20700: (Hermantin)Miami-Herald-Editorial-CARICOM SHOULD EXTEND HELPING HAND TO LATORTUE (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Tue, Mar. 23, 2004

Haiti's interim regime begins to take shape

OUR OPINION: CARICOM SHOULD EXTEND HELPING HAND TO LATORTUE


Prime Minister Gerard Latortue's decision to form a nonpolitical interim
government in Haiti is bound to displease most of the political factions in
the country, but it is a prudent and practical move that deserves widespread
support.

This cabinet has only one overriding task: to pave the way for free and fair
elections to select the leaders of a new government. Under the
circumstances, the absence of partisan political figures in the interim
administration is a positive factor. The only alternative -- a government
representing all political sectors -- would have been unwieldy and
ultimately unworkable given the multitude of factions and the potential for
bickering.

Outsider's advantage

The last thing Haiti needs at this moment is political infighting. Mr.
Latortue himself lacks a political base, but projecting an image of
efficiency and impartiality can help him to turn this potential weakness
into a strength. Only someone who is considered above the political fray can
guide Haiti toward elections in this crucial hour. We urge Mr. Latortue to
keep this in mind when the inevitable lure of retaining power becomes a
temptation.

At the moment, nothing would be more helpful for Mr. Latortue's fledgling
government -- nor for Haiti -- than a vote of confidence from the
neighboring islands in the Caribbean Community, or Caricom. Unfortunately,
resentment and suspicion over whether Mr. Aristide's departure from Haiti
was voluntary or coerced has sparked a feud with the interim government.
Perhaps better consultation between the U.S. and French governments, on the
one hand, and Caribbean leaders, on the other, could have produced a
more-united front. It is time, however, to put an end to this pointless
debate and consider what is best for Haiti and the region, and that means
supporting the interim government.

Uncomfortably close

Mr. Aristide's presence in the region, thanks to a welcome extended by
Jamaica, presents a clear danger insofar as it has the potential to incite
his followers in Haiti to violence on the false hope that the former
president can return home. That isn't in the cards.

In the weeks preceding Mr. Aristide's fall, Caricom leaders played a useful
role by presenting a plan that could have stabilized the political situation
and avoided much of the bloodshed that ultimately ensued. Unfortunately,
events moved too fast, but Caricom can play a positive role once more when
its leaders meet in St. Kitts this week by extending support to Mr.
Latortue's government and rejecting Mr. Aristide's pipe dreams. The people
of Haiti want peace, clean government and an opportunity to achieve economic
prosperity. They deserve the help of their neighbors.


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