Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Seitenfus's book looks back at all the main intervention attempts. It also provides us with an excellent and deep insight into Haiti's history and the isolation of a country that dared to free itself from French colonialism and walk the path of independence. Seitenfus not only presents a precise critique of the errors committed there, but also expresses certain apprehension about the future.One of the phrases in his book, as I understand it, should be engraved on Haiti's entrance and read by all who believe are changing Haiti's history: "Here, there is nothing to pacify and everything to build".Seitenfus also makes an assessment of the process of building a new Haiti, the mesh of non-governmental organizations, the fragility of institutions and, most of all, after the earthquake, the religious invasion.Haiti became an open page on which everyone wants to write their epic story or exorcize their ghosts. Yet, what do the Haitian people want? When will they once again be masters of their own destiny?As a foreign official and expert on the country, Seitenfus offers a detailed view of all the mistakes and possible accomplishments of the foreign presence in Haiti.Looking back, even when we both had - to varying degrees - a certain hope in the international cooperation apparatus in Haiti, we could have never imagined that the military forces of the UN, which were supposed to protect the country, would bring to Haiti yet another destructive element: the cholera epidemic.There are many dramatic episodes since Haiti's beginnings. Seitenfus analyzes them with precision and love. Occupation forces, reconstruction forces, savior statesmen like Bill Clinton, American missionaries that come to Haiti with the desire to save the country from an "infernal religion" - they are all sifted through Seitenfus's assessment.Seitenfus was faithful to his options. He immersed himself into Haitian life, deepened his historical and cultural knowledge of the country, and today he offers us a rich and detailed picture of the events.This is a definitive book about the history of Haiti. It is a thorough description of the intervention, made by an international regime that was part of it. However, it is not only that: it is a renewed declaration of love for Haiti and its fascinating people.Fernando GABEIRA (Writer and journalist)"Although it purports to be analytic, what marks this book is the simplicity of a direct narrative and without any embellishment, written with the exclusive intention to contribute to the changes that must occur in the relations between the world and a restless and misunderstood island, which was once considered to be the Pearl of the Antilles.In the event that the reader comes to look for the comfort of her wellbeing with this book, for a thankful pat on the shoulder for what the world contributes to Haiti or for complete formulas for understanding, explaining and resolving the dramas and dilemmas portrayed here, it would be better to stop reading before even starting. From the anxiety over Haiti's daily drama, nothing else could come out but a text made of words that express concern, sensitivity, boldness, unpleasantness, and near desperation. This book was not written to please anyone. Most likely, the vast majority of the institutional actors mentioned here will not appreciate it. Nonetheless, as Camus warns in The Fall, if we were in a democracy, we would all be guilty. This is not the case. In the face of the disaster that is the alleged international cooperation, the criminal collusion within the Haitian elite and the endless suffering by the majority of its people, it is impossible to compromise.This is an engaged testimony, written by someone infused with the tenuous hope that he will contribute to reducing the amount of time needed for the world and Haiti to find another path for their mutual relations; a path that is different from the one they have taken so far." (Ricardo Seitenfus)
Synopsis
Ricardo Seitenfus' Haiti: International Dilemmas and Failures is an important and fascinating book. Seitenfus, a Brazilian academic, was the Special Envoy of the Organization of American States (OAS) to Haiti from 2008 to 2011-a critical period of the country's recent history. He arrived in Port-au-Prince in the aftermath of a series of major political crises that began with the forced departure of then President Aristide in 2004.Seitenfus gives us a most informed, astute, and vivid account of 2010, which he aptly defines as "Haiti's annus horriblis." In fact, his role as the Special Envoy of the OAS to Haiti gave him an insider understanding of the role of the international community in the political economy of Haiti. In addition, he came to know well the Haitian political class, befriending President Preval and Prime Minister Bellerive among others. Clearly, Seitenfus developed a great understanding of the rather byzantine world of Haitian politics. Moreover, he had access to critical information concerning the goals and strategies of the key members of the international community; he participated also in confidential meetings between international and Haitian authorities. He was both observer and participant in the most important forums and organizations that attempted to frame Haiti's complicated and difficult economic and political reconstruction. Seitenfus verdict is clear: the international community failed Haiti. Not only did foreign powers misunderstood the country and portrayed it as more violent than it really was, but their policies weakened an already weak state and privileged foreign NGOs that were ill equipped to deal with Haiti's problems. In other words, foreign assistance ignored Haitian preferences and knowledge, and imposed its own preconceived notions of what the country needed. The result is the transformation of Haiti into a dysfunctional "de facto protectorate under United Nations tutelage." After supporting Preval as the indispensable President of Haiti, the United States and France grew increasingly antagonistic to him and were bent on preventing the election of Preval's handpicked successor, Jude Celestin. In fact, Seitenfus reveals that this antagonism reached the point where the Core Group led by Mulet attempted to remove Preval from office and send him into exile. Had it not been for the intervention of Seitenfus himself, Preval might well have had in Mulet's words "to leave the presidency and abandon Haiti." While the Core group failed to carry this gross and illegal coup, it nonetheless succeeded in creating a process that changed the results of the first round of the presidential elections and opened the way to Martelly's election in the second round. Seitenfus' explosive revelations are of great significance and deserve to be known by a wide audience. In conclusion, Seitenfus has written a provocative and most persuasive and detailed account of the travail of the foreign occupation of Haiti. It will attract a wide audience; "Haitianists," academics and professionals studying international relations, humanitarian interventions, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the UN will be interested in Haiti: International Dilemmas and Failures. The translation is excellent. Seitenfus is not only critical of the foreign community; he has harsh words for the behavior of Haiti's venal political class and predatory elite.Let me reiterate that I believe that Seitenfus has written an important and critical book that will become a must read for anyone interested in Haiti, development, and humanitarian interventions. Seitenfus' book, and I am convinced after rereading it this time in English that it will be a major reference in Haitianist circles for a long time to come. This manuscript, which is an eloquent challenge to the prevailing system of foreign assistance and imperial interference. It is the work of a brave man and real humanist. Robert Fatton Jr