France, Algeria and Haiti
Dear Geraldine Kennedy,
The Irish Times reports yesterday (5/12/05) of the French National Assembly arguing over the need for further "[exhausting] repentance and self-flagellation" [3] with respect to Algerian forgiveness. Not for their past imperial plundering, but for their revisionist history of that plunder, it is noteworthy that their present responsibilities in Haitian 'politics' will no doubt find them with this awkward footing at some future date. When revisionists can again argue over the merits, or lack of, in the violent disruption of democratic process by outside forces for the purpose of the destabilisation of a government unwanted by 'the West', but otherwise popular with it's people.
The killing of 15 residents of Site Soley and the reporting of 28 more shot by Doctors Without Borders, amidst heavy firing by MINUSTAH (UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti) who using tank-like machines and automatic weapons in densely populated civilian neighbourhoods have seemingly invited death, is just another addendum to France's colonial meddling, which no "exhaustive repentance and self-flagellation" will heal. [2]
Paul Chéry of the Confédération des Travailleurs Haitiens explains the present situation; "After the coup of 29 February, 2004, the general situation has deteriorated a great deal. It is a crisis without precedent, our population has not known a situation this grave since the founding of the country. There is the appearance of life, but in reality, there is no life."
Revisionist history and revisionist reporting go hand in hand. It is apparently the media's job to report the news, not to ignore it and leave the first revision for those with the most reason to suppress the truth.
The International Coalition of Independent Observers, which monitored Haiti's elections, declared that "Free, fair and peaceful elections were held despite neglect from the UN, OAS, and the United States. Haitian voter participation was largely misrepresented in the international press." [1]
Days before President Aristides 'removal' Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin claimed he was keen to get Haiti "on the right track."
The first draft of history is being written as we speak and the mainstream media is neglecting to put a spin of reality on it.
Yours sincerely,
posted by dav at 11:17 p.m.
