18420: (Chamberlain) US-Haiti-Departure (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By GEORGE GEDDA

   WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (AP) -- The State Department authorized on Tuesday
the departure of family members and nonemergency employees of the U.S.
Embassy in Haiti as a result of increased political violence in the
country.
   The travel warning also urged private Americans to get out of Haiti if
they can do it safely and said embassy personnel could not leave the area
around Port-au-Prince, the capital.
   Additionally, the department advised U.S. citizens to scrap any plans
for going to Haiti. "Americans are reminded of the potential for
spontaneous demonstrations and violent confrontations between government
supporters and students and other groups that oppose the government of
Haiti," the warning said.
   "The embassy's ability to provide emergency services to American
citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is limited and decreasing," the
statement said.
   A State Department official said the U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring
waters off Haiti for signs that the number of Haitians trying to flee will
increase due to the violence.
   No increase has been detected thus far, but U.S. authorities are
watching the situation closely, said the official, who asked not to be
identified.
   In 1992, tens of thousands of Haitians tried to escape a repressive
military government then in power. Many were picked up and taken to the
U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
   An increase in construction of homemade boats would be one sign of
intent to flee, but that has not occurred, the official said.
   Between 2,500 and 3,500 fleeing Haitians are picked up by Coast Guard
cutters each year and repatriated, the official said.
   There are no reliable estimates on the number of Haitians who arrive in
the United States or perish at sea, the official said.
   Secretary of State Colin Powell received the diplomatic credentials
Tuesday of Haiti's new ambassador, Raymond Valcin. He told Valcin that
Haiti should attempt to restore peace by seeking a political solution.
   The United States is keeping generally a low profile in Haiti,
preferring to allow diplomats from the Caribbean and the Organization of
American States to try to overcome the wide gap between President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his opponents.
   In 1994, U.S. forces reinstated Aristide to power, forcing out a
three-man junta that had deposed him in 1991.
   Now the administration seems to be holding Aristide responsible for the
unrest, which has claimed more than 40 lives.
   "Our goal has been to make clear to President Aristide that he needs to
take the opportunity to make peace, take the opportunity to reach a
political settlement," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.
   Beyond that, he said Aristide must undertake "thoroughgoing reforms" if
stability is to be achieved.
   The United States has asked Congress for $55 million in humanitarian
assistance for Haiti this year. The aid total last year was $72 million.
   Part of the unrest stems from parliamentary elections in 2000 that many
regarded as fraudulent.
   Haiti is one of 34 countries that belong to the Organization of American
States, which insists on democratic governance as a requirement for
membership.
   The State Department official said the department is trying to determine
whether Haiti still qualifies as a member.
   ------
   On the Net:
   State Department's Haiti page: http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/c2872.htm