BICENTENAIRE DE LA BATAILLE DE VERTIÈRES

On 18 November 2003, the bicentenary of the Battle of Vertières marked the victory of the indigenous army on the Napoleonic troops. On this occasion, former President Aristide delivered his speech to several thousand Haitians and foreigners: he praised the historical facts and took a position on the current situation on the island. He was in favour of national reconciliation and criticized the international community for its neo-colonial tendencies, according to him. The opposition, for its part, considered Aristide's speech inappropriate. Finally, only Cape-Haïtien showed real interest in this anniversary. Most of Haiti's other cities remained indifferent to this event.