Good News?

I was talking to a Dominican guy last week, and he asked me if I had heard the good news about the mineral wealth discovered along the Haitian-Dominican border. I responded affirmatively. He specified, "half for Haiti and half for the Dominican Republic." I acknowledged. Then, I told him that I am very happy for the Dominicans since I know that their government would make good with their share, but I cannot say the same about Haiti. Haitian governments have no history of doing what is right for their nation. He was quick to reply, "I know."

He is an older gentleman. He began to tell me about some mineral that was discovered in Haiti before. He said the name of the mineral in Spanish. I did not catch it, but I believe he was referring to the "kwiv" that was found there. He said excitedly, "We were glad for the Haitians; we thought they were going to do something for the country." Then, as he put it, we watched as everything got shipped abroad and nothing for the people. I replied. That's the big question mark that is hanging over the newly found treasure for Haiti. Nobody - the news media, the international community, intellectuals and experts- expects much good to come out of it, since Haitian leaders have no history of doing good for their nation. We walked away. I sensed that the old man felt very sad for his Haitian cousins.

I left very sad too. I kept on asking myself, what can I do? What can a simple Haitians do to make sure that the new-found wealth does some good for the nation or the mass of the people? I have no answer so far. Very likely we are all going to sit there and watch everything wasted away as ever. Perhaps too somebody could take a stand and demand accountability.

By E.C. GRANMOUN

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