Guardian letter: Haiti needs the world's support

In an open letter to the Guardian newspaper political activist Noam Chomsky along with Tariq Ali, Slavoj Žižek and others have called on the US, Canada and France to resist interfering in Haiti’s democratic process.

The letter explains that the coming challenge to rebuild the country and its economy should be led by the people of Haiti and serves their interests first and foremost. Adding a note of caution of the role played in removing from power previous Haitian governments the letter goes on to say that;

“In recent weeks, the US and its proxies have brazenly interfered in the interpretation of this election's first round of results. The flawed November vote was not only inconclusive and unrepresentative; its outcome was also unlawful. If the second round of these elections goes ahead as planned on 20 March, it is now sure to result in the unconstitutional selection of a president with closer ties to the powers that sponsored and manipulated them than to the people meant to participate in them.

At the same time, the powers that dominate Haiti have facilitated the return of the former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier while discouraging the return of the twice-elected president (and Fanmi Lavalas leader) Jean-Bertrand Aristide. These powers, with their allies in the Haitian business community, have made it clear that they seek to delay Aristide's return until after 20 March. They will only allow Aristide to return after a suitably pliant new government has been installed, to preside over the imminent reconstruction process.”

You can read the full list of signatories here.