International

The Government of the Dominican Republic has ordered the reopening of their consulates in Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien, Belladere, Ouanaminthe and Anse Pitres starting March 17, 2015. The consulates were closed on March 4, after attacks by some Haitians, including the tearing down and torching of Dominican flag at the consulate in Port-au-Prince.

The violent reaction in Haiti came as a result a Haitian man that was found hanged in a park in Santiago

Kreyol:

Tout senk konsila Dominikèn an Ayitire ouvri a pati 17 Mas.

Gouvènman Repiblik Dominikèn an te bay lòdpou relouvri konsila nan Pòtoprens , Cap Haitien , Belladere , Wanament ak Anse Pitres kòmanse 17 mwa mas, 2015. Si nou sonje, konsila yo te fèmen nan 4 mas , apre yon atak pa kèk Ayisyen. Moun yo te chire plis boule drapo Dominikèn nan konsila Pòtoprens .

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On Monday, 23 March 2015, José Miguel Insulza, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), during his two days visit to Haiti, met the Haitian President and the Haitian Prime Minister to discuss the issues on the challenges faced by the Haitian government in creating favorable conditions to hold the overdue election as a mark to show its commitment to the social and economic development of the country. The Secretary General has admitted the fact that the situation is very complicated and posing extraordinary challenges for the Haitian government because of its difficult economic condition and fragile political environment. Nevertheless, these have created more importance to put the country on a sounder footing.

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The business of providing goods to Haiti must not stop for any reason. The Observer just learned that members of the United Nations Mission for Stability in Haiti (Minustah) and the Haitian police are now escorting some some of the Dominican trucks entering Haiti to deliver merchandises to insure their security.

Mr. Blas Peralta who is the president of the National Federation of Dominican Transportation reported that a guarded route has been established where the Dominican trucks will enter Haiti from Jimani to the town of Kwadebouke and Haiti International Airport

The power of the economy:
This is interesting to observe. No major decisions have been made by any of the two government until there are some economic consequences. As you can see once the problem starts affecting some deep pockets, a solution to the crises is found, not when a poor Haitian was hanged.

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Haitian President Michel Martelly are making some attempts to defuse the crises between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He calls for calm as he discourages any attacks against the Dominican nationals residing in Haiti.

During a visit in the city of Leogane, President Michel Martelly spoke out against the recent attack against the Dominican Consulate in Pétion ville, stating that this kind of behavior can provoke retaliation against Haitian students in the Dominican Republic.

President Martelly wants to use diplomacy to resolve disputes with the Dominican Republic.

It was interesting to observe that the Haitian President was worry more about the Haitian students in the Dominican Republic more than those in Batey

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It has been reported that several Dominican military helicopters and attack planes on Friday flew in the Haiti Dominican border near the city of f Dajabón. The military aircrafts conduct low flights operations along border, prior announcements of planned incidents. According to some witnesses, at one point, the military airplanes were observed crossing the border.

Dominican military sources denied at any time that they crossed the border. However, they acknowledged the reconnaissance flights in response to the 24 trucks that have been confiscated in Haiti.

Is this getting out of control?

What should the Haitian government do in this situation?

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The tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is boiling and more fire are added daily. We just learned that 27 trailers and Dominican trucks are blocked in Ouanaminthe. These trucks that are carrying goods such as food, cement and rebars from the Dominican Republic to Haiti are blocked due to protests and threats of retaliation against Dominicans drivers.

Haitian authorities on the other hand, unable to assure the safety of Dominican drivers, asked them to return to their country.

This latest development is likely to further complicate relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic

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On 13 and 14, November 2014, at the invitation of the Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Beckingham a British diplomat, who is the current Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands visited Haiti to complete the process of a long awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Turks and Caicos Islands and Haiti. The TCI Governor was accompanied by Clara Gardiner, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Border Control and Labor, and Inspector Warrican, the Deputy Commander of Marine Division. After the meeting while talking to the press, Governor Beckingham conveyed the satisfaction of both the governments over the final text of the MOU. The two sides had produced the final draft of a memorandum of understanding and that will be signed shortly. The agreement of understanding covers people to people links, economic ties and issues of illegal migration. However, he has cautioned that the agreement is not supposed to bring overnight positive changes in relationships or on immigration issues, but it is an indication of the seriousness with which both Governments will view the growing relationship for a better tomorrow. The intended MoU signing was announced by Governor Beckingham and Hon. Don-Hue Gardiner, the Minister of Border Control and Labor during a joint news conference held at the Premier's Office in Providenciales on 30 July, 2014. The Haitian President Martelly was first got interested over a glimpse of the MOU during a high-level meeting in the Bahamas, which also included officials of the Bahamian government.

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Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. (TICPI) issued its 2014 results. Among the CARICOM countries the two, who rank lowest on the TICPI, are Guyana and Haiti at 124th and 161st places respectively. What the TICPI score means is how public sector corruption is viewed according to a scale, which ranges from 0 = very corrupt to 100 = very honest. Guyana has experienced a slight improvement, rising from 27 in 2013 to 30 in 2014.

Guyana's anti-corruption agency, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) took note of the ranking, and has once again urged the Guyana government to make comprehensive government reforms across the board involving commissions, legislation, institutional reform, and securing the public trust, among many actions needed to stop the spread of anti-corruption practices. Some of TIGI's recommendations to the government include:

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Another first was achieved for the Haitian community when Jean Monestime, recently elected Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner, was unanimously elected county commission chairman, a history-making moment. Jose Pepe Diaz, District 12 Commissioner, entered Monestime's name into consideration. His dual role will commence on January 1, 2015 (commissioner terms last four years, chairman two). He will replace retiring Commissioner and Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa of District 6.

Monestime's role as chairman of the commission consists of arranging the agenda for items that may be placed before the board for consideration. Monestime says he feels privileged and wants to live up to the expectations his colleagues have of him in electing him to the chairmanship of the commission. He wants most of all to work with his ". . . fellow commissioners in a spirit of unity to keep Miami-Dade County moving in a positive direction" In a statement he released to the media, he alluded to the fact ". . . the American dream is still very much alive for anyone who works hard enough to achieve it."

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Rodneyse Bichotte pulled off the feat of being the first Haitian-American to capture the 42nd State Assembly District seat in Brooklyn during the general elections, trouncing opponents Matthew Williams and Brian Kelly with 90% of the vote.

In her victory speech, Bichotte expressed appreciation to her campaign staff, volunteers, supporters, and the many elected officials that threw their weight behind her, helping her succeed at the ballot box. She mentioned Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City; Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; Jamaican-American Assemblyman Nick Perry, and Jamaican-American former New York City Councilwoman, Una Clarke. During the campaign Bichotte ran on a platform of issues ranging from immigration and education reform to health care services, affordable housing, elder care, jobs, and women's and LGBT rights.

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