Despite approaching its 2004 bicentennial of nominal independence, Haiti today remains economically dependent on formerly colonial and presently imperialist powers and hence open, if not obedient, to foreign dictates and meddling. The bicephalous ruling class which emerged after the 1804 revolution - composed of a comprador bourgeoisie and the land-owning "grandons" - continues to dominate economic and political life. It is largely responsible for the country's severe underdevelopment, ecological crisis, and stunted political institutions.
This is the dire state of affairs addressed by the 5th Congress of the National Popular Party (PPN) held at the Polyvalent Formation Center in Croix-des-Bouquets, just north of the capital city Port-au-Prince from Mar. 28-30.
The PPN emerged in 1999 when the National Popular Assembly (APN), one of Haiti's leading popular organizations founded in March 1987 after the fall of Jean-Claude Duvalier, converted itself into a party at its 4th Congress held at the Domaine Idéale in the capital's Carrefour neighborhood (see Haïti Progrès, Vol. 17, No. 3, 3/31/99). PPN national congresses are held every four years.
Some 600 PPN delegates from all corners of Haiti gathered on Duvalier's former ranch - today a sports training camp - following a giant march through the capital on Mar. 27 by 3000 PPN militants, joined by over 500 other demonstrators, to protest U.S. meddling in Haiti and the Iraq war (see Haïti Progrès, Vol. 21, No. 3, 4/2/03).
The opening ceremonies on the morning of Mar. 28 were attended by such invitees as Cuba's Ambassador to Haïti, Rolando Antonio Gomez Gonzalez, the permanent representative of China's Commercial Development Office in Haïti, Zhang Boqing, Haitian progressive activist Lionel Vieux, and representatives of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party, Jonas Petit, Annette "Sò Ann" Auguste, and Wilfrid Lavaud.
Also taking part was an international delegation which included Pat Chin of the Workers World Party (United States), Johnny Stevens representing International A.N.S.W.E.R, the International Action Center, and People's Video Network, Kim Ives of the Haiti Support Network, Frantz Delva of the Miami Support Committee for the PPN, and Katharine Kean of Crowing Rooster Arts.
Most of the Congress's proceedings took place in a large airy hall decorated with bunting, banners, and balloons as well as rainbow colored flags from Italy emblazoned with the word "PACE" (Peace). Images of Haitian independence leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Cuban revolutionary heroes Fidel Castro and Che Guevara also covered the walls, while both Haitian and Cuban flags decorated the podium. "We see Cuba as a model," said PPN Secretary General Ben Dupuy in opening remarks. "It is a country where people have the possibility to develop their capacity. Since the Cuban people carried out their revolution, the society has been transformed and has achieved miracles in social development, education and health-care."
During the three days of the Congress, delegates elected regional representatives to the PPN's Central Committee, which in turn meets to select the seven members of the party's governing Political Bureau. Some by-laws were amended, and lively work-shops debated themes such as "tactical alliances in the political fight," "2004: second independence," and "the international situation: false friends - true friends." In the work-shops and plenaries, Haiti's complex political problems were discussed and resolutions adopted.
"The class struggle in Haitian society is sharpening," said PPN's Under Secretary General Evariste Wilson reading from the Congress's final declaration on Mar. 30. The bourgeoisie and "grandons" seek to "bar the road to popular movements" and "violate the people's right to freely elect their leaders" using "the reactionary big media's propaganda and disinformation" and "the inflationary problems linked to the price rise in petroleum products to try to whip up the population and create a climate of disorder and anarchy."
"The macouto-bourgeois alliance has no other objective than to provoke a foreign military occupation so as to replace the government," Wilson read, "because, it is clear that it is incapable of making the people rise up against the government."
While criticizing Aristide for lack of firmness and resolve in defending popular demands and Haitian sovereignty, the PPN reiterated its defense of the government's legitimacy in the face of the Washington-backed opposition's subversion. "Despite whatever differences we might have with the Fanmi Lavalas on how to steer the ship of state, we will never join the ranks of traitors (Conzés) which make up the macouto-bourgeois alliance," the final resolution said.
The PPN Congress also condemned the Washington's war against Iraq, terrorist attacks and embargo against Cuba, and destabilization campaign against Hugo Chavez's government in Venezuela.
On Saturday night, delegates clapped and laughed with glee as video footage of the Mar. 27th march was projected in the main hall. During the closing ceremonies a PPN musical collective performed as did an all-women chorale group led by "Sò Ann."
The final plenary the Congress was honored with a speech from Ricardo Garcia, a member of the Cuban Communist Party's central committee. Other members of the international delegation also addressed the PPN delegates.
"We are in a difficult and confusing period in Haiti," said Dupuy. "Both the Mar. 27 march and the Congress have been great successes which have strengthened our militants, encouraged our sympathizers, and helped transmit our message and goals. We will continue our struggle with even greater clarity and conviction."
