June 2, 2011

During the first Preval presidency,  1996, General Claude Raymond was returning from annual ceremonies at Saut- d’eau when he car was intercepted. The General was arrested, although there was no legal basis for this travesty of justice. In fact, after lengthy court actions, the judge ordered an immediate release of General Raymond.

Aristide overrode the Court’s decision and  held the General in jail in flagrant violation of the Nation’s and God’s Laws, neither of which had any value to President Aristide.

General Raymond was in good health when arrested.

Some suggest that he was injected with a deadly disease while in prison.

In any event, one of the great patriots died a miserable death behind bars,  during March, 2000, as Aristide campaigned for his second term. Even as Death approached, Aristide refused to   allow Preval’s release of Claude Raymond.

Because of the political times, General Raymond did not receive the recognition he deserved. His church service did not reflect his contribution to the Haitian community, at large, or the  Forces Armees d’Haiti – illegally disbanded by Aristide.

President Michel Martelly has promised to revive the FAdH, much to the joy of Haiti’s vast majority. For them, the Forces Armees d’Haiti was an important poto mitan  in their society.

It would be fitting if the public, and the ex-FAdH people took this opportunity to give General Raymonds, and his wife, the send off they deserve….a funerals service for the pair of them, united once again.

UPDATED Saturday, June 4th

Over 1,000 attended Raymond’s funeral at St Therese in Petionville, including three past and present Presidents of Haiti; Jean- Claude Duvalier, Prosper Avril, and Martelly.