Disappointed with the US
published: Friday | March 5, 2004
THE EDITOR Sir,
THE GRAVE sense of disappointment that we feel at the United States' handling of the Haitian crisis was only intensified by their decision to repatriate hundreds of Haitians at the height of the conflict. Let's see what Amnesty International and other human rights watchdogs have to say about this. I hope they remember in their reports that poor Jamaica didn't waiver in fulfilling its legal and moral obligation to the refugees.
The slaughtering and pillaging provided a field day for the international media. I was totally appalled at the amount of air time and number of interviews afforded the rebel leaders. They are given the kind of legitimacy such that someone not abreast with what's happening would think that Aristide is the oppressor and these rebels are some guardian angels over Haiti. It is interesting to note that when rebel leader Guy Phillipe was asked on CNN if he would lay down his arms now that Aristide has left he responded saying he would do so "after discussions".
This is the height of insanity! An absurd idea that is totally unpalatable to any level-headed individual. Toussaint must be doing somersaults in his grave! The only discussion that the international community should have with these terrorists is when serving them with an ultimatum to turn themselves in to answer to charges of terrorist and subversive activities, massacre and hundreds of other crimes they have committed since the start of the crisis.
I hope that Jamaica and the rest of CARICOM will not fail the people of Haiti by recognising any government that rises to power there by subversive and undemocratic means.
