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Santo Domingo.- 87 percent of Haitian construction workers don’t have any safety equipment, said  the Jesuit Service for Refugees and Migrants (SJRM), to mark International  Labor Day on May 1.

The data is among the findings of the study "What's real, what's provided and what's desirable," on the conditions of Haitian construction workers in the the Dominican capital.

In a statement, the SJRM said the research, to be released May 27, shows that 62.5 percent of Haitian workers receive no overtimepay, even though 21.4 percent of them were found working between 9 and 11 hours per day, and 38 percent said they work Monday through Sunday.

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55 comment(s)
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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 1 May 2008 4:14 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Complain Complain Complain!!!!! Why dont the jesuit's do the complaining in Haiti where theirs no opportunities for the average haitian. Dominicans themselves are struggling to make end's meet, but these hypocrites jesuits are part of the vatican. Why dont they fund the building of infrastructure in Haiti. When the hypocrite pope visited New York he stayed at a building owned by the vatican allegedly worth $7 million dollars. That shows that the jesuits have no morals to critique anyone under any circumstance.
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Written by: BASTA, 2 May 2008 4:34 AM
From: Dominican Republic, SPM
And Tax Free and oh yeah Remember when it was found out that the Vatican had a great many shares in a Condem factory in Canada.
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Written by: sadat This user is banned, 2 May 2008 7:06 AM
From: Dominican Republic
They get what they deserve! More than half are over here illegally anyway. In my book that waives any rights that they have. They have a goverment, let them figure their own problems out.
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Written by: JabaoHaitian, 2 May 2008 11:02 AM
From: Haiti
Are you guys serious about these absurd and senseless comments? I mean Arcotype, I do understand your concern about dominicans trying to make end meat but we are talking about haitians that work in dangerous environment. This has nothing to do with dominicans making a living rather the safety and exploitation of migrate workers in the DR. I mean should it not be taken into consideration the civil rights of these group of people. I do agree that they must put up or shut up. Alot of hypocrisy going on here. I guess all of the illegal dominican immigrants have not rights and should be exploited. This article isn't about victimization of haitians or slavery rather civil rights violated and companies make a huge profit. I mean doesn't that concern you. You guys love to brag about metro and all these constructions but never realize the workers that contribute to this society. The working conditions of the haitian construction workers should be adress.
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Written by: Lautaro, 2 May 2008 11:20 AM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
These comments reminds me of a thing Juan Bosch once said, jabao, and that thing is that the main difference between Haiti and the DR is that, unlike in the former, in the latter the effects of social strife and conflict has never been experienced, and, as things are standing, it's highly unlikely that this would ever happen, given that the dominican exploited classes, no matter how much they're exploited by the elites, they tend to support and applaud all that these elites do or say, as well as their doctrine of who is a "proper" and "better" dominican (i.e. whatever or whoever that do not remind them that haitians, too, are human beings). So don't go out looking for these posters empathy to those workers' plight, since you'll find none of it. For them, human rights, as constitutions, are only pieces of garbage to be discarded at the first opportunity, because, in the name of their profit, everything is allowed.
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Written by: FranktheTank, 2 May 2008 11:29 AM
From: United Kingdom
Some of the conditions Haitians work under in the Dr are criminal to say the least, but as long as they are seen as the cheap “alternative” I don’t see anything changing.
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Written by: dreadlocks, 2 May 2008 11:57 AM
From: United States
nice stuff, sadat. i wonder how you would respond if a news article surfaced in new york city which addressed inhuman and unsafe conditions for dominicans working there. i am forced to wonder if you would be equally dismissive of the observations!
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Written by: Docpeters, 2 May 2008 12:07 PM
From: United States Virgin Islands
To Sadat: Have you ever heard of international human rights? I support the following organization: http://www.hrw.org/about/whoweare.html .

"Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.
We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law."

I use to live in DR and Haiti and it is very clear that Dominicans do not want Haitians in their country. You are absolutely right when you said that the Haitian government should stop the corruption and help their own people. However, if Haitians were white, blond hair and blue eyes but poor; would you welcome them in your country? Be honest!!!


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Written by: FranktheTank, 2 May 2008 12:17 PM
From: United Kingdom
"if Haitians were white, blond hair and blue eyes but poor; would you welcome them in your country? Be honest!!!"

If that were the case the Haiti would not be in the position it is today. So lets be honest.
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Written by: dreadlocks, 2 May 2008 12:25 PM
From: United States
Frank, every time i read your stuff it gives me hope: at least some people understand reality. keep on posting your great stuff, my brother. maybe if others keep reading, something will sink in, if only by osmosis!
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Written by: JabaoHaitian, 2 May 2008 12:47 PM
From: Haiti
Docpeters, please do not make this a racial issue although FranktheBigTank answered your question. The fact and reality is that Haiti is not a blue eyed country nor majority white. Your are bring something to the table that is irrelevant to this topic. Lets discuss the working conditions of haitian workers in the DR which is the main focus on this subject. And this is from a haitian national.
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Written by: Lautaro, 2 May 2008 1:21 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
If the subject were exclusively racial, docpeters, then one would not see a single haitian national working as construction workers or watchmen in the classy neighbourhoods of Santo Domingo, as it's currently the case. The real issue over here, as Frank and Jabao had marvelously pointed at, is about profits, specially the profits that the elites are reaping from the cheap labour afforded by these inmigrants. I think that one of the failures of international NGO's when analyzing the DR's reality is that they make this analysis almost entirely on racial grounds, not recognizing that there are light skinned dominicans that are poor or dark skinned dominicans that are as rich as their light skinned counterparts (if not more), and also that, in order, for things to advance on the island, the economic balance of power must be restored. In other words, the int. community must stop doing their Pilatus act and start a serious, long standing effort in reconstructing Haiti (cont...).
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Written by: Lautaro, 2 May 2008 1:29 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
(cont...) enough to at least put it on par with its neighbour on socioeconomic terms.
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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 2 May 2008 2:07 PM
From: Dominican Republic
This type of thing happens everywhere in the world low wage pay for undocumented workers is the norm, so docpeters you have a lot of complaining to do. And jabao haitiano these illegals should not be in the D.R. in the first place, the low wages affect dominican's that should be working for good wages. Maybe docpeters you will vouch for dominican workers instead for the illegal haitian workers, as far as the race factor that's irrelavent. Its true that the racial composition of both countries is different also, but more importantly one side of the island is trying to progress with many problems of itself, while the other side is in a limbo of extreme poverty. It dont mean that we should be constantly scrutinized by N.G.O's that work constantly to discredit the host country that's being bombarded by poor uneducated illegals from Haiti. Instead all the criticism should fall upon the haitian (ghost) goverment.
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Written by: Anonymous, 2 May 2008 2:47 PM
From: United States
Arcatype,

The truth hurts, and I believe you made a lot of valid statements. But in all honesty, do you think we live in a world where people want to give people good wages, or do they want to make the most profits. Haitians should not be in the DR in the first place, BUT who wants them there to do the work. See a lot of haitians migrate to DR, but the Dominican Elites are happy with haitians coming over to do work. Haitian Government must step up to the plate to control its country's problem, but unless the dominican elites are willing to pay good wages, u can't blame the haitians and treat them as if they are animals. Haitians are people and should be respected and treated with some respect. One more thing, if the elites or foreigners can't get cheap labor in DR, they will go somewhere else to make their money. If the haitian government was smart it would fix itself, and be the homeland of cheap labor and progress without sending migrants to DR.
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Written by: TexasBill, 2 May 2008 2:51 PM
From: Dominican Republic
arcatype;
I think you have hit the nail on the head.
To many international and local organizations are making a concentrated attempt to place the plight of illegals, both in the DR and in the USA on the host nation governments when the REAL PROBLEM lies with the governments of the illegalsthemselves.
The results is a distorted rendition of "Human Rights" in an atmosphere where the direction of thought is severly distorted by "headline seekers" who really don't give a damn about the victims within the host nations whose jobs and sense of peaceful existance is and has been severly adulterated by their actions.
These organizations are not interested in anything but their own agenda and their own self agrandizement in the immediate timeframe.
They should redirect their efforts into those nations, whose social and economic policies are the very elements the illegals are attemping to escape to begin with.
Fight the REAL CAUSE at it's source.

TB
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Written by: SuperQ, 2 May 2008 3:51 PM
From: Italy
What about the Dominican percentage? as far as I know Dominican and Haitians work in the same conditions when it comes to constructions. but who's caring about it? no one. Haitians in this message board know that we work in the same conditions, the only difference is that Haitians work as hard or probably much harder that we do, for less money! and let's not talk about getting feeded, Hatians work the whole day with a banana in their stomach for lunch. but that's their choise and if things keep going this way, we'll soon be blamed also for that!
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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 2 May 2008 4:46 PM
From: Dominican Republic
This case study is a great read titled The Haitian Dilemma - http://haitipolicy.org/Dilemma.pdf
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Written by: santanar, 2 May 2008 6:17 PM
From: United States
Who wrote this report, this is something that Dominican and the majorities of migrants specially those not having a legal statues endure on a daily basic.
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Written by: YoSoyHispanolano This user is banned, 2 May 2008 6:52 PM
From: United States


To everyone in here I have this question. Do Employees (no matter what the race, origin, gender or orientation may be) not have rights to demands raises, career improvement opportunities and better humane work standards or conditions?
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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 2 May 2008 9:35 PM
From: Dominican Republic
If you are documented you have all the rights as a citizen if you are not documented but illegal, exploitation is something that should not happen but it does happen due to the fact that you are not suppose to be employed. Again goverment needs to sanction these employers this will make it harder for illegals to obtain work. By not having employment the enticement to illegaly migrate becomes null.
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Written by: YoSoyHispanolano This user is banned, 3 May 2008 12:55 AM
From: United States


Now Arcatype granted. However, answer me this. Imagine "you" are an undocumented and have to work and being at the other end where an illegal migrant is; does that rule still applies to "you" as well, that no human right integrity should be preserve for "you" had "you" been in the same situation or predicament?

Imagine "you" had to cross a border to go work and to provide for "your" family; "you" would then, accept any inhumane or unsafe work conditions demanded of "you" simply because "you" are in need of Employment and money for "you" and "your" family to survive?
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Written by: JabaoHaitian, 3 May 2008 10:52 AM
From: Haiti
Arcatype, I understand you point that illegals should be repatriated and deported in a CIVIL matter. The irony I found in you stance is that dominicans are asking for the same rights in the USA and Spain. Dominicans shouldn't be illegal in USA in the first place but the reality is they are and demanding rights. The malls in the TRI-State area are increasing wages..and most are illeglas. I dont want USA to end up like California & Florida..it is ashame how hispanics have brought the american way of living to bars on windows and selling chimichurris on Dyckman and colmados on every corner and dominicans playing dominios outside as if this was santo domingo. I bring this up because this is also a reality of that the american have been coping with. I hope you feel the same with your group of people in the USA and Spain.
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Written by: TexasBill, 3 May 2008 1:01 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I would like to remind everyone that in reference to the"lead sentences" of this article, theoperative words are "safety equipment" and an allusion to wage scale differences between Haitians and Dominicans who perform the same job descriptions.
If you will take the time to do a little research, you will find that is an ongoing situation throughout the world where day-laborers (illegals) are hired to do the jobs available to them in the labor market. This scenario is commonplace world-wide.
The Europeans have been doing this self-same thing for decades to the Moors, the Turks and other immigrant laborers (both legal and illegal) . The US businesses do the same thing to the same groups, have done so for decades also and this will continue to be the case into the far future.
It is a given that business owners will always strive to hire at the lowest possible labor rates since that aspect is always the most costly in any form of production of goods and services.

TB
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 1:08 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
As I said on an earlier article, this double inmigration issue (Haiti to DR and DR to USA) will only end when the US abandons its imperial policy of supporting oligarchic governments on both sides of the island, and instead, allow THE PEOPLE to elect the governmental authorities that they really want, that is, if they don't want the populace to get really fed up and take the matters into their own hands, electing the candidate of their choice, as it happened in Venezuela, or do it violently, as it happened in Cuba and a lot of other places. And before you accuse me of antiamericanism, arcatype, yes, I can't help feeling this way, because the elites do what they do because they feel that the US Army South Command will always cover their backs against encroachments from the populace, a guarantee that have been renewed with the reformation of the Fourth Fleet by the US Navy, using the excuse of the war against drugs of course, and the OEA's "democratic chart", which establishes (cont...)
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 1:10 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
(cont...) that an attack against the established order on any country of the continent is an attack against all of them. In other words, it's a permission to intervene whenever the elites of any country in the continent feels threatened on the safeguard of their interests.
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Written by: TexasBill, 3 May 2008 1:14 PM
From: Dominican Republic
On top of that, business owners are the one who provide you with your clothing, shoes, the manufactured items you would not survive without, the very food on your table.
As such they have the right to make a reasonable profit on their investments and industriousness in doing what they do on your behalf.
None of us like high prices andlow wages for our efforts and we balk against paying for anything that is beyound our financial ability to acquire.
So, when a "foriegner" who is in country without proper authorization and who is undercutting the domestic laborer, we all get a little more than upset over the situation. Then you have some outsider come along and begin a dialogue that is anti-this and anti-that with regard to the manufactured disparagement between legal workers and their illegal counterparts.
Now, I ask you, who is making a mountain out of a mole-hill? Shouldn't these people be speaking to the causes and not the results?

TB
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Written by: TexasBill, 3 May 2008 1:30 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Lautaro;
That's the longest and thebiggest piece of $%it I have ever read on these pages!
You speak in a manner of nonsense that is beneath the comprehension of any knowledgeble individual.
The DR has elections during which THE POEPLE do elect those individuals and parties that they wish to lead them.
The real facts are self-evident; THE PEOPLE simply don't have theknowledge nor the intuitive insight to make any reasonable selection.
The US doesn't run the corrupt political parties nor their incumbents. They do that without any help from any outside elements andthey do it very poorly.
So, don't hand me that $hit about US interference with thebody politic in the DR.
I moved here in 2000 andhave observed the gross incompetance of TWO Administrations whose leaders should be crusified for their crookedness, their gross disregard for individuals, their incompetance in administration of government, etc., etc.
cont'd
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 1:32 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
Then tell me why the heck Ambassador Hertell was seen being so cozy with the Mejia administration in the first place, eh?
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 1:33 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
Or why every single candidate of the system have to go to "La Embajada" on every single bleeding "election"?
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 1:35 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
Would you tell me then that "Operation Power Pack" (or operation power crap more like it) didn't take place, and that the Johnson administration is innocent of making this bleeding "democratic" order a reality in the first place, with all the unpleasantries that this order would unleash upon the country? Please Wild Bill, spare me the insult.
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Written by: TexasBill, 3 May 2008 1:43 PM
From: Dominican Republic
The simple fact is that these political parties have hoodwinked the public into believing their rhetoric since the60's, having taken a page out of Goebel's diary of telling lies often enough so as to make them the truth.
Your reference to the OES status is contrary to thestated mandate of that organization. The OAS is against any "DICTATORSHIPS" such as Cuba's, Ecuador's and Venezuela's. And if you truly believe the crap coming out of Chavez's nasty, bellicose mouth and equally from Ecuador's "leader" as well as Castro's, then you are mentally deficient andshould be hospitalized as a menace to society. All three of the"regimes" you so avidly support are, in fact, supporters of inhumanity to man and their history proves that prema facia. Chavez is the opposite of Simon Bolivar in every aspect of his character and personality. He is nothing but a egomaniac whose repressive actions and industrial nationalizations are synonomous with a destroyer and not a builder.

TB
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 1:46 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
Then why the heck are him, and the Cuban regime, seen to be doing more for Haiti on a short timespan, than all the supposed ¨help¨ that the USAID have given to that beleaguered country in all its existence, if they are as menace to humanity as you like to put them as? In fact, the single fact that there isn't a single political prisoner on Venezuela speaks volumes about the level of democracy seen over there, when the only grave incident that comes to my memory is the closing of a opposition television channel (of the many they have right now), and that closing was made by the book, following all the regulations that the Venezuelan constitution puts for it, and that regulations say clearly that the gov have the choice of not granting the permission. Very much unlike what is happening on the US, were virtually everyone is suspect of being a terrorist and liable to be treated accordingly by the Patriot Act. So forgive me if I do not buy a single thing of what you're saying right now, TB.
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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 3 May 2008 1:58 PM
From: Dominican Republic
TexasBill I agree with your assertion.
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 2:19 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
And, were we to talk about ¨dictatorships¨, then, why the dictatorships on Saudi Arabia and the People´s Republic of China are not being treated by the US with the same hostility and contempt that it holds to the Venezuelan and Cuban regime? Again, the hipocrisy and double standards are evident.
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Written by: dreadlocks, 3 May 2008 3:16 PM
From: United States
Mr Latauro, when you owe Saudi Arabia a few trillion, and you owe china one trillion, you have to treat them with respect. besides, you would not want Saudi Arabia to demand petroleum payment in Euros, would you?
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Written by: JabaoHaitian, 3 May 2008 3:43 PM
From: Haiti
Lautaro, checkmate, I want to see the rebuttal to your last post. I have the time in my hand. TB, I think honestly your are portraying the USA as if they aren't involved indirectly in L. American. It wont take any good USA has about its society. Dreadlock, in Euros..wow, I would see americans construction workers in mexico & canada trying to survive from enormous taxes paying off in Euros. Aractype, sure he is right..I guess one quickly forget where thy come from. If you were in DR im sure you would be singing a different tune. BTW, very silent about my perspective of the illegals in the USA. And don't give me they are doing jobs american don't want to do anyway. Give one to think more b4 talking with emotion and fustration..TB your move.
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Written by: Lautaro, 3 May 2008 4:54 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
Then they need to speak more plainly, mr. dread. I´d respect them more if they´d speak on the same undisguised terms like Teddy Roosevelt used to do on his time, saying things like: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." or "Civilized man can only keep the peace by subduing his barbarian neighbour." or "No triumph of peace is as great as the supreme triumphs of war." As such, I consider that double discourse a cowardly thing, not befitting a country that calls itself the world's only superpower. I´ve been taught that, in order for one to get respect from one´s neighbours on this life, our acts must always been carried in accordance to what we speak, or in default, those acts should be as near to that discourse as one can get. Neither one nor the other seems to be the case on the matter being discussed.
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Written by: YoSoyHispanolano This user is banned, 3 May 2008 11:32 PM
From: United States

Hello guys,

Those two documents are rather about a year or perhaps even two years old. Still, they pertain to today's everyday back and forth discussions, debates and arguments being held in here by both Dominicans and Haitians commonwealths who are still blaming each other regarding the sour relationship between DR and Haiti instead of placing the blames where they truly belong.

http://www.ijdh.org/pdf/RoundupJanuary17-%20232006.pdf

I suggest both Haitians and Dominicans find a way to co-exist even if it means to shut down the border where it would require planes to be able to transport one to either sides of the Island; then of course DR will not blow up that border because why... Oh yeah, they still need Haitians to cross as they are saying at the same time they do not want them to cross and they know Haitians will not stop coming as long as they need money to survive. Here, have a read folks...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0124/p04s01-woam.html

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Written by: TexasBill, 4 May 2008 11:05 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Lautaro;
I'll have to throw the words back at you andremind you that the US has GIVEN other nations TRILLIONS of US$ to nations around the world in DIRECT AID toward the solutions of the problems facing them without threatening them with sabre-rattling words designed to redirect public opinion away from real internal issues in the manner that Chavez and Castro have done in the past as well as in the present.
In addition, you might take a look at those elements of diplomatic endeavor put forth by the US and the European Nations involved in the attempts to stabilize the cauldron of unrest in the Mid-East which have been directly caused by acts of terror against all the inhabitants of that part of the world.
Organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the government of Iran, the government of Syria have been the principal actors in the overt support fomenting that ongoing political and religious unrest.
The last trigger was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait followed by their defeat. CONT'D
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Written by: TexasBill, 4 May 2008 11:17 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The fact that that defeat was not properly handled led to the eventual invasion of Iraq by the then Coalition forces. Religious differences within Iraq, which are centuries old, have been the principal cause of the continuation of hostilities since that took place.
The Al Queida movement precipitated a divided effort as being the focus of military efforts, both in Iraq and Afganastan, with Iran supporting both contra efforts in a covert manner by furnishing military supplies to the insurgents and rebel forces alike.
The fact that the original faulty intelligence is, in part, to blame, is moot at this point. The main focus is now on the Iraqui government to settle it's internal differences politically and establish a stable government supported by all thepolitical and religious elements within that country.
Unfortunately, these internal power struggles are fraught with philosophical differences of religious beliefs which must be solved internally before stability can be achieved.
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Written by: TexasBill, 4 May 2008 11:39 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Blame who you will, but Iraq under Saddam was a case of a majority of the Iraqi population being forcefully surpressed by an inhuman minority party who seemingly took delight in murdering entire segments of their opposition.
While I initially supported GWB for invading Iraq as a humanitarian action to remove an inhumane government, it has become evident that thegovernment if Iraq has followed the same path as did Castro and his revolution against the corrupt government of Bautista in the 60's. You might recall that the US supported Castro initially in that effort until it was evident he was taking advantage of that largess to and for his own agenda of a Communist regime, not only for Cuba, but for the entire Caribbean and Latin America. That's when the US turned against him and still is for that reason.
The same situation applies to the initial support of Saddam and his war with Iran.
It's that old "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing in international relations.

TB
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Written by: ny4life, 4 May 2008 10:33 PM
From: United States, New York, NY
Aractype, I agre with what you have to say. Jabao, I understand that an illegal Haitian needs to have better working conditions but Dominicans are also exposed to the same conditions as well. I mean DR, needs to provide better safety for it's laborers. You have to remember, the DR, is a third world country which is developing. I mean so when a Haitian crosses the border, its like they have crossed into the U.S. where equal opportunity exists regardless of social class. I think that what's what Haitians don't understand. The harsh conditions that they are in and also reflected in the lives of Dominicans. Bitter rival btw both countries doesn't help the cause, it justs exaggerates the situation more than it needs to be. The real problem here is the Haitian gov't is not providing for its people and you know this Jabao and it seems like Haitians there are not fighting for there rights in Haiti but want to do so in DR. I am not for illegal immigration for DR in the U.S.
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Written by: ny4life, 4 May 2008 10:38 PM
From: United States, New York, NY
Illegal Dominicans should not be coming to the U.S. but htat's the Dominican gov't fault for not providing better opportunites for its people. Same situation in Haiti, the gov't has forced its people to migrant in large numbers and the Dominican businessmen are taking advantage of cheap illegal immigrant labor. Illegal immigrants are exploited here in the U.S. they have no rights, are paid under the table, have no insurance, no bank accounts, and no licenses. Mind you the U.S. is a superpower, a 1st world country who has set laws to stem illegal immigration by penalizing employers for hiring illegal immigrants. If the U.S. has these harsh laws for illegals, you can't expect the DR, 3rd world, to have anything better. Illegals should not have the same rights as legals b/c they shouldn't have been there in the first place. The gov'ts in these countries are the ones to be blame. It's the Haitian gov'ts fault for not providing for its people. Haitians need to demand a better quality of
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Written by: ny4life, 4 May 2008 10:41 PM
From: United States, New York, NY
life and the international world has to cooperate with Haiti. The world turn their back on your country Jabao. Now its time to realize that Haiti is in need, stablizing, and willing to turn things around. I hope for Dominicans, Haitians, and for the whole that Haiti gets its act together and turns around for better with aid from the world.
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Written by: Anonymous, 5 May 2008 9:59 AM
From: United States
I couldn't say it any better, ny4life. I definitely agree with what you had to say about illegal immigration. As for the other comments regarding Chavez and Castro, I am not for communism or socialism, but I definitely don't think Castro did a bad job with his country. Everyone have their own opinions, but lautaro i have to agree on your comments. Cuba is doing better than haiti in the short term, by avoiding US influence. At the end of the day, America is a land of opportunity, yet a land that will exploit host countries for its own personal agenda. No matter what is said and done, if a country wants to progress they must let the PEOPLE vote and make decision as oppose to the US
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Written by: YoSoyHispanolano This user is banned, 5 May 2008 1:19 PM
From: United States
I am an American Soldier, but let us imagine me not having the uniform on right and which will allow me to say as a civilian and personally: I am not against Chavez for the way he Governs his Country and how he deals in great respect and collaboration with the rest of his neighboring other Latin-American Countries Communist of Socialist or not. Look at China and other Communist and Socialist Countries America does deal with. America or perhaps some American may be mad at him because he is not bowing to their pressure and to be a puppeteer Government. Thus to say the least, America can be quite hypocritical on who and what Country they want to make or turn into a pariah estate the minute they feel such Country is not participating to the regular path that usually feed into their Greed and ego.
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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 5 May 2008 4:56 PM
From: Dominican Republic
When a country such as China is self sufficient it just tells you what ive been saying already, in the case of China they got everything going on for them an economic super power with drawbacks ofcourse. China is the most populated nation in the world, but it does not lack people that are extremely eager to become progressive and are very disciplined. The U.S. is making plenty of money through China and China is also making money through the U.S. especially in manufacturing since almost all products are being made in China. So China has become the U.S.'s preferable client. Even though it has a terrible human rights record the same with Saudi Arabia both goverments are repressive to their own citizens, welcome to the global economy.
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Written by: TexasBill, 5 May 2008 6:44 PM
From: Dominican Republic
arcatype;

I'm not too sure you are acorrect in your summation, vis-a-vis China andtheUs, including therest oftheworld.
Right now, China has cptured a great deal of the commerce from theUS, but they have also place themselves in an untenable position with relation to the promised quality for delivery. Take a look at all the publicity over the contaminated toys, meats and veggies, breakfast foods, andheasth products.
Their economy has grown exponentially without regard to the safeguards required for other countries to accept their products prema facia. In thebegining, they saddled third world countries such as the DR witha little more than worthless electrical products, ie., exploding lightbulbs, inverters that shorted out after just a few hours operation, and a myriad of other products that just weren't worth the money. And the problen isn't much better today. They continue to ship inferior products worldwide. Eventually it'll all catch up with them, if they don't change.

TB
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Written by: TexasBill, 5 May 2008 6:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic
In adition to that, they have manupilated their currency, keeping it purposefully low andnot allowing it to float as have other countries in the financial world. This manipulation has allowed them to gain tremendous reserves of funds of other country monies. Sooner or later, everyone will begin demending an equalization and a compliance with the existing trade agreements intered into, which China has continued to ignore.
The Chinese are a very industrious people and wish to build lasting co-ventures. They will do so if the government will let things work themselves out in a normal fashion. They are, however intent on maintaining absolute control to the detriment of their industrial base.
From theUS position, if theDemocrats win in November, the entire scenario will dramatically change, especially if Hillary gets the Presidency.
It'll be an entirely different ballgame.
TB


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Written by: arcatype This user is banned, 6 May 2008 11:31 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The chinese manipulated their currency sure the same with the U.S. currency, everything is going up the price of oil has skyrocketted. Inflation is the culprit for the hike on every consumer good after all everything is transported from one place to another, so the cost is passed down to the consumer. But everybody pays the price except the oil companies their making huge profits but guess what, the goverment is imposing huge tax fees on the exxons of the world. But the oil companies are still making bountiful fortunes, the U.S. deficit is huge some economist say $7 trillion dollars other economist say that's been manipulated and say that it is more like $50 trillion dollars a debt impossible to pay. And it's still growing as we speak.
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Written by: dreadlocks, 6 May 2008 2:28 PM
From: United States
actually, the chinese currency is now allowed to float against the basket of world currencies. this happened back in 2001, if i am not mistaken: the exact year might not be correct, but it is happening. they were notorious for undervaluing their yuan, but world outcry forced them to rectify that indiscretion.
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Written by: Lautaro, 6 May 2008 10:25 PM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
Apparently, that point still continues to be a motive of discord, mr. dread, because every time that some kind of trade issue arises between the US and China these days, the first thing that comes into the forefront is the continued practice by the chinese of that underhanded policy. At least that´s the first thing on the headlines of the economic section of the newspapers right now.
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Written by: TexasBill, 6 May 2008 10:44 PM
From: Dominican Republic
What we have all failed to take into consideration is the Chinese philosophy that no matter how long it takes, their policy of Asian domination will eventually be achieved. This is a tenent of their domestic and their foreign policy for hundreds of years, long before Mao Tsi Tung took the country over.
A review of Chinese History will substantiate that primise.
To the Chinese, Occidentals are still "barbarians" and are of no worth or consideration.

TB
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Written by: dreadlocks, 7 May 2008 2:02 PM
From: United States
i agree with you in some degree, Texas Bill. however, the USA and others do not have clean hands here. maybe some of this intent is germinated by the miserable treatment inflicted upon orientals by no lesser lights than the anti-chinaman leagues of the united states. i guess they see in their chronological binoculars, a day in which they can return the favors doled out to them by caucasians. sadly, the day is fast approaching. they are joining forces with india, and between them they will encompass half of the world´s population. these two countries see them selves as having scores to settle. when the time comes, they are going to take a giant dump on the West!
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