(portrait by Haitian artist Jacques J. Garcon, 2006)
Gladys Eno Fombrun
There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
Washington Irving
(1783-1859)
American Writer
MEETING WITH
FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO HAITI
His Excellency, Mr. Christian Connan
(l to r) Alex St. Surin Owner/CEO Radio Mega, Miami ,
French Ambassador in Haiti Mr. Christian Connan, and Carl Fombrun.
I had the pleasure, last Thursday night, of being received by Dr. and Mrs. Wiener Leblanc at their mansion in Weston, Florida, and to meet with Christian CONNAN, the French Ambassador to Haiti; French Senator Charles JOSSELIN, former France’s Minister of Cooperation and current president of the International Cities Network for Haiti; Jean Louis TESTUD, Vice-Mayor of the town of Suresnes, France; PHILIPPE FRANCOIS Administrator of the city of Suresnes; French Consul General in Miami PHILIPPE VINOGRADOFF.
(l to r) Carl Fombrun and Host Dr. Wiener Leblanc
Haitian-American Dr. Wiener Leblanc, a successful medical doctor in New York and presently residing in Weston is an old childhood friend. We were in school in St. Louis de Gonzague, Port-au-Prince , Haiti at the tender age of 10, and we are from the same generation. It took us 65 years to meet again in the most joyous of circumstances for a small, private reception in his lovely mansion in Weston, Florida, in honor the French Ambassador , Mr.Christian Connan in Haiti and Mr. Charles Josselin, current senator des Cotes D’Armor in France, France’s former minister of Cooperation, and actually current president of the International Cities Network for Haiti; Jean Louis TESTUD, Vice-Mayor of the town of Suresnes, France; and PHILIPPE FRANCOIS Administrator of the city of Suresnes; French Consul General in Miami PHILIPPE VINOGRADOFF were also present.
( l to r) Dr. Aldy Castor, the main innovator of this get-together,
the gracious Hostess and Coordinator of this event, Joséphine Elizée Legros,
and Carl Fombrun.
The purpose of this reunion is ambitious and worthwhile. From what I understand, it’s a preview of what is planned by the French government and its associates, in cooperation with the Haitian government, in contributing to the DECENTRALIZATION of the city of Port-au-Prince in present day Haiti, and expanding the Haitian economy in its provinces. A budget of 24 MILLION euros has already been allocated to this project. Ambassador Connan has promised to fill me in with the details which will be posted in a future date on CARL’S CORNER.
My thanks go to Dr. Wiener Leblanc and his charming wife, Dr. Aldy Castor, the main Innovator of this get together, the gracious hostess and coordinator Joséphine Elizée Legros, Antoine Georges, who is participating on the U.S. side in the same direction and graciously drove me to Weston, from Kendall.
A good time was had by all and it was a joy to see again Maggy Armand just back from a five-week holiday in India , Dr. Pierre-Paul Cadet my traveling companion in Jacmel, Haiti, Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald, artist Gessy Aubry, Dr. Fred Champagne and his wife Agathe, Joseph Billy of Homestead and many more friends and fans.
The next day on Friday February 8th 2008, France ’s ambassador in Haiti , Christian Connan, met with South Florida ’s Haitian-American community leaders from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. at North Miami City Hall, 776 NE 125th St., North Miami, Florida.
Carl
1) (l to r) Carl Fombrun, Her Serene Highness Caterina Nuccia Gadoni Mc Cormick
Princess of the Royal House of Tanna, French Consul General in Miami Philippe Vinogradoff.
2) (l to r), Artist Gessy Aubry, Member of the Board of the Performing Arts in Weston, Jean Louis TESTUD, Vice-Mayor of the town of Suresnes, France, Carl Fombrun, Philippe Francois, Administrator of the town of Suresnes, France, Joseph Billy, Haitian activist and businessman in Homestead, Florida.
1) Dr. Pierre Paul Cadet and Carl Fombrun.
2) Carl Fombrun and Baron Milan Uzelac from Croatia .
3) Dr. Angelo Gousse and French Ambassador Christian Connan.
1) (l to r) Conflict Resolution Consultant Margaret Armand, Carl Fombrun, Artist Gessy Aubry.
2) Maggy, Haitian Consul General Ralph Latortue, Gessy.
3) Party in full swing with Joséphine in action.
(l to r) Carl, Maggy, Host Dr. Wiener Leblanc, Gessy.
2) Dr. Fred and Mrs. Agathe Champagne .
1) (l to r) Host Dr. Wiener Leblanc, French Senator Charles Josselin, Jean-Louis Testud,
Vice-Mayor of the town of Suresnes .
2) (l to r) Senator Charles Josselin, Philippe Francois, Administrator of the city of Suresnes,
Events Coordinator Joséphine Elizée Legros, Baron Milan Uzelac from Croatia .
3) (l to r) Baroness Uzelac, Italian Princess Nunccia Caterina Gadoni McCormick, Dr. Aldy Castor, Innovator of the project, Event’s Coordinator Joséphine Élizée Legros, Host Dr. Wiener Leblanc, Mrs. Carol Salvant.
( l to r) Baroness Uzelac from Croatia, Gessy Aubry, Maggy Armand, Hostess Mrs. Wiener Leblanc, Mrs. Carol Salvant, Joséphine Élizée Legros, Her Serene Highness Caterina Nuccia Gadoni Mc Cormick,Princess of the Royal House of Tanna.
1) (l to r) Owner/CEO Radio Mega Alex St. Surin, French Ambassador Christian Connan,Carl Fombrun.
2) Host Dr. Wiener Leblanc, French Senator Charles Josselin, Vice-Mayor of the city of SuresnesJean-Louis Testud, French Ambassador Christian Connan.
1) Project Innovator Dr. Aldy Castor and Event Coordinator Joséphine Élizée Legros.
2) ( l to r) Joséphine, Vice-Mayor Jean-Louis Testud, Dr. Wiener Leblanc, Senator Charles Josselin,
Her Serene Highness Caterina Nuccia Gadoni Mc Cormick, Princess of the Royal House of Tanna, Philippe Francois, Administrator of the city of Suresnes, Baroness Uzelac.
3) (l to r) Dr. Wiener Leblanc, Senator Charles Josselin, Vice-Mayor Jean-Louis Testud, French Ambassador Christian Connan.
1) (l to r) Dr. Aldy Castor, Joséphine Elizée Legros, Carl Fombrun.
2) Senator Charles Josselin, Vice-Mayor Jean-Louis Testud, Her Serene Highness Caterina Nuccia Gadoni Mc Cormick ,Princess of the Royal House of Tanna.
3) Carl Fombrun and Baron Milan Uzelac from Croatia .
1) (l to r) Senator Charles Josselin, Vice-Mayor Jean Louis Testud, Her Serene Highness Caterina Nuccia Gadoni Mc Cormick , Princess of the Royal House of Tanna.
2) ( l to r) Project Innovator Dr. Aldy Castor, Philippe Francois, Administrator of the city of Suresnes ,
French Senator Charles Josselin.
2) Carl Fombrun and Baron Milan Uzelac from Croatia .
1) French Ambassador to Haiti, Christian Connan, addressing the guests.
2) (l to r) Her Serene Highness Caterina Nuccia Gadoni Mc Cormick, Baroness Uzelac,
