18566: Rep. Maxine Waters' letter to Colin Powell 2-12-04 -- NOT A REPEAT. NEW

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>

The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW, Room 7261
Washington, DC  20520

Dear Secretary Powell:

         I am outraged at the State Department's apparent willingness
to sabotage democracy and the rule of law in Haiti.

         It has been clear to me for some time that the State
Department has been trying to undermine President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide, the constitutionally-elected president of Haiti, and
support the opposition in its efforts to force President Aristide out
of office.  The article in today's New York Times, which indicates
that an anonymous senior State Department official said that the Bush
Administration might support replacing President Aristide, only
reinforces my concerns.

         President Aristide has almost two years remaining on his term
in office and has the support of the majority of the population of
Haiti.  The Lavalas party has widespread support, and its supporters
have been turning out in huge numbers at rallies to support President
Aristide.  There is no conceivable justification for the State
Department to support any effort to force the
constitutionally-elected President of Haiti to leave office before
his term expires.

         I have been to Haiti two times recently.  I was present for
the Haitian people's bicentennial celebration of their independence
on January 1, 2004, and I just returned on Tuesday after spending
three days in Haiti assessing the situation.  I have met with the
United States Ambassador, embassy personnel, leaders of Convergence,
Andre Apaid, other leaders of the opposition, and other individuals
from civil society.  I also met with President Aristide and members
of his staff.


         I am convinced that this effort to force President Aristide
out of office by any means is a power-grab by the same forces that
staged a coup d'etat and forced him out of office in 1991.  The
opposition that claims to be peaceful is not peaceful and they are
responsible for the violence in Gonaives and other parts of Haiti.
Should these actions by Andre Apaid and his Committee of 184, thugs
and violent protestors receive support or encouragement from the
United States, thereby increasing the risk of a coup d'etat, there
may well be a bloodbath on the streets of Haiti.

         I insist that the State Department discontinue its actions
and join in a serious effort to bring about peace in Haiti.  Those
for whom you have responsibility, especially Ambassador Roger
Noriega, the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, will
be held responsible for the bloodshed and mayhem that will result
should the State Department continue its support for, or acquiescence
in, the actions of violent protesters and thugs in Haiti.

         Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss the State
Department's willingness to change its course.

                                                 Sincerely,



                                                 Maxine Waters
                                                 Member of Congress


MW:ks


cc:     Ambassador Roger Noriega, Assistant Secretary for Western
Hemisphere Affairs
         Ambassador Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary for Public
Affairs and Department Spokesman