Crushing Victory for Aristide -- Despite Bazin's maneuvers
December 19 to 24, 1990
Haïti-Progrès Staff
translated by Greg Dunkel-- The struggle is just beginning because imperialism does not like the example of a people liberating themselves.
The people did not wait for all the official results before they showed their joy. Convinced that from now on they will have Aristide as president, even though the proclamation won't come for several days, "Lavalas" poured into the streets of the capital [Port-au-Prince] by the hundreds of thousands, people of all ages, waving branches, singing, and dancing with an indescribable enthusiasm. An extraordinary mass phenomenon and one which shows to what point the people, so often presented as ragged, illiterate and backward, have the desire to live in dignity and independence, and are politically conscious.Indeed, this wasn't drunkenness and carnival, no more than it was a simple march. It was the celebration of an immense victory, a victory which left the entire world dumb struck. Because once again Haiti had succeeded in astonishing the world by undoing all the plans, all the plots without help from the outside. An unimaginable euphoria with chants like "Nou te vote kòkman, nou genyen lavalsman" [we voted roosterly (Aristide's election symbol), we won Lavalasly] or "kòk la beke, kòk la beke Bazin, li beke makout" [The rooster pecked, the rooster pecked Bazin, it pecked the Macoutes].
There was a lot of "pawòl piman" [sharp words] against Bazin, such as "Yo volè bilten mwen, yo vote pou Bazin" [They stole my ballot, they voted for Bazin], Aristide's victory also being revenge on the lackeys of imperialism.
When the first partial results were released by the CEP (Provisional Election Council) on Dec. 17, enthusiasm and joy knew a new high point. According to these results, based on 27,227 voters in the Northeast, South, West and Center, Aristide had 70.6% of the vote and Bazin 12.6%, with the other candidates having very minor tallies. Still according to the partial results released Dec. 18, the enormous difference between the two principal rivals, Aristide and Bazin, continued to hold. On the countrywide level, the distance between the two -- according to the last partial results -- is 54.35 %. If there are still some changes, they will not be enough to reverse the results -- the tidal wave in favor of Aristide foretells the triumph of this electoral campaign.
Confronted with such a situation, what can the United States do?
"All the official counts of the observers indicate that Fr. Aristide is the clear winner in the first round," declared Bernard Aronson, deputy secretary of state for Inter-American Affairs. "We congratulated him on his victory and told him that the United States supported the democratic process." (New York Times, Dec. 18, 1990) Aronson was part of the official delegation sent to Haiti by the Bush government. As for Jimmy Carter, at a press conference held at the El Rancho Hotel December 17, 1990, he judged that the elections had been free and the outcome believable. "I saw much enthusiasm, joy and gaiety among the Haitian people. It is very rare that this occurs anywhere in the world." Even the UN and OAS observers echoed his sentiments. Joao de Médicis -- the personal representative of the secretary general of the UN -- said, "We are satisfied that the people had the chance to vote; there have been some material difficulties but in our opinion these difficulties did not at all affect the results."
According to Radio Métropole, the French parliamentarians sent as observers judged that "the election in Haiti was carried out in a correct and dignified fashion," that "the results of the election are incontestable ... clear, transparent and trustworthy" and that "it should be respected by everyone." Finally, the Caribbean Church Mission "declared itself impressed by the lucidity of men and women in rural areas, who, though often illiterate, could vote nearly without difficulty using five ballots." (Haitian Press Agency, Dec. 18, 1990)
The major U.S. press also yielded. The New York Times of December 18, 1990, pronounced that Aristide had been elected in "a crushing fashion" and benefited from "enthusiastic support." Besides the news articles, an editorial appeared recognizing the long struggle of the Haitian people. "Neither the failed elections nor the military coup d'etats have extinguished their conviction that they must also have the right to exercise democracy as others do."
These are some beautiful concessions -- one could almost believe that the U.S. government itself had become a devotee of democracy when its official delegation declared: "In the name of President Bush and the American people, we congratulate the Haitian people on the success of the first round of their general elections. ... The vote was free and credible." However, one cannot be naïve and take these congratulations for ready money. The United States did not suddenly convert to true democracy, but they have been impressed and they reported that it was impossible to go against this tidal wave not only because it would be too scandalous, but because the Haitian people's response could only be suppressed by a gigantic blood bath.
That did not keep the U.S. from resorting to all sorts of underhanded maneuvers. Thanks to Antoine Izméry, a member of the group Onè Respe pou Konstitisyon (Honor and Respect the Constitution) who denounced them, we have proof that Carter engaged in all sorts of maneuvers to benefit Bazin. Bazin had based his whole presidential campaign for president on co-optation and the power of money. He didn't miss a chance through his henchmen to engage in manipulation and fraud.
The struggle is just beginning because imperialism does not like the example of a people liberating themselves. In the context of Latin America where it is commonplace for elections to be manipulated to look like they are democratic, the case of Haiti is even more unusual. But the people have demonstrated that they have what it takes to effectively pursue the struggle: lucidity, vigilance, determination, the desire to live free and independent and not be subjected to puppets like Bazin.
For the Caribbean and Latin American people, for people all over the world, this victory gives a magnificent example and brings great consolation. Misery, repression, illiteracy, foreign interference, millions of dollars invested to manipulate and corrupt the people, all shredded and smashed. And this result is also reason for pride and joy for all the progressive militants who harvest today the fruits of long labor in politicizing the people. With redoubled energy, confidence and joy the popular organizations and all progressives are now going to roll up their shirt sleeves to get on to the second stage of the struggle: the realization of this "civilization of love" that Fr. Aristide proposes to build with the Haitian people.
Haïti-Progrès December 19 to 24, 1990
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