By Monique Hepburn, Staff Reporter 
Concerned Haitians gather outside the Montpelier Post Office in St. James earlier this week, as they awaited word of their fate. - File
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MOOD of most of the Haitians at the refugee camp in Montpelier, St. James, has turned into bitter resentment following the Jamaican Government's decision not to grant them political asylum in the country.
When The Sunday Gleaner visited the facility on Friday, a small group of Haitian men were gathered outside the camp.
A spokesman for the group, who asked not to be identified or photographed, explained that they were "angry" with the Government for declining their requests.
HIGHLIGHTING NEGATIVES
According to him, there were two contributing factors which impacted the Government's decision on Wednesday.
"A lot of time people only talk about the negative things that happen in camp and we did not get help with the forms for asylum," insisted the spokesman, who said he was a teacher in his homeland.
The extent to which the Haitians received assistance to complete their applications for political asylum is not known but they contend that they helped each other to fill out the forms.
The man went on to say that the media attention on the camp served to highlight the negative issues such as fights and marijuana smoking that took place there.
At this time, he attempted to grab a notebook from a member of the news team, blaming them for the Jamaican public's dislike towards them.
"Give me that...! Give me that... now!" he shouted. "Yes we have problems in the camp as there are disputes but that does not need to be reported."
Another Haitian in the group identified himself as a naturalized Jamaican citizen, who has been living in St. James for the past 13 years.
The man told The Sunday Gleaner that he has tried many times to assist his countrymen who are being housed in the Montpelier camp.
"I have friends on the inside and I am willing to do anything to help them," said the man who is building a house in Montpelier. "I am willing to take them in my home until they find a place."
Currently, there are concerns about the unrestricted movement of Haitians in St. James communities and across the island in light of the announcement of the Government's decision.
While there are policemen on duty, operating from a police post at the facility, as well as at the gate to the compound, the Haitians freely enter and leave the camp, some travelling as far as Kingston.
Since Wednesday's announcement, Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, has appealed to the Government to reconsider its decision due to the current conditions in Haiti following the onslaught of Tropical Storm Jeanne, which killed close to 2,000 persons.
