Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier
Geneva.– The Swiss government agreed to freeze accounts in UBS banks of former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier following a request by two Haitian plaintiffs, a report said this week.
"We obtained the sequestration of the funds in Basel (Switzerland) in early January," Mark Henzelin, lawyer for the two plaintiffs –a priest and a taxi driver– told the Swiss ATS news agency.
Persecuted under the Duvalier regime, the two had obtained an injunction from a Swiss court and then a temporary government extension of the freeze.
They are trying to have a 1988 US court ruling –which ordered the Duvaliers to pay them 1.75 million dollars in damages– recognised in Switzerland.
Following a request by Haiti President Rene Preval, the Swiss government separately extended in August a freeze for another year of some 7.6 million Swiss francs in all Swiss bank accounts belonging to Duvalier, who lives in France.
"Baby Doc" Duvalier and his followers have been accused by Haiti's government of siphoning off state funds during their reign.
But the case been on hold for years over the failure of Haitian authorities to put together a legal case before Swiss courts to retrieve the money.
Written by: josean, 9 Feb 2008 10:31 AM
From: United States
Could "Baby Doc Balaguer", i.e. Lió-nel Fernandez be next?
Written by: Lautaro, 9 Feb 2008 11:21 AM
From: Brazil, near Copacabana
I seriously doubt so, mr. josean. Maybe if he found himself out of power and in exile there could be a chance, and even so the chances would be slim, didn't you see the struggle that the spanish courts went through with Pinochet?
From: Dominican Republic
josean;
While you are very interested in Leonel, perhaps you should also cast your allegations in the direction of Hipolito.
There has been a great deal of speculation about the wealth and increased real estate holdings of that former president of the DR who was directly responsible for the economic meltdown of the Dominican Economy during his tenure in office.
While there have been many allegations against Leonel, he has, at a minimum, reinstated the International atmosphere of economic stability, progress (irrespective of the Metro) in the infrastructural arena and elevated the economic indicators so necessary for continued progress.
That he has failed to elevate the educational prospects of the country is, however , significant. many of his electoral promises have been in limbo as we all know and his Administration has as many scandals as Hipolito's, but not of the magnitude of Hipolito's tenure.
Balance the positive with the negative.
TB
Written by: josean, 9 Feb 2008 2:22 PM
From: United States
error see below
Written by: josean, 9 Feb 2008 2:26 PM
From: United States
Bill,
You should not fall in the trap of assuming that when one is critizing Lio-nel, one is exonerating Hipolito. Lio-nel has been in power for almost 8 non-consecutive years. He and his band have hollered to the high heavens that Hipolito and his band are ignorant peasents and they could do better. However he has allied himself with the most criminal ellements of the past.
His "drug zar" Vincho Castillo is defending the band of criminals who according to public opinion where in cahoots with Hipolito and his band which caused the banking crisis.
You see Hipolito is water over the bridge Lio-nel and his sticky finger group is in power NOW, to focus on the past is the trick used to divert from the present.
The bucks stops with those who are in power now they sold the public on they could do better when they do not they revert to the maladies of the past administration to justify their faults.
As a matter of fact if this statement is true:
Continued:
Written by: josean, 9 Feb 2008 2:27 PM
From: United States
"There has been a great deal of speculation about the wealth and increased real estate holdings of that former president of the DR who was directly responsible for the economic meltdown of the Dominican Economy during his tenure in office."
then Lio-nel the cowboy with the white hat, should initiate and investigation immediately into Hipolito's wealth, he has had close to four years to do so.
I wonder why he has not done so? Hum!
Written by: ny4life, 9 Feb 2008 3:33 PM
From: United States, New York, NY
Politics, we all know it. It's not just in DR, it's all over the world.
From: Dominican Republic
josean;
I think you have missed the point of my post entirely.
The objective was to ellicit an objective response to your posting, nota continuation of your vitrolic innuendos. if you had REALLY read my posting, you would have sen the underlying opening offered, but you either totally ignored that or didn't understand what the post was all about.
While we may, in truthful indignation, deplore the manifestations of thepresent Administration, we can't ignore those of the past (not just Hipolito's) and their impact on thepolitical leaningswe see daily.
The Governmental system in the DR is broken in that it has come to represent a segment of society we call "Politicians" who promulgate laws that benefit them and virtually none other in this "Republic(??)".
Look at the legislative actions of the past and tell me which laws voted upon have been FOR the benefit of the populace?
Have there been any which increase the educational endeavors, of increasing the healthcare capabilities--
From: Dominican Republic
of creating a better infrastructure through better highways, electrical distribution, pure water distribution and effective sewage decontamination and disposal, instigation of sanitary landfills which seperate and recycle the various contaminants such as plastics, metals, paper and foodstuffs. The latter is very important in that such couldbeused, alongwith the remnents of the sewage disposal to create a full range of fertilizers for the farmers whose costs of imported fertilizer s is very high. There are many ways in which thegovernments could assist the agricultural industry in increasing its production and quality of products if they would only take those steps or mandate them. All it takes is thehiring of competent people and giving them the tools with which to work to proceed solving theills which beset their industry.
Holding all this back is the incipient corruption which is endemic to the culture of politicians which feed at the trough of the public treasury.
TB
Written by: josean, 9 Feb 2008 5:25 PM
From: United States
You are absolutely correct Bill, I missed your point on both postings!
I suppose this does not qualify as "vitrolic innuendos:"
"There has been a great deal of speculation about the wealth and increased real estate holdings of that former president of the DR who was directly responsible for the economic meltdown of the Dominican Economy during his tenure in office."
Maybe a little bit more weighted towards innuendo than vitrol!
From: Spain
I think what we all need to know is that it is not about 1 person specific in DR's corruption some other government officals have been involved.
From: Dominican Republic
Puerto Rican;
You areabsolutely correct in your statement.
The ENTIRE Political System in the DR is corrupt to the core. From the manner in which the candidates are selected BY THE INDIVIDUAL PARTIES and NOT by the constituents which they are supposed to represent. These candidates are selected by the party to represent the party and none other. Thenthe parties have the audacity to state that the DR is a Democracy.
IN A PIGS EYE!!
If these people had even a shred of common decency, they would change the way things are done and takethiscountry into an era of TRUE DEMOCRACY. Insteas, they blatantly pass out food, money and "tin roofs" in addition to "botellos" in their quest for votes. They have reduced the population to the role of sheep following the "lead goat" into oblivion, thereby abrogating every sense of fair play and honor.
Instead of offering solutions to theproblems here, they spend their time denegrating the opposition and slinging slime.
TB
From: Dominican Republic
That was my rendition of 8 years of observing Dominican Politics, for better or for worse andI just do not understand why the populace puts up with it.
TB
From: United States Virgin Islands, St Thomas C' Amalie hotel 1829 at the Bar
excellent commentary from all ....byzantium and corrupt beyond belief.....I pity the constituents
From: United States, Long island, NY
We need all the Haitians to submit their opinions regarding this case, Look at this man in his face and find out how he make you suffer for so long along with his father.
Mr Perception: I'm asking for your Wise opinion, it's not only to bully and chant venom against DR
So please everybody I beg for your opinions right now, this is the case in which you have to show bravery defending your country.
Written by: ny4life, 10 Feb 2008 1:32 PM
From: United States, New York, NY
What an innocent face.
From: United States, Spring Valley, NY
Judging by the look on his face, it seems that he's been eating good since moving to his chateau in France.....I can't say the same thing for the majority of Haitians that he stole from.
From: United States Virgin Islands, St Thomas C' Amalie hotel 1829 at the Bar
colour me suprised ,I thought the great Aristide was going to turn haiti into a paradise
From: Haiti
Actually this is old news. His finance was frozen a while back if my memory serves me right.. Besides, the picture above is out dated he is much older. I would spill the beans but I wait till it comes out and it ties the DR. Sad how corruption has inundated this beautiful island with two sovereign countries. Duvalier in my opinion, did alot damage to haiti but those that came afterwards were not any better. You guys really need to update your articles. The man isn't living like a king any longer and attempted to go back to haiti but was not suggested because he could be arrested and tried for crime against humanity which he certainly deserves.
From: United States, Long island, NY
To JabaoHaitian: at least He got HAITI on the leash and people BEHAVE like human beings.
I will test your asian Knowledge, Do You know the Jing Jang concept???
He was a demon but once again He managed everything in a orderly and timely fashion.
From: Haiti
RUBIROSA SHUP UP! Your comments never make sense! If he had killed your family you would have swallowed your words. You like it when Haiti is repressed don't you? Sounds like you want an intimidating caudillo to spank your privates. You're the most venomous person on this site. Its rather sad that you portray your people as a bunch of biased a-holes even though most of your people are the exact opposite.
From: United States, Long island, NY
To HaykickyouintheShin: Your very welcome Sir or Madam......................
Words are unnecesary in a equal battle..................................
"Equality is the union of common sense plus same rights for everybody"
From: Haiti
That's a sir to you and once again your comment makes no sense...
From: United States, Long island, NY
To HaykickyouintheShin: Let's see in the near future who on Your side will make the inflamatory comments and I will tell you the same thing.
"Does not make any sense to me neither" Let's respect each other and treat the other same way that We want to be treated.
Written by: jasfalon, 18 Feb 2008 10:18 AM
From: United States
All of the problems in both countries are the result of many years of the United States government's, both Democrats and Republicans, support of dictators so that US big businesses could use slave labor to reap HUGE profits - United Fruit, Haynes, London Fog, Levi, etc., etc., etc.
Former Secretary of State, Ron Brown, lobbied for years in Washington for the few evil families in Haiti who own everything. And we all know that the CIA had the Dominican military give Guy Phillipe 3000 rifles to go back into Haiti to get rid of Aristide. Not all Americans are stupid people who believe what their government says. A few of us know the truth.
From: United States Virgin Islands, St Thomas C' Amalie hotel 1829 at the Bar
C.C. /belial whatever you are using jesse who cares..... you are a boil on the ass of society
Written by: jeffreyb, 10 Mar 2008 11:12 AM
From: United States
Texas Bill: Let me start off by saying i am no fan of Hippo or the PRD. However one can go back 30 years before hippo was secretary for Agriculture he had his own business (Plural). I can remember Hippo being my fathers competitor in more than one business deal back in the 70's. But where does the current presidents fortune come from? Can anyone please fill in the blanks?
Inso far as corruption goes....as my granpappy used to say "El pueblo tiene el gobierno que merece."
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While you are very interested in Leonel, perhaps you should also cast your allegations in the direction of Hipolito.
There has been a great deal of speculation about the wealth and increased real estate holdings of that former president of the DR who was directly responsible for the economic meltdown of the Dominican Economy during his tenure in office.
While there have been many allegations against Leonel, he has, at a minimum, reinstated the International atmosphere of economic stability, progress (irrespective of the Metro) in the infrastructural arena and elevated the economic indicators so necessary for continued progress.
That he has failed to elevate the educational prospects of the country is, however , significant. many of his electoral promises have been in limbo as we all know and his Administration has as many scandals as Hipolito's, but not of the magnitude of Hipolito's tenure.
Balance the positive with the negative.
TB
You should not fall in the trap of assuming that when one is critizing Lio-nel, one is exonerating Hipolito. Lio-nel has been in power for almost 8 non-consecutive years. He and his band have hollered to the high heavens that Hipolito and his band are ignorant peasents and they could do better. However he has allied himself with the most criminal ellements of the past.
His "drug zar" Vincho Castillo is defending the band of criminals who according to public opinion where in cahoots with Hipolito and his band which caused the banking crisis.
You see Hipolito is water over the bridge Lio-nel and his sticky finger group is in power NOW, to focus on the past is the trick used to divert from the present.
The bucks stops with those who are in power now they sold the public on they could do better when they do not they revert to the maladies of the past administration to justify their faults.
As a matter of fact if this statement is true:
Continued:
then Lio-nel the cowboy with the white hat, should initiate and investigation immediately into Hipolito's wealth, he has had close to four years to do so.
I wonder why he has not done so? Hum!
I think you have missed the point of my post entirely.
The objective was to ellicit an objective response to your posting, nota continuation of your vitrolic innuendos. if you had REALLY read my posting, you would have sen the underlying opening offered, but you either totally ignored that or didn't understand what the post was all about.
While we may, in truthful indignation, deplore the manifestations of thepresent Administration, we can't ignore those of the past (not just Hipolito's) and their impact on thepolitical leaningswe see daily.
The Governmental system in the DR is broken in that it has come to represent a segment of society we call "Politicians" who promulgate laws that benefit them and virtually none other in this "Republic(??)".
Look at the legislative actions of the past and tell me which laws voted upon have been FOR the benefit of the populace?
Have there been any which increase the educational endeavors, of increasing the healthcare capabilities--
Holding all this back is the incipient corruption which is endemic to the culture of politicians which feed at the trough of the public treasury.
TB
I suppose this does not qualify as "vitrolic innuendos:"
"There has been a great deal of speculation about the wealth and increased real estate holdings of that former president of the DR who was directly responsible for the economic meltdown of the Dominican Economy during his tenure in office."
Maybe a little bit more weighted towards innuendo than vitrol!
You areabsolutely correct in your statement.
The ENTIRE Political System in the DR is corrupt to the core. From the manner in which the candidates are selected BY THE INDIVIDUAL PARTIES and NOT by the constituents which they are supposed to represent. These candidates are selected by the party to represent the party and none other. Thenthe parties have the audacity to state that the DR is a Democracy.
IN A PIGS EYE!!
If these people had even a shred of common decency, they would change the way things are done and takethiscountry into an era of TRUE DEMOCRACY. Insteas, they blatantly pass out food, money and "tin roofs" in addition to "botellos" in their quest for votes. They have reduced the population to the role of sheep following the "lead goat" into oblivion, thereby abrogating every sense of fair play and honor.
Instead of offering solutions to theproblems here, they spend their time denegrating the opposition and slinging slime.
TB
TB
Mr Perception: I'm asking for your Wise opinion, it's not only to bully and chant venom against DR
So please everybody I beg for your opinions right now, this is the case in which you have to show bravery defending your country.
I will test your asian Knowledge, Do You know the Jing Jang concept???
He was a demon but once again He managed everything in a orderly and timely fashion.
Words are unnecesary in a equal battle..................................
"Equality is the union of common sense plus same rights for everybody"
"Does not make any sense to me neither" Let's respect each other and treat the other same way that We want to be treated.
Former Secretary of State, Ron Brown, lobbied for years in Washington for the few evil families in Haiti who own everything. And we all know that the CIA had the Dominican military give Guy Phillipe 3000 rifles to go back into Haiti to get rid of Aristide. Not all Americans are stupid people who believe what their government says. A few of us know the truth.
Inso far as corruption goes....as my granpappy used to say "El pueblo tiene el gobierno que merece."