QUOTES CONCERNING LOUNE VIAUD, THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND HAITI

"Shame on the Inter-American Development Bank for being used in this manner. It does not speak well for an institution that for the most part has a good reputation. Shame on the Government of the United States for pressuring the IDB to do so. Seven million people are desperately in need of help. We have gone on nor for years denying this basic assistance. It is time to put a stop to playing politics with Haitian lives, and it is time to respond to the unfolding crisis in Haiti."

- Senator Chris Dodd, 2002

"The U.S. has used its veto powers on the IDB's Board of Directors to stop all loans designated to Haiti and has chilled funding opportunities at the other international financial institutions, like the World Bank and IMF, pending a resolution of the political situation in Haiti. This situation is unique because the loans in question have been approved by the bank's board of executive directors, and the Haitian Government has ratified the debt and signed contractual documents. This veto is particularly disturbing since the Charter of the IDB specifically states that the Bank shall not intervene in the politics of its member states. The Bush Administration has decided to leverage political change in a member country by embargoing loans that the Bank has a contractual obligation to disburse. In every sense, the disbursement of these loans can mean the difference between life and death. A severe humanitarian disaster threatens the 8 million men, women and children who live in Haiti, as they face a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, extreme poverty and high infant mortality rates. While most of the Western World has eradicated polio, new cases in children are on an alarming rise in Haiti. Most Haitians do not have the resources to pay for life saving vaccinations for their children. We must remember that many diseases know no boundaries. If polio can make a comeback in Haiti, it can make a comeback in the United States through migration. Together we must urge the President to do the right thing in Haiti. It is unacceptable to simply stand by and watch a season of misery inflict pain, suffering and death on human beings right in our own neighborhood. We must address this injustice. We must release IBD funds to Haiti."
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 2002

"Loune Viaud has fought hard to provide basic health care to the people of Haiti. She knows first- hand the terrible suffering caused by the denial of much-needed assistance to the poor and vulnerable citizens of her homeland. The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community nations have recognized that need and urged the release of international aid to enable Haiti to provide the kind of health care we take for granted. It is simply wrong to block critically needed assistance that can save lives and create a healthier democracy in the process. It is time to set aside outdated Cold War attitudes towards Haiti and join with our allies in the hemisphere in reaching out a hand to Haiti to provide the resources needed to build a stronger and more stable society. Health care is not just a basic human need but a basic human right. I am proud to join with Loune in calling on the Inter-American Development Bank to unlock the key to assistance that will uplift the suffering people of Haiti."
- Joseph P. Kennedy II, 2002

"Human beings will die unnecessarily today in Haiti because of the overbroad and illegal "de-facto" sanctions imposed on them. These "de-facto" sanctions were the product of politicians who value their ideology and loyalties more than the rights of people. Too many governments throughout the Americas, members of the Inter-American Development Bank, have allowed politics to pervert the basic mission of the Bank - in contravention of its Charter. Loans for health and education could have and should have been disbursed by the Bank to Haiti in January 2001. They were not. Many people have died because of this inaction: an inaction that violates the right to health and the right to life of the Haitian people. The Inter-American Development Bank and its member states need to investigate what has happened and to examine the suffering they have caused by their inaction. I join with the 2002 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureate, Loune Viaud from Haiti, to challenge the Inter-American Development Bank to release the loans it should have disbursed in January 2001."
- Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, 2002

"I am writing you (President of the Inter-American Development Bank Enrique Iglesias) regarding the status of the bank's portfolio of loans for Haiti. As you recall, the Executive Board approved six loans for Haiti between February 1996 and September 1998. While these loans were subsequently signed, they lacked parliamentary approval until late last year, when the Haitian Parliament approved the Potable Water, Roads, Education and Health loans as well as the TC for Decentralization. At this point disbursements could normally begin, assuming all loan conditions had been met. However, we do not believe that these loans can or should be treated in a routine manner and strongly urge you to not authorize any disbursements at this time."
-Lawrence Harrington, US Executive Director IDB 1995 - 2001, April 2001

"We are asking the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to devise a means to resolve this impasse. The Inter-American Development Bank, its members states, and the Haitian Government have an obligation to overcome the mistakes of the past and to minimize further human rights violations. Successor regimes are forced to pay for the past mistakes of the IDB and former regimes. Let's make no mistake; it is the Haitian people who pay. They have paid enough."
- Todd Howland, 2002