There is a bit of hope on the horizon. According to the Associated Press, self styled "General Toutou," one of the most powerful armed gang leaders linked to [Aristide], said he'd be willing to give himself up if United Nations peacekeepers would guarantee his safety. "If the (U.N. mission) is ready to guarantee our security, we'd be ready to give up the fight," said Toutou," whose real name is unknown. Government officials have accused "Toutou" of involvement in the slaying of prominent Le Matin journalist Jacques Roche along with dozens of other killings and kidnapings. "Toutou" has denied any connection with Roche's death.
ATLANTA, Georgia: The Jamaican community in Atlanta, commenced a week long series of activities to celebrate Jamaica's 43rd year of independence with a Thanksgiving service at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church Hall on Sunday, July 31, 2005. Approximately three hundred Jamaicans and well wishers were in attendance. The sermon was delivered by Bishop Charles DuFour, Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay. Jamaica's Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Vin Martin, read the Prime Minister's message. The first lesson was read by Allan Alberga, President of the Atlanta Jamaican Association and the second lesson was read by Tamara Cox. Union of Jamaican Organizations in Atlanta is comprised of Atlanta Jamaican Association, Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities, Benevolent Missions of Atlanta, Calabar High School Alumni Association, Clarendon College Alumni Association, Caribbean Sports and Social Club, Integrity Children's Fund, Kingston College Alumni Association, Queen's High School Alumni Association, St. Hugh's High School Alumni Association, Carilanta Players, Tropical Sports Club and United for Jamaica.
High Commissioner [Maxine Roberts] was praised for her dedication and commitment to both Jamaica and Jamaican community in the United Kingdom (UK). Manager of National Commercial Bank, UK Operations, Dale Robinson said Miss Roberts was a true friend to the Jamaican businesses operating in the UK.
The major event -- "A Moment in Time" -- will take place on Saturday (June 25th). It's a white- tie tribute gala honoring the life mission of [Katherine Dunham]. The honorary chairs of the event -- Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover and Dick Gregory -- will be joined by a host of other luminaries, including Eugene Redman, poet-laureate of the State of Illinois, to highlight the many contributions of the "Grande Dame of Modern and African Dance" who was instrumental in projecting Haiti on the international scene in the 1940's and '50's. An alert Ms. Dunham reminisced about Haiti's "glorious days" under Presidents Estimé and Magloire. She said, "You all were too young to know about that!" When the Prime Minister said, "Oh no! We aren't that young, we were there too," she beamed and added: "So, you know what I'm talking about."
Born in Haiti, Ms. Jarvelle was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and attended the best schools and colleges. Her mother, Yanissa Elie, nicknamed, "Lola," was a beautiful black woman, whose glamorous voice attracted tourists and VIP's visiting Haiti in the late fifties. She used to sing when tourism in Haiti was booming. Ms. Jarvelle shares a very similar soul with her mom. However, she is not committed to singing, but rather to serving. As she often says, "You waste your life when [you're] not serving others. Changing the attitudes of Haitians in New York, motivating others to help their community and helping people to be themselves, such are her dreams and challenges.
Mayor Bloomberg issued a proclaimed Sunday May 29th, 2005 HAITIAN PARADE DAY which took place along Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, where earlier this year a section of that same street had been renamed in honor of Toussaint Louverture.
Haitians or anyone with an intimate knowledge of Haiti knows what a historic event [Michaelle Jean]'s selection is. For her, and for Haitians in Canada and throughout the world. We all know what an improbable and almost impossible choice this is for anyone, except perhaps for Michaelle Jean. Born in Port-au-Prince, Jean and her family fled from Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier's regime in 1968, and came to settle in Montreal when she was only eleven years old. "I have come a long way," Jean told a news conference in Canada's capital on August 4th, when she was introduced as Canada's 27th governor general. "My ancestors were slaves, they fought for freedom. I was born in Haiti, the poorest country in our hemisphere. I am a daughter of exiles driven from their home by a dictatorial regime." "I think it's a fascinating appointment," John Aimers, director of the Canadian Monarchist League was quoted by the CanWest News Service. "Because of the astonishing range of work she's done in Quebec, she's clearly a federalist voice who will be listened to and respected."
Now there are at least two places in Jamaica called [Mocho]. There's one in St. James near Garlands, but most persons agree that the Mocho from those infamous insults is the tiny town in Clarendon, between Thompson Town and Green Park. "Well Mocho is basically what you see here. There isn't much more. Things are quiet and we all know each other. We don't have anything to worry about, like crime. So whatever anybody want to say about Mocho, that is their problem. We are all quite alright," the perky woman grinned. We eventually stumbled on to a heated game of dominoes well in progress. It was like a festival of profanity as these self-proclaimed 'country people' enjoyed themselves in the best way they know how. One man got a bit excited and threw his hands into the air and ordained himself the domino king of Mocho. But a whisper from a female bartender confirmed that it was just the alcohol talking.
Haitian Catholic artists are as excited about this event as the rest of the community is. Some of them will attend the convention, and Jean Robert Themistocle, one of the pioneers of the organization of Haitian Catholic artists in the diaspora, composed a song based on the theme of the convention. The guests at the convention will be the first to hear and to sing this song with Jean Robert. It is a time of great grace for the Haitian community in the diaspora.
