Lehtinen Not Optimistic About Conference Outcomes.”)
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| UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Haitian President Rene Preval of the conference steering committee. The group has "lost its credibility," Rep. Ros-Lehtinen explains. |
The Conference, which is being hosted in Ros-Lehtinen’s home district of Miami, was ambushed by President-for-life Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, whose surprise visit to the event was condoned by the conference Steering Committee, chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Though uninvited, Chavez was allowed to address the delegates, and he used that opportunity to deliver a rant against America’s assistance to Haiti.
“This is one of the flaws so the current conference organization,” she said. “To allow a human rights violator…to just speak out of turn and in an insulting fashion at a conference that’s suppose to be about the international community coming together to help a country in need completely politicized what should otherwise be a nonpolitical event.”
The congresswoman, who is poised to take over the chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress, is a “leading voice on the need for UN reform,” according to her website. She introduced HR 2712, the United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act, aimed at combating the “rampant moral and fiscal corruption” of the international body.
“Unfortunately, the UN just doesn’t have the capacity to effectively enact global change,” she said.
Fox News Exclusive: Ros-Lehtinen Not Optimistic About Conference Outcomes
Fox News
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – There is a palpable tension between the generosity of the American people and those who want to benefit from that generosity without any oversight, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) told Fox News on Friday in an exclusive interview.
The representative also said that the American people cannot afford significant foreign aid at a time of runaway deficit spending.
“The United States has its own problems,” Ros-Lehtinen said. “We have a budget deficit that’s not going away anytime soon and to just throw money at the problem and empower folks who aren’t interested in American interests doesn’t seem like a smart thing to do.”
She praised the “strength of the U.S. military and the U.S. diplomatic corps” but warned that we must prevent “waste, fraud, and abuse” in the process of rebuilding Haiti. She spoke to Fox News in the midst of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, which is being hosted in her Miami district. (Sidebar: The congresswoman on Chavez and the UN.)
The congresswoman is the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and is poised to become chairwoman when the new Republican Congress takes over in January 2011. Republicans won 63 new House seats and six Senate seats in what was largely viewed as a repudiation of President Obama and the Democratic leadership.
Ros-Lehtinen praised the generosity of the American people and government in pledging aid to the struggling nation.
“I speak for all Americans when I say that we are committed to serving as a partner to both the [people and the government of Haiti in their efforts to rebuild,” she said in her prepared remarks at the opening plenary on Thursday.
The U.S. Congress has collaborated with the Haitian government in legislative-legislative training projects. Ros-Lehtinen recommended further cooperation in assisting Haiti build the technical capacity to collect tax revenue, and proposed assistance from the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
These programs need to be in place “so that the Haitians are able to govern themselves, which is ultimately the goal,” she said.
However, she recognized the limits of U.S. financial assistance in a time of domestic economic crisis and said that the U.S. needs to “trim the fat” off of foreign assistance, a decision which she will be uniquely poised to carry out in the next Congress.
Ros-Lehtinen highlighted her role as the only Republican on the four-member congressional delegation to the conference, and said that so far she enjoyed working on the bipartisan team and has reached consensus with her liberal colleagues. (Read: Exclusive interview with Democratic senators.)
“Chairman [Howard] Berman and I have a very strong working relationship.” she said. “I think that we have a lot of common interests.”
Ros-Lehtinen has reserved judgment as to whether she will be able to sign on to the final report of the Conference, to be promulgated at the final plenary this Thursday.
“The Democratic Congress[men are] going to write a document that I don’t think I’m going to be able to support, because it won’t have the safeguards in place to protect taxpayer interests and that’s ultimately what I’m concerned with,” she said. “Of course we need to do all we can to help our partners in Haiti, but there needs to be some financial restraint.”
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – There is a palpable tension between the generosity of the American people and those who want to benefit from that generosity without any oversight, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) told Fox News on Friday in an exclusive interview.
The representative also said that the American people cannot afford significant foreign aid at a time of runaway deficit spending.
“The United States has its own problems,” Ros-Lehtinen said. “We have a budget deficit that’s not going away anytime soon and to just throw money at the problem and empower folks who aren’t interested in American interests doesn’t seem like a smart thing to do.”
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| Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) sits down with Fox News reporter to discuss her pessimistic outlook towards the conference. |
The congresswoman is the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and is poised to become chairwoman when the new Republican Congress takes over in January 2011. Republicans won 63 new House seats and six Senate seats in what was largely viewed as a repudiation of President Obama and the Democratic leadership.
Ros-Lehtinen praised the generosity of the American people and government in pledging aid to the struggling nation.
“I speak for all Americans when I say that we are committed to serving as a partner to both the [people and the government of Haiti in their efforts to rebuild,” she said in her prepared remarks at the opening plenary on Thursday.
The U.S. Congress has collaborated with the Haitian government in legislative-legislative training projects. Ros-Lehtinen recommended further cooperation in assisting Haiti build the technical capacity to collect tax revenue, and proposed assistance from the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
These programs need to be in place “so that the Haitians are able to govern themselves, which is ultimately the goal,” she said.
However, she recognized the limits of U.S. financial assistance in a time of domestic economic crisis and said that the U.S. needs to “trim the fat” off of foreign assistance, a decision which she will be uniquely poised to carry out in the next Congress.
Ros-Lehtinen highlighted her role as the only Republican on the four-member congressional delegation to the conference, and said that so far she enjoyed working on the bipartisan team and has reached consensus with her liberal colleagues. (Read: Exclusive interview with Democratic senators.)
“Chairman [Howard] Berman and I have a very strong working relationship.” she said. “I think that we have a lot of common interests.”
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| The "bipartisan" U.S. congressional delegation, which only contains one Republican. "They're trying to stack the deck," Rep. Ros-Lehtinen explains. |
Ros-Lehtinen has reserved judgment as to whether she will be able to sign on to the final report of the Conference, to be promulgated at the final plenary this Thursday.
“The Democratic Congress[men are] going to write a document that I don’t think I’m going to be able to support, because it won’t have the safeguards in place to protect taxpayer interests and that’s ultimately what I’m concerned with,” she said. “Of course we need to do all we can to help our partners in Haiti, but there needs to be some financial restraint.”
World Bank Disavows Soros Cooperation on Marijuana
Despite George Soros’ call for collaboration with the World Bank to “legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana production on Haiti’s central plateau,” the plan does not have the support of the international financial institution.
Soros made the claim while addressing the opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL. In his opening statement, he also mentioned partnering with the dictator of the socialist Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, on Haiti reconstruction. (Read Glenn Beck’s comments on the issue.)
“George Soros has a wild imagination,” World Bank representative Dhruv Malhotra told Fox News. “He is an old man with too much time on his hands.”
The World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank – which were not allowed to address the audience at the opening session – released a joint communiqué recommending a three-fold approach to “improving coordination of reconstruction actitivies and building the long-term capacity of the Haitian government.”
The communiqué recommends sector-wide approaches (SWAps) to development to minimize project overlap, a sequenced handover of project implementation to the Haitian government, and a larger share of bilateral donations to be directed through the Haiti Reconstruction Fund.
Carolyn Edelstein, another World Bank delegate at the conference, confirmed that marijuana production is not in line with these objectives and has absolutely no support in their organization.
“No way, no how,” she said, before joining her colleagues for lunch.
Soros made the claim while addressing the opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL. In his opening statement, he also mentioned partnering with the dictator of the socialist Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, on Haiti reconstruction. (Read Glenn Beck’s comments on the issue.)
“George Soros has a wild imagination,” World Bank representative Dhruv Malhotra told Fox News. “He is an old man with too much time on his hands.”
The World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank – which were not allowed to address the audience at the opening session – released a joint communiqué recommending a three-fold approach to “improving coordination of reconstruction actitivies and building the long-term capacity of the Haitian government.”
The communiqué recommends sector-wide approaches (SWAps) to development to minimize project overlap, a sequenced handover of project implementation to the Haitian government, and a larger share of bilateral donations to be directed through the Haiti Reconstruction Fund.
Carolyn Edelstein, another World Bank delegate at the conference, confirmed that marijuana production is not in line with these objectives and has absolutely no support in their organization.
“No way, no how,” she said, before joining her colleagues for lunch.
Sidebar: Dividing Lines Drawn at Conference
Fox News
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – At this week’s Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, F.L. contentions between the U.S. and Venezuela signal a larger rift between the delegates and hint at the formation of two broad coalitions, one behind the U.S. and in favor of business-led recovery, and the other promoting a socialist agenda. (See article: “Chaos and Conflict Ensue at Opening Plenary.”)
The U.S. was singled out for its generosity by many Haitian delegates. Since the earthquake hit on Jan. 12, the U.S. has committed and/or pledged nearly $2.6 billion to Haiti. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned in the run-up to the conference, nearly half of American households donated to Haiti relief.
The Haitian Senate expressed its “deepest gratitude” to the U.S. for “its hospitality and long-lasting friendship.” A confederation of Haitian mayors thanked the U.S. for its “long-standing commitment to developing the government of Haiti.” Haitian small and medium-sized enterprises noted that America is their greatest trading partner, and expressed appreciation for the HOPE II Act, which allows for preferential treatment for Haitian goods.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced initiatives supporting the Haitian private sector, recognizing it as the only true means to wean Haiti off of an increasing dependence on aid and lift it from its entrenched poverty. This call was seconded by the Carlos Slim Foundation – the private charity of a Mexican businessman – which outlined the need to re-launch private sector development and create a class of entrepreneurs in Haiti who can create jobs and pay taxes.
The Haitian business community echoed these sentiments, and advocated that aid jobs be given to Haitians rather than foreigners, that the Haitian government deregulate business and make Haiti a more attractive place for investment, and that Haiti expand its markets for local exports. The call for open markets was also proscribed by the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s Hispaniolan counterpart.
Notably, the only delegates not granted the opportunity to address the plenary were international financial institutions – the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank.
Contrasting with these pro-market leaders, a coalition coalesced around the imperatives of the socialist Venezuela. George Soros of the Open Society Foundation, a controversial billionaire often linked to political destabilization across the world, announced his organization’s desire to partner with Venezuela and called for the legalization of marijuana in Haiti for cultivation.
The Confederation of Haitian Workers, an umbrella group for Haiti’s labor unions, argued that international aid alone wasn’t sufficient, and that Haitian workers demanded a “living wage,” “working conditions” to match their standards, and the “right to unionize.” Similarly, a representative of Haitian farmers – who self-righteously declared herself “appalled” that there had not been a moment of silence – demanded the “peasants’ right to land” in the name of “social and environmental justice” and complained about Western food aid and “an international presence that has long overstayed.”
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – At this week’s Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, F.L. contentions between the U.S. and Venezuela signal a larger rift between the delegates and hint at the formation of two broad coalitions, one behind the U.S. and in favor of business-led recovery, and the other promoting a socialist agenda. (See article: “Chaos and Conflict Ensue at Opening Plenary.”)
The U.S. was singled out for its generosity by many Haitian delegates. Since the earthquake hit on Jan. 12, the U.S. has committed and/or pledged nearly $2.6 billion to Haiti. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned in the run-up to the conference, nearly half of American households donated to Haiti relief.
The Haitian Senate expressed its “deepest gratitude” to the U.S. for “its hospitality and long-lasting friendship.” A confederation of Haitian mayors thanked the U.S. for its “long-standing commitment to developing the government of Haiti.” Haitian small and medium-sized enterprises noted that America is their greatest trading partner, and expressed appreciation for the HOPE II Act, which allows for preferential treatment for Haitian goods.
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| The Haitian business community wants to know, "Why wasn't this t-shirt made in Haiti?" |
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced initiatives supporting the Haitian private sector, recognizing it as the only true means to wean Haiti off of an increasing dependence on aid and lift it from its entrenched poverty. This call was seconded by the Carlos Slim Foundation – the private charity of a Mexican businessman – which outlined the need to re-launch private sector development and create a class of entrepreneurs in Haiti who can create jobs and pay taxes.
The Haitian business community echoed these sentiments, and advocated that aid jobs be given to Haitians rather than foreigners, that the Haitian government deregulate business and make Haiti a more attractive place for investment, and that Haiti expand its markets for local exports. The call for open markets was also proscribed by the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s Hispaniolan counterpart.
Notably, the only delegates not granted the opportunity to address the plenary were international financial institutions – the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank.
Contrasting with these pro-market leaders, a coalition coalesced around the imperatives of the socialist Venezuela. George Soros of the Open Society Foundation, a controversial billionaire often linked to political destabilization across the world, announced his organization’s desire to partner with Venezuela and called for the legalization of marijuana in Haiti for cultivation.
 |
| Billionaire Soros attempts to destabilize Haiti for personal gain |
The Confederation of Haitian Workers, an umbrella group for Haiti’s labor unions, argued that international aid alone wasn’t sufficient, and that Haitian workers demanded a “living wage,” “working conditions” to match their standards, and the “right to unionize.” Similarly, a representative of Haitian farmers – who self-righteously declared herself “appalled” that there had not been a moment of silence – demanded the “peasants’ right to land” in the name of “social and environmental justice” and complained about Western food aid and “an international presence that has long overstayed.”
Chaos and Conflict Ensue at Opening Plenary
Fox News
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – In what was expected to be a staid opening session to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference this past Thursday, instead the event was plagued by breaches of security, open contention between delegations, and general theatricality, casting doubts on the efficacy of the conference and its likelihood for success.
“This is the best conference I have ever been to,” Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan), Timothy Yang, said sarcastically in his opening statement.
Eleven months ago today on Jan. 12 an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale erupted in Haiti, leaving over 200,000 dead, as many injured, and 1.5 million people homeless. The natural disaster also caused $8 billion in damages, destroying over 100,000 homes, and 1,300 schools, 50 hospitals, as well as government ministries, Parliament and the Presidential Palace.
In March, the international community came together for a donors conference to discuss collaboration on rebuilding the battered island nation both for emergency post-earthquake relief and long-term reconstruction. The attendees endorsed the Haitian government’s “Action Plan for National Recovery and Development of Haiti” and pledged $5.3 billion in aid to Haiti.
The Action Plan outlined “immediate actions for the future” across four fields – territorial, economic, social, and institutional reconstruction – and requested $11.5 billion in international aid to meet these goals. This week’s conference in Miami convened nearly 70 delegates representing countries, international organizations, local and international businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and charitable foundations in an effort to better coordinate implementation of the Action Plan’s agenda.
As a sign of the conference’s general disarray, the exact purpose of the meeting was unclear to all attendees and was reiterated at the commencement of Thursday’s session.
“This conference is about implementing the policies we devised in March, not about coming up with new policies,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon belatedly informed the delegates. Ban is co-hosting the conference with Haitian President Rene Preval, UN Special Envoy to Haiti former president Bill Clinton, and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Just moments before, as the conferees were entering the auditorium, a group of pro-democracy Venezuelan-Americans protesting the arrival of uninvited guest Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez entered the plenary to jeer and taunt the dictator with handmade signs and slogans. (Watch video.)
Later in the conference, in the midst of the Dominican delegation’s statement, tens of anarchists claiming to be from the secret-divulging website WikiLeaks invaded the auditorium and ran amok, throwing empty sheets of paper at the conferees, only to be escorted out by the Haitian National Police representative. (Watch video.) It is unclear why no security detail was hired for the proceedings.
This was not the first sign of lax safeguards. Earlier in the week, the conference’s confidential cable network was breached by an anonymous hacker calling for the ouster of Haiti presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat from the event.
Beyond this political theater, the conference was also the sight of bitter contention. Though uninvited, President Chavez – introduced by his foreign minister as the “Great Leader of Venezuela and the free world” – was allowed to address the forum, and immediately launched into one of his characteristic anti-American rants.
“I am here despite the mercenary protest outside by these Yanqui imperialists to demonstrate the commitment of the Bolivarian Republic to the Haitian people. President Preval, Prime Minster Bellerive, we are here to act as you direct, not to promote an interventionist agenda,” the dictator said. He then called for the removal of American soldiers in Haiti sent to preserve law-and-order in the fragile society.
His remarks drew quick rejoinders from American representatives.
“Contrary to what some other delegates might presuppose, the U.S. military is here simply and only at the behest of the Haitian government,” Army General Morgan Greene of SOUTHCOM said as he took the floor. (Sidebar: Conference divides into two camps.)
With such fault lines it is unclear whether the delegates can come together and reach consensus by the end of the conference, where a final implementation plan will be signed by the delegates.
“Ultimately this is a non-binding policy consensus document and if the past is any indication, it won’t be a particularly strong document,” Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), whose district is hosting the conference said in an interview Friday. “Whenever you have to compromise with such a diverse group, you’re going to have a watered-down final draft.”
This uncertainty is compounded by the structure of the conference itself, which only provides for one day of working group sessions. These will take place five days after the opening plenary and just two days before the final plan is published.
Additionally, the final document – which is supposed to reflect delegates’ consensus– will not be voted on before it is signed. Representatives who do not wish to sign can only note their reservations.
This has caused some consternation amid U.S. delegates.
“To be honest, as the sole Republican in the American delegation, I’m not particularly excited about that. It sounds to me like a power-grab,” Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen said.
Despite these chords of tension and lack of faith in the system, there is some general agreement on a number of principles going forward. Nearly all delegates – to the point of excess – expressed desire for long-term “capacity-building” in Haiti, rather than concentration on post-quake assistance. There were also united voices in calling for empowered local government in Haiti, NGO transparency and coordination through the Haitian government, and channeling aid through existing international mechanisms such as the Haiti Reconstruction Fund. This would reduce the likelihood of corruption, which is endemic in Haiti and has plagued international aid to the country for decades.
It remains to be seen if these consensus points can be backed not just by rhetoric but by actual substance. The final presenter, Stefano Zannini of Doctors without Borders, summed it potently.
“Let’s stop with the meetings, let’s stop with the debates, [and] let’s stop with the press conferences. Let’s actually get to work.”
MIAMI, F.L., December 12, 2010 – In what was expected to be a staid opening session to the Haiti Reconstruction Conference this past Thursday, instead the event was plagued by breaches of security, open contention between delegations, and general theatricality, casting doubts on the efficacy of the conference and its likelihood for success.
“This is the best conference I have ever been to,” Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan), Timothy Yang, said sarcastically in his opening statement.
Eleven months ago today on Jan. 12 an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale erupted in Haiti, leaving over 200,000 dead, as many injured, and 1.5 million people homeless. The natural disaster also caused $8 billion in damages, destroying over 100,000 homes, and 1,300 schools, 50 hospitals, as well as government ministries, Parliament and the Presidential Palace.
In March, the international community came together for a donors conference to discuss collaboration on rebuilding the battered island nation both for emergency post-earthquake relief and long-term reconstruction. The attendees endorsed the Haitian government’s “Action Plan for National Recovery and Development of Haiti” and pledged $5.3 billion in aid to Haiti.
The Action Plan outlined “immediate actions for the future” across four fields – territorial, economic, social, and institutional reconstruction – and requested $11.5 billion in international aid to meet these goals. This week’s conference in Miami convened nearly 70 delegates representing countries, international organizations, local and international businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and charitable foundations in an effort to better coordinate implementation of the Action Plan’s agenda.
As a sign of the conference’s general disarray, the exact purpose of the meeting was unclear to all attendees and was reiterated at the commencement of Thursday’s session.
“This conference is about implementing the policies we devised in March, not about coming up with new policies,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon belatedly informed the delegates. Ban is co-hosting the conference with Haitian President Rene Preval, UN Special Envoy to Haiti former president Bill Clinton, and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Just moments before, as the conferees were entering the auditorium, a group of pro-democracy Venezuelan-Americans protesting the arrival of uninvited guest Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez entered the plenary to jeer and taunt the dictator with handmade signs and slogans. (Watch video.)
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| Venezuela-American protesters greet the delegates with handmade signs and anti-Chavez cheers |
Later in the conference, in the midst of the Dominican delegation’s statement, tens of anarchists claiming to be from the secret-divulging website WikiLeaks invaded the auditorium and ran amok, throwing empty sheets of paper at the conferees, only to be escorted out by the Haitian National Police representative. (Watch video.) It is unclear why no security detail was hired for the proceedings.
This was not the first sign of lax safeguards. Earlier in the week, the conference’s confidential cable network was breached by an anonymous hacker calling for the ouster of Haiti presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat from the event.
Beyond this political theater, the conference was also the sight of bitter contention. Though uninvited, President Chavez – introduced by his foreign minister as the “Great Leader of Venezuela and the free world” – was allowed to address the forum, and immediately launched into one of his characteristic anti-American rants.
“I am here despite the mercenary protest outside by these Yanqui imperialists to demonstrate the commitment of the Bolivarian Republic to the Haitian people. President Preval, Prime Minster Bellerive, we are here to act as you direct, not to promote an interventionist agenda,” the dictator said. He then called for the removal of American soldiers in Haiti sent to preserve law-and-order in the fragile society.
His remarks drew quick rejoinders from American representatives.
“Contrary to what some other delegates might presuppose, the U.S. military is here simply and only at the behest of the Haitian government,” Army General Morgan Greene of SOUTHCOM said as he took the floor. (Sidebar: Conference divides into two camps.)
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| Andrew Kim of USAID addresses the delegates on behalf of the U.S. government |
With such fault lines it is unclear whether the delegates can come together and reach consensus by the end of the conference, where a final implementation plan will be signed by the delegates.
“Ultimately this is a non-binding policy consensus document and if the past is any indication, it won’t be a particularly strong document,” Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), whose district is hosting the conference said in an interview Friday. “Whenever you have to compromise with such a diverse group, you’re going to have a watered-down final draft.”
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| Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen thunders back at President Chavez. "Talk is cheap," she said in her opening statement. |
This uncertainty is compounded by the structure of the conference itself, which only provides for one day of working group sessions. These will take place five days after the opening plenary and just two days before the final plan is published.
Additionally, the final document – which is supposed to reflect delegates’ consensus– will not be voted on before it is signed. Representatives who do not wish to sign can only note their reservations.
This has caused some consternation amid U.S. delegates.
“To be honest, as the sole Republican in the American delegation, I’m not particularly excited about that. It sounds to me like a power-grab,” Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen said.
Despite these chords of tension and lack of faith in the system, there is some general agreement on a number of principles going forward. Nearly all delegates – to the point of excess – expressed desire for long-term “capacity-building” in Haiti, rather than concentration on post-quake assistance. There were also united voices in calling for empowered local government in Haiti, NGO transparency and coordination through the Haitian government, and channeling aid through existing international mechanisms such as the Haiti Reconstruction Fund. This would reduce the likelihood of corruption, which is endemic in Haiti and has plagued international aid to the country for decades.
It remains to be seen if these consensus points can be backed not just by rhetoric but by actual substance. The final presenter, Stefano Zannini of Doctors without Borders, summed it potently.
“Let’s stop with the meetings, let’s stop with the debates, [and] let’s stop with the press conferences. Let’s actually get to work.”
Friday, December 10, 2010
Glenn Beck on the Haiti Reconstruction Conference
This is a rush transcript of "Glenn Beck," December 9, 2010. The following are comments on the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, which opened yesterday in Miami, FL.
...
I see we've gone back to talking about Haiti. It's been, what? Ten, 11 months now, we've been dealing with this? This is the president's foreign policy agenda? Where's the focus on improving our economy and providing jobs to the American people? How much money can we pour down the drain in Haiti when we're talking about unprecedented levels of deficit spending and a new extension of benefits to those too lazy to find work? And how long can we commit military resources when our forces are stretched thin as it is, fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Turns out, and this is appropriate, the conference is really sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School. Woodrow Wilson. I hate that guy. Progressive. Liberal Democrat. What a surprise that we've got a school based on the model for progressive America trying to commit our time and energy to advancing its liberal agenda. When will the president get it in his head that this is against the will of the American people?
And best of all, guess what? Our good friend George Soros was in the audience, and had the opportunity to address the distinguished delegates. And boy, he didn't disappoint. The man is known for overthrowing governments in the name of "philanthropy." Well, he's got plans for Haiti. Rather than have the Haitian people decide how to rebuild their country, he says that they need to rebuild Haiti "as it should be." And who will decide that? Well, George Soros of course! He called for, get this, and I'm serious, I'm not making this stuff up, the legalization of marijuana as the new main export crop for Haiti. And he'll work with the World Bank -- another one of these blackbox international financial organizations dedicated to destabilizing the world -- to do it. That way Haiti'll turn into a permanent basket case, as we see in Mexico. And the capper is that in order the build "state capacity" -- a progressive buzz word and a favorite at the conference -- he wants to work with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Great, a new Soros-Chavez axis of evil, and just 700 miles from our shore.
I don't know about you, but I fear for this country. I fear for our future.
...
I see we've gone back to talking about Haiti. It's been, what? Ten, 11 months now, we've been dealing with this? This is the president's foreign policy agenda? Where's the focus on improving our economy and providing jobs to the American people? How much money can we pour down the drain in Haiti when we're talking about unprecedented levels of deficit spending and a new extension of benefits to those too lazy to find work? And how long can we commit military resources when our forces are stretched thin as it is, fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Turns out, and this is appropriate, the conference is really sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School. Woodrow Wilson. I hate that guy. Progressive. Liberal Democrat. What a surprise that we've got a school based on the model for progressive America trying to commit our time and energy to advancing its liberal agenda. When will the president get it in his head that this is against the will of the American people?
And best of all, guess what? Our good friend George Soros was in the audience, and had the opportunity to address the distinguished delegates. And boy, he didn't disappoint. The man is known for overthrowing governments in the name of "philanthropy." Well, he's got plans for Haiti. Rather than have the Haitian people decide how to rebuild their country, he says that they need to rebuild Haiti "as it should be." And who will decide that? Well, George Soros of course! He called for, get this, and I'm serious, I'm not making this stuff up, the legalization of marijuana as the new main export crop for Haiti. And he'll work with the World Bank -- another one of these blackbox international financial organizations dedicated to destabilizing the world -- to do it. That way Haiti'll turn into a permanent basket case, as we see in Mexico. And the capper is that in order the build "state capacity" -- a progressive buzz word and a favorite at the conference -- he wants to work with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Great, a new Soros-Chavez axis of evil, and just 700 miles from our shore.
I don't know about you, but I fear for this country. I fear for our future.
Bill O'Reilly on the Haiti Reconstruction Conference
This is a rush transcript of "The O'Reilly Factor," December 9, 2010. The following are comments on the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, which opened yesterday in Miami, FL.
...
Turning now to Talking Points.
"Talking Points" is pleased that the international community is finally addressing the real concern in Haiti: implementing all the plans that the eggheads have been working on for the past 10 months. Supporting Haiti is important; hundreds of thousands of people have died, over a million people have lost their homes, and the magnitude of suffering of the survivors is unimaginable. The U.S., and the Obama administration -- I'm not afraid to say it -- is commendable for the aid it pledged to Haiti. I myself have dedicated a few times to the Haitian Health Foundation and find their work invaluable.
But now that there's all this money available, we need to focus on ensuring that Haiti's corrupt government doesn't prevent the aid from reaching the good people of Haiti. Not focusing on corruption and effective disbursement will undermine the entire point of the conference. Sure, delegates like meeting in sunny Miami in the dead of winter, and mixing with pinheads like Brazil's President Lula and Chavez of Venezuela, but if we can't focus on making sure that the money actually reaches the Haitian people, then we've just wasted everyone's time...
It's time for a "Reality Check."
As you know, Fox News has been covering the conference all week. Our excellent reporter was there days before the other members of the mainstream media got there, and only our good friends the Huffington Post and the stuffy Economist actually find it in their interest to cover this event in the first place. No word from MSNBC or CNN. Let's hear Media Matters talk about that. Anyway, he spearheaded a press conference the day before conference began, to allow the delegates to get a jump start on getting their message out. Of course, in the spirit of collegiality he got together will his fellow reporters and they all agreed to host the conference together, without a partisan filter. Of course, in the end only he showed up to host the conference and he did a darn good job doing it.
Anyway, I'm reading HuffPo, and I see intrepid reporter Elaina Sarkosorova, or however you pronounce it, claims that Fox News hosted a "unilateral 'press conference'" and that's "press conference" in quotation marks, and that the other members of the media were, quote, "either unaware of this alleged 'press conference'"-- again, quotation marks,-- "or notified last minute." She describes it as a "ploy" with "back-handed tactics." In a separate post, she -- without any evidence -- claims that Fox News called for WikiLeaks' founder and sex pervert Julian Assange to be assassinated after he sent an e-mail to the delegates. Turns out, it wasn't even him. But Huffington just simply made quotes up, claiming that our reporter said, quote, "A dead man can't leak stuff...This guy's a traitor...Illegally shoot the son of a bitch." Excuse my language.
Now Fox News Corp. is too good to respond to these outright lies and crazy distortions. And I know him, and he's a good guy, and he wouldn't say anything. But I'm not so nice. Turns out, he sent an e-mail to the delegates on Sunday, a full three days before the press conference, in the name of all three reporters inviting everyone to the press conference. He spoke with the reporters in the lead-up to the media event, and made sure they were on board. Turns out, in the end, they couldn't make it. And that's fine -- we wouldn't expect these guys to keep their commitments -- but to lie and say that this was backhanded is simply not reality.
Moving on to the other gross libel, there is simply no evidence to her claims. Sarkonova has no basis for these allegations. He in fact did write up a fine piece on the Assange e-mail, and he rightly called him out for his treacherous behavior, both to the United States, and women in general. And though Sarkinawa is right, this guy is a traitor, and if not a traitor -- after all, he's not an American citizen -- he's certainly an enemy combatant. I think a nice little trip to Guantanamo might be in the cards. But to make stuff up, that's simply unprofessional. But unfortunately, not unexpected...
And now for our favorite segment, Pinheads and Patriots.
The Factor has been really pleased by some of the comments made before and during the conference. The Dominican Republic delegation praised Fox News for its coverage so far, and spoke about shared Christian values and pro-market principles, which we know are championed by the Factor. But more encouraging was a group of liberty-loving protesters scaring the bejeezus out of surprise -- and uninvited -- guest Hugo Chavez as he arrived at the conference. The demonstrators waved signs, chanted slogans, and even managed to spiritedly burst into the hall and confront the dictator. Keep it up, Patriots.
On that note, turning to Pinheads, president-for-life Chavez decried "Yanqui imperialism" at the conference, and demanded that the U.S. military leave the island nation entirely. He also praised his country as being the first one with aid following the January earthquake. Well turns out, Hugo, that the military is needed to keep law and order in Haiti, which is in the throes of a humanitarian crisis. Without a police presence looting, rape, and other criminal activity runs rampant in a lawless society. Just look at Iraq, April 2003. Secondly, the U.S. may not have been the first country -- look, we've got a big bureaucracy -- but we'll certainly be the last one there once you've forgotten about the plight of the Haitian people and move your soapbox onto another topic. We've also committed nearly 2.6 billion dollars to Haiti relief and reconstruction, two-point-six, the most any country has pledged so far. You've sent what? A plane. Compare that to $2.6 billion. I love these pinheads.
And that's the Factor.
...
Turning now to Talking Points.
"Talking Points" is pleased that the international community is finally addressing the real concern in Haiti: implementing all the plans that the eggheads have been working on for the past 10 months. Supporting Haiti is important; hundreds of thousands of people have died, over a million people have lost their homes, and the magnitude of suffering of the survivors is unimaginable. The U.S., and the Obama administration -- I'm not afraid to say it -- is commendable for the aid it pledged to Haiti. I myself have dedicated a few times to the Haitian Health Foundation and find their work invaluable.
But now that there's all this money available, we need to focus on ensuring that Haiti's corrupt government doesn't prevent the aid from reaching the good people of Haiti. Not focusing on corruption and effective disbursement will undermine the entire point of the conference. Sure, delegates like meeting in sunny Miami in the dead of winter, and mixing with pinheads like Brazil's President Lula and Chavez of Venezuela, but if we can't focus on making sure that the money actually reaches the Haitian people, then we've just wasted everyone's time...
It's time for a "Reality Check."
As you know, Fox News has been covering the conference all week. Our excellent reporter was there days before the other members of the mainstream media got there, and only our good friends the Huffington Post and the stuffy Economist actually find it in their interest to cover this event in the first place. No word from MSNBC or CNN. Let's hear Media Matters talk about that. Anyway, he spearheaded a press conference the day before conference began, to allow the delegates to get a jump start on getting their message out. Of course, in the spirit of collegiality he got together will his fellow reporters and they all agreed to host the conference together, without a partisan filter. Of course, in the end only he showed up to host the conference and he did a darn good job doing it.
Anyway, I'm reading HuffPo, and I see intrepid reporter Elaina Sarkosorova, or however you pronounce it, claims that Fox News hosted a "unilateral 'press conference'" and that's "press conference" in quotation marks, and that the other members of the media were, quote, "either unaware of this alleged 'press conference'"-- again, quotation marks,-- "or notified last minute." She describes it as a "ploy" with "back-handed tactics." In a separate post, she -- without any evidence -- claims that Fox News called for WikiLeaks' founder and sex pervert Julian Assange to be assassinated after he sent an e-mail to the delegates. Turns out, it wasn't even him. But Huffington just simply made quotes up, claiming that our reporter said, quote, "A dead man can't leak stuff...This guy's a traitor...Illegally shoot the son of a bitch." Excuse my language.
Now Fox News Corp. is too good to respond to these outright lies and crazy distortions. And I know him, and he's a good guy, and he wouldn't say anything. But I'm not so nice. Turns out, he sent an e-mail to the delegates on Sunday, a full three days before the press conference, in the name of all three reporters inviting everyone to the press conference. He spoke with the reporters in the lead-up to the media event, and made sure they were on board. Turns out, in the end, they couldn't make it. And that's fine -- we wouldn't expect these guys to keep their commitments -- but to lie and say that this was backhanded is simply not reality.
Moving on to the other gross libel, there is simply no evidence to her claims. Sarkonova has no basis for these allegations. He in fact did write up a fine piece on the Assange e-mail, and he rightly called him out for his treacherous behavior, both to the United States, and women in general. And though Sarkinawa is right, this guy is a traitor, and if not a traitor -- after all, he's not an American citizen -- he's certainly an enemy combatant. I think a nice little trip to Guantanamo might be in the cards. But to make stuff up, that's simply unprofessional. But unfortunately, not unexpected...
And now for our favorite segment, Pinheads and Patriots.
The Factor has been really pleased by some of the comments made before and during the conference. The Dominican Republic delegation praised Fox News for its coverage so far, and spoke about shared Christian values and pro-market principles, which we know are championed by the Factor. But more encouraging was a group of liberty-loving protesters scaring the bejeezus out of surprise -- and uninvited -- guest Hugo Chavez as he arrived at the conference. The demonstrators waved signs, chanted slogans, and even managed to spiritedly burst into the hall and confront the dictator. Keep it up, Patriots.
On that note, turning to Pinheads, president-for-life Chavez decried "Yanqui imperialism" at the conference, and demanded that the U.S. military leave the island nation entirely. He also praised his country as being the first one with aid following the January earthquake. Well turns out, Hugo, that the military is needed to keep law and order in Haiti, which is in the throes of a humanitarian crisis. Without a police presence looting, rape, and other criminal activity runs rampant in a lawless society. Just look at Iraq, April 2003. Secondly, the U.S. may not have been the first country -- look, we've got a big bureaucracy -- but we'll certainly be the last one there once you've forgotten about the plight of the Haitian people and move your soapbox onto another topic. We've also committed nearly 2.6 billion dollars to Haiti relief and reconstruction, two-point-six, the most any country has pledged so far. You've sent what? A plane. Compare that to $2.6 billion. I love these pinheads.
And that's the Factor.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
"WikiLeaks" Anarchists Interrupt Opening Plenary
Instigators claiming to be from the website WikiLeaks broke into the convention hall during the opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL this morning.
As a delegate from the Dominican Republic began his opening remarks, demonstrators wearing "www.WikiLeaks.com" signs taped to their shirts stormed the room, and began throwing mostly empty sheets of paper claiming to hold state secrets of the various members nations in attendance.
Given the nature of the spectacle -- replete with a fake CNN reporter who "announced" the rabble and faux-Secretary of State Clinton "condemning" their "revelations" -- it is unlikely that the melee was caused by supporters of the secret-revealing website, whose founder, Julian Assange, is currently in jail for charges of sexual assault. In fact yesterday, a now-discredited e-mail purportedly from Assange was sent to all conference delegates hinting at such a spectacle.
Given yesterday's e-mail, and other instances of cyber-terrorism plaguing the conference, it is still an open question as to why the Obama administration and the UN didn't provide sufficient security to prevent the ruckus.
After the demonstrators left, the Dominican delegate continued his Christian, free market platform, unfazed.
As a delegate from the Dominican Republic began his opening remarks, demonstrators wearing "www.WikiLeaks.com" signs taped to their shirts stormed the room, and began throwing mostly empty sheets of paper claiming to hold state secrets of the various members nations in attendance.
Given the nature of the spectacle -- replete with a fake CNN reporter who "announced" the rabble and faux-Secretary of State Clinton "condemning" their "revelations" -- it is unlikely that the melee was caused by supporters of the secret-revealing website, whose founder, Julian Assange, is currently in jail for charges of sexual assault. In fact yesterday, a now-discredited e-mail purportedly from Assange was sent to all conference delegates hinting at such a spectacle.
Given yesterday's e-mail, and other instances of cyber-terrorism plaguing the conference, it is still an open question as to why the Obama administration and the UN didn't provide sufficient security to prevent the ruckus.
After the demonstrators left, the Dominican delegate continued his Christian, free market platform, unfazed.
 |
| The Christian, market-promoting Dominican delegation, before they were rudely interrupted |
Freedom-Loving Protestors Greet Chavez at Conference
Throngs of Venezuelan-Americans stood outside in the frigid cold protesting the presence of socialist president Hugo Chavez as he arrived uninvited at today's Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL.
"Hugo - No. Capital - Si," one protester said in a valorous attempt to communicate with the American reporters.
The demonstrators carried handmade signs proclaiming "Chavez ≠ Venezuela" and "FARC Lover Liar" (referring to the Colombian terrorist group supported by the Chavez regime), and chanted in unison, "Arriba! Abajo! Chavez pa'l Carajo!" (politely translated as "Up! Down! Chavez go to hell!).
At one point, just before the plenary was about to open, the protesters entered the conference hall, and publicly taunted the leader. They were quickly escorted out by the Haitian National Police.
Juan Anderson, an American of Venezuelan origin said he came to protest Chavez because his family was forced from its land and ultimately expelled from the country due to one of Chavez tyrannical campaigns for "social justice."
During the conference itself, Chavez ranted against America's presence in Haiti and was ultimately censured by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who threatened to throw him out of the conference if he continued spewing venom at the attendees.
"Hugo - No. Capital - Si," one protester said in a valorous attempt to communicate with the American reporters.
The demonstrators carried handmade signs proclaiming "Chavez ≠ Venezuela" and "FARC Lover Liar" (referring to the Colombian terrorist group supported by the Chavez regime), and chanted in unison, "Arriba! Abajo! Chavez pa'l Carajo!" (politely translated as "Up! Down! Chavez go to hell!).
At one point, just before the plenary was about to open, the protesters entered the conference hall, and publicly taunted the leader. They were quickly escorted out by the Haitian National Police.
Juan Anderson, an American of Venezuelan origin said he came to protest Chavez because his family was forced from its land and ultimately expelled from the country due to one of Chavez tyrannical campaigns for "social justice."
During the conference itself, Chavez ranted against America's presence in Haiti and was ultimately censured by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who threatened to throw him out of the conference if he continued spewing venom at the attendees.
 |
| Hugo Humiliates Himself Haranguing Honorable Humanitarian Help to Haiti from U.S. |
Haitian President Praises Fox News
Despite his busy schedule in the immediate run-up to today's opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference, President of Haiti Rene Preval took the unsolicited time to praise Fox News for its coverage of the conference so far.
"I actually look to the Fox News blog to learn what's going on at the conference," Preval said.
His comments echo those of several other delegates who have privately told our correspondent to keep up the good work.
"Awesome job with your vid!" a delegate from our neighbor to the north informed the reporter.
"I actually look to the Fox News blog to learn what's going on at the conference," Preval said.
His comments echo those of several other delegates who have privately told our correspondent to keep up the good work.
"Awesome job with your vid!" a delegate from our neighbor to the north informed the reporter.
The Big Day has Arrived!
It's just minutes away from the opening plenary of the Haiti Reconstruction Conference. We'll be here all week, covering events as they unfold...
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
WikiLeaks' Assange Urges No Attendance to Conference, Decries "Neo-Imperialist" Ambitions
In advance of tomorrow's Haiti Reconstruction Conference, WikiLeaks founder and accused sex offender Julian Assange* appealed to delegates not to attend, decrying the philanthropic conference as a tool of Western neo-imperialism.
In an e-mail -- which, it can only be assumed, was sent from a London jail -- Assange threatened the representatives, claiming that his staff will release "secret documents that will discredit and embarrass the leaders" of any country that attends.
WikiLeaks gained notoriety in recent weeks for the unauthorized release of secret U.S. memos and cables that U.S. officials said have compromised national security and U.S. foreign relations.
While the website has certainly demonstrated its ability to carry through on its ultimatum, it remains to be seen if the threat will have any effect on participation.
*Editors Note: It has since been confirmed that the e-mail was not sent by Assange, but rather the WikiLeaks-inspired rioters who vandalized the opening plenary on Thursday.
In an e-mail -- which, it can only be assumed, was sent from a London jail -- Assange threatened the representatives, claiming that his staff will release "secret documents that will discredit and embarrass the leaders" of any country that attends.
WikiLeaks gained notoriety in recent weeks for the unauthorized release of secret U.S. memos and cables that U.S. officials said have compromised national security and U.S. foreign relations.
While the website has certainly demonstrated its ability to carry through on its ultimatum, it remains to be seen if the threat will have any effect on participation.
*Editors Note: It has since been confirmed that the e-mail was not sent by Assange, but rather the WikiLeaks-inspired rioters who vandalized the opening plenary on Thursday.
Fox News to Remain Above the Muck
As the other members of the press arrive in Miami, FL for the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference, Fox News has already found its name besmirched by lies and distortions.
We will not comment further on any allegations as we remain, above all, focused on the hard news, and the plight of the Haitian people as they go about rebuilding their country.
Fox News. Fair and Balanced.
We will not comment further on any allegations as we remain, above all, focused on the hard news, and the plight of the Haitian people as they go about rebuilding their country.
Fox News. Fair and Balanced.
Fox News Exclusive: Interview with President Preval
Fox News had a chance to speak with outgoing Haitian president Rene Preval as he arrived in Miami, FL for tomorrow's Haiti Reconstruction Conference. Preval is a member of the conference's Steering Committee.
We need to "bring Haiti to a new beginning," the president opined.
We need to "bring Haiti to a new beginning," the president opined.
Dominican Republic FM Emphasizes Close Relations to Haiti
Noting that he was "so happy to be talking with Fox News," Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic Carlos Morales Troncoso said in a press conference today that his country has a "special role" to play in the reconstruction of its as Hispaniolan neighbor .
"No-one has as much to gain from a prosperous Haiti as the Dominican Republic," Troncoso said.
The Foreign Minister highlighted three priorities that the international community must focus on during tomorrow's Haiti Reconstruction Conference. First, he said, is to concentrate on the essential needs of the suffering nation: fighting the recent cholera outbreak, providing safe water, and ensuring proper sanitation.
Secondly, the delegates must focus their efforts on putting the Haitian people to work. As a first measure, proper infrastructure must be put in place to allow the economy to grow.
Finally, he implored the U.S. and other major economic powers to open up their markets to the Haitian economy. He said that free trade and free-market capitalism is the ultimate solution to Haiti's economic woes.
Responding to a query on the his country's responsibility to bear a greater burden for its counterpart's recovery, Troncoso somberly conceded that while "as a Christian man" he recognized the need for the Dominican Republic to share its due, unfortunately his country has less to share than others in the region and around the world.
"No-one has as much to gain from a prosperous Haiti as the Dominican Republic," Troncoso said.
The Foreign Minister highlighted three priorities that the international community must focus on during tomorrow's Haiti Reconstruction Conference. First, he said, is to concentrate on the essential needs of the suffering nation: fighting the recent cholera outbreak, providing safe water, and ensuring proper sanitation.
Secondly, the delegates must focus their efforts on putting the Haitian people to work. As a first measure, proper infrastructure must be put in place to allow the economy to grow.
Finally, he implored the U.S. and other major economic powers to open up their markets to the Haitian economy. He said that free trade and free-market capitalism is the ultimate solution to Haiti's economic woes.
Responding to a query on the his country's responsibility to bear a greater burden for its counterpart's recovery, Troncoso somberly conceded that while "as a Christian man" he recognized the need for the Dominican Republic to share its due, unfortunately his country has less to share than others in the region and around the world.
USAID Announces New Commitment to Haitian Private Sector
At a press conference today, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) delegates Andrews Shaver and Kim announced a new $500 million initiative for Haiti earthquake relief, which will focus on both building indigenous state capacity and the private sector.
Shaver added that in addition to these efforts, physical infrastructure commitments are also needed to house offices for government personnel as a first step to building state capacity.
The efforts of USAID -- the U.S. government agency responsible for providing economic and humanitarian assistance around the world -- in Haiti have been hampered by a Senate hold-up of committed funds for earthquake relief.
Refusing to comment on the consequences of the months-long freeze, the delegates only said that the newly-released funds have been authorized for nurturing economic growth in Haiti's private sector.
Shaver added that in addition to these efforts, physical infrastructure commitments are also needed to house offices for government personnel as a first step to building state capacity.
The efforts of USAID -- the U.S. government agency responsible for providing economic and humanitarian assistance around the world -- in Haiti have been hampered by a Senate hold-up of committed funds for earthquake relief.
Refusing to comment on the consequences of the months-long freeze, the delegates only said that the newly-released funds have been authorized for nurturing economic growth in Haiti's private sector.
Japan FM Highlights Contributions, Presses for Local Initiatives
At a press conference today, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara highlighted his country's contributions to the earthquake-ravaged island nation of Haiti, and announced that its financial aid has already begun flowing through bilateral arrangements and multilateral organizations.
The foreign minister said in a prepared statement that during the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference, his delegation will discuss implementation of international aid pledges, to ensure that they are used effectively and efficiently. Above all, international donors need to "nurture local ownership" of national reconstruction and Japan supports local initiatives as a means of solving Haiti's problems.
Maehara said that the East Asian power provided over $100 million and over 300 Self-Defence Force troops as peacekeepers in the wake of the tragic quake in January.
In a separate interview following the press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Caribbean Division director-general said that Japan's interests are shared by the other major donor countries, which seek both "bottom-up" and "top-down" efforts to help Haiti. "We must make sure that each approach is working towards the same goal," he added.
The foreign minister said in a prepared statement that during the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference, his delegation will discuss implementation of international aid pledges, to ensure that they are used effectively and efficiently. Above all, international donors need to "nurture local ownership" of national reconstruction and Japan supports local initiatives as a means of solving Haiti's problems.
Maehara said that the East Asian power provided over $100 million and over 300 Self-Defence Force troops as peacekeepers in the wake of the tragic quake in January.
In a separate interview following the press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Caribbean Division director-general said that Japan's interests are shared by the other major donor countries, which seek both "bottom-up" and "top-down" efforts to help Haiti. "We must make sure that each approach is working towards the same goal," he added.
Haiti NGO Rep Seeks to Leverage Haitian Resources to Solve National Problems
Jennifer Daum, representing local Haitian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the agriculture and microfinance sectors, said at a press conference today that there needs to be an "appreciation" for "Haitian solutions to Haitian problems" at the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL.
Declining to elaborate for which particular NGO she worked (transparency issues, anyone?), Daum said that an efficacious solution to Haiti's woes are for the international community to "leverage Haiti's resources" as it goes about trying to reconstruct the battered nation nearly a year after it suffered a devastating earthquake.
Responding to a question about development experts' criticism of U.S. food aid donated by American taxpayers to starving islanders, she said that while her organization is "concerned about market distortions," ultimately the Haitian people greatly appreciate the U.S.'s much-needed contributions.
Daum added that she was encouraged by international NGOs' partnership with their local counterparts. However, she urged greater international donor funding for local organizations, which have a better understanding of Haiti's needs.
Declining to elaborate for which particular NGO she worked (transparency issues, anyone?), Daum said that an efficacious solution to Haiti's woes are for the international community to "leverage Haiti's resources" as it goes about trying to reconstruct the battered nation nearly a year after it suffered a devastating earthquake.
Responding to a question about development experts' criticism of U.S. food aid donated by American taxpayers to starving islanders, she said that while her organization is "concerned about market distortions," ultimately the Haitian people greatly appreciate the U.S.'s much-needed contributions.
Daum added that she was encouraged by international NGOs' partnership with their local counterparts. However, she urged greater international donor funding for local organizations, which have a better understanding of Haiti's needs.
Caricom Rep Urges NGO Transparency, Donor Follow-Through
At a press conference today, a senior official from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said that the "pathway for strengthening" Haitian government capacity is coordination with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in their efforts to assist the people of indigent island nation.
He added that CARICOM's priorities at the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference are NGO transparency and donor-nation follow-through of financial commitments.
CARICOM, an organization of 15 Caribbean nations, is a forum for regional cooperation, and promotes greater economic integration and trade among its member states. Haiti joined CARICOM as a full member in July 2002, and is the most recent country to do so.
Brushing aside concerns about the lack of transparency in the Haitian government, the official repeated that the work of the philanthropic NGOs in Haiti is often carried out without coordination with, or financial disclosure to, the corruption-ridden central and local governments.
He added that CARICOM's priorities at the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference are NGO transparency and donor-nation follow-through of financial commitments.
CARICOM, an organization of 15 Caribbean nations, is a forum for regional cooperation, and promotes greater economic integration and trade among its member states. Haiti joined CARICOM as a full member in July 2002, and is the most recent country to do so.
Brushing aside concerns about the lack of transparency in the Haitian government, the official repeated that the work of the philanthropic NGOs in Haiti is often carried out without coordination with, or financial disclosure to, the corruption-ridden central and local governments.
Venezuelan Ambassador Delivers Diatribe, Hints at "Special Guest"
At a press conference today, Venezuela Ambassador to Haiti Roberto Canino spoke aggressively and briefly to the assembled attendees, affirming that the socialist republic stood "in solidarity with the people of Haiti."
Canino said in his prepared statement that his country's priorities were only that the international community invest where the Haitian government seeks to invest, and not provide any input as to where they best see fit to donate their generous financial assistance. He did not elaborate on what material assistance Venezuela will provide to the earthquake-ravaged nation.
Refusing to take questions, the ambassador left forthwith, claiming he had to go to the airport to pick up a "special guest," who will be in attendance at tomorrow's plenary.
Canino said in his prepared statement that his country's priorities were only that the international community invest where the Haitian government seeks to invest, and not provide any input as to where they best see fit to donate their generous financial assistance. He did not elaborate on what material assistance Venezuela will provide to the earthquake-ravaged nation.
Refusing to take questions, the ambassador left forthwith, claiming he had to go to the airport to pick up a "special guest," who will be in attendance at tomorrow's plenary.
Haitian Prime Minister Stresses Long-Term Reconstruction
At a press conference today, prime minister of Haiti Jean-Max Bellerive said that it was essential that policies emerging from the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference shift from short-term emergency assistance to building permanent state capacity.
Representing the Haitian cabinet, Prime Minister Bellerive said that he would be an active participant in the conference negotiations and consultations, while counterpart Haitian president Rene Preval assumes a role on the conference Steering Committee, alongside UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and power couple UN Special Envoy former president Bill Clinton, and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Bellerive said that in the lead-up to the conference, he has had extensive consultations with nearly all other interested parties, from donor governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. He added that so far he was encouraged that all the representatives seem to have common interests, and that he was looking forward to working with the other delegates at the conference.
Representing the Haitian cabinet, Prime Minister Bellerive said that he would be an active participant in the conference negotiations and consultations, while counterpart Haitian president Rene Preval assumes a role on the conference Steering Committee, alongside UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and power couple UN Special Envoy former president Bill Clinton, and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Bellerive said that in the lead-up to the conference, he has had extensive consultations with nearly all other interested parties, from donor governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. He added that so far he was encouraged that all the representatives seem to have common interests, and that he was looking forward to working with the other delegates at the conference.
All-media Press Conference...Attended Only by Fox News
In the lead-up to tomorrow's Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL a press conference was hosted today by all three media outlets on hand (Fox News, The Economist, and Huffington Post) to cover the event.
Of course, only Fox News was in attendance.
The press conference was well-attended, as numerous delegates delivered prepared statements and answers questions from the Fox News correspondent.
The delegates were near unanimous in their call for increased state capacity building. However, they emphasized that efforts by the international community must be primarily driven by local Haitian needs and concerns.
Of course, only Fox News was in attendance.
The press conference was well-attended, as numerous delegates delivered prepared statements and answers questions from the Fox News correspondent.
The delegates were near unanimous in their call for increased state capacity building. However, they emphasized that efforts by the international community must be primarily driven by local Haitian needs and concerns.
UN Depends on US to Do Its Dirty Work...Again
COMMENTARY
Amidst shocking revelations of a cyber-criminal hacking into the Haiti Reconstruction Conference delegates' listserv, Fox News reported that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon deputized SOUTHCOM general officer and U.S. military representative to the conference General Morgan Greene (USA), and authorized the general to "increase current cyber security levels and to eliminate potential future threats."
This is not an encouraging omen for the conference. If the UN can't even protect its own servers from infiltration, how does it intend to help rebuild an entire ravaged nation and rebuild its state capacity?!
Furthermore, though the U.S. remains the UN hoi-polloi's favorite whipping boy, the minute the esteemed body faces trouble it runs into the ready arms of the U.S. military. SOUTHCOM is commendable for taking on such a noble task, though Fox News remains wary at the unilateral action of the Secretary General, and can't help but ask, where was President Obama while the UN went ahead and began to issue orders to our sovereign nation's armed forces?
Amidst shocking revelations of a cyber-criminal hacking into the Haiti Reconstruction Conference delegates' listserv, Fox News reported that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon deputized SOUTHCOM general officer and U.S. military representative to the conference General Morgan Greene (USA), and authorized the general to "increase current cyber security levels and to eliminate potential future threats."
This is not an encouraging omen for the conference. If the UN can't even protect its own servers from infiltration, how does it intend to help rebuild an entire ravaged nation and rebuild its state capacity?!
Furthermore, though the U.S. remains the UN hoi-polloi's favorite whipping boy, the minute the esteemed body faces trouble it runs into the ready arms of the U.S. military. SOUTHCOM is commendable for taking on such a noble task, though Fox News remains wary at the unilateral action of the Secretary General, and can't help but ask, where was President Obama while the UN went ahead and began to issue orders to our sovereign nation's armed forces?
Haiti Conference Hacked!
In a breaking story, it now appears that the anonymous writer of the cable that went out earlier today demanding the removal of presidential candidate and former first lady Mirlande Manigat from the conference's attendee list hacked into the cable network established for the delegates.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon responded quickly to the infiltration, warning the cyber-criminal that "the listserve (sic) that you have hacked into is reserved for Conference participants only - do not use it again."
In a message to all delegates, Ban revealed that Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School Master of Public Affairs second-year candidates are "plotting to overthrow the conference." He threatened that should the identity of the anonymous writer be associated with the plotters, there "will be consequences for further unsolicited behavior."
The Secretary General then deputized SOUTHCOM general officer and U.S. military representative to the conference General Morgan Greene (USA), and authorized the general to "increase current cyber security levels and to eliminate potential future threats."
Responding to the allegation and exhortation itself, Ban conceded that "while we at the UN recognize [the cable's] concerns," the candidate's invitation would not be revoked and she would remain a conference attendee. In an e-mail to the delegates, Manigat's press secretary thanked the Secretary General for "recognizing Mirlande Manigat's commitment to Haiti's reconstruction," concluding, "she is dedicated to the well being of Haitians."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon responded quickly to the infiltration, warning the cyber-criminal that "the listserve (sic) that you have hacked into is reserved for Conference participants only - do not use it again."
In a message to all delegates, Ban revealed that Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School Master of Public Affairs second-year candidates are "plotting to overthrow the conference." He threatened that should the identity of the anonymous writer be associated with the plotters, there "will be consequences for further unsolicited behavior."
The Secretary General then deputized SOUTHCOM general officer and U.S. military representative to the conference General Morgan Greene (USA), and authorized the general to "increase current cyber security levels and to eliminate potential future threats."
Responding to the allegation and exhortation itself, Ban conceded that "while we at the UN recognize [the cable's] concerns," the candidate's invitation would not be revoked and she would remain a conference attendee. In an e-mail to the delegates, Manigat's press secretary thanked the Secretary General for "recognizing Mirlande Manigat's commitment to Haiti's reconstruction," concluding, "she is dedicated to the well being of Haitians."
Controversy before the Conference
Today, an anonymous cable from "A Very Concerned Citizen" went out to all Haiti Reconstruction Conference delegates demanding that presidential candidate and former first lady Mirlande Manigat be uninvited to the conference. Manigat just recently garnered enough votes in the first round of the November 28th Haitian presidential election to face a run-off against technocrat Jude Celestin, who was handpicked by current president Rene Preval to succeed him.
The "Citizen" demanded that the Conference Steering Committee rescind Manigat's invitation because she had just recently accepted the endorsement of the Collectif pour le Renouveau Haïtien (Collective for Renewal Haitian), or COREH, a political party described in the cable as a "corrupt organization" headed by Evallière Beauplan and Youri Latortue, "worthless individuals [who] are nothing but scandalous thugs."
The cable appealed to the committee that "this esteemed body must demonstrate to Haiti and the world that we hold our leaders to a higher standard!" and demanded that if Manigat did not disavow her connection with COREH, she must be barred from the conference.
A spokeswoman for the candidate tried to refocus the controversy to the content of the endorsement itself, emphasizing that COREH praised her as "a choice moral, social, political, nationalist and progressive...[She] is the only candidate who meets criteria and the collective aspirations" of Haiti. The spokesperson implored the delegates, "Please do not take the e-mail from 'a very concerned citizen' to heart."
The "Citizen" demanded that the Conference Steering Committee rescind Manigat's invitation because she had just recently accepted the endorsement of the Collectif pour le Renouveau Haïtien (Collective for Renewal Haitian), or COREH, a political party described in the cable as a "corrupt organization" headed by Evallière Beauplan and Youri Latortue, "worthless individuals [who] are nothing but scandalous thugs."
The cable appealed to the committee that "this esteemed body must demonstrate to Haiti and the world that we hold our leaders to a higher standard!" and demanded that if Manigat did not disavow her connection with COREH, she must be barred from the conference.
A spokeswoman for the candidate tried to refocus the controversy to the content of the endorsement itself, emphasizing that COREH praised her as "a choice moral, social, political, nationalist and progressive...[She] is the only candidate who meets criteria and the collective aspirations" of Haiti. The spokesperson implored the delegates, "Please do not take the e-mail from 'a very concerned citizen' to heart."
Fox Stands Alone
Fox News -- The Most Powerful Name in News -- has carried more than its fair share of abuse from the media elite. Most perniciously, we've been battered for our coverage of the devastating earthquake in Haiti that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced over a million Haitians last January.
Well, the lamestream media, as usual, got it wrong again. Fox News stands alone from all TV networks in covering the Haiti Reconstruction Conference this week from Miami, FL. We'll be reporting and blogging live all week. Stay tuned for breaking news, all day, every day.
Fox News. Fair and Balanced.
Well, the lamestream media, as usual, got it wrong again. Fox News stands alone from all TV networks in covering the Haiti Reconstruction Conference this week from Miami, FL. We'll be reporting and blogging live all week. Stay tuned for breaking news, all day, every day.
Fox News. Fair and Balanced.
Live Broadcast!
As usual, ahead of the competition, Fox News is live at the scene reporting from Miami, FL at the Haiti Reconstruction Conference. Our excellent correspondent will be at the conference all week.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Fox in the Haiti House
We'll be reporting direct from the Haiti Reconstruction Conference all week beginning December 9, 2010.
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