November 5, 2008 at 05:03:00

Targeting Aristide in Exile

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By Stephen Lendman (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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O'Grady's article is about Fusion Telecommunications. Its 1999 contract with Teleco. That it violated FCC rules by granting the company a preferential rate. Access to Haiti's network "at a rate of 12 cents a minute, dropping to 11 cents after the first three million minutes each month" as opposed to "the FCC's official rate (of) 50 cents a minute, dropping to 46 cents in 2000."

She also claimed an IDT "whisleblower alleged he was fired in 2003 for objecting to a deal in which IDT would get a low termination rate in exchange for depositing payments in an account for Aristide." Fusion denies it made any improper payments, and the FCC has no evidence it did. Not good enough for O'Grady who said "Haitians can be forgiven for not putting much stock in those words." Readers can be forgiven for questioning O'Grady's credibility. Komisar as well.

For his part, Aristide was a parish priest before being elected president. He never had and today has no ownership stake in any company, including the so-called "Mount Salem." Ira Kurzban represents him as legal counsel. He refuted Komisar's accusations and stated: "Mr. Corr did not and does not represent President Aristide and President Aristide had no interest in or knowledge of any company - 'shell' or otherwise - set up in the Turks & Caicos for any purpose. Mr. Corr never set up 'Mount Salem,' any 'shell' company, or any other company for President Aristide."

He added that: "these repeated false stories of corruption against President Aristide are part of a continuing disinformation campaign against (him) that began when he first took office in 1991." The same type charges levied against democrats like Hugo Chavez. The latest example in a trial just concluded in a Miami courtroom. About a suitcase filled with $800,000 for Argentina's President, Christina Kirchner. For her successful campaign last year. Both presidents denounced the accusation, but it's still front-page news in each country and currently in America. "Suitcasegate" The New York Times called it after a "wealthy Venezuelan businessman (was convicted of) acting as an 'unregistered agent' (for his country) on American soil."

Unwarranted according to his lawyer who plans to appeal, and said the trial was a "political circus in which (his client) is a pawn of the US government." He earlier called the case politically motivated to embarrass the Chavez government. Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Nicolas Maduro, said the charges were "absolutely rigged" and that the defendant wasn't an "unregistered (Venezuelan) foreign agent."

Contrast this case and accusations against Aristide to Wall Street's massive fraud. At the heart of the world's financial crisis. That goes unmentioned in mainstream reports. Lets criminals loot the federal treasury and puts taxpayers on the hook for the tab. The same ones defrauded by the scheme. Now left high and dry on their own while world-class democrats like Aristide and Chavez are pilloried. Accused of all kinds of bogus things. Even though Aristide is no longer Haiti's president.

No matter because it's how Washington operates. With full support from its echo chamber in the press. From writers like Komisar and O'Grady well paid to comply. It's up to readers to reject their accounts. Not become hostage to their message, and rely on alternative news for the truth. There's plenty around and places to find it as readers of this web site know.

Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Global Research News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Mondays from 11AM - 1PM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on major world and national topics. All programs are archived for easy listening.

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