Containing the Damage

Prime Minister Latortue, on Radio Metropole

Prime Minister Latortue announces corrective measures which will be taken by his office following the rice scandal at Port-au-Prince City Hall. The prime minister admits that some serious administrative mistakes were made in the management of the donated rice, which was entrusted to Deputy Mayor Jean Philippe Sassine. The prime minister rejects all responsibility in the issue and denounces the attitude of some members of his office. He explains that letters were written on his behalf even though he was not informed at all about the issue. He says: “I condemn what happened. My office was not authorized to write letters in my name and the donated rice should not have been entrusted in the care of just one member of the City Hall. ” He says he only learned about the incident on the radio.