Legislative

Haiti: Two Members of Government "Confirmed" to have Foreign Nationality

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) – The special senate commission reviewing the nationalities of members of the executive government have so far confirmed two (2) officials to be of foreign nationality. The commission says it intends to travel to other nations to continue the investigation.

No identities were given as to who the two government officials holding foreign nationality are but the chairman of the special commission, Senator Joseph Lambert (Sud-Est/Inite), said the two were verified and confirmed to have other nationalities.

Lambert says he would like the investigation to proceed more rapidly but the President of the Republic, Michel Martelly and members of his government have not forwarded their passports to the commission.

Members of the commission are expected to travel to other countries said the commission chairman. These locations include, Latin America, North America and Europe.

The commission is looking for more precision for two of the members of government, Jean Claude Francois, Secretary of State for Higher Education and Paul Antoine Adrien of Sports. Both officials would have dozens of duplicate names in the immigration system. Chairman Lambert says this does not mean these individuals have foreign nationality.

The chairman also informed the press that there would be two seats changed within the commission. Senate President, Simon Desras (Centre/Lavni), stepped down from the investigation as he is the speaker of the house.

Senator Moise Jean-Charles (Nord/Inite) will also step down. According to Lambert, the accuser cannot serve in his commission. For his part, Senator Jean-Charles says he will accompany the commission and travel abroad with them.

Senator Jean Baptiste Bien-Aime and Wesner Polycarpe will take the two vacant seats.

Senator Jean-Charles maintains that the Head of State has citizenship in the United States and Italy.