19274: (Chamberlain) US-Haiti-Q&A (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

(AP, Feb 26)


   By SONYA ROSS

   Q: How did the Haitian government reach this point of near collapse?
   A: In 2000, Haiti held a legislative election that was put down as
flawed because it was swept by the party of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a
popular former priest and ex-president. Months later, Aristide returned to
power in a separate presidential election marred by an opposition boycott
and low turnout.
   International donors responded by cutting off millions of dollars in
badly needed aid. The United States, for one, blocked the distribution of
between $300 million and $500 million in development loans.
   Also, Haiti's military was disbanded, which diminished the government's
ability to enforce authority. Aristide's popularity began to wane as
critics complained that he broke promises to help the poor, used armed
gangs to menace his opponents and ran a corrupt government that has allowed
drug trafficking to flourish. Aristide denies those allegations. Frustrated
with the poverty, desperation and isolation of their country, some Haitians
are now turning to rebellion and demanding Aristide's ouster.

   Q: Is this going to trigger a refugee crisis?
   A: Possibly. That was the case between 1991, when Aristide was ousted by
military leaders, and 1994, when he was returned to power with U.S.
intervention. More than 65,000 Haitians were intercepted at sea by the
Coast Guard during that period.
   The United States hopes to avoid a repeat influx; President Bush said
Wednesday that Haitians seeking to flee to America by sea will be turned
back. So far, there has not been mass flight. One ship carrying 21 Haitians
was intercepted Wednesday off the coast of Miami. In the past eight days,
546 Haitians have been detained at sea, said Coast Guard spokesman Luis
Diaz.

   Q: How does the United States plan to respond if Haitians begin to flee
in droves?
   A: The short answer is, send them back. Advocates for Haiti say the
United States should allow a temporary protective status for Haitians
intercepted at sea because they are legitimately trying to escape danger
and political repression. There are contingency plans to house Haitians at
the Marine base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. That is where hundreds of
international terrorism suspects are also being detained.
   The question of Haitian refugees is a dicey issue for the Bush
administration, given that this is an election year and a politically vital
state -- Florida -- is the most directly affected. "It may ultimately be
that the United States will come up with some clearer and firmer policy on
Haiti to avoid precisely this problem of massive exodus of people," said
University of Virginia professor Robert Fatton Jr.

   Q: What is the United States doing in terms of humanitarian aid for
Haiti?
   A: The United Nations has sent a team to Haiti to assess the
humanitarian situation and see what can be done. The United States, working
through relief agencies, has promised to make humanitarian assistance a
priority. The United States has sent nearly $1 billion in aid to Haiti over
the past decade and has requested $55 million to address the current
crisis, John Maisto, U.S. representative to the Organization of American
States, said Thursday.

   Q: Are any other countries likely to send peacekeeping troops to Haiti?
   A: The U.N. Security Council was meeting Thursday about Haiti. The OAS,
a body of Latin American and Caribbean nations, passed a resolution
Thursday in support of potential U.N. intervention in Haiti.
   The 15-nation Caribbean Community, known as Caricom, has offered a peace
plan, and France proposed expanding that plan to include establishment of a
civilian peacekeeping force. The French, who initially colonized Haiti,
have advocated assembling an international police force now, so that it is
ready to move in should Aristide step aside and a transitional government
take over.

   Q: Is Aristide likely to resign?
   A: He has said he will not. But Aristide was amenable to a U.S.-backed
plan for him to remain president until his term expires in 2006, and share
power with political opponents. Rebel leaders have rejected that proposal.