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Haiti's
independence is one of Africa's prides: The environment minister
of South Africa sets the tone.
By: Nicole Siméon, Panos Institute
Nairobi, 7 February 2003 (Panos). Haiti and
South Africa may both be located in their own hemisphere, but there
are similarities in their realities, with regard to health, to the
economy as well as to history. These two countries should get to
know each other better.
The high rate of HIV/AIDS in the two countries, as well as the
enormous poverty in which the majority of the two peoples live are
the most notorious parallels.
Met in the scope of the 22nd Ministerial Forum of UNEP, in Nairobi,
the Minister of the Environment and Tourism of South Africa, Mr.
Mohamed Valli Moosa, did not hide his pride and admiration with
regard to Haiti's history. The celebration of the bicentennial of
Haiti's independence in 2004 will be an opportunity for his government
to attest to this admiration, he said.
"In 2004, Haiti will celebrate its 200th anniversary, the
independence of the first black republic of the world! This is very
important for South Africa and for the entire African continent,
because the Haitians were the first to rebel against a system of
abuse and repression. In the same way, the end of apartheid in South
Africa has meaning for the independence of all of Africa, because
this country has been the last African colony, and as such it has
marked the end of African colonization."
"In 2004, South Africa wishes to join Haiti in this unique
celebration, because at the same time, we celebrate the 10th anniversary
of democracy." According to the South-African Minister the
two histories are linked, and in this period of rebirth, it is important
that these relations between the two countries will not be lost.
The South-African government means to put an action plan in place
to make this project for 2004 happen, Minister Moosa said.
While the Minister did not want to pronounce himself about the
present situation of Haiti, he said that one thing is certain: One
cannot divorce the environment from development and these two are
also closely linked to poverty. "The eradication of poverty
and sustainable development walk hand in hand with the protection
of the environment. For this reason, nowadays all developing countries
need to fight for the environment," he expressed.
However, while the Haitian government puts all its energy in the
celebration of the bicentennial and while there is no doubt that
many people around the world do mind "2004", Haiti's reputation
in the world remains "the worst state of the environment in
the Caribbean."
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