Greetings from Haiti

[Jdarg]

We all have at least one really "cool" friend- the person that does neat things with their life, helps other people in a really big way, is famous for something or a celebrity...

My "big cool friend" is a diplomat with the US State Dept. He is currently in Haiti (his first DoS assignment), and is totally excited about trying to help bring stability to a place that seems hopeless. He is one of the nicest, caring, and full of funn (yes, funn!) people that I have ever known, and has become like a very close family member. Therefore, I worry about his safety constantly!

Haiti is pretty much the hell hole of the universe- there aren't many other DoS posts that pay "premium" to go there- Iraq and Cote d'Ivoire are other examples. Our press gives the situation there practically zero coverage. Maybe because the place is too depressing and hopeless, I don't know.

Anyway, I did catch a newsblip this a.m. about the head of the UN peacekeeping force committing suicide yesterday- the UN troops in Haiti are Brazilian BTW. This is huge. So I e-mailed my friend for the scoop, and here is the "live from the front" report. Tomorrow could be very ugly there, so please keep my friend in your thoughts and prayers.


Here is the e-mail--

Yes, the report was correct. It happened in the Montana hotel, where I often visit and where some of my co-workers are staying.

The situation remains tense and we're still under house arrest. The kidnappings continue unabated and any "blanc" continues to be a prime target, so we can't go anywhere without armed escorts. For months we have been pressuring the UN to more effectively deal with the problem, but no results. The general may have succumbed to the pressure but (in my opinion) suicide is complex decision that involves many factors (he just returned from leave visiting his family, and who knows what happened there).

A city-wide strike is being held on Monday by the public and businesses to protest the UN's and the government's lack of control. Protests will probably take place too. There could be violence if the police or UN overreact. So we're all on high alert. Tomorrow will be an interesting day.

Part of the problem is the prevalence of guns. Everyone in Port-au-Prince seems to have a gun: the security guards with their shotguns in virtually every grocery store, restaurant, and business; the police with their revolvers and M-14s; the UN troops with all kinds of armored vehicles, machine guns and a mixed bag of international weapons; and of course our guys, with their M-16s, M-4s, Glocks and Sig-Sauers. Most private citizens are packing as well. (The only people not packing are the diplomats, and I wish I had one too!) This city is a lot like the old west. Everybody's got a gun and the sheriff just can't keep the cowboys (les Chimeres) from attacking the townsfolk and shooting up the town.

Believe me Jenny, if there wasn't so much firepower and resources protecting me, there's no way I'd live or even visit here. It's just too damn dangerous. The US taxpayers are paying a huge amount of money to allow me to do my job and survive to tell about it. (Thank you very much!) Now if I can just keep my sanity and my health long enough to go somewhere nice (13 months and counting)....

Thanks for caring,

G

 

[Miss Kitty]

I am speechless....what exactly is your friend supposed to be doing there? I would hate to be relying on the UN to have my back. God Speed to G.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Wow, that gave me chills. Our Sunday school sponsors five children in Haiti. We are always praying for their safety. I'll add G.

 

[Rita]

:shock: That's an eye-opener! We had a friend who went maybe a couple years ago (?) Don't recall it being that bad then.

 

[lindatat]

Wow - I don't know how your friend can handle another 13 months of living that way. Very enlightening - when I read something like that, I really appreciate the fact that I live here.

 

[Jdarg]

I am speechless....what exactly is your friend supposed to be doing there? I would hate to be relying on the UN to have my back. God Speed to G.

Thanks. We are actually waiting for him to call now- these calls are always entertaining!

To answer you question, he is observing the elections for the US as a political officer. Pretty cool job if you are not in Haiti. Our State Dept. employees do have better security now- mercenaries fresh from Iraq and they are some serious bad dudes. Rides to work in a light armored vehicle (a major tricked out 'Burb, RO!) with some bad dudes with guns in the front seats. Sounds like fun, huh? The employees with family living there left last summer, so most of the employees there now are single, or their families are stateside.

Hopefully most churches stopped sending people for missionary work when Aristide left, since our government can't guarantee their safety and it would be very foolish to go such a dangerous place. God knows what is going to end up happening there, but unless people know what they are doing, they don't need to be hanging out in Haiti right now.

 

[Mermaid]

Goodness, Jdarg, your friend has that rare combination of nerves of steel AND a heart of gold. Let's all hope and pray that his next year brings him home safe and sound. :clap_1:

 

[Sheila]

Thanks. We are actually waiting for him to call now- these calls are always entertaining!

To answer you question, he is observing the elections for the US as a political officer. Pretty cool job if you are not in Haiti. Our State Dept. employees do have better security now- mercenaries fresh from Iraq and they are some serious bad dudes. Of course if the embassy is invaded, these bad dudes shred stuff first, then worry about the people! G has a guard outside the walls of his yard, and 2 electronic security gates inside his house, plus a few phones and radios. Rides to work in a light armored vehicle (a major tricked out 'Burb, RO!) with some bad dudes with guns in the front seats. Sunds like fun, huh? The employees with family living there left last summer, so most of the employees there now are single, or their families are stateside.

Hopefully most churches stopped sending people for missionary work when Aristide left, since our government can't guarantee their safety and it would be very foolish to go such a dangerous place. God knows what is going to end up happening there, but unless people know what they are doing, they don't need to be hanging out in Haiti right now.

Talk about stress in the workplace!!!!! This is extreme! I'll certainly keep your friend in my prayers. I'll bet 13 months will seem like 13 years! He could use some good ol' SoWal hospitality when he's stateside jdarg!

 

[Cil]

Wow, thanks for sharing. Am sending good thoughts to your friend.