The Clinton's Promised To Rebuild Haiti, But Ended Leaving The Haitians Who Needed Aid The Most Behind

TOP TAKEAWAYS

The Clintons made public overtures promising to rebuild Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake.

Despite the Clinton's promises to rebuild Haiti, the country still "looks like the earthquake happened yesterday."

Their misguided "efforts" which have given contracts to Foundation donors and family members have resulted in a resentment from the Haitian people who feel that their huge spending projects went to the wealthy and haven't improved the lives of the people who need help the most.

FOLLOWING HAITI'S DEVASTATING 2010 EARTHQUAKE, THE CLINTONS PROMISED TO BUILD BACK HAITI

On January 12, 2010, The Largest Earthquake In 200 Years Struck Haiti Creating "Total Disaster And Chaos." "The strongest earthquake in more than 200 years rocked Haiti on Tuesday, collapsing a hospital where people screamed for help and heavily damaging the National Palace, U.N. peacekeeper headquarters and other buildings. U.S. officials reported bodies in the streets and an aid official described 'total disaster and chaos.'" (Jonathan M. Katz, "Major Quake Hits Haiti; Many Casualties Expected," The Associated Press, 1/13/10)

Soon After The Earthquake, Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton Said Haiti "Can Come Back Even Stronger And Better Than Before." CLINTON: "I want to speak directly to the Haitian people through the Haitian media. We are here at the invitation of your government to help you. As President Obama has said, we will be here today, tomorrow, and for the time ahead. And speaking personally, I know of the great resilience and strength of the Haitian people. You have been severely tested. But I believe that Haiti can come back even stronger and better in the future. Thank you." (Secretary Hillary Clinton, Remarks At A Press Availability, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, 1/16/10)

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Secretary Clinton Said That While The Relief Effort Was Underway, She Would Begin Planning To Help Haiti "Build Back Better. That Is Our Goal." CLINTON: "The search-and-rescue teams are still there. They're pulling people out today. The food, the water, the medical supplies are pouring in and getting distributed. The security is improving so that we've got a safe passage for relief workers and their supplies. That was the first priority. Now, we will simultaneously, while all of that continues, begin to talk through how the international community will step up to the challenge of helping Haiti build back better. That is our goal." (Secretary Hillary Clinton, Update On Developments In Haiti, Washington, DC, 1/20/10)

As The Special U.N. Envoy To Haiti, Former President Bill Clinton Said His Office Was "Committed To Do Whatever We Can To Assist The People Of Haiti." BILL CLINTON: "My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti. My UN office and the rest of the UN system are monitoring the situation, and we are committed to do whatever we can to assist the people of Haiti in their relief, rebuilding and recovery efforts." (Bill Clinton, "Statement From President Bill Clinton, UN Special Envoy For Haiti," Press Release, 1/13/10)

YEARS AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE, HAITI STILL "LOOKS LIKE THE EARTHQUAKE HAPPENED YESTERDAY"

Years After The Earthquake, One Haitian Magazine Editor Said That Port-Au-Prince "Looks Like The Earthquake Happened Yesterday." "'The city looks like the earthquake happened yesterday,' laments Marcus Garcia, who edits the diaspora weekly Haiti en Marche from Port-au-Prince. The reference is to broken or non-existent roads, roofless buildings including two major cathedrals still staring into the sky, and 306 camps for internally displaced people according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). That's about a quarter of the 1,200 tent camps at the peak of the crisis." (Rashmee Rohan Lall, "Port-Au-Prince: Collision Of Ideals And Aid Has Yoked Progress," The Guardian, 1/27/14)

After The Earthquake, "Little Progress Has Been Made On Many Core Problems In Haiti." "Five years after the hemisphere's deadliest single natural disaster, when both Clintons assumed leading roles in the rebuilding efforts, little progress has been made on many core problems in Haiti, and the government that Hillary Clinton helped put in power during that January 2011 trip-and that both Clintons have backed strongly since-has proven itself unworthy of that trust." (Jonathan Katz, "The King And Queen Of Haiti," Politico, 5/4/15)

"The Vast Majority Of Haitians Still Haven't Gotten Much Of Anywhere." "Five years after her husband pledged to Esquire magazine that he was "prepared to spend three years" helping Haitians get 'the right things for their country,' what does it mean that the vast majority of Haitians still haven't gotten much of anywhere?" (Jonathan Katz, "The King And Queen Of Haiti," Politico, 5/4/15)

Haiti's Economic Growth Has Stalled And Political Strife Could Plunge The Country Into Chaos. "Economic growth is stalling, and the nation's politics look headed for a showdown in the next year that could once again plunge the country into internal strife." (Jonathan Katz, "The King And Queen Of Haiti," Politico, 5/4/15)

"The Clintons' Image In Haiti Has Slipped" Because "Little Has Been Accomplished" And Relief Efforts "Have Helped Foreign Investors And Haiti's Wealthy Elites More Than Its Poor"

The Washington Post : "The Clintons' Image In Haiti Has Slipped" Because Of Complaints That Clinton-Backed Initiatives "Have Often Helped The Country's Elite And International Business Investors." "But the Clintons' image in Haiti has slipped in recent months as Haitians increasingly complain that Clinton-backed projects have often helped the country's elite and international business investors more than they have helped poor Haitians." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind Helderman, "Role Of Hillary Clinton's Brother In Haiti Gold Mine Raises Eyebrows," The Washington Post , 3/20/15)

Backlash To The Clintons' Work Says "Little Has Been Accomplished" And That Major Projects "Have Helped Foreign Investors And Haiti's Wealthy Elites More Than Its Poor." "Nevertheless, the Clintons are facing a growing backlash that too little has been accomplished in the past five years and that some of the most high-profile projects they have backed - including a just-opened Marriott, another luxury hotel and the industrial park - have helped foreign investors and Haiti's wealthy elites more than its poor." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind Helderman, "How The Clintons' Haiti Development Plans Succeed - And Disappoint," The Washington Post , 3/20/15)

"Nevertheless, the Clintons are facing a growing backlash that too little has been accomplished in the past five years and that some of the most high-profile projects they have backed - including a just-opened Marriott, another luxury hotel and the industrial park - have helped foreign investors and Haiti's wealthy elites more than its poor." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind Helderman, "How The Clintons' Haiti Development Plans Succeed - And Disappoint," , 3/20/15) "Haitians Increasingly Complain That The Clintons' Most Ambitious Plans Are Disconnected From The Realities Of Most People In The Poorest Country In The Western Hemisphere." "But as the initial emergency response has evolved into efforts to ensure Haiti's long-term development, Haitians increasingly complain that the Clintons' most ambitious plans are disconnected from the realities of most people in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind Helderman, "How The Clintons' Haiti Development Plans Succeed - And Disappoint," The Washington Post , 3/20/15)

Locals Say Bill Clinton "Couldn't Get Elected Mayor In Haiti Today." "'I read that Bill Clinton is the most popular politician in America, but he couldn't get elected mayor in Haiti today,' said Jacky Lumarque, rector of Quisqueya University, a private school that was damaged in the earthquake and received $914,000 from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to create an entrepreneurship center." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind Helderman, "How The Clintons' Haiti Development Plans Succeed - And Disappoint," The Washington Post , 3/20/15)

THE CLINTONS PROMISED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS FOR HATIANS, BUT ONLY DELIVERED A FRACTION

The State Department And The Foundation Promised To Bring Tens Of Thousands Of Jobs To Haiti Following The Earthquake Through Luring Foundation Donor Sae-A To Build An Industrial Park In Haiti

The Clintons Were "Instrumental" At Nearly Every Step Of The Caracol Industrial Park. "The linchpin is the $300 million, 600-acre Caracol Industrial Park, financed by U.S. taxpayer money and Inter-American Development Bank and geared toward making clothes for export to the United States. The Clintons were instrumental at nearly every step in its creation. The development program Bill came to sell as U.N special envoy, written by Oxford University economist Paul Collier, had garment exports at its center." (Jonathan Katz, "The King And Queen Of Haiti," Politico, 5/4/15)

In 2010, Hillary Clinton Approached Korean Garment Manufacturer Sae-A About The Caracol Industrial Park In Haiti. "In 2010, Sae-A was approached by the United States Secretary of State to take part in an opportunity to help galvanize Haiti's economy through the Caracol Industrial Park." (Sae-A, "Sae-A Helps Bring New Day to Haiti," Press Release, 10/23/12)

When Hillary Clinton Traveled To Haiti In The Spring Of 2010, Sae-A's Chairman, Woong-Ki Kim, Was "Summoned" To The U.S. Embassy And Encouraged To Explore A Plant In Haiti. "In spring 2010, Mr. Clinton and Mrs. Clinton's chief of staff set out to woo the apparel industry, armed with Congressional legislation that enhanced the special access of Haitian-produced apparel to the United States market. When Mrs. Clinton made an official visit to South Korea, Sae-A executives were summoned to the American Embassy in Seoul. Sae-A's chairman, Woong-ki Kim, had been scouting Haiti as a factory location since 1991, and Ms. Mills urged Sae-A to explore his interest more deeply." (Deborah Sontag, "Earthquake Relief Where Haiti Wasn't Broken," The New York Times , 7/6/12)

SAE-A Has Donated Between $25,000 And $50,000 To The Clinton Foundation. (Clinton Foundation, Accessed 3/16/16)

The Clintons Failed To Meet Their Promise Of Creating Over 60,000 Jobs

Initially, The Clinton Foundation Promised That The Caracol Industrial Park Would Create Up To 60,000 Jobs. "On October 22, President Bill Clinton joined Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Martelly, Prime Minister Lamothe, and President Moreno of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the opening of Caracol Northern Industrial Park in Haiti, an industrial facility that will create up to 60,000 jobs in the region and help decentralize the Haitian economy." (The Clinton Foundation, "President Clinton Announces Opening of Caracol Northern Industrial Park in Haiti," Press Release, 10/25/12)

The Initiative Was A Joint Effort Of The Clinton Foundation, The State Department, The Inter-American Development Bank And The Haitian Government. "The Northern Industrial Park has been a collaboration between the Clinton Foundation, the US State Department, the IDB, and the Haitian government." (The Clinton Foundation, "President Clinton Announces Opening Of Caracol Northern Industrial Park in Haiti," Press Release, 10/25/12)

Then In 2012, Claimed The Industrial Park Would Create 20,000 Jobs By 2016. CLINTON: "Five months ago, a shipment of sewing machines was unpacked at the brand new Caracol Industrial Park in northern Haiti. The first tenant was the Korean apparel company, Sae-A, one of the largest garment manufacturers in the world. Today, that factory has 800 employees, most of them women who have never had a formal sector job before. Many are graduates of a new vocational training center nearby. By the end of the year, Sae-A will nearly double their employees, and they're on track to reach their goal of creating 20,000 jobs by 2016." (Secretary Hillary Clinton, Remarks At The Clinton Global Initiative, New York City, NY, 9/24/12)

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Despite A Promise To Create 65,000 Jobs At Caracol, There Are Currently Only 5,000 At The Garment Factory As Of May 2015. "There's a lot that didn't get done. In the north of the country, the Clinton-proposed Caracol Industrial Park was supposed to feature some 40 buildings for apparel assembly supporting up to 65,000 jobs. It remains a mystery why there are still only three buildings in full operation and only 5,000 jobs, despite plenty of tenant interest." (Mary Anastasia O'Grady, "How the Clintons Worked The Angles In Haiti," The Wall Street Journal, 5/10/15)

Last Year, There Were Only Five Commercial Tenants At Caracol. "Supporters say it remains 'a work in progress' that can still meet expectations. They point out that it has contributed $100 million in exports to Haiti's limping economy while accounting for 60 percent of the apparel jobs created since the country's devastating Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake. The park's $12 million annual payroll from its five commercial tenants also is helping the local economy." (Jacqueline Charles, "Hillary Clinton-Backed Post-Quake Haiti Project 'A Work In Progress,'" Miami Herald, 5/3/15)

Caracol Was Promised To Have 40 Buildings For Garment Production, But As Of Last Year Only Had Three. "There's a lot that didn't get done. In the north of the country, the Clinton-proposed Caracol Industrial Park was supposed to feature some 40 buildings for apparel assembly supporting up to 65,000 jobs. It remains a mystery why there are still only three buildings in full operation and only 5,000 jobs, despite plenty of tenant interest." (Mary Anastasia O'Grady, "How the Clintons Worked the Angles in Haiti," The Wall Street Journal, 5/10/15)

The Cost Per Job Created For The Caracol Industrial Park Is 30 Times The Average Yearly Salary Of A Worker At The Sae-A Plant Located At The Park. "That comes out to roughly $55,000 in investment per job created so far; or, to put it another way, about 30 times more per job than the average Sae-A worker makes per year." (Jonathan Katz, "The King And Queen Of Haiti," Politico, 5/4/15)

CLINTON BROKE HER PROMISE TO GET THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND USAID TO MEET U.S. COMMITMENTS TO HAITI

After Initially Pledging To Build Or Repair 50,000 Homes Throughout Haiti, The U.S. Had To Drastically Scale Back Plans

Although The U.S. Originally Planned to Build 15,000 Homes, The Final Number Was Reduced To 2,649. "The United States, which pledged $2.7 billion to help Haiti recover and rebuild, had initially set out to construct 15,000 houses. But by August 2013, the massive undertaking had been reduced by 80 percent to 2,649, with the number of beneficiaries shaved from as many as 90,000 to 15,900. The cost of the units had also doubled after the Haitian government insisted on not only larger homes but flush toilets." (Jacqueline Charles, "Building Permanent Housing Remains Haiti's Biggest Challenge Following The 2010 Earthquake," Miami Herald, 1/10/15)

U.S. Funds Only Fixed 5,800 Of The 35,000 Homes The US Planned To Repair. "The State Department says 29,100 transitional shelters have been built, to which residents are adding floors, walls or roofs to make permanent homes, although homes once again vulnerable to natural disasters. U.S. funds also supported 27,000 households as they moved in with friends or families, and repaired 5,800 of the 35,000 damaged homes they had planned to complete with partners by July 2012." (Martha Mendoza And Trenton Daniel, "US Pledge To Haiti Not Being Met," The Associated Press, 7/21/12)

The U.S. State Dept. Special Coordinator For Haiti Admitted Building Houses In Haiti Didn't Work. STATE DEPT. SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR HAITI THOMAS ADAMS: "So our strategy was to build houses. I think, as we got into it, we realized that wasn't working as well as supporting the Haitians." (Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, U.S. House Of Representatives, Hearing, 12/3/14)

The U.S. And Haitian Governments Had Such Poor Records In Building Homes That They Were Forced To Reconsider Their Role In Reconstruction Efforts . "The Abysmal [Housing] Records Have Led The U.S. And Haitian Governments To Conclude Maybe They Should Have Never Been In The Housing Reconstruction Business To Begin With. And Not Because There Wasn't A Need." (Jacqueline Charles, "Building Permanent Housing Remains Haiti's Biggest Challenge Following The 2010 Earthquake," Miami Herald, 1/10/15)

Secretary Clinton Was Forced To Concede That The Pace Of Reconstruction Throughout Haiti Was Slower Than Expected

Just One Year After The Earthquake, Secretary Clinton Was Forced To Admit That The Pace Of Reconstruction Was Not Adequate. QUESTION: "And what do you think about the pace of reconstruction?" CLINTON: "I think it's been steady, but not adequate to the task that we are confronting, for many reasons that we have analyzed, and have made clear we want to see it expedited, accelerated. And the number of countries and NGOs who are committed to doing that remains very high. But the problems are significant." (Secretary Hillary Clinton, "Secretary Clinton Briefs The Traveling Press," State Department," 1/30/11)

THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED HAITIANS WITH INTERIM HOUSING IN THE FORM OF FORMALDEHYDE LACED TRAILERS

Bill Clinton Spearheaded Building Trailers In Haiti That Would Be Used As Schools As Well As "Hurricane-Proof" Shelters Which Ended Up Being Carcinogenic

The Clinton Foundation's First Contribution To The Interim Haiti Recovery Commission Was To Rebuild Schools That Would Be "Hurricane-Proof" And Would "Ensure The Safety Of Vulnerable Populations In High Risk Areas" During Hurricane Season. "The project was announced by Clinton as his foundation's first contribution to the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, which the former president co-chairs. The foundation described the project as 'hurricane-proof...emergency shelters that can also serve as schools...to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations in high risk areas during the hurricane season,' while also providing Haitian schoolchildren 'a decent place to learn' and creating local jobs. The facilities, according to the foundation, would be equipped with power generators, restrooms, water and sanitary storage. They became one of the IHRC's first projects." (Isabel Macdonald and Isabeau Doucet, "The Shelters That Clinton Built," The Nation, 7/6/11)

Lab Tests Conducted On The Trailers In Haiti Revealed Levels Of Formaldehyde That Were Two And A Half Times The Level At Which The Center For Disease Control And Prevention [CDC] Had Warned FEMA Trailer Residents Could Face Adverse Health Effects. "Lab tests conducted as part of our investigation in Haiti discovered levels of the carcinogen in the sixth-grade Clinton Foundation classroom in Léogâne at 250 parts per billion-two and a half times the level at which the CDC warned FEMA trailer residents that sensitive people, such as children, could face adverse health effects. Assay Technologies, the accredited lab that analyzed the air tests, identifies 100 parts per billion and more as the level at which '65-80 percent of the population will most likely exhibit some adverse health symptoms...when exposed continually over extended periods of time.'" (Isabel Macdonald and Isabeau Doucet, "The Shelters That Clinton Built," The Nation, 7/6/11)

Students In Haiti Showed Symptoms Similar To Those Experienced By Those Living In FEMA Trailers That The CDC Found To Have Unsafe Levels Of Formaldehyde. "Any number of factors might be contributing to the headaches and eye irritation reported by INHAC staff and students. However, similar symptoms were experienced by those living in the FEMA trailers that were found by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to have unsafe levels of formaldehyde." (Isabel Macdonald and Isabeau Doucet, "The Shelters That Clinton Built," The Nation, 7/6/11)

A Student Said She And Her Classmates Suffered From "Painful Headaches" In The Clinton Foundation Classroom. "As Judith Seide, a student in Lubert's sixth-grade class, explained to The Nation, she and her classmates regularly suffer from painful headaches in their new Clinton Foundation classroom. Every day, she said, her 'head hurts and I feel it spinning and have to stop moving, otherwise I'd fall.' Her vision goes dark, as is the case with her classmate Judel, who sometimes can't open his eyes because, said Seide, 'he's allergic to the heat.' Their teacher regularly relocates the class outside into the shade of the trailer because the swelter inside is insufferable." (Isabel Macdonald and Isabeau Doucet, "The Shelters That Clinton Built," The Nation, 7/6/11)

THE CLINTON'S FAMILIES HAVE BOTH ATTEMPTED TO CASH IN WITH BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HAITI, WHILE THE HATIAINS CONTINUE TO LIVE IN RUBBLE

Bill Clinton Was Put In Charge Of The Haiti Reconstruction, And It Became Understood That If You Didn't Have Clinton Connections You Couldn't Get In On Any Business Related To Haiti Reconstruction." "Within two weeks of Haiti's January 2010 earthquake, the word had already gone out from the State Department that Bill Clinton would be in charge of U.S. reconstruction efforts. 'That means,' one individual told me and I reported in a Jan. 25, 2010 column, 'if you don't have Clinton connections, you won't be in the game.'" (Mary Anastasia O'Grady, "How the Clintons Worked the Angles in Haiti," The Wall Street Journal, 5/10/15)

In Haiti, The Clintons "Are The Only Thing Linking All Of These Projects And Initiatives." "One of the Clinton Foundation's favorite lines is: 'Everywhere we go, we're trying to work ourselves out of a job.' But at least in the case of Haiti, it's hard to see how that would happen. The Clintons themselves are the only thing linking all of these projects and initiatives." (Jonathan Katz, "The King And Queen Of Haiti," Politico, 5/4/15)

Roger Clinton And Tony Rodham Were Both Profited From The Haiti Relief Money Meant To Help Hatians

Roger Clinton Used His Connections To Get A Consulting Job With A Building Firm Seeking Contracts In Haiti. "More recently, Roger Clinton parlayed his family ties into a consulting arrangement with a group of builders hoping to sell houses in Haiti, where Bill Clinton's private foundation and Mrs. Clinton's State Department helped direct recovery efforts after the 2010 earthquake." (Mike Mcintire And Steve Eder, "Roger Clinton Is Wary, Chatty And Still Occasionally Attracting Attention," The New York Times , 7/6/15)

The CEO Of The Company Stated He Paid Roger $100,000 "To Get Us A Contract Through The Clinton Foundation." "'I paid Roger $100,000,' Mr. Coleman said. 'Basically, he promised to get us a contract through the Clinton Foundation for a project over there. What he was really trying to do was sell the influence of his brother.'" (Mike Mcintire And Steve Eder, "Roger Clinton Is Wary, Chatty And Still Occasionally Attracting Attention," The New York Times , 7/6/15)

Hillary Clinton's Brother, Tony Rodham, Was Also Involved In A Deal Seeking To Build Homes In Haiti During The Clinton Tenure. "When Mr. Clinton worked as a co-chairman of Haiti's earthquake recovery commission, Mr. Rodham and his partners sought a $22 million deal to rebuild homes in the country." (Steve Eder, "Tony Rodham's Ties Invite Scrutiny For Hillary And Bill Clinton," The New York Times , 5/10/15)

Rodham Stated That He Worked Through The Clinton Foundation, And Sought To Influence Bill, "Because It's His Fund That We're Going To Get Our Money From." "'I deal through the Clinton Foundation. That gets me in touch with the Haitian officials,' Mr. Rodham said, according to a transcript of his testimony. 'I hound my brother-in-law, because it's his fund that we're going to get our money from.'" (Steve Eder, "Tony Rodham's Ties Invite Scrutiny For Hillary And Bill Clinton," The New York Times , 5/10/15)

Tony Rodham Also Served On The Board Of A Mining Company That Won A Lucrative Haitian Mining Permit, And Whose CEO He Met At A Clinton Global Initiative Meeting

Rodham Also Served On The Board Of A US Mining Company That Won One Of Two Haitian Gold Mining Permits, Which Was Later Placed On Hold. "Controversy surrounding the Clintons only deepened with the recent revelation, contained in an upcoming book by Peter Schweizer, that Tony Rodham - Hillary Clinton's younger brother - serves on the advisory board of a U.S.-based company that in 2012 won one of Haiti's first two gold-mining permits in 50 years. After objection from the Haitian Senate, the permits have been placed on hold." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind Helderman, "How The Clintons' Haiti Development Plans Succeed - And Disappoint," The Washington Post , 3/20/15)

Rodham Was Introduced To The CEO Of The Mining Company At A Meeting Of The Clinton Global Initiative. "In interviews with The Washington Post, both Rodham and the chief executive of Delaware-based VCS Mining said they were introduced at a meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative - an offshoot of the Clinton Foundation that critics have long alleged invites a blurring of its charitable mission with the business interests of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their corporate donors." (Kevin Sullivan and Rosalind S. Helderman, "Role Of Hillary Clinton's Brother In Haiti Gold Mine Raises Eyebrows," The Washington Post , 3/20/15)

Rodham, Who Describes Himself As A Facilitator, Has Used His Family Connections For Decades To Further His Business Ventures. "On and off for two decades, the affable Mr. Rodham has tried to use his connections with his sister and his brother-in-law, former President Bill Clinton, to further a business career that has seen more failures than successes. The connections to the Clintons have given Mr. Rodham, a self-described 'facilitator,' a unique appeal and a range of opportunities, like addressing Chinese investor conferences and joining an advisory board of a company seeking permission to mine for gold in Haiti." (Steve Eder, "Tony Rodham's Ties Invite Scrutiny For Hillary And Bill Clinton," The New York Times , 5/10/15)

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