Originally: Haiti: Premier says government on right track but with much to do
An official report on the provisional government’s accomplishments during its first 100 days in office was made public last night. The presentation was made in the presence of state officials, members of civil society, political leaders, members of the former opposition and representatives of the Friends of Haiti.
The prime minister acknowledged that much remains to be done and he expressed satisfaction about his government’s accomplishments, especially in matters regarding sanitation, better distribution of electricity and the resumption of educational activities.
In this assessment of his government’s achievements, Prime Minister Gerard Latortue recalled that the 100 days of probation required for a government normally concern countries where things are going smoothly, but not a looted country such as Haiti.
The following is an excerpt from the speech made by Prime Minister Latortue during the ceremony for the presentation of the special report that was held last night at the National Palace:
“More than 100 days ago, we were living under the oppression of the former regime but this is no longer so today. More than 100 days ago, the country was divided into two groups diametrically opposed, but this is no longer so today. More than 100 days ago, people in Port-au-Prince were suffocating when breathing the unhealthy smells of piles of refuse everywhere, but this is no longer so today. More than 100 days ago, schools and universities were not functioning, but this is no longer so today. More than 100 days ago, people in the metropolitan area were without electricity, they only had one or two hours of electricity a day, but this is no longer so today. More than 100 days ago, the local currency was falling dangerously but this is no longer so today. More than 100 days ago, public finances and the basis of the economy were showing worrying imbalances, but this is no longer so today.”
“I believe that any serious assessment of these 100 days should be based on the commitments and the accomplishments. This government announced 100 days ago that what it would like to do was to propose a step, a method, to demonstrate in the time that it was given that it was possible to govern this country in another way, to establish a new type of relationship between the state and the people and between the public and private sectors. In the list of priorities that it was to work on in the immediate term were listed the problem of electricity shortages, the unhealthiness of the streets and the fight against impunity. We said at the time that we had to do the impossible.”
“So, what was the theme that marked the government’s inaugural speech made here on 19 March? With just the few resources we had then the government announced that it was possible to move in the right direction, which would allow it to keep its promises.”
“We are not here today to ask you to express satisfaction with what we have accomplished. We know that we still have a lot to do. But we also know that we are on the right track. The government does not have a miracle recipe or a magic wand but there is the willingness to do the impossible to change things in this country. Because, as you know, we must do the impossible.”