Brazil and Argentina
The successful tour of Haitian Senator Jean-Charles Moise builds the Continental Conference of May 31-June 1 in Haiti demanding the withdrawal of the UN troops from Haiti.
Argentina
At the invitation of the CTA (Argentine Workers Central trade union federation) and the Committee of Solidarity with Haiti, For the Withdrawal of Argentine Troops, Senator Moise received the title of "illustrious visitor" in the Argentine capital, where he met with Members of Parliament and trade unionists and participated in a debate at the University of La Plata. He was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Pablo Tettamanti, director of International Organizations, who said: "We are aware that the situation in Haiti no longer justifies the presence of MINUSTAH forces. "
Brazil
The tour of Senator Moise was organized by the Committee "To Defend Haiti Is To Defend Ourselves," Senator Moses visited the country and was received at the Chamber of Deputies and at the Federal Senate in Itamaraty. He participated in discussions with youth in Brasilia, he was present at meetings in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Juiz de Fora (MG), and his visit helped to organize a large Brazilian delegation to the Continental Conference in Haiti, which already will be represented at the conference by leaders of the CUT trade union federation, the Workers Party (PT), elected officials and trade unionists, as well as representatives of the PSB and MNU (Unified Black Movement).
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BRAZIL:
The success of the tour of Senator Moise reinforces the struggle for the withdrawal of UN-MINUSTAH troops from Haiti and helps to build the Brazilian delegation to the Continental Conference in Haiti on May 31-June 1.
Organized by the Committee "To Defend Haiti is to Defend Ourselves" (based in the Legislative Assembly of Sao Paulo), the visit of Haitian Senator Jean-Charles Moise served to promote the campaign for the withdrawal of the troops of the MINUSTAH (UN Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti) from Haiti. Senator Moise reminded the audience that Haiti's Senate had passed unanimously a resolution calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops -- a resolution that has not been heeded. Haiti has been under MINUSTAH occupation since 2004.
In his visit to Juiz de Fora -- a city that concentrates the largest contingent of soldiers of the Brazilian battalion in Haiti -- Senator Moise was received officially on April 15 at the City Council by City Council member Roberto Betão Cupolillo (PT). In his speech, Senator Moise invited those present to come to the May 31-June 1 Continental Conference for the withdrawal of the MINUSTAH troops. The conference will be held in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.
The City Council approved sending a delegation to the Continental Conference in Haiti. According to Council member Betão, "the visit of the Senator drew the attention of all the major media in the city, causing such a a stir that even the high command of the Brazilian Army issued a press release saying that 'while they would not enter into the political debate, if the Brazilian government were to decide to withdraw its troops from Haiti, the Army would readily implement the decision."
In a separate meeting with the union and popular movements, a Citywide Committee in support of Haitian sovereignty was created.
In Brasilia, Senator Moise participated in a forum in a public school in the district of Gama, organized by Revolution Youth (JR), in which more than 200 students at the General Assembly shouted out repeatedly, "Sovereignty for Haiti, Withdraw the Troops from Haiti!" In a meeting organized by the CUT-DF, several trade unionists issued statements in solidarity with the Haitian workers, who have been strongly suppressed by the troops of MINUSTAH. Ismael Cesar, who chaired the forum on behalf of Center for Social Movements (CMS), called upon everyone to "defend the sovereignty of the Haitian people" and urged the "Federal District to send a good delegation to the Conference in June."
At the forum, Markus Sokol, a member of the National Directorate of the Workers Party (PT), said: "We started the campaign in 2004, when the Brazilian government stated that its troops would be in Haiti for six months to help organize new elections, then it would leave. Nine years later, the situation has only worsened. Our solidarity with the Haitian people and their demand for sovereignty will not stop until the troops have left the country."
Senator Moise was also received by Deputy Nelson Pellegrino (PT/BA), president of the Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly. Also attending this meeting were deputies Luiza Erundina (BSP/SP), Fernando Ferro (PT/PE), José Stédile (PSB/RS) and Lygia di Moura, PSB International Relations advisor. Senator Ana Rita (PT/ES), chair of the Senate Committee on International Relations, who, together with Eduardo Suplicy (PT/SP) and Paulo Paim (PT/RS) had previously met with Senator Moise, publicly pledged to send a representative to the Continental Conference in June.
Senator Moise was also received at Itamarity [the equivalent of the White House -- translator's note] by Nelson Tabajara de Oliveira, director of Central American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. In all these activities, Senator Moise stressed the fact that the Brazilian government, which is heading up the MINUSTAH mission in Haiti, has lent its services to the governments of the United States and France, "doing the dirty work for imperialism."
In Sao Paulo, Senator Moise was received by José Américo (PT/SP), mayor of the city of São Paulo, and Councilwoman Juliana Cardos (PT/SP). Américo pledged to send an official representative of the Municipality to the Conference in Haiti next June.
On the evening of April 18, a public hearing was held in the auditorium of the Legislative Assembly of Sao Paulo, organized by the Committee and SOS Racism, with Cicero Almeida. The forum was chaired by State Deputy Adriano Diogo (PT/SP) and included the following speakers: Julio Turra (CUT), Milton Barbosa (Unified Black Movement/MNU), Marcelo Buzzeto (MST), Joelson Sousa (JR), Councilwoman Juliana Cardoso (PT), Cátia Silva (Fight against Racism DM/PT), and Barbara Corrales (O Trabalho currfent of the PT). Also present at the forum were Rosi Wansetto (Jubilee South), Council member Capá (with the delegation of Francisco Morato), Flavio Jorge (Conen), Silvia Seixas (Secretary of Fight Against Racism from the Macro PT of Ribeirão Preto), Leandro Oliveira, vice president of SINDSEP (with several executive board members), Paulo Zocchi and Douglas Mansur, directors of the Union of Journalists, Claudinho Silva (Bocada Forte), and Clóvis Castro (Left Articulation).
There were also delegations of PT members from Itaquaquecetuba and surroundings, and from Barueri, Campinas and Sao Jose dos Campos. A delegation from the National Educators School of Florestan Fernandes participated in the discussions with Paulo Almeida of the MST and with young students and teachers of Santo André, together with José Jorge Maggio, president of ABC Sinpro.
State Deputy Adriano Diogo opened the discussion, stating that, "the presence of a leading Haitian delegation in Brazil has garnered great media attention nationwide, causing a great impact across Brazil, including in the state of Acre [Western-most state in Brazil, south of the Amazon region -- Transl. note], where Haitian refugees are subjected to conditions of work under near-slavery-like conditions, with forced migration organized by 'coyotes' [human traffickers -- Transl. note]. ... What a tragedy this military occupation has been!"
Miltao, from the MNU, noted that, "Haiti carried out the only successful slave revolution in history. They routed the army of Napoleon. We will never accept slavery, and we do not accept the occupation."
Barbara stated: "If MINUSTAH has provided all the help to the Haitian people claimed by our government and the UN, why are there 5,000 Haitian refugees in Acre, abandoned to their fate? The MINUSTAH troops are there to threaten the people and put down their mobilizations, because the occupation denies them everything, starting with their own future. If the Brazilian government wishes to assist the Haitian people, they can begin by withdrawing its troops from Haiti."
Marcelo Buzzeto for the MST continued the discussion, stating, "We defend internationalism which, for Che Guevara, was an action against any and all injustices. We appreciate Haiti and its revolution very much. Defeating French imperialism over 200 years ago was a mammoth task, paving the way for freedom and justice, then followed by Simon Bolivar and others. Restoring Haiti's sovereignty is an immediate task and demand that we place before the Brazilian government."
Joelson Souza, for Youth Revolution, said: "In 2011, we received a letter from a young Haitian who said that MINUSTAH occupation troops were suppressing the student movement. A Brazilian general commanding the MINUSTAH troops, confirmed as much, stating that, 'Haiti is a training ground.' Indeed, they train there to act against us here at home. So here we are fighting against the genocide of Black youth by the Military Police created by the military dictatorship, and there we are fighting for the sovereignty of the Haitian people."
Julio Turra, speaking for the CUT trade union federation, noted the contradiction of Brazilian foreign policy. "President Dilma was right to recognize the victory of Nicolas Maduro and she was right to be present at the inauguration of the new president of Venezuela -- all in opposition to the policies of the United States. But in Haiti, Brazil plays the role of agent and intermediary on behalf of the United States."
Senator Moise, for his part, said: "Haiti is experiencing a moment where all democratic rights are threatened. The president [Martelly] is a far right politician. He has jailed members of Congress and violated the laws and the Constitution. He has refused to convene municipal elections -- which should have been held in 2011. He has refused to convene elections to the Senate. Thus, the Martelly government is ruling by decree."
Senator Moise continued: "During the last presidential elections, Martelly actually came in sixth place, but he was imposed as the head of State by the United States. His political origins can be traced back to the heinous Duvalier dictatorship. The social panorama has been dislocated."
"So what is Martelly doing?" Senator Moise continued. "He is relying on the forces of MINUSTAH to keep control of the country, without any concern for the situation of the people. The current occupation is unacceptable because it denies us our national sovereignty. The UN troops have committed crimes and are in total impunity. I am a senator, and I have had a lot of problems security-wise because of my political positions. This also has happened with many unionists."
Senator Moise ended his presentation with the call for solidarity with his country: "The occupation violates our dignity as a people. The right of self-determination of the Haitian people cannot be tolerated by the powers that be!" In one voice, the participants at the forum responded by chanting. "Oh, Dilma, hear us! Withdraw the troops from Haiti now!"
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Building the May-31 - June 1st Continental Conference in Haiti
"Ann Pote Kole Pou Minista Ale! Unity for the Withdrawal of MINUSTAH!
Argentina
In the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, Senator Jean-Charles Moise participated in a public hearing for the withdrawal of Argentine troops from Haiti at the Chamber of Deputies. The event was held at the initiative of the CTA [Central of Argentine Workers trade union federation] and the Haiti Solidarity Committee, and was convened by Claudio Lozano, a member of Congress representing the Popular Unity. Present at the hearing were dozens of political and civic leaders, including Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
The general secretary of the CTA, Carlos Chile, said: "We are committed, as the CTA, to do everything in our power to help," and he confirmed that a broad-based delegation of the CTA would travel to Haiti for the Continental Conference. Congressman Lozano pledged publicly to present a motion to the Congress calling for the repeal of the law of December 2011, which extends for two years the presence of Argentine troops in Haiti as part of the MINUSTAH forces.
At the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Haitian senator was received by diplomats Pablo Tettamanti and Daniel Chuburu. Senator Moise asked: "How can Argentina, on the one hand, seek recovery of the Malvinas Islands, now occupied by the United Kingdom, and at the same time participate in the occupation of Haiti?"
Mr. Tattamanti replied, "It has been a question of internal security, and MINUSTAH has been there for this purpose. Before it was justified, but not now, because the demonstrations are a matter of the internal affairs of Haiti, and we have nothing to do with that."
During his visit to Argentina, Senator Jean-Charles Moise gave a lecture at the University of La Plata, organized by the Committee in Solidarity with Haiti, in conjunction with the Dario Santillan Popular Front and the Association of Building Trades Apprentices. According to Mariana Antonietta. "true solidarity with Haiti means respect for Haiti's sovereignty."
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Haitian Union Leader at the Congress of the CTA
Fignole St-Cyr, secretary-general of the Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers (CATH), was present at the Convention of the CTA, which was held in Buenos Aires. He was there to speak about the Continental Conference to be held in Haiti on May 31-June 1. Delegates of the CTA, the PIT-CNT trade union federation of Uruguay, and representatives of other Latin American trade union federations must be represented in Haiti, he said. At the opening of the CTA Convention, Fignole was invited to speak. He denounced the situation facing Haiti today and asked for support for the demand of immediate withdrawal of UN troops from his country. He was applauded enthusiastically by the close to 1,000 delegates.
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Delegations from Seven Countries in the Americas Already Confirmed
Peru: A meeting to support the Continental Conference for the withdrawal of troops was held in Lima with the participation of the Federation of Sugar Workers of Peru (FTAP), CGTP-Lambayeque, the Federation of Workers of the National Company of Ports (FENTENAPU), the Union of Workers of Water Supply Company of Lima, the Union of Workers of Lima and the Association of Teachers of the National University of Engineering. They decided to reactivate the Peruvian Committee for the Withdrawal of UN Troops From Haiti and to send a delegation to the Continental Conference. Delegates to the Conference include Demetrio Ruiz (FTAP), Erwin Salazar (CGTP-Lambayeque) and Leopoldo Ortiz (FENTENAPU). The Committee will also address the main trade union federation, the CGTP, with a request that it send a delegate.
Haiti: The organizing committee is studying the possibility of holding a public rally at the Champs de Mars, the center of Port-au-Prince, so that the Haitian people can participate in the activity.
Dominican Republic: A meeting of the ATPC [Association of Workers and Peoples of the Caribbean] was held in Santo Domingo with leaders of the CNUS [National Confederation of Trade Union Unity], Chispa Socialista, the LDP, and the Association of Haitian Migrant Workers (ATMHC). Participants in the meeting decided to constitute a delegation to the Continental Conference in Haiti. Isabel Tejada, one of the main leaders of the CNUS, announced her intention to participate in the Conference.
Guadeloupe: The LKP, after a positive assessment of its participation in the actions already taken in relation to Haiti, decided to participate in the Conference. Its Committee on International Relations will decide who will participate in the delegation.
United States: A delegation of eight people from the United States has been announced by the Guadeloupe-Haiti Campaign Committee, which is helping to coordinate this effort. Delegates include Kim Ives of Haiti Liberté and Suzanne Ross, coordinator of the Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, who confirmed that Mumia himself will send a taped audio message from his prison cell in Pennsylvania supporting the Haiti conference and the campaign for the withdrawal of UN troops from Haiti. On May 17, a fundraising event to help send the U.S. delegation to Haiti will be held at Riverside Church in New York City, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous speech against the Vietnam War in 1967.
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Haiti Conference Registration and Expenses:
US$360 (double room) and US$480 (single room).
Fee includes:
- 3 nights hotel (arrival on May 30 and departure June 2 in the morning);
- Breakfast and 5 meals;
- Transportation to and from the airport;
- Defraying of conference expenses: room rental, equipment, etc.. ;
- Contribution to the costs of the Haitian delegation
- HAITI: Building the Continental Conference of May 31-June 1 -- Bulletin No. 7 of the Committee "To Defend Haiti Is To Defend Ourselves!", U&I, 05/16/2013
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