Much of the post-election turmoil in Haiti stems from a “winner-take-all” mentality in which opposition political leaders do not understand the concept of working together, several speakers told Catholic social ministry officials.

They spoke Feb 14, two days before presidential candidate Rene Preval was declared the winner after his supporters took to the streets claiming an election fraud was under way to deny Preval's victory.

The Haitian bishops could help the situation by telling rivals “to avoid all-or-nothing politics,” said Oblate Father Seamus Finn, director of the Oblate Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation Office.

But bishops' statements so far have been general and not addressed this issue, he said.

Jenny Russell, Catholic Relief Services consultor on Haiti who spoke in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the agency, said that Haiti has a long history of dictatorships.

“The concept of a presidential leader who shares power is not there,” said Russell. “What we are seeing in the streets is a country without a democratic history,” she said.

The “paradox of the election” is that it shows the “winner-take-all” mentality and also a vibrant people who want to participate in political decision-making, said Russell.

Russell and Father Finn spoke at a panel discussion on Haiti during the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington . Feb 12-15.

Haiti had presidential elections Feb 7 with partial results showing that Preval was the leading candidate with almost 50 percent of the vote.

Preval and his supporters, however, claimed that a slow vote count was being manipulated to deny him the absolute majority needed to avoid a runoff election. Street demonstrations by his supporters turned violent.

On Feb 15 the interim government halted the vote count and ordered an inquiry into possible election fraud. At the time, 90 percent of the vote had been counted with Preval garnering almost 49 percent of the ballots.

On Feb 16, Preval was declared the winner after negotiations involving Preval, the interim government conducting the elections, foreign observers and diplomats.

This was the first presidential election since a rebellion two years ago ousted elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former priest. Preval, a former president, is an Aristide political ally.

Father Finn, who last visited Haiti in December, said that the current turmoil also shows the deterioration of Haiti 's civil infrastructures caused by economic and political instability.

Father Finn criticised US foreign policy, saying it has been inconsistent and taken a short-term view of economic and political development.

This has hindered the building of the infrastructures needed for a viable civil society.

Often aid has been based on whether the US government likes the Haitian leader in power, he said.

“We have to be willing to think of a 10- to 20-year commitment. But to look for immediate returns on investment is counterproductive,” he said.

US policy adds to the economic and political instability which discourages the foreign investment needed to create jobs in Haiti , Father Finn said.

There are 145 Oblates in Haiti , including two bishops, and most are Haitians, said Father Finn.

(CNS)