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NEWS > EVERYONE ELSE > SARKOZY VISITS HAITI BUT RETURNS WITHOUT SLAVES
SARKOZY VISITS HAITI BUT RETURNS WITHOUT SLAVES
February 19 2010
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – There are many tragedies in the quake ravaged nation of Haiti, many of which have only come to light since the earth brought the capital city to the ground last month. Long the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, the
tragedy and failure of the nation has long been known by powers more than capable of at least easing the suffering. Much of the death in the nation was not a result of the quake itself, but of the decrepit and poorly constructed buildings that fell on people and almost total lack of emergency infrastructure.
The world however has come to the aid of the nation at her most desperate with virtually every country that can afford to send help, and even a few that cannot afford it, sending supplies and personnel to help the ravaged nation survive the emergency and begin the rebuilding process. That effort also includes some of the wealthiest nations on the planet, who have committed to rebuilding the country by forgiving debt and pledging, collectively, the billions that will be required to resettle the nation. One nation that has made significant overtures to the country is her former colonial power, France, which has pledged $450 million USD to the effort. That pledge came in the wake of a visit by
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the first by a French head of state since Haitian independence, who toured the quake devastated areas personally and left without taking any slaves along with him.
“I acknowledge that France and Haiti have had a troubled relationship, and I am conscious that France did not leave a good legacy in the country. We are staring at history in its face, we have not discarded it and we assume responsibility,” said Sarkozy to Al-Jazeera. “I surveyed the area by helicopter and visited a field hospital so I have seen the suffering of the Haitian people face to face. We very much understand the woes of this nation and we, alongside the rest of the international community, will do what we must to improve the lives of people in the country.”
Sarkozy reportedly also spent time touring a local orphanage which has seen a lot more inhabitants since the quake hit, but left without taking any home.
“France undoubtedly bears a great deal of responsibility for the current state of Haiti. Obviously, they did not cause the quake, but for a lot reasons – reparations, embargos – they have had a great role in creating the endemic poverty in the nation that exacerbated the quake and the corresponding human suffering visited upon the Haitian people,” said Scrape TV International analyst Gustav Hander. “That said, there is no reason that the French people of today should suffer for the misdeeds of their ancestors. There are a number of nations that bear a connection with Haiti, such as the United States and Canada, that are helping out of charity and good will, and that is the only real responsibility that any nation, including France, should have to carry. Compassion, not obligation.”
France has continued to play a role in modern day Haiti via political interference and influence.
“Luckily, or unluckily, Sarkozy didn’t find anyone to his liking on his visit. I’m sure that despite the continued animosity between the two nations over their very ugly history there would have been more than a few people who would like to have left with him, even if meant doing a few chores here and there,” continued Hander. “I’m sure Carla Bruni wouldn’t mind have a couple extra hands around the house either. Oh well, maybe on the next trip.”
France’s constitution prohibits the owning of slaves, but makes no mention of unpaid help.
Emil Uliya, International Correspondent
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