20055: Esser: ANC: We Cannot Support the Violent Removal of Democratically-Elected Leaders (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

African National Congress, South Africa
http://www.anc.org.za/

March 5, 2004

WE CANNOT SUPPORT THE VIOLENT REMOVAL OF DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED LEADERS
by Mavivi Myakayaka-Manzini*

Introduction

On Sunday, February 29, a United States plane flew President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide out of Haiti to the Central African Republic.
He had neither requested to be moved out of Haiti nor asked that he
should be transported to the Central African Republic.

Rather, for some days before the banishment of the elected President
of Haiti, leaders of the US government had joined the French
government and the Haitian opposition parties in demanding that
President Aristide should resign. In this regard, whether
internationally or not, these governments which had differed sharply
over the question of Iraq, sided with groups that had treasonably
taken up arms to overthrow the democratically elected government of
Haiti and subvert the constitutional order.

When it flew President Aristide out of Haiti, having closely
cooperated with the French government on planning and executing this
banishment, the US government was giving expression to its resolve to
effect regime change in Haiti, regardless of the wishes of the
government and people of Haiti.

What occasioned this action by the US and French governments was the
campaign of destabilisation carried out by armed gangs that were
killing people, hunting down police officers, looting and burning
buildings, all in an attempt to overthrow the democratically elected
government led by President Aristide.

Amnesty International (AI) had repeatedly sounded the alarm about the
armed groups that had launched a so-called rebellion. For instance,
in a 16 February 2004 statement, AI said:

"The emergence of former paramilitary leaders convicted of past human
rights violations as leaders of the armed opposition force is
fuelling a conflict that has already taken too many lives.

"At the best of times, the spectre of past violations continues to
haunt Haiti," Amnesty International said today. "At this crucial
stage, when the rule of law is so fragile, the last thing that the
country needs is for those who committed abuses in the past to take
up leadership positions in the armed opposition.

"On 14 February, Louis Jodel Chamblain, a notorious former
paramilitary leader, reportedly gave an interview to a Haitian radio
station to say that he had joined the armed movement seeking to
overthrow President Jean Bertrand Aristide. He was accompanied by a
former police commissioner.

"In September 1995 Chamblain was among seven senior military and
paramilitary leaders convicted in absentia and sentenced to forced
labour for life for involvement in the September 1993 extrajudicial
execution of Antoine Izméry, a well known pro-democracy activist.
Chamblain had gone into exile to avoid prosecution.

"Chamblain has reportedly joined forces with the leaders of armed
opposition based in Gonaïves.

"Another of the leaders, Jean Pierre Baptiste, alias 'Jean Tatoune',
is also a former paramilitary leader who was sentenced to forced
labour for life for participation in the 1994 Raboteau massacre. He
was among the prisoners who escaped from Gonaïves prison during the
August 2002 jailbreak of Amiot 'Cubain' Métayer, deceased leader of
the formerly pro-government group which violently took over control
of Gonaïves on 5 February. Gang members under Jean Tatoune's
direction have been accused of numerous abuses against government
officials and supporters, as well as other Gonaïves residents, over
past months."

Not long before the removal of President Aristide, our government
received a request from the government of Haiti and the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) to supply some material for use by Haitian
police. These had run out of such things as tear gas, boots,
bulletproof vests, and ammunition for small arms.

Because of this, the gang denounced by Amnesty International had
gained an upper hand in some parts of the country. Like President
Aristide, CARICOM was determined that the so-called rebels should not
be allowed to destroy Haiti's constitutional order.

Our government responded positively to this request. But
unfortunately the Chairperson of CARICOM, Prime Minister Patterson of
Jamaica, could not hand over the supplies as President Aristide was
removed and banished.

Of great importance with regard to the development in Haiti is the
fact that the African world as a whole, in Africa and the Diaspora,
encompassing the African Union, CARICOM and the African American
legislators organised in the US Congressional Black Caucus (CBC),
acted together in unity.

All Africans throughout the world continue to draw inspiration from
the great victory of African slaves in Haiti in 1804, which led to
the establishment of the first Black Republic. Equally, they are
deeply concerned that this historic home of African liberation has
not seen sustained stability, democracy and development since its
emancipation.

This is why they adopted a united position in support of democracy
and respect for the Constitution of Haiti. At the same time, they
united behind the positions of CARICOM as it worked hard to
facilitate a negotiated resolution of the conflict in Haiti.

At its 2nd Extraordinary Summit Meeting in Libya last week, the
African Union adopted a resolution which among other things:
"resolve(d) to support the CARICOM initiative and extend whatever
assistance we can to the people of Haiti: (and) call(ed) on the
United Nations Security Council to respond positively and speedily to
the proposal made to it by CARICOM and appeal to all other countries
to support CARICOM."

In the aftermath of the removal and banishment of President Aristide,
the CARICOM Heads of Government "expressed dismay and alarm over the
events leading to the departure from office by President Aristide and
the ongoing political upheaval and violence in Haiti. They called for
the immediate return to democratic rule and respect for the
Constitution of Haiti.They expressed the view that the circumstances
under which the President demitted office set a dangerous precedent
for democratically elected government everywhere, as it promotes the
unconstitutional removal of duly elected persons from office".

Because of the circumstances surrounding the removal of President
Aristide, the CARICOM Heads of Government said, "In prevailing
circumstances, Heads of Government do not envisage their
participation in the Multinational Interim Force authorised by the UN
Security Council."

On 1 March, 'The Miami Herald' in the US reported that "many members
of the (Congressional) Black Caucus delegation were visibly angered
at Aristide's alleged treatment" by the US government.

Congressman Elijah Cummings, Chair of the CBC, said: "As far as what
has happened to President Aristide, we, members of Congress, will not
stand around and watch democracy being taken apart by our own
country. That concerns us greatly. Referring to the United Nations,
Congressman Donald Payne added that: "It would be very difficult and
irresponsible for a responsible body and world organisation to deal
with an illegal government taking over by force."

Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel said: "You know, Secretary
Powell says, 'We recognise he (President Aristide) was elected, we
recognise constitutional government, we recognise democracy, but he
was a bad guy'. You know, I don't even say that about Bush."

Our Foreign Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has issued a statement
which says "the South African Government joins CARICOM leaders in
expressing deep concern regarding developments and circumstances that
led to the departure of a democratically elected President,
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, from office... The slow response of the UN
Security Council to pleas for assistance by the government of
Haiti...remains a matter of serious concern...South Africa stands
ready to support all efforts by CARICOM to help bring stability,
peace and security to Haiti".

As we went to press, the African Commission of the AU was preparing
its own statement on the highly regrettable and deeply disturbing
developments in Haiti, consistent with the AU resolution adopted in
Libya.

Not surprising, the most backward political forces in our country,
led by the DA, had opposed the celebration of the Bicentenary of the
Haitian Revolution at the beginning of the year. Even then, they
demanded the removal of the democratically elected President of Haiti.

Speaking in support of the criminals and abusers of human rights
exposed by Amnesty International, the DA has been very vociferous in
its support of the removal and banishment of President Aristide.
Instead of demanding the arrest and prosecution of the criminals who
took up arms against the government of Haiti, the DA has gone so far
as to call for the arrest and prosecution of President Aristide, the
target of armed criminal activity.

These reactionary positions expose the DA for what it truly is - a
virulent and unapologetic opponent of African liberation. So
determined is it to achieve the objective of keeping all Africans in
a subservient position, that it has elected to oppose the united
voice of the African world on Haiti, represented by the AU, CARICOM,
and the US CBC.

At the same time, the DA continues to pretend that it is the best
representative of democracy in our country and vigilant watchdog
guarding the interests of the very African masses it holds in
contempt. The masses of our people will continue to reject the DA as
the have done in the previous elections. The same fate awaits its
allies in Haiti, the criminals who took up arms to subvert democracy
and constitutional government in Haiti.

*Mavivi Myakayaka-Manzini is the ANC Head of International Affairs
.