Haitian candidate campaigns for local support
Jeune among 32 who are running for the presidency
By Yolanda Sanchez
Staff Writer
Posted October 9 2005
Pembroke Pines � The campaign to succeed ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide made its way to South Florida on Saturday, with one of 32 presidential
candidates visiting a small restaurant to speak to potential supporters.
Jean Chavannes Jeune was at the Marabou Caf� to speak with about 50 Haitians
about his presidential platform.
It's not the first time a Haitian presidential candidate has appealed to South
Florida Haitians, highlighting the importance of the Haitian diaspora in the
region.
Candidate Charles Henry Baker, running as an independent, spoke Oct. 1
at the Marabou Caf�, and several other candidates have made similar appearances
in South Florida.
Though Haitian expatriates are not allowed to vote, many
support candidates financially and can influence the opinions of family members
in Haiti.
"Twenty five percent of the Haitian people are in the diaspora," said Jeune.
"I
need to hear about their complaints and what they would like to see in Haiti.
I
want to show them my vision and see how ...
to attract them to come back."
Jeune said that Haiti's wealth is tied to the 2.5 million Haitians who live
abroad.
Eustaches Cella, a teacher at Southside Elementary in Miami, was ready with his
questions for Jeune.
Cella left Haiti in 1986, but keeps in contact with friends
and family.
He said that his opinion on which candidate to choose is important
to his family, even though he himself cannot vote.
"I want to know what he has in his baggage, what his agenda is and what he can
offer my people," said Cella.
"As a country [Haiti needs] basic things, but
right now there is not infrastructure, no sanitation.
We are all working to see
it change."
Many South Florida Haitians share a vision of a better Haiti to which they may
eventually return.
Rose Marcelin of Pembroke Pines, had visited Haiti often since leaving in 1981,
but has not visited in the past two years.
"We want the country to change," said Marcelin.
"We are mad at these people who
are in Haiti that are supposed to run the country properly but don't."
Jeune, who is with the National Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti political
party, said he wants to form a government of unity.
"I do not think one sector can run the country alone," he said, adding that he
will use Nelson Mandela's work in South Africa as an example.
From Miami, Jeune will go to New York and then return to Haiti on Monday, where
official presidential campaigns will begin.
Local and national elections are
scheduled to take place in November, and officials will take office in January
and February of 2006.
Yolanda Sanchez can be reached at ysanchez@...
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