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OpEdNews Op Eds    H4'ed 7/15/10

Fake Website says France will pay Haiti back Independence Debt it extorted at gun-point

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Breaking news from a false website: France will pay Haiti, over the course of 50-years, the Independence Debt (17billion euro) it extorted by force of arms


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Ezili Danto Note
Ezili Danto Note
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Image by Ezili Danto)   Details   DMCA

If it wasn't a hoax, as one of Haiti's current occupiers, just like US when they forgive Haiti debt or "give" aid, France would be PAYING THEMSELVES. Haiti is under occupation, not independent. Besides which, even without the military occupation, due to the neocolonialism blueprint engrafted on Haiti from its beginning, Haiti has no trade, diplomatic or military leverage. The hoax is a win-win for Dessalines' descendants because it suddenly highlights France's wretchedness and everlasting false benevolence. Sign petition demanding France repay Independence Debt
Clinton, Bush, Monsanto's gift, and now France. Wow, how lucky can Haiti be? Clinton apologized, Bush co-chairs earthquake relief and France, well, France cannot be outdone. France will stay with us for 50-years and cough, cough, pay Haiti the Independence Debt (Ã "š ¬17 billion) back!

According to a July 14, 2010 Statement, from a fake website, purporting to speak on behalf of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, France will pay back to Haiti the Independence Debt it and its Euro/US allies gathered together to force Haiti to pay. It took Haiti 122 years (1825 to 1947) to finish paying France and the endless debt and its continual modifications and recalculation impoverished Haiti for two centuries. (French foreign ministry probes fake website! For info on the very REAL Independence Debt owed by France to Haiti, go to: HLLN Campaign Seven - Demand France Pay back the $22Billion Independence Debt: France Vertieres and Ayisyen Ginen)

This amazing news is a hoax.

If it weren't a hoax, there would be a catch somewhere. But... even with the hidden Trojan Horse that would have been inserted, it would be good news because France had previously refused to even acknowledge they owed this debt to the people of Haiti. This is a good teaching moment anyway. For if this wasn't a hoax, it would be a good piece of evidence for our children that France has admitted to the Independence Debt. But, first things first. Besides being a good precedent, it would have been a bold move by France. And a big "Thank You!" would go to President Jean Bertrand Aristide, the ONLY Haitian president to ask France to return the Independence Debt. We still say Thank YOU president Aristide. Thank you.

Bravo President Aristide. Chapo Ba.

No matter what the catch is, why this hoax, this is a good time as any to request, once again, that France ADMIT they were in error and owes Haiti a debt of $21 billion as of 2004. If that is done, the next generation of Haitians will have something to enforce and to lift up the winning struggle of the Ancestors. No matter. We are the Haitians, from the womb to the tomb, our lives are about struggle and we won't give slack until we're free, all debts owed Haiti are duly paid. Long live Jean Jacques Dessalines and the indigenous army that defeated Napoleon. Ayibobo Ayisyen!!!! Ayibobo President Jean Bertrand Aristide for demanding France pay back the Independence Debt. This cost you the presidency and the lives of tens of thousands of Haitians during the Bush Regime Change in 2004, but generations upon generations of Haitians shall re-member the price paid for Haiti's dignity and that Ayisyen continue to pay for their liberty daily. No matter if the catch today is that France wants to mine Haiti's seabeds, or take its oil, gold, iridium, La Gonave or more of Jacmel. No matter. We'll meet those challenges also. Alone if we have to, just as we've stood for the Independence Debt when all the schooled Haitians who will now start to yack (in French), did not. This, Ayisyen Fran, this my people, is the best news, if it were true, to be heard since February 29, 2004. Alas, Grenadye a la so.... (See, Oil in Haiti, reasons for the US occupation, Part 1 and Part 2; Oil Deposits in the Caribbean basin - largest deposit ever; and Did Gulf oil drilling destabilize faultline cause Haitiquake and, Did mining and oil drilling trigger the Haiti earthquake?)

Here's the questions that come quickly to mind: Like all nations France is motivated by interests, not conscience. So why would they suddenly admit error, like the sudden empty admission of error by Clinton about US destroying Haiti's agriculture? Uhmmm? If it were true, would this money go to the UN/Clinton/Farmer relief fund efforts? A French NGO or entity like the Clinton/ Bellerive Haiti reconstruction project?

Clinton/Bellerive have their post quake commission for reconstruction, would France be creating hers behind this benevolent facade to absorb the money that will be returned to Haiti, the way USAID/Clinton/UN do with "foreign aid" and "quake relief" to Haiti? (See, The Plantation called Haiti: Feudal Pillage Masking as Humanitarian Aid; Colonization of Haiti's food and seeds not earthquake relief.)

Clinton and the US stakeholders have their billions (in pledges and donations) and the private charity/NGO industry have their billions, France would be expanding its role, its part in the "rebuilding of Haiti" with this 50-year long commitment to "refund Haiti 17 billion Euros?" The hoaxsters have a sense of humor, inquiring minds say. Like France would really catch a conscience! For, it's always about money, resource wars and the interest of the rich few, not that of the poor and the Black masses in Haiti. As I've already pointed out, despite all the money collected for earthquake relief, there are more homeless Haitians living on the streets of Port au Prince today, under tents, sheet, tarps, heavy rains, filth and sweltering heat, 6-months after the quake, than there were on the day of the earthquake. Yet, billions have been raised in the name of the victims under tarps, sheets and tents. (Sarkozy's visit to Haiti, Independence Debt and Sovereignty)

They don't give money to help out the kids, they must have hard hearts to let us suffer everywhere "- A Haiti quake orphan.

(See also, Who is Rajiv Shah, What are Haiti concerns about Shah/USAID; Bill Clinton's Heavy Hand on Haiti's Vulnerable Agricultural Economy: The American Rice Scandal; and Haiti a police state run by the US & UN; Huge Sums Raised, Much Unspent, After Haiti Quake : NPR ; US Has Delivered Zero on $1B Aid Pledged to Haiti and Video - Haiti aid pledges still unfulfilled, Militarization of aid, foreign soldiers getting paid more than 710million per year, but no security of Haitian women, Rapes soar in quake-hit Haiti; Report Questions NGO Accountability in Haiti - Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) report slam NGOs for shocking lack of transparency, "violating public trust when they have so much cash on hand that would help to alleviate the suffering of the homeless and impoverished. It is now the rainy season and refugee camps and tent cities offer shelters that are little more than sweltering ovens;" and Poverty Pimps Masturbating on Black Pain: Monsanto Joins pack.)

Since we're looking at this hypothetically as if France had made an admission of error, we ask when will the US pay its part of the Independence Debt paid by Haiti from 1914 to 1947? Compensate Haiti farmers for the lost of our agriculture per Clinton's apology? Compensate Haiti farmers for USAID's destruction of Haiti's Kreyà ²l pigs - the savings of the peasants that was destroyed? In addition to the money, perhaps France will give President Aristide a free journey on Air France to return home. They might also return the bones of Toussaint L' Ouverture from the cold Jura mountains. The list is simply endless. But this surprise move by France, assuming it were true and not a hoax, would inspires us to listing what's been taken unjustly from Haiti. More could be listed. Stay tune to Ezili's HLLN the only Haitian-led organization to pick up the demand made by President Jean Bertrand Aristide and continue a consistent campaign for its repayment since 2004 under the FreeHaitiMovement. Who would get this money if one day our struggle attains it? The Euro NGOS or would it be put, in trust, and run by trustworthy Haitians, with good credentials with the poor populace, for the benefit of the people of Haiti? (See, Ezili Dantà ²'s Sarkozy's visit to Haiti: A Buzzard Looking For a Free Meal? But Haitians Demand Back The Independence Debt and Claim Haiti's Sovereignty.)

Anyway, I've got a brilliant counter-offer for France. Forget the hoax. Here's what France can do now. Promises to Haiti, like the promises to Americas' black and indigenous peoples, are hardly ever kept. Recall 40 acres and a mule? Consider to date, 6-months after the earthquake, the US has delivered zero on the $1B aid pledged to Haiti and the Red Cross is waiting for "later" to spend the half billion its raised in the name of the quake victims as they die now.

I say why don't we nix the hoax, nix the half-century payment plan contemplated by the hoax and just ask Sarkorzy to do the necessary to get his good friend, that one little ol' lady, France's richest woman - L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt - who is worth $20 billion euro dollars and doesn't seem to know what to do with it. Seems her daughter, Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, says she's not suing because she needs the money. Soooo... France, what say we nix the 50-year payment or any payment plan to Haiti that may come in the furture, put the scandal aside about illegal contributions by the heiress to his campaign, have Sarkorzy do right, convince his dear friend the L'Oreal heiress to sign over her estate to a Haiti trust for the people of Haiti? Uhmmm? If France wants to do something, she can guarantee collection for Haiti, and we'll call it a draw? Sounds like a win-win scenario to me. We all save 50-years of hassling paperwork. Haiti gets paid near to one lump sum so-to-speak. The charming society man accused of conning the 87-year-old, mentally frail heiress out of cash and artworks worth euro1 billion ($1.2 billion) and even out of an Island, walks away with nothing. Justice served. Whatchasay? Ok, ok, you're right, the butler deserves a reward. Haiti will throw in an extra incentive. We'll let the butler come and start his very own charitable NGO in Haiti. The butler will now live well like the rest of the NGO executives in Haiti with his own gardeners, cooks, chauffeurs, expense accounts, tax write-offs, exploitation sex with young barefoot Haitian girls or boys with no choice, cars with tainted windows, tropical ocean breeze, sandy beaches and 14,000 UN security. C'est magnifique!

Ezili Danto of HLLN
July 15, 2010
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Angry demonstrators demand Sarkozy pay up and return Aristide to Haiti
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BACKGROUND INFO

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According to the fake website, France is repaying the historic debt of 90 million gold francs Haiti paid to France following the former's independence at the dawn of the 19th century, July 14 2010.

The real French government website is here.
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/

On July 15, the government of France issued a retraction, threatened lawsuit - French foreign ministry probes fake website!.

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FAKE STATEMENT OF THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

(PARIS, JULY 14, 2010)

http://diplomatiegov.fr/bulletin.gb-14-07-2010.html


France Unveils Bastille Day Framework Initiative for Haiti's Reconstruction

Ever since Haiti was ravaged by the devastating earthquake of January 12, France has called for international debt forgiveness for Haiti.


For too long, Haiti has been saddled with the burden of foreign debt. Her development crippled by foreign debt service payments, she has for too long staggered from catastrophe to catastrophe. The disaster that has befallen the Haitian people is clearly not merely the result of January's eathquake. It is in part the result of long-term economic and social policies.


If a clean break from this disastrous cycle is to be made in the current reconstruction efforts, it will require bold action not just from Haitians but also from creditor nations and international financial institutions.


Today, I am pleased to announce our boldest initiative yet to free up the funds that will be so essential for Haitians to rebuild their country after the devastation of the earthquake.

The French Republic and Haiti share deep ties of history, language and culture. Bastille Day is a perfect occasion to celebrate the cherished values of our republic--values that were also a beacon to the Haitian people when they cast off the shackles of slavery, and founded the second republic of the Americas.


In the context of our national holiday, we are thus announcing the dawn of a new era of cooperation between France and Haiti--a partnership based firmly in these shared values. Whereas our nations' relations were, historically, at times tumultuous, today we start with a clean slate united by compassion and cooperation.


Under the Framework Initiative for Haiti's Reconstruction, unveiled today by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, France is repaying the historic debt of 90 million gold francs Haiti paid to France following the former's independence at the dawn of the 19th century.

Some will say the current context of the global financial crisis is no time for such an ambitious initiative. Yet it is precisely in such times of crisis, particularly as we work to rebuild the global financial system, that our deepest-held values are most important. Liberty, equality and fraternity : these must be the pillars of the new global financial architecture if we want to assure that--this time around--Haitians too can share in economic development.


The French government is proud to announce our new Framework Initiative, and we encourage other governments to follow in our example, and take responsibility and action to correct the mistakes of the past in this hour of Haiti's greatest need.


The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is working side-by-side with the Haitian government and local civil society sector in facilitating plans for the transfer of the required funds. At a domestic level, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is working with the Central Bank of France, with advisement from the OECD, IMF and European Central Bank to prepare a long term budgetary plan. The Ministry is also working concurrently and liaising closely with the Overseas secretary as well as our Eurozone partners.

Under the new framework, the 90 million gold francs, which Haiti paid France from 1825 until 1947, will be reimbursed in a yearly budget over the course of 50 years. Economic advisors working with the Ministry have calculated that the total sum amounts to à "š ¬ 17 billion including adjustments for inflation and a minimal interest rate of 5 percent per annum.

A total budget of à "š ¬2 million will be released by the end of the month. Minister Bernard Kouchner will be available for further comment after the celebration of the national holiday.
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French foreign ministry probes fake website AFP July 15, 2010 10:02 AM

PARIS - The French foreign ministry said Thursday it was considering taking legal action after a mystery group launched an online copy of its official website carrying fake news.

The site at http://www.diplomatiegov.fr is a close copy of the ministry's own at http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and includes accurate links and pirated versions of real videos and news releases from Bernard Kouchner's ministry.

There is also a video in which a woman masquerading as a ministry spokeswoman says Paris will repay the 90 million gold francs that Haiti paid France between 1825 and 1947 in reparations after fighting for independence.

An accompanying press release, formatted to match a genuine statement but sent from a non-official gmail account, said "including adjustments for inflation and a minimal interest rate of five per cent per annum, this sum is today valued at 17 billion euros (21 billion dollars)."

France has no plans to repay Haiti this sum, and a foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that the press release, video and website were all fake.

"This Internet site . . . broadcasts false news and fraudulently copies the foreign ministry site," said spokesman Bernard Valero. "We are studying what legal steps we can take to remedy this situation."

A telephone number on the fake press release was unattributed and AFP received no immediate reply from the email address used by its sender.

Copyright (c) AFP

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Forwarded by Ezili's Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
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HLLN Campaign Seven - Demand France Pay back the $22Billion Independence Debt: France Vertieres and Ayisyen Ginen

France's Role in the Coup D'etat in Haiti

Other Recommended HLLN Link: 6-months after the earthquake:

"They don't give money to help out the kids, they must have hard hearts to let us suffer everywhere "- A Haiti quake orphan. (Video - http://bit.ly/auhazd Haiti's orphans still in crisis - promised aid has not materialized, yet billions have been raised and is available)

Commentary: Two percent to Haiti not enough
By Sir Ronald Sanders

Ezili Dantà ² - Oil Deposits in the Caribbean basin - largest deposit ever
http://bit.ly/cWQTMP
US Has Delivered Zero on $1B Aid Pledged to Haiti


Flashpoints: an in-depth Look at Haiti six months after the Earth Quake.
Kevin Pina interviews Ansel Herz and also Andre Liohn with more on that Small Fraction Video at the 44:39 minute mark.
Haiti Interview (Begins at the 26:34 minute mark), July 12, 2010
http://www.flashpoints.net/?p=1267

Video - Immortal Technique: Haiti a police state run by US & UN
http://bit.ly/bylKqA


Video
- Haiti: Heavy rains under tarps and tents six months later...yet billions have been raised in the name of the victims under tarps, sheets and tents http://bit.ly/axDY6R

Huge Sums Raised, Much Unspent, After Haiti Quake : NPR
http://n.pr/bKWWR7



Video - Haiti aid pledges still unfulfilled, Militarization of aid, foreign soldiers getting paid more than 710million per year, but no security of Haitian women, Rapes soar in quake-hit Haiti - http://bit.ly/cPR4Z0

Report Questions NGO Accountability in Haiti
http://huff.to/b6NPOq Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) report slam NGOs for shocking lack of transparency, "violating public trust when they have so much cash on hand that would help to alleviate the suffering of the homeless and impoverished. It is now the rainy season and refugee camps and tent cities offer shelters that are little more than sweltering ovens."
Former President Bill Clinton tells CNN's Anderson Cooper about the recovery effort in Haiti and his hopes for its future http://bit.ly/bfa2S5

High-Tech Hospital Goes Belly-Up In Haiti
http://bit.ly/aVQxxg

Sowing Seeds of Hope or Seeds of Dependence?
http://huff.to/czMr1I and http://huff.to/9vsGtI

"We've Lost the Battle, but We Haven't Lost the War:" Haiti Six Months After the Earthquake http://bit.ly/99ffa9

Oil in Haiti, reasons for the US occupation, Part 1 and Part 2



A group calling itself The Committee for the Reimbursement of the Indemnity Money Extorted from Haiti took credit on Friday for an elaborate hoax carried out this week in which an actor pretending to be a spokesperson for the French government announced that France would reimburse Haiti money it was forced to pay in exchange for its independence in the nineteenth century.( Twitter Communiques From Fake French Foreign Ministry on Haiti Hoax)
FAKE VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENT
France Unveils Bastille Day Framework Initiative for Haiti's Reconstruction (English version)

Youtube Video of a person pretending to be a French foreign ministry spokesperson


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Human Rights Lawyer, Èzili Dantò is dedicated to correcting the media lies and colonial narratives about Haiti. An award winning playwright, a performance poet, author and lawyer, Èzili Dantò is founder of the Haitian (more...)
 

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