20483: Lemieux: BBC: Regional rift deepens over Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>

BBC News
3/16/2004

Regional rift deepens over Haiti
Both Venezuela and Jamaica have refused to recognise the
new Haiti government.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he would grant refuge
to ousted Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide who is now
being hosted by Jamaica.

Haiti's new prime minister suspended ties with Jamaica in
protest at the decision to allow Mr Aristide in.

The moves also threaten to create new rifts between the
countries and the US, which criticised Jamaica's sheltering
of Mr Aristide.

The US withdrew its support of Mr Aristide as violent
unrest swept through Haiti last month and he went into
exile, travelling to the Central African Republic.


[Mr Aristide's arrival in Jamaica is] certainly not helpful
to advancing democracy and stability in Haiti
Scott McClellan,
White House spokesman
Mr Aristide accuses the US of "kidnapping" him to allow
what he calls a coup and his arrival back in the Caribbean
region after just two weeks has raised concerns and some
anger.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said of Mr Aristide's
rapid return: "That's certainly not helpful to advancing
democracy and stability in Haiti."

Mr Chavez, who is himself accusing the US of fomenting the
opposition to his rule in Venezuela, said he supported Mr
Aristide's claim to be the rightful leader of Haiti and
would refuse to recognise the government of new Prime
Minister Gerard Latortue.

Haiti's Caribbean neighbour, Jamaica, also said it would
not recognise Mr Latortue's authority, at least until after
a regional summit of the Caribbean Community scheduled for
next week.

Mr Latortue is attempting to form a cabinet to help put
together a transitional government uniting both pro and
anti-Aristide figures.

But he is having trouble bringing the two sides together.

'Commitment needed'

For his part, Mr Aristide told the Washington Post
newspaper that he hoped his supporters in Haiti would find
comfort in his proximity.

"I do believe many Haitians who are poor or suffering, or
in hiding, think that if I am closer physically, it's
better for them instead of being far away," he said.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the outside world must
remain committed to Haiti if it is to get back on its feet.


"Haiti clearly is unable to sort itself out, and the effect
of leaving it alone would be continued or worsening chaos,"
he said.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/3517490.stm

Published: 2004/03/16 20:25:07 GMT

© BBC MMIV


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