20748: (Hermantin) Miami-Herald-Democrats-Reclaim Haitian- American loyalty (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Wed, Mar. 24, 2004

DEMOCRATS


Reclaim Haitian- American loyalty

BY PAUL A. BARTHOLE

paulabarthole@aol.com


Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said that he would have sent
U.S. troops to support then-Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. As a
Haitian-American Democrat, I shuddered to hear that. Indeed, the discourse
on Haiti coming out of the Democratic Party is remarkably one-sided, in
support of Aristide. Aristide did not govern Haiti democratically.

>From Randall Robinson, the champion of the fight against South African
apartheid, to Reps. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif., to
Jesse Jackson, we get strident support for Aristide as well as echoes of his
kidnapping charges against the United States.

Their views do not reflect those of most Haitians and Haitian Americans. A
recent informal poll conducted by Radio Carnivale in Miami reveals that the
vast majority of its listeners in Miami-Dade County and over the Internet
are ecstatic with Aristide's departure and the initial performance of new
Prime Minister Gerard R. Latortue. They believe that Aristide wasted the
opportunity afforded him when he became the first democratically elected
president in the country's history.

Most Haitians were pleased with former President Bill Clinton when he
ordered the return of Aristide in 1994. As the former priest began to show
his true colors, however, Haitians watched as the administration became
powerless to cut its losses from its political investment in Aristide and
appeared unable to persuade Aristide to address the needs of the people.

Despite their disagreement with President Bush on most issues, Haitian
Americans are thankful to be rid of the tyrant who retained office through
fraudulent elections and other nefarious practices -- and many could vote
for Bush.

This will be partly an emotional vote and partly a recognition that this is
Haiti's best chance yet at successfully governing itself. The qualifications
of the incoming team are impressive. Disaffected Haitians are once again
optimistic, preparing to participate in the success of this new government.

Get on the right side

Democratic Party leaders would do well to recognize these voters'
sentiments. If they must draw differences between themselves and the Bush
administration on Haiti, they should express that difference in ways that do
not purport to support Aristide. Rather, they must present ideas that seek
to enhance the future well-being of Haiti and its peoples.

For all the ills brought about by Aristide, some Haitians blamed Clinton and
voted Republican in the last presidential election. Those with cooler heads
did not follow suit, understanding correctly that no leader of a foreign
country should bear the blame for Haiti's lack of progress; the
responsibility to make Haiti better must be borne by its leaders.

Were President Bush to lose the election in November, would we have a
Democratic administration that questions the legitimacy of the current
Haitian government? Haitian Americans will not stand for that. I urge
Democratic Party leaders to get on the right side of this issue quickly.

Once again, with the U.S. electorate divided, this election may be decided
by a small margin. We Democrats, particularly in Florida, cannot afford to
lose votes to the Republicans.

Paul A. Barthole is vice-chair of the Haitian Community Services of South
Dade.

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