Presidential

Martelly Admits Prime Minister Pick Has Not Resided in Haiti for Past 5 Years

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - The whole debate is now on the fifth item of Article 157 of the Constitution regulating that the Prime Minister of Haiti must "reside in the country for five (5) consecutive years." According to the President of the Republic, he took the advice of his legal team on the issue before the appointment of Garry Conille.

The title of this article was changed from "Martelly Admits Prime Minister Pick Does Not Meet Constitutional Requirements" to "Martelly Admits Prime Minister Pick Has Not Resided in Haiti for Past 5 Years". - The Editor

"The fact that he has not resided in Haiti for the past five years, is not a hidden history," said President Michel Martelly on Tuesday, referring his prime minister designate. "Everyone knows he is a Haitian citizen who works at the United Nations," the president argued at the National Palace during a ceremony to present ten new departmental delegates.

According to the Head of State, the arguments of his legal team state that laws that talk about the situation of Garry Conille, he pays taxes to the United Nations for Haiti, said Mr. Martelly.

"Every time it's I who make the choice. That may be why they have a particular profile..." "You can make discussions about this or we can say that it is time the country starts. No more small discords, the petty squabbles, and we must advance! It is time to stop playing, gentlemen..." fumed Michael Martelly.

"It's because things are hard I choose people capable, competent experts. I have family and friends. I am on my third prime minister designate. You've never seen me choose family members or someone close to me. What does that mean? This means that I do not need someone who can give me 10 million or 100 million. I need someone who can help me to implement my policy of revival for the economy of Haiti, free education, agricultural recovery, health for the people," the president spoke in a 'resolute tone'.

In the Chamber of Deputies, the Committee to examine the records of Dr. Conille has already formed and it is chaired by Deputy Levaillant Louis-Jeune.

The commission was formed to analyze the issue of Prime Minister-designate. It consists of deputies, Woms Périlus, Jean-Baptiste Lamarre Rene Lochard and GPR for the block. CPR for the group, members Descolines Abel and Benoit Laguerre. PDP Group has appointed two of his side: Ronal Jean Pierre Oscar and Wanique. MP Ruffine Labbé is a member of the commission.

According to the president of the block GPR majority in the House of Deputies, given the fact that the members go on vacation Monday, September 12, the special commission shall submit its report the same day noon and the voting session of the report will take place.

"I think that at the latest by Thursday Garry Conille submit his documents to the commission that will work day and night," said Deputy Alexis Tolbert.

"At the GPR we recognize that we must give the country a prime minister. This is no time for tactics," said the parliamentarians, who seemed rather favorable to the choice of Garry Conille.

Constitution of Haiti 1987
ARTICLE 135-1:
Before taking office, the President of the Republic shall take the following oath before the National Assembly: "I swear before God and the Nation faithfully to observe and enforce the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, to respect and cause to be respected the rights of the Haitian people, to work for the greatness of the country, and to maintain the nation's independence and the integrity of its territory".

ARTICLE 157.5:
To be appointed Prime Minister, a person must have resided in the county for five (5) consecutive years.

Related 09.07.2011: Legislative Commission Requests to Verify Documents of Garry Conille
Related 09.06.2011: Sen. Anacacis Promises to Vote Against PM Conille for Failing to Meet Constitutional Requirements
Related 09.06.2011: Dr. Garry Conille Designated to be Next Prime Minister of Haiti
Related 09.02.2011: Parliamentarians Say Second Possibility for Prime minister is Wilson Laleau
Related 09.02.2011: Pending Prime Minister Designation, Garry Conille Faces Residency Questions
Related 07.05.2011: Bernard H. Gousse, Designated to Next Prime Minister of Haiti
Related 05.16.2011: Martelly Chooses Daniel-Gérard Rouzier to be Prime Minister
Source: Le Nouvelliste , Constitution of Haiti