19417: (Hermantin) Sun-Sentinel-Editorial-Time for action running short (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Editorial: Time for action running short

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
Posted February 28 2004



Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is right: 32 coups in 200 years of
history is "enough." Unfortunately, Aristide's insistence on fighting to the
end may only guarantee coup number 33.

And if the rebels threatening to oust Aristide, and perhaps kill him in the
process, succeed, then the latest revolt in Haiti could lead to
authoritarian government. So it's not just Aristide's fate that is on the
line, it's Haiti's fledgling democracy that is also in great peril.

In an ideal world, a democratically elected leader like Aristide would be
permitted to finish his term, and then hand over power to his successor in
an orderly process. But to believe that can still be the case in Haiti, as
Aristide does, is wishful thinking.

For starters, the widespread opposition to Aristide, both peaceful and
violent, convincingly demonstrates that he is unpopular and unsustainable.
The conventional wisdom is that Aristide, a former priest from Haiti's
slums, lost credibility because he did little to crack down on corruption
and to prevent thugs from attacking political opponents.

Whether these accusations are fair and just is a moot question at this
point.

Aristide has lost control of much of the country to rebel gangs who now
threaten to march on his last stronghold, Port-au-Prince. With no army, and
only a beleaguered police force to protect him, Aristide cannot defend his
presidency.

Aristide thinks otherwise. "From my point of view, if we have a couple dozen
international soldiers, police, together right now, it could be enough to
send a positive signal to those terrorists," Aristide said in an interview.

He's deluded. It would take more than a few good soldiers to ward off an
attack, regain the rest of the country and prop up Aristide, even if his
government deserved such support.

Haitian democracy, however, merits defense. That's why the international
community, the United States, France, the Caribbean nations and others with
a deep interest in stopping further bloodshed, must redouble efforts in what
little time remains.

They must press Aristide to resign, paving the way for an interim government
led by non-violent opposition leaders. Then Haiti's allies abroad must send
a sufficient peacekeeping force to Haiti to back up the new government if
the rebels challenge it.

If other nations do not act, Haiti is likely to fall into the hands of gangs
who will return the country to repressive rule. That will mean many more
deaths, from combat and vigilantism, and a massive humanitarian crisis there
and on the high seas as Haitians seek refuge elsewhere.

No one should be allowed to drag Haiti down that route. Not the rebels, and
not Aristide.

But there is little time to avoid a catastrophe. The international
community, which sat on its hands too long, must not take no for an answer
now.

_________________________________________________________________
Take off on a romantic weekend or a family adventure to these great U.S.
locations. http://special.msn.com/local/hotdestinations.armx