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PETIONVILLE, HAITI -- Through decades of coups, hurricanes, embargoes and economic collapse, members of the wily and powerful business elite of Haiti have learned the art of survival in one of the most chaotic countries on Earth -- and they might come out on top again.
Although Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake destroyed many buildings in Port-au-Prince, it mostly spared homes and businesses up the mountain in the cool, green suburb of Petionville, home to former presidents and senators.
A palace built atop a mountain by the man who runs one of Haiti's biggest lottery games is still standing. New-car dealers, the big importers, the families that control the port -- they all drove through town with their drivers and security men this past weekend. Only a few homes here were destroyed.
"All the nation is feeling this earthquake -- the poor, the middle class and the richest ones," said Erwin Berthold, owner of the Big Star Market in Petionville. "But we did okay here. We have everything cleaned up inside. We are ready to open. We just need some security. So send in the Marines, okay?"
Originally posted by blueorder
why the hell would the US care about Haiti's tiny black elite
Originally posted by Mythtified
Black? As in native Haitian? Then no, not black.
Former american presidents, senators vacation palaces. Rich Jewish families. Rich Arabs. French colonialists. Etc.
And maybe, just maybe the odd Haitian who managed to fluke his way up there.
Originally posted by blueorder
Originally posted by Mythtified
Black? As in native Haitian? Then no, not black.
Former american presidents, senators vacation palaces. Rich Jewish families. Rich Arabs. French colonialists. Etc.
And maybe, just maybe the odd Haitian who managed to fluke his way up there.
no, the elite is pretty much haitian black
"RIch" arabs, french colonialists, jews etc would hardly rush to that basketcase of a country when they could have their pick of countries that actually function like a modern state
"They only give the aid money to the same big families, over and over. So I ask, what is the point? They have given money to these families to help Haiti for 50 years, and look at Haiti. I say the Americans need to make up a new list."
Originally posted by MythtifiedLapdogs... there is corruption everywhere...
Originally posted by Mythtified
The roots of the 3% elite are the French and US occupations. That occupation isn't over. The elite is still owned by the US. Just read Haiti's history. Nothing has changed. It is owned by the big corporations.
Regarding the arabs: en.wikipedia.org...
Originally posted by blueorder
reply to post by Mythtified
I get the gist of what you are saying, but what actual benefits are the US and corporations getting out of Haiti?