of people who rushed the gates to shout demands and voice frustrations
with him and his leadership. He stood on the inside listening for more
than 20 minutes as the throngs screamed.
Saturday’s public appearance was one of his first in the 18 days since the quake. In interviews with
When he showed up unannounced on Saturday, Haitians were startled — and angry.
“I have been standing right here in front of this
palace every day since the earthquake and that is the first time he
shows his face,” said
construction worker. “Of course, I yelled at him! You know what he
said? ‘I lost my house, too.’ That’s all he has to say. Listen to the
people, the people want him out and for the international community to
take over.”
Preval advisor
“They want him to speak to them. They are saying he
should have come a long time ago, that he should have talked to them.
He is telling them that he lost his house, too, and that he took 18
days to evaluate the whole process. He did not come out sooner if he
did not have something in hand to tell them. That is why they have been
waiting so long.”
“He is the devil and we don’t want him here,” said
Afterward Preval was approached by a member of his security detail,
“He’s not fine; he’s alive,” Preval said. “Now he cannot take care of his family.”
—
(c) 2010, The Miami Herald.
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