Preval Proposes an Agro-Economist
As the New Prime Minister
During the past four years, the Prime Minister of Haiti was successively Gerard Latortue, an economist, former international bureaucrat, and Jacques Edouard Alexis, an academic agronomist. Without questioning the qualification of either one of these gentlemen, it does not seem that the two-year administration of each of these Chiefs of Government were defined by any practical and progressive accomplishments.
The first one left the country precipitously at the end of his term, the second was dismissed by a majority of the Senate with a vote of no confidence after a nation wide riot of a poor and hungry population, and specific comments against neo-liberalism. After two long, concerting and deliberating weeks, President Rene Preval selected Ericq Pierre, 63, an agronomist who has been representing Haiti for many years at the BID [International Development Bank} as an economist.
Pierre presents himself as one who favors consultation and dialogue, with broad experience in conflict resolution. He hopes with the support of the Parliament and the organized civil society that he will be able to accomplish his task. He does not like to play chief and is against all forms of exclusion.
Some members of Parliament have already questioned his “haitianity”, referring to article 157 of the 1987 Constitution, and claiming that “he is not eligible” because he has not lived in Haiti more than 5 consecutive years. Pierre’s answer, “My résidence is in Haiti, I have a visa that enables me to work in the United States. My roots are in Haiti”.
While awaiting the Parliament’s decision Pierre refers with optimism to what he calls his “feuille de route”[guide line} that is the DSNCRP (Document de Strategie Nationale pour la Croissance et la Reduction de la Pauvrete]. “It is not a Bible”, he said, “It is a dynamic document that required adjustments”. He invites those who may question neo-liberalism contents in the DSNCRP to identify the negative points in it.
Mr. Pierre recalled that he negotiated Haiti’s debt and refused to be reduced to one label, he said: “Haiti’s development will be Haitian or it will not be”. He added: “The international financial institutions cannot substitute to develop the country for us”.
Pierre, to be sure, is not new to the Haitian political scene. He was chosen by Preval during the president’s first term for this post, but could not get ratified by the Parliament. We wonder why he is back. On paper, he appears qualified. So were most of his predecessors. Recycling old hands shows clearly the brain drain problem that one of our columnists so eloquently detailed couple of weeks ago. We wish Pierre the best in his ratification process and governance. This is a tough job.
As the New Prime Minister
During the past four years, the Prime Minister of Haiti was successively Gerard Latortue, an economist, former international bureaucrat, and Jacques Edouard Alexis, an academic agronomist. Without questioning the qualification of either one of these gentlemen, it does not seem that the two-year administration of each of these Chiefs of Government were defined by any practical and progressive accomplishments.
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Pierre presents himself as one who favors consultation and dialogue, with broad experience in conflict resolution. He hopes with the support of the Parliament and the organized civil society that he will be able to accomplish his task. He does not like to play chief and is against all forms of exclusion.
Some members of Parliament have already questioned his “haitianity”, referring to article 157 of the 1987 Constitution, and claiming that “he is not eligible” because he has not lived in Haiti more than 5 consecutive years. Pierre’s answer, “My résidence is in Haiti, I have a visa that enables me to work in the United States. My roots are in Haiti”.
While awaiting the Parliament’s decision Pierre refers with optimism to what he calls his “feuille de route”[guide line} that is the DSNCRP (Document de Strategie Nationale pour la Croissance et la Reduction de la Pauvrete]. “It is not a Bible”, he said, “It is a dynamic document that required adjustments”. He invites those who may question neo-liberalism contents in the DSNCRP to identify the negative points in it.
Mr. Pierre recalled that he negotiated Haiti’s debt and refused to be reduced to one label, he said: “Haiti’s development will be Haitian or it will not be”. He added: “The international financial institutions cannot substitute to develop the country for us”.
Pierre, to be sure, is not new to the Haitian political scene. He was chosen by Preval during the president’s first term for this post, but could not get ratified by the Parliament. We wonder why he is back. On paper, he appears qualified. So were most of his predecessors. Recycling old hands shows clearly the brain drain problem that one of our columnists so eloquently detailed couple of weeks ago. We wish Pierre the best in his ratification process and governance. This is a tough job.