CIDA: Foreign Aid in Name Only?
Mon, 2007-10-08 16:56
#1
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
CIDA: Foreign Aid in Name Only?
Mon, 2007-10-08 16:56
#2
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
[url=http://www.rabble.ca/news_full_story.shtml?sh_itm=945e32c2830c397699ab04... here[/url]
My compliments to Yves Engler for this important article - and to rabble.ca for publishing it.
It got me thinking: between increased 'aid' to Haiti and to Afghanistan, is Canada providing any substantial aid elsewhere in the world at this point? Have we completely abandoned our once-traditional role of good samaritan to the third world?
Yes, I am aware there was a great deal of delusion to this self-image, but it was strongly-held, and rather cherished.
Mon, 2007-10-08 17:31
#3
So, the Haitian police are brutal, militarised and unprofessional? Eleven of the top twelve officers are former military men?
(though, keep in mind, while the head of police was appointed under the interim government - these individuals would have attained their posts under Aristide's government)
So, exactly why [i]shouldn't[/i] Canada be contributing $25 million to train a proper police force?
Or is this just yet another case of poor Mr. Engler not having anything sensible to complain about?
Mon, 2007-10-08 17:41
#4
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
quote:
(though, keep in mind, while the head of police was appointed under the interim government - these individuals would have attained their posts under Aristide's government)
That's a rather interesting assumption. Mind telling us where it comes from?
Mon, 2007-10-08 17:47
#5
The problem in Haiti and other countries where an elite few have been running the show for many years is a problem which tends to remain when real people's revolution is delayed or deferred by superficial democratic reforms. The American mafia and CIA want to use Cuba and Haiti as conduits for drugs into the U.S. and parts elsewhere just like old times.
Mon, 2007-10-08 17:51
#6
quote:
Originally posted by Lard Tunderin' Jeezus:
[b]That's a rather interesting assumption. Mind telling us where it comes from?[/b]
Engler only makes the effort to point out that the head of police was appointed in recent years. I'd assume that if the downfall of Aristide ushered in a general changing of the guard, as it were, amongst the top ranks of the police (of which 11 of 12 are former military men), he'd be sure to point this out, and would most assuredly lay the blame at Canada's feet. But he doesn't.
But that was only a minor speculation on my part and not at all central to my point:
Seriously - if the police are as lousy as Engler says they are, why it is such a bad thing that Canada, and CIDA, is putting $25 million towards a new police academy to train a proper police force?
Mon, 2007-10-08 19:30
#7
I wonder what the burn rate is for administering the lack of aid by CIDA?
Although they accomplish nothing,I'll wager they still manage to piss away millions to support their do-nothing attitude.
Mon, 2007-10-08 20:10
#8
quote:
Originally posted by Free_Radical:
[b]
Engler only makes the effort to point out that the head of police was appointed in recent years. I'd assume that if the downfall of Aristide ushered in a general changing of the guard, as it were, amongst the top ranks of the police (of which 11 of 12 are former military men), he'd be sure to point this out, and would most assuredly lay the blame at Canada's feet. But he doesn't[/b]
What Engler did say in 2005 that several Quebec unions received CIDA money for work in Haiti at the start of the decade. They proceeded to criticize Aristide for his "anti-unionism" and said that Aristide must go as part of the solution. These same union organizations working in Haiti have been silent on the much more anti-union activities and police brutality of the current government with the support of the HNP.
If HNP was very anti Aristide before, what makes you think they are not now that Aristide has been removed from power by the CIA and with Ottawa's help?