21144: Esser: Missing Voices In Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

The Sacramento Observer
http://www.sacobserver.com

April 6, 2004

Missing Voices In Haiti
By Bill Fletcher Jr.

(NNPA) - Within one day of the ouster of Haitian President Aristide,
we began hearing the gruesome stories. Supporters of the ousted
president were being systematically assassinated. Members of the
so-called armed opposition, people described very graphically by
Secretary of State Powell as "thugs," were now carrying out
well-planned murders against Famni Lavalas members and supporters.

The one story that particularly stuck with me concerned the encasing
of Aristide supporters in oil drums where they were left to roast in
the Haitian sun. Yet, little about this is being addressed in the
U.S. media. So-called human rights organizations, once concerned
about the activities and alleged activities of Aristide supporters
when the president was in office, seem to have lost their tongues
entirely, ignoring abuses as they unfold. To add insult to injury,
the recently installed puppet prime minister had the audacity to
describe the armed opposition thugs as "freedom fighters." Freedom
fighters??

Should readers have had any doubts as to the nature of events in
Haiti, those doubts should have been cleared away like dirty air
after a thunder storm. What has been transpiring in Haiti over the
months has nothing to do with a democratic reform struggle, but
instead represented a pure, unadulterated power grab. While there
were certainly sincere, democratic-minded organizations and
individuals with criticisms of President Aristide within the ranks of
the civilian opposition, these elements became window dressing for a
more dubious effort to turn back the clock on Haitian democracy.

Thus, the newly installed puppet regime has about as much in common
with a legitimate democracy as does a gathering of Mafia families,
making it almost hilarious that the Bush administration has chosen to
recognize it as the rightful leadership of the Haitian people.

The coup and its aftermath have led many people to despair, wondering
whether Haiti will ever be capable of democracy. The answer, we must
recognize, depends to a great extent on what we in the United States
do or choose not to do.

Haitian efforts at sovereignty have consistently been undermined by
their neighbor to the north, i.e., by the U.S. The willingness of
people in the U.S. to sit back and tolerate consistent intrusions
into Haiti, and the support that various U.S. administrations have
given to dictators, helps to set the parameters on Haiti’s chance at
freedom.

In the current crisis, the voice of Black America has been
inconsistent or hushed. While the Congressional Black Caucus has been
outspoken in challenging the Bush administration on its entire
attitude toward Haiti, there has not been a widespread outcry in our
communities. Our voices need to be heard insisting that:

1. US and French troops be immediately withdrawn and replaced by
soldiers from neutral countries, that is, countries that were not
involved in destabilizing the Aristide presidency.

2. The thugs of the armed opposition need to be immediately
disarmed, and the convicted criminals among them must be imprisoned.

3. The Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, should be used as a
vehicle to move a national reconciliation program that ultimately
results in free and fair elections. The future of Haiti can and must
be decided solely by Haitians.

If you think that your voice may not count or that perhaps this is
just another story about the horrors of today’s world, please think
again. Envision that Haitian roasting in the oil drum and then tell
me whether or not the effort to influence U.S. policy on Haiti is
worth your time to act. You can act by contacting your elected
officials.

Bill Fletcher Jr. is president of TransAfrica Forum, a Washington,
D.C.-based non-profit educational and organizing center formed to
raise awareness in the United States about issues facing the nations
and peoples of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. He also is
co-chair of the antiwar coalition, United for Peace and Justice. He
can be reached at bfletcher@transafricaforum.org.
.