Executive Videos

Altercation between PM-Pick, Garry Conille and Chief of Staff, Thierry Mayard-Paul, Explained

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Dr. Garry Conille has been active in the field of Haitian politics since his official designation for Prime Minister. He has engaged in negotiations with members of parliament, interest groups and various sectors.

Conille has even increased his contacts with members of the legislative opposition to President Michel Martelly, particularly the group of 16 senators who opposed the president's previous choice for prime minister. It is on this point that political pundits believe an altercation between the Prime Minister designate and members of the president's cabinet came to being.

Working hard to ensure a broad consensus in parliament for his ratification, disturbed the very close circle of cabinet members and friends of the Head of State. The close friends of the president are leery, especially of the majority group of 16 in the Senate, who they believe to be so vindictive and so inclined to do battle with the new administration that "dealings" between the prime minister and this group has raised their eyebrows.

News sources have heard that members of the cabinet have tried to discourage these negotiations and on Saturday, it was learned that matters had escalated to a verbal 'violent altercation' between the President's Chief of Staff, Mr. Thierry Mayard-Paul and the Prime Minister-designate, Dr. Garry Conille.

Up until now it is only a rumor, neither refuted or confirmed by either party that Mayard-Paul had presented to Dr. Conille an undated letter of resignation prepared by Mayard-Paul who believes that he, Conille, is a stranger in the team and cannot be guaranteed to remain in the control of the president.

It was rumored that Dr. Conille would have threatened to remove himself from the candidacy for prime minister before signing a letter of resignation, undated to be used as a safety valve for the Head of the State.

With rumors persistent through the weekend and even unto the early hours of Monday morning, Dr. Garry Conille spoke live on Radio Vision 2000 where he said "it was never my intention to withdraw my candidacy for Prime Minister."

In the early morning broadcast, Dr. Conille also said that "in all my talks with parliamentarians, with groups in the senate, not once did any of them say 'for me to approve you, you must give me this, or for me to approve you, you must give me that.' Our discussions were on sharing the responsibilities of managing this government and where we all would like to take the country."

Ratification Status

Dr. Conille still faces challenges due to his residency, which in the past 5 years had not been in Haiti consecutively, as prescribed by the constitution. A debate on whether a UN Official should enjoy the same privileges as a state diplomat is ongoing but may not even provide a loop hole for circumventing ARTICLE 157 of the Constitution of 1987.

Parliamentarians are moreover pleased with Dr. Garry Conille's candidature and many, including Senator from the Ouest, Steven Benoit, have given advance confidence that they would approve ratifying the 3rd choice of President Michel Martelly given that his documents are in order with the commission review that is currently ongoing.

Related 09.11.2011: 'Violent Altercation' between Prime Minister-designate Garry Conille and Presidential Advisers
Related 09.11.2011: Chairman of the Bar Says PM-Pick Garry Conille is Constitutional
Related 09.09.2011: Manigat on Garry Conille: UN Official Not Same as Diplomat
Related 09.08.2011: Martelly Admits Prime Minister Pick Has Not Resided in Haiti for Past 5 Years
Related 09.06.2011: Legislative Commission Requests to Verify Documents of Garry Conille
Related 09.05.2011: Dr. Garry Conille Designated to be Next Prime Minister of Haiti
Related 09.03.2011: Sen. Anacacis Promises to Vote Against PM Conille for Failing to Meet Constitutional Requirements
Source: InfoHaiti.net , Radio Vision 2000