“Was it a real, natural earthquake, or did the Americans and French cause it?” The question sounds like a joke to Dutch ears, but Ernst’s face is serious and he looks suspicious. “Could they have done it to get their foot in the door again?”
A donors conference for Haiti is starting in Canada today and both the USA and France will be represented there.
Ernst thinks he knows why France and the US would profit from occupying impoverished Haiti again. “It’s simple. There are all sorts of mines here. There’s gold. That’s what I think they’re interested in.”
Lots of rumours like this are doing the rounds in the chaotic atmosphere of a largely destroyed Port-au-Prince. The ambiguous relationship between Haitians and their former rulers offers a rich breeding ground for such ideas.
Last success
In 1804, Haiti became the first slave colony to win the fight for freedom from its French masters. The slave leader Toussaint Lóverture is still honoured for leading the successful revolt. That, however, was the last success. Haiti became independent but was still forced to pay huge sums to France.
Coup upon coup followed until the US brought some peace to the island once more. When the Americans left in 1934, Haiti was in rather better shape than before they came. However, the US-built roads and bridges were mostly used by people intent on bringing chaos back to Haiti. The situation was such that Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) and his son, Baby Doc, were able to terrorise the country from 1957 to 1986.
Coup upon coup followed until the US brought some peace to the island once more. When the Americans left in 1934, Haiti was in rather better shape than before they came. However, the US-built roads and bridges were mostly used by people intent on bringing chaos back to Haiti. The situation was such that Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) and his son, Baby Doc, were able to terrorise the country from 1957 to 1986.
Later, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was president until his own military deposed him. He then fled, but was restored to power by the US. However, in 2004, the same US forced him to give up the presidency.
Depressing sketch
This depressing historical sketch shows a country which desires independence, but which time and time again cannot make a success of it. Haitians tend to blame the former colonial powers, saying they have always put their trade interests and their need for cheap Haitian labour first.
Following the earthquake on 12 January, the US immediately took over Port-au-Prince airport. The move angered people such as Ernst, but many Haitians want the Americans to go further. They would like to see the US take over power or Haiti become like Puerto Rico, whose residents have limited US citizenship without tax obligations or full voting rights. Jerome:
“Like Puerto Rico, I’d like that. Eighty percent of the people want to go to the US, to get a job, to get everything. Over here, we do nothing. Just walking every day.”
Can I come?
It is unthinkable, however, that the US would consider this option. Even before the earthquake, the biggest dream for most Haitians was a visa for the US. The Haitian economy depends for a large extent on the dollars sent home by the lucky ones in the US.
If no visa were required for entry to the US, it is possible the only Haitians to remain on the island would be those who died in the earthquake. They would be the silent witnesses of a country where some shout, “Yankee, go home!”, but, afterwards, always murmur, “But when you go, can I come with you?”
It is unthinkable, however, that the US would consider this option. Even before the earthquake, the biggest dream for most Haitians was a visa for the US. The Haitian economy depends for a large extent on the dollars sent home by the lucky ones in the US.
If no visa were required for entry to the US, it is possible the only Haitians to remain on the island would be those who died in the earthquake. They would be the silent witnesses of a country where some shout, “Yankee, go home!”, but, afterwards, always murmur, “But when you go, can I come with you?”
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If Haitians think they would be better off in the US - they should think again. Why hasn't there been a single word about the fact that Haiti is rich in oil deposits? This was confirmed in 2000 and kept quiet ever since. Would Haitians profit from oil revenues? Not if the oil companies can help it. www.globalresearch.ca can tell you all about it.
"Why hasn't there been a single word about the fact that Haiti is rich in oil deposits?"........ Because the US was helping the Haitians because they were in need of help and not for oil. If the US had wanted the oil, they would have cut a deal with the Haitian govt. Is it always about oil? Personally, I have lived in the Fatherland, Netherlands, and Middle East and I still find the US to be a better place to live. Vera, be nice, okay! Our cars and trains just will not work unless we have oil and gas. Speaking of gas. Did you see how fast Germany and the EU turn a blind eye to Russia and it's last aggression for natural gas. Isn't it amazing how we see see the specks of wood in the eyes of others and not the beams in our own eyes. Winters are very difficult in the EUROPE winters without natural gas to heat the furnace. You didn't burn any Russian gas did you?
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