Aristide government
CELEBRATING THE GLORIOUS HAITIAN REVOLUTION
E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e Members
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Republic of Haiti
Lisa Anderson, Dean, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
Lerone Bennett, Jr., Executive Editor, Johnson Publishing Company
St. Clair Bourne, filmmaker
Khephra Burns, writer and producer
Congressman John Conyers, Jr., (D-MI)
Ossie Davis, actor, activist, author
Ruby Dee, actor, activist, author
Adama Dieng, UN Assistant Secretary General and
Registrar International Tribunal for Rwanda
Mayor David N. Dinkins, Professor and Senior Fellow,
Columbia University
Nancy Dorsinville, research fellow,
Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies
Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, St. Kitts & Nevis
Frederick Douglass IV, author, lecturer, historian
Katherine Dunham, author, activist, dancer, educator
Gilman T. Figaro, Sr., Founder and Chairman, The Sunshine Awards
Slinger Francisco, Cultural Ambassador, Grenada
Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Wade Henderson, Executive Director,
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Sir Keith Hunte, former pro-vice chancellor, University of the West Indies
Iman, Founder and President, IMAN Cosmetics
Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., (D-IL)
President Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana
Judith Jamison, Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Inc.
Randall Kennedy, Professor, Harvard Law School
Coretta Scott King, Founder,
Martin Luther King Center For Non-Violent Change
Patti Labelle, singer, actress, author
Congressman John Lewis, (D-GA)
Rita Marley, singer
Ali A. Mazrui, Professor and Director,
Institute of Global Cultural Studies, Binghamton university;
creator of internationally acclaimed /multi-part PBS televsion special
â??The Africansâ?
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, Grenada
Rex Nettleford, Professor, Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies
Charles Ogletree, Professor, Harvard Law School
Alvin Poussaint, Clinical Professor, Judge Baker Childrenâ??s Center, –
Harvard Medical School
Sir Shridath Ramphal, Chancellor, University of the West Indies
Congressman Charles Rangel, (D-NY)
Randall Robinson, author; founder and former president, TransAfrica
Tavis Smiley, host, The Tavis Smiley Show, National Public Radio
Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate (Literature);
Woodruff Professor of the Arts, Emory University
Susan L. Taylor, Senior Vice President, Essence Communications;
Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Pro-Vice Chancellor,
University of the West Indies
Ronald Walters, Professor, University of Maryland
Cornel West, Professor, Department of Religion,
Princeton University
Leslie Voltaire Minister of Government, Republic of Haiti;
Chair, Government of Haitiâ??s Bicentennial Celebrations Committee
Derek Walcott
1992 Nobel Laureate (Literature)
Fritz Daguillard
P hysician, Historian and Art Collector
____________________
P RESS R E L E A S E
Prominent Members Of African Diaspora
Call For Global Celebration
Of Bicentennial Of Haitian Revolution
Highly accomplished members of the African diaspora have come together as Executive Comittee members of Ayiti Oui to encourage poets, dancers, composers, actors, singers, playwrights, publishers, choreographers, teachers, students, activists, journalists and politicians to take a multi-faceted approach to commemorating the drama and majesty of the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804. Although 2004 will officially mark the bicentennial of hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans defeating Napoleonâ??s mighty armies and wresting from France control of its most valuable overseas possession, committee members are encouraging the public at large to find unique and varied ways to begin now to commemorate this breathtaking historical manifestation of the human spirit.
Ayiti Oui Executive Committee members, all of whom have achieved the pinnacle of success in their chosen professions, recognize the role of the Haitian Revolution in hastening the demise of de jure slavery and creating the promise of self-actualization for todayâ??s descendents of Africans enslaved in the New World. They think that it is important for us to remember how slaves, slaveholders, European monarchs and citizenry alike, watched with bated breath as Toussaint Lâ??Ouverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, and their slave revolutionaries fought with fearless determination against ? and defeatted ? imperial Spain, imperial Britain and imperial Frannce. They wish to commemorate the then-new Republic of Haiti declaring itself an official sanctuary for all runaway slaves from anywhere in the New World, and to examine the political, economic and psychological shockwaves that the Haitian Revolution sent throughout the slave-holding capitals of Europe.
Executive committee members feel that the Haitian Revolution lends itself to spellbinding re-enactments on stage and screen; the crafting of transcendent lyrics; the composition of exquisite melodies and captivating prose; and the creation of breathtaking choreography. It also provides a storehouse of material for ground-breaking academic research and analysis.
The American and French Revolutions have been studied in depth and heralded far and wide as well they should. Less widelly proclaimed, though far more sweeping in both its goals and its impact, has been the Haitian Revolution. This revolution, committee members believe, is as awe-inspiring a process of socio-political transformation as one is likely to find anywhere in the world history. And so they seek to heighten awareness of the significance of the Haitian Revolution, and to encourage its full celebration during this eve of its bicentennial. They do this as a means of paying homage to the Africans enslaved in St. Domingue who waged a glorious revolution and created the Republic of Haiti. And they do this because the Haitian Revolution should symbolize, for all peoples, the enormous and ennobling power of the human spirit and manâ??s innate need to be free
Consolidating Democracy
Preparing for Local and Parliamentary Elections
The Electoral Council put into place in early 2001 has been preparing the ground for local and parliamentary elections that it announced are tentatively scheduled for November and December this year. In addition to training staff, taking inventory of materials, and doing an accounting of funds, they have met with the High Council of the Police regarding security measures for the electoral campaign period and the elections themselves and met with the Minister of Interior regarding local needs and electoral offices. The President and numerous representatives of the government continue to call on the opposition to comply with the terms of the OAS Resolution 822 and its Terms of Reference that which call on nine sectors to nominate their representative to sit on a new consensus electoral council. At the moment when they do nominate their representatives, or in the case of those sectors who have already made their nomination but have refused to put forward their person for the eventual installation of a new electoral council, the existing CEP will step aside so the new electoral council can oversee the elections as planned. Parliament’s term expires the second week of January and in order to prevent a Constitutional void the Electoral Council has an obligation to move forward with elections according to the law.
SECURITY, JUSTICE, FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKING & TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, PROTECTION OF VARIOUS RIGHTS
More International Police Experts Welcomed By Haiti
More international police experts have arrived in Haiti and were deployed to Gonaives and the Central Plateau to advise Haiti’s police and public security department in accordance with the government’s request to the OAS for assistance in professionalizing its police force and providing security for upcoming elections.
Police Inspector General Investigating Police Conduct
The Chief Inspector General of the Police, charged with investigating abuses or corruption by police, reported that among other things, his office has been conducting spot checks of police stations at night to determine whether officers are actually on duty.
Haitian Government Seizes Heavy Weapons From US Government Agents
Customs’ agents at Haiti’s international airport seized automatic handguns and assault weapons (including 9mm pistols and 4 MP5 assault weapons) being brought in to Haiti by US Pentagon security agents who arrived on a July 31st American Airlines flight. The US had failed to obtain authorization for the entry of these weapons as required by law. The law forbids the use of assault weapons by any individual or force other than the Haitian National Police force. A few days later, at the airport, the Secretary of State for Public Security returned the confiscated weapons to the US government who promptly repatriated them back to the US Department of Defense. Haiti’s Secretary of State for Public Security pointed out that it would be a contradiction to allow heavy weapons to remain in the country when Haiti is engaged in a disarmament campaign. Disarmament, an initiative of the Haitian government, is also contained in the OAS Resolution 822 and its Terms of Reference. The US Embassy said the weapons were intended to reinforce security of the US Embassy. Normally the United States applies to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for permission to bring arms into Haiti. This seizure took place within a couple of weeks after a US pastor was convicted and deported for attempting to bring in an assault weapon into Haiti.
Haiti Attends Seminar at United Nations on Illegal Weapons
The Chief of Staff for the Secretary of State for Public Security attended a series of evaluation meetings on illegal weapons held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, and shared Haiti’s progress in its disarmament campaign with other countries in attendance meetings and was pleased to receive feedback and suggestions as well.
Haiti Reinforces its International Airport
The Ministry of Interior installed a registration network computer system in which every person entering and leaving the country will be entered into. The system, which has been installed in the international airport at Port-au-Prince, will also be installed at all airports and ports throughout Haiti and is a major tool in the fight against international terrorism and to combat trafficking in all its forms (drugs, contraband, persons, vehicles, etc.). Immigration personnel are receiving training in the use of this new technology.
Making Haiti’s International Airport at Port-au-Prince Safer
The General Director of Haiti’s Airport Authority announced plans to expand a portion of the runway at Haiti’s main airport to better facilitate landing and take-off of Boeing aircraft, and discussed increased lighting and generators as well. The goal is to permit four large aircraft at once to use the airport and to comply with international standards. He also announced the installation of new screening systems to prevent passengers from boarding with concealed weapons or other contraband. A training center has been set up to train airport personnel in the proper use of the new screening equipment and international experts are engaged in creating their training and in drafting instructional materials.
New Ambassador from Colombia to Haiti Commits to Cooperation : At the ceremony presenting his credentials to the President of Haiti, Columbia’s new ambassador to Haiti pledged his country’s cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.
Haiti Participates in Global Movement Against Corruption : The Director General of the Ministry of Justice and a representative from the Prime Minister’s office attended the Global Forum II conference in South Korea dedicated to fighting corruption internationally. Various countries exchanged views and strategies in combating corruption.
Reinforcing Haiti’s Superior Court of Accounting : After receiving the Senate’s approval, twelve new members of the superior Court of Account and Administrative Litigations (CSCCA) were sworn in before the Court of Cassation for ten-year terms.
Investigation Enlarged in Search for Authors of Assassination in Jean Dominique case : After entertaining the appeals submitted responding to the indictments handed down in the Dominique assassination case, the examining magistrate has released three of the six defendants, and has enlarged the inquiry in pursuit of the actual authors of this crime, instead of moving prematurely to trial. Additionally, new information in the investigation has been provided.
Chief Prosecutor Pleased with Recent Criminal Trials Held
At the rate of approximately three criminal trials by jury were held this summer in various locations and including approx. 15 criminal trials by jury in Mirebalais and approx. 20 criminal trials by jury in Port-au-Prince, including murder cases, which resulted in 8 persons found guilty, 3 condemned to life sentences, 7 discharged, 9 cases postponed. The government was pleased with the success of the special sessions and the participation of jurors.
Investigation Into Marketplace Fire
The overnight fire in early August of the McDonald section of the large downtown Hyppollite marketplace prompted authorities to investigate what forensic experts determined was set by arson. The fire caused extensive and costly damage to merchandise stored there at night by small merchants estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Merchandise lost included food products, building materials, clothes and shoes. Merchants also stated that the proceeds from their sales for the recent period were lost in the fire as well. The fire engulfed two long stretches of the densely congested marketplace. Government representatives immediately visited the site, which was still simmering, and emergency meetings convened that morning. President Aristide held a meeting the same day at the National Palace with hundreds of victims of the fire and announced would immediately respond with emergency assistance and that the government would put aside [equals] $250,000 to assist the small merchants with loans (with an interest rate of 1% per month/12% annually) to assist in replacing their lost merchandise. Victims were invited to apply at the Banque National de Credit (BNC) the next day for assistance. Subsequently the Bank reported that it was receiving more than 100 victims per day, with 1,000 cases under review for loans. Victims with school age children were also given emergency assistance to enable them to prepare for the upcoming school year.
Judges and Court Clerks Receive Additional Training : 174 judges and court clerks participated in a training course at the School of Magistrates addressing respect for human rights, impunity and issues of detention.
Investigation Opened Into Tragic Accident in Petit Goave
An investigation was immediately opened after fifteen persons, primarily teenagers, were electrocuted when a high power line fell on a crowd during a basketball game. Many others were injured as well. Initial reports indicated that the high voltage wire broke after persons tried to adjust the degree of lighting. The government compensated the victims’ families and paid for some of the funerals and visited the injured. The government recently started to provide 24-hour electricity to Petit Goave.
The Police Council Meets with the Electoral Council
The Superior Council of the Police (made up of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Interior, the Secretary of State for Public Security, and the Police Chief) met with the Electoral Council to discuss security matters for the campaign period and the elections, which are proposed for November and December this year. The elections are for local and parliamentary posts.
Official Commencement of New Program to Professionalize the Police
The National Police held a ceremony at the Police Academy to kick off its new professionalization of the police effort that will include retraining of personnel in various departments of the police including a ten-month course for some of the specialized units and traffic agents. A new specialized unit (USF) to police the frontier will be created. Training will be done throughout all the departments of the police and those re-trained will be distributed throughout. The event was attended by the Chief of Police, departmental directors, instructors, etc. The re-training is being done together with the assistance of a retired Canadian commander.
Fighting Trafficking in Persons
The Ministry of Interior is installing new technology at all airports and ports that registers all persons entering and leaving the country making it easier to identify the illegal transport of persons, more specifically of children. Additionally, the Social Affairs Commission of the Lower Chamber of Parliament met with the Minister of Social Affairs to discuss actions underway to prevent child trafficking at the frontier between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Minister of Social Affairs stated that many concrete measures have been taken but also pointed out that they are operating under serious financial constraints as well. The police will be dispatching a new unit for the frontier after completion of specialized training.
Investigation Opened Regarding Cite Soleil Incident
The government reported that five residents of Cite Soleil died, including a child allegedly run over by an ambulance employed by the Group of 184 while fleeing Cite Soleil after residents chased out the Group of 184 from holding their rally there. The day before residents of Cite Soleil held a demonstration asking that the Group of 184 not come there. Several persons accompanying the Group of 184 were injured as well. The Group of 184 went to Cite Soleil accompanied by hired private ambulances, press, NGOs and diplomatic observers who were accompanied by foreign security agents with assault weapons. The Chief Prosecutor subsequently called the head of the Group of 184 to court to respond to complaints lodged against him and an inquiry into the incident. Funerals were held for those Cite Soleil residents who died after being allegedly shot by persons accompanying the Group of 184. Their families lodged the complaint against the Group of 184 and presented their information before the Prosecutor. The Secretary of State for Public Security said the police did try to contain the situation on that day. The Government also indicated that it would lodge complaints regarding the security agents of foreign embassies who may have acted outside of the framework of the law.
Police Capture Those Planning Attacks on Cultural and Historic Events in the North
Police seized heavy weapons and arrested members of an armed group, and were pursuing others, implicated in planning attacks on local fairs scheduled in towns in the North and seized weapons as well as documents which may connect them to the “armed wing of the opposition.” The government is working to assure the safety and security of all visitors to Haiti and local residents who will be attending various fairs as well as the upcoming bicentennial activities planned. Many projects are underway in the north such as the construction of a high school, a town square and the road from Cap Haitian to Milot, as well as the renovation of the monument in honor of the Battle of Vertieres.
The Inter-Ministerial Commission on Reparations Reports on Their Work
The Commission, charged with working on the claim for restitution and reparation from France for monies paid to it by Haiti, reported that they were engaged in extensive research and obtained numerous documents supporting the government’s claim, including agreements signed between Haiti and France. Restitution claims include the 90 million gold francs paid by Haiti pursuant to an 1825 agreement in exchange for recognition by France of Haiti’s independence, valued today at 21 billion US dollars. The Minister of Haitians Living Abroad announced that a forum on this claim would be held in Haiti this October during the month of Haitians Living Abroad. Separately, Ira Kurzban, Esq., Haiti’s foreign counsel, reported that he has been consulting with experts on other restitution claims, more specifically with those representing victims of the Holocaust, and indicated that among the defendants in Haiti’s claim against France will be the French Republic and French banks for their role in the 1825 conspiracy to extort money from Haiti, which included threatening the people of Haiti with re-enslavement. In 2001 France declared slavery to be a crime against humanity.
Investigation of Massacre of Ministry of Interior Delegation in the Central Plateau
The government is investigating the massacre of a high level delegation from the Ministry of Interior as it was leaving a town in the Central Plateau after installing a new communal commission. The attack left four employees dead and one seriously wounded and hospitalized in the Dominican Republic where he was moved for medical attention. This attack brings the number to 25 of persons murdered by armed commandos in the Central Plateau who identify themselves as former soldiers determined to overthrow the elected government. In the same vein, the government arrested Judith Roy, and two others, relating to a large cache of weapons seized at her home immediately following the attack on the nation’s hydroelectric plant in the Central Plateau. Police allege that they also found at her home detailed plans and diagrams for subsequent attacks to be waged on the National Palace and the President’s private residence.
Police Arrest Bandits and Pursue Drug Manufacturers in the South : Police are searching persons in the Cayes area who are allegedly manufacturing fake cocaine for sale. They also arrested eight persons alleged to be bandits in that region.
Police Destroy Marijuana Field : The Police destroyed two hectares of land where marijuana was being cultivated, arrested four persons alleged to be Bahamian, seized a vehicle equipped with sophisticated land to air and boat communication system and seized infra-red glasses as well.
Cocaine Seized : The police seized 15 kilograms of cocaine from a boat and arrested one person.
Draft Law for Child Support
The Ministry of Women held a forum on paternity obligations and announced that a draft law has been submitted to Parliament to legislate the responsibilities of fathers regarding child support. The Ministry for Women’s Conditions and Rights is also working on the promotion of women’s rights in various sectors through collaboration with various organizations and through a public information campaign. They also said they have a project to empower women to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS.
Minister of Culture Holds Seminar on the Rights of Authors of Audio-Visual Works
OTHER ITEMS
Preserving and Expanding Access to Potable Water
The Director of CAMEP (the quasi-government agency charged with providing potable water to the Port-au-Prince region) described its current emergency projects and said its technicians are presently working to recover water sources that are being unofficially by residents. They are also repairing water distribution networks and improving the drilling operations in the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac. He also stated that part of the reason for the shortage of water in the region is attributed to the outdated state of construction, illegal taps into the distribution network, and also asked that people pay their bills which in turns supports the work of providing services. IDB announced recently that it intends to release monies, which they have been withholding which are partially targeted for expansion of access to potable water.
Partial Census Results Released : Partial results of the fourth-ever national census in Haiti estimates the population at 7,929,048. History of census in Haiti: 1950, 1971, 1982 (which put population at 5 million). The campaign jingle created by President Aristide aimed at getting the cooperation of each person in the census count says, “Every person counts, count me!”
Website Promoting Haiti’s Bicentennial Celebration : Prominent members of the African Diaspora call for a global celebration of Haiti’s revolution headed by an executive committee that includes President Aristide and Haiti’s Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, Leslie Voltaire. Ayiti Oui 1804 encourages artists, writers, choreographers, teachers, students, activists and politicians to take a multi-faceted approach to commemorating the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804.
http://www.ayitioui1804.com/index.html
First Lady Attends Conference Focused on Fight Against HIV/AIDS : The First Lady, Mildred Aristide, who is the Chair of Haiti’s national commission on HIV/AIDS, attended a conference held by the National Conference of Protestant Churches and attended by Reverend Canon Gideon Byamugisha of Uganda, who declared in 1992 that he is HIV positive, and is an international activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Tax Office on Collections So Far this Year
The tax bureau (DGI) reported that in the first nine months of this year they have already reached 75% (or 2 billion 500 million gourdes) of their goal of 3.3 billion gourdes for fiscal year 2002-2003, which represents 25% more than during the same period last year. A commission was established to look for ways to improve tax collection in the cities outside of Port-au-Prince, particularly in cities where ports are operational. Two new tax offices were inaugurated recently in St. Marc and Coteaux.
Annual Assembly of Caribbean People Held its Conference in Haiti : The APC held its third annual meeting in Cap Haitian corresponding with the 212 anniversary of the slave uprising in 1791.
Haiti’s National Archives
The Director General of the National Archives reported that their agency, charged with housing and protecting historical archives and the civil registry and includes a laboratory for restoration of documents and micrography, is currently in transition modernizing from a manual to computerized system, which will result in the availability of numerous texts to be examined by researchers. The modernization of the archives will have a ripple effect throughout all government ministries and civil registries, and will broaden genealogical research as well.
Port-au-Prince Enjoys Marked Increase and Reliability of Electricity : Port-au-Princeans are enjoying stepped up availability of electricity since the government reorganized the delivery of electricity in the region.
Government Inaugurated New Public High School in Croix de Bouquet
Literacy Program Ever Expanding!
The representative of the Department of the West announced that the new “Alpha Radio” literacy show can be heard on radio now and literacy programs will be carried on 233 radio shows for a 15-week period. This effort is modeled after a successful literacy program in Cuba over its airways. Additionally, cassettes will be available, a public information campaign, and additional training of monitors. The Ministry of Education launched their literacy program center at the Ministry to allow their employees, estimated at 50 persons currently unable to read and write, to attend classes. The Secretary of State for Literacy inaugurated the 48th literacy center in the zone of Trouin in Leogane, providing materials to the trained monitors there. Incentives are offered to monitors and supervisors in exchange for their work in literacy. The Secretary of State for Literacy also organized a seminar of training for 500 new monitors to work in Cite Soleil. Training sessions were also held for 500 monitors in Archaie, 300 monitors in Cazale, and 250 monitors in Cabarat. There are now 1,500 new literacy centers. President Aristide met with all of Haiti’s mayors to evaluate literacy efforts in their regions since the launching of the national campaign on literacy and asked them to reinforce their efforts citing the value of literacy for the upcoming electoral period.
Renovated Orthopedic Room at the State University Hospital : The State University Hospital in Port-au-Prince inaugurated its fully renovated orthopedic room to upgrade care provided the patients.
Haiti’s Red Cross held 16 sessions of First Aid training for youth this summer.
Ministry of Education Warns Schools on Inclusion of Unnecessary items on their Lists : Responding to complaints by parents, the Ministry of Education warned all schools not to include materials on their lists of what families must purchase for their children, if the school does not actually intend to make use of those materials/textbooks. This practice has caused unnecessary hardship for parents and the government has said it will sanction those schools that continue this practice.
Government publicizes its 70% subsidy to school textbooks : As a follow-up to President Aristide’s announcement that the government will again subsidize school textbooks and will increase the subsidy to 70% of the price of the book, the government is publicizing this information so parents will be encouraged to enroll their children in school. This will enable a greater number of children to attend school, as the purchasing of schoolbooks is often prohibitive to attending school.
Government releases numbers of persons passing the State Exams Bacc Part I and Part II
Satellite System in Place to Assist in Development : To assist on several development projects (agriculture, environment, disaster prevention and response, geology, property development and road planning) the Ministry of Planification and the Ministry of Public Works together with the European Union are engaged in a satellite observation program.
Ministry of Public Health Inaugurates New Morgue at the Notre Dame Hospital in Petit Goave : The Inter-American Development Bank Signs Agreement and Announces Release of Withheld Loans Initially Releasing $50 Million After three years of withholding agreed upon loans to Haiti, the IDB in four new agreements announced the release of $146 million for water, health, road and education projects. So far they have released $50 million of the funds, which are directed to budgetary action. The announcement of the release of the funds was in the spirit of the OAS Resolution 822 that called for the normalization of relations between Haiti and the international financial institutions.
Seminar Held on Use of IDB Loans in Health Sector Scheduled to be Released Soon : A seminar was held regarding the project to reorganize the health care system creating greater access for Haiti’s poor once the $22.5 million loan from IDB is released to Haiti. In a recent press conference and agreement, IDB announced that it would finally release the loans agreed to but has been withholding for the last few years. The Minister of Public Health stated that it was encouraging that the IDB announced they would finally release the funds and hoped that other international financial institutions will follow suite, saying that it is extremely difficult to provide sufficient health care when the Ministry of Public Health, the main health care provider in the country, is not reinforced.
President Aristide Meets with Private Sector and Haiti Signs Draft Agreement with Canada on textile goods and clothing : With an eye to stimulating investment in Haiti, job creation, and improving the public-private sector relations in this vein, the President met with approximately one hundred Haiti and foreign business people and representatives of businesses associations.
Haiti’s National Office Assisting the Elderly Explains Benefits Programs
The Director General of ONA detailed the numerous benefits provided to retired government employees including new housing developed recently.
Minister of Education Visits Cite Soleil Schools to Identify Obstacles to School Attendance this Fall and Committed to Obtain Necessary Funds to that Schools Will Open this Fall.
The Ministry of Agriculture Inaugurated Completed Irrigation Systems in Several Areas of the Country.
The Ministry of Agriculture Signed a Protocol Accord With Farmers in the Central Plateau : This 8 million gourdes project will intensify the fish farming project, support peanut, banana, rice, and vegetable production in the region.
(Source: National Palace )
