CAMBRIDGE, MA, Jun. 16 - Only from a ridiculously clumsy Haitian president can you hear the following unsubstantiated few words: "As for the diaspora, I successfully did everything I could, as I had promised, to ultimately obtain an extension of TPS status," said Mr. Martelly, "for our Haitian brothers and sisters living in the United States without the legal immigration documents permitting them to do so."

Yet, arguably Mr. Martelly cannot even dream (even if he joins the rank of terminally deranged persons), say, in the long-run, of having, at least, next to nothing influence over U.S. immigration laws. Still, he had the audacity to congratulate himself as he was enumerating early this week the many accomplishments? of his 30-day old presidency.

Yes, in fact, fragile. There are reasons for so. Mr. Martelly's office of the president does not have a mandate. Less than 23 percent of citizens, of relating to the total electorate of 4.7 million, participated in the last final presidential election. The percentage of voters who expressed electoral sentiments in favor of him was about 68 percent, representing approximately 16 percent of  the whole electorate - alternately, all of those who had attained the minimum age (18) established by Haitian law to be eligible to vote in a public election.

In another news, Mr. Martelly is self-absorbed almost to the point of solipsism about journalists insisting that their reporting must not be taken seriously. Those who keep journals include persons who first collect and edit news for radio stations, television stations, print publications, and websites. All, ultimately for the public.  Read more

Ralated

• Haiti's new president embraces diaspora communities but some are not convinced their interests will be protected
• Haitian President Martelly threatens to punch nation's journalists in the face, and hard