This piece was reprinted by OpEdNews with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Haitians despise him. In a free and fair process, he'd have gotten well below 10%, not the announced 22%, possible only by widespread ballot box stuffing. As a result, daily street protests followed the November vote. Thousands of Haitians clashed with police, denouncing the sham process, demanding new elections, yelling "Arrest Preval," and accusing him and Celestin of electoral theft.
On December 20, final results will be announced. A presidential runoff is provisionally scheduled on January 16, confirmation awaiting CEP word.
A Final Comment
Following CEP's announced results, a US embassy press release said the following:
"As Haiti enters the period of electoral contestation, it is essential that all political actors remain calm and encourage their supporters to do the same....Haiti's transition to democracy over the past 24 years has seen many successes, overcoming major challenges. The 2010 elections represent a critical test of whether the Haitian people will determine their destiny through their vote. The United States is committed to the consolidation of democracy in Haiti and calls on the Government of Haiti, the CEP and all political forces to ensure that the will of the people is fully reflected in the outcome of this election."
The statement is self-explanatory, an imperial master's words to its subjects, establishing despotism masquerading as "democracy." As a result, Haitians get theater, not real elections, imperial rule, not of, by and for the people, hardline take-it-or-leave it tyranny. Its master's voice has spoken. It remains now how they'll react longer term for government representing them, no longer for wealth and power.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at Email address removed. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/ .
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
