“We have to convince the population to go back to vote and, personally, as a citizen, I would prefer that he (Aristide) comes after the elections,” Manigat said.
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“I don’t think that we can talk about rebuilding Haiti in two or five years. It will take time. We have a lot of problems,” she said. “It will take about 15 or 20 years to make the country realize what the economists call ‘the takeoff.”
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Manigat’s style and tone contrasts sharply with that of her opponent, 50-year-old former singer Michel “Sweet Mickey” Martelly.
Martelly, a pro-military populist, and his entourage arrived at a private fundraiser Wednesday evening in suburban Miami in black SUVs, all dressed in sharp suits. The performer delivered polished soundbites on tourism and his plans for reinstating Haiti’s military in a brief interview with reporters.
Manigat, a 70-year-old law professor, sedately considered reporters’ questions and gave lengthy answers, as though lecturing a class.
Manigat stopped in Miami on her way to Canada. She planned to return to Haiti by March 8, a date she said held special meaning for her campaign. It is International Women’s Day.
“One of the assets of my candidacy is the fact that I am a woman, and people believe in Haiti that after having 200 years of male government it’s time to pass the government to a woman,” said the woman whom supporters call “Mommy.”
Haiti Dreams! 