15199: (Chamberlain) Turks and Caicos criticizes Haiti over migrants (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

By NILLS CAMPBELL

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos, March 18 - Following the repatriation of
more than 400 Haitian boat people, a top official in the Turks and Caicos
Islands criticized Haiti on Tuesday for not doing enough to stem illegal
migration.
        The Haitian migrants repatriated between Friday and Monday had
arrived last week in several small boats, said Altheus Gardiner, permanent
secretary of the Immigration Ministry.
        "In my view, I do not think the Haitian government is doing enough
to help correct this problem," he said.
        The British territory of about 20,000 people maintains Haiti's
authorities should increase shore patrols and broadcast more advisories
warning Haitians not to attempt illegal voyages.
        Some public service announcements already are carried by Haitian
radio stations, warning people of the danger and potential to lose the
precious money the put into such voyages.
        Thousands of Haitians leave their impoverished country every month,
risking dangerous trips aboard rickety, crowded boats in hopes of finding
better economic opportunities on U.S. shores.
        Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has only
about a dozen coast guard patrol boats. But the U.S. Coast Guard also
regularly patrols offshore, picking up and returning any Haitians found in
international waters.
        An average of 400 Haitians arrive monthly in Turks and Caicos, many
having been duped by migrant smugglers into thinking they are in the United
States, officials say.
        A Turks and Caicos delegation traveled to Haiti last year to
discuss both illegal migration and the granting of work permits to some
Haitians.
        The delegation recommended Haiti's government broadcast warnings
that smugglers were deceiving migrants by dropping them in Turks and Caicos
— about three days north of Haiti by boat — rather than in the United
States, which is five times farther.
        "I am not convinced that the Haitian government has carried out our
request," Gardiner said.
        Turks and Caicos "is now being forced to take more drastic
measures," Gardiner said. He said possibilities include canceling all work
permits for Haitians.
        Meanwhile, the British territory is giving its police force more
vehicles, equipment and staff to seek out illegal migrants. Authorities say
there are thousands of Haitians living illegally in the capital,
Providenciales, and surrounding areas.
        Haiti's ambassador to the Bahamas, Louis Harold Joseph, is due to
visit Turks and Caicos on Thursday to discuss relations.