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Haiti - Politic : Daniel Gérard Rouzier answers to the questions of Michel Martelly

In a special broadcast on the national television (TNH), Daniel Gérard Rouzier has answered to the questions of President Michel Martelly. We reproduce some important parts of this interview, where the Prime Minister-designate, unveils a little more his personality and his role as a possible future Prime Minister of Haiti.

Michel Martelly : "Daniel I would like that you explain to me, I know your love for the country but I note that you've very hesitant, you took 3-4 months before you accept this post, why?

Daniel Gérard Rouzier : ...For me, participating in the government, assuming the role of Prime Minister is a vocation, a role that is almost the role that is entrusted to a priest or a pastor, a role where he helps, where he will help a population to escape a difficult situation in which it is... This post requires a lot of sacrifice and I did not knew, if I had inside me all the strength and the courage needed [...] the Good Lord has blessed me beyond my best hopes, I am a person who has built businesses, but to serve on your side, I must submit my resignation from all these companies, what I did. I must also give my resignation, of an institution that is close to my heart, the NGO "Food for the Poor", where I received my faith life, alongside the people... I also have a U.S. residency card, as I studied outside, I lived 8 years to the United States. When I returned to Haiti, I had almost 26 years, therefore I'm in the country for nearly 24 years and I'm working, but I have a residency card, that I must also give back.

There are also my family who unfortunately [...] lives outside the country due to the kidnapping of my wife, on December 30, 2005... When, after 10 days, the kidnappers have released my wife alive, she was not mentally fit, she was forced to leave the country and she is currently in therapy with my children. We are trying of rebuild our lives, our home, I am married to my wife for 25 years. With this post, I will be obliged less to see my family, because I will not be able to travel as much [...] I wasn't sure that I would have the strength and the courage to do as many sacrifices. It's your persistence... the dream that you sold me [...] you made me realize the responsibility that I had, not only in relation with you [...] but especially in relation to God and in relation with the people who expect change. [...] This is to help you achieve the promises you made with them [...] that I am here with you today.

[...] one thing that is very clear [...] you asked me to become Prime Minister of a Government that wishes that there have fewer NGOs in the country [...] and me, as Chairman of the Board of "Food for the Poor", from which I'm going to resign, as I told you, when I took office I said that my first mission was to eliminate this NGO of Haiti [...], we can not make it disappear overnight because there are people who need it to eat, to have a house ... But under your direction, under your leadership we will build a country where there will be less and less need for "Food for the Poor" or that any other NGOs may need to settle in Haiti.

Michel Martelly : How do you conceive the way to accompany me, to allow me to turn my promises into realities ? [...] I have promised... I have promised to the people... Today, you are designated, but when you will be appointed as Prime Minister, you will be the Chief of the Government [...] It is you who will ensure that what I promised, occurs or not. Which are your plans ? [...] What will you do ? today what are the promises that you make me, before the Nation, because me I made promises, that's why they elected me [...] Now how will you bring results to the people ?

Daniel Gérard Rouzier : ...the first thing [...] you explained to me clearly what you wanted for the people, you have a program with four "E" (in french) : Education, Environment, Rule of law and Job my role is to implement an economic program that will ensure that we will deliver these four points. We have, as you know, a team that works tirelessly for almost 15 hours a day, so we have roadmaps for the economy, health, foreign affairs, law, police, armed forces , social security and we will include them in the economic platform that we build for you.

We also identify the resources that will enable us to find the money to fulfill the promises you make. I know that the task will not be easy because there are many things to do, but at the same time, I know that with the will that you have, that I have, with the knowledge that we have, the will of the people to work, to create wealth [...] so that your program can be completed. But there will be sacrifices, sacrifices that you have already started doing, that I'm ready to do and that the people will also have to do, in order to find all the resources necessary to implement this program as soon as possible.

Michel Martelly :... You have a tendency to put people into confidence, people are reassured when he sees you and I think that the private sector business in Haiti is also assured. Why these financial institutions see you in a positive light ? Is it because you've already done business with them ? How do you feel the business sectors and what is your final word ?

Daniel Gérard Rouzier :... We built a power station in Cite Soleil, a projet of $59 million, 14 million dollars raised from 58 investors and for the balance, some international financial institutions have put the money at our disposal. We are accustomed to work with these institutions, we know what they want to hear, what behavior we must have for they feel that the person in front of it, is responsible, is a person who knows what is a commitment, a person in whom they can trust. In that sense, I am accustomed to find large loans already, for my own business and I honor them [...] whether at national or international level I think I have a reputation that speaks for itself and this reputation wants that I am a person that respects its commitments [...]

For the final word, I want say you thank you, thank you to trust me and give me a position as important, I want that you know, that I will do my possible to not be unworthy of that trust. I want people to know that in front of it, there is a person who really faith, with an attitude essentially Judeo Christian, that I understand the divine responsibility which is into my hands and I assume it. I think being able to carry out this task to good port, in order to fulfill the desires of the population, the desire to see a better country for its children, a dream where all Haitian parents can raise their children in dignity..."

HL/ HaitiLibre