21343: (Hermanti)Miami-Herald-Democracy in Haiti is a fragile proposition (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Wed, Apr. 14, 2004

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR


Democracy in Haiti is a fragile proposition


• Question: More than a month after the forced departure from Haiti of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, developments have prompted international
outcries about the persecution of Aristide supporters and the need for
disarmament of all groups. What do these developments portend for democracy
in Haiti?

• Answer from Robert Maguire, director of the International Affairs Program
at Trinity College in Washington: For democracy to take root in Haiti, the
''winner takes all'' tradition of Haitian politics and the practice of
impunity must end. So far, signs of that happening in post-Aristide Haiti
are dim. As usual, most news emanates from Port-au-Prince, where the interim
government of Prime Minister Latortue, far from meeting its own declared
goals of inclusion, seemingly focuses its nascent efforts to administer
''justice'' exclusively on members of the former government, turning a blind
eye to the armed insurgents who propelled it to office. Beyond the capital
city, things seem worse. . . . As armed, antidemocratic forces in towns and
villages throughout Haiti solidify their grip on power, they cast a shadow
over prospects for democratic institution-building, and free and fair
elections.

• From Dan Erikson, director for Caribbean Projects at the Inter-American
Dialogue: Haiti recently demonstrated its ability to force itself to the top
of the international community's agenda, but the country already shows signs
of settling into its traditional place on the back burner of U.S. foreign
policy. The result has been an ad hoc effort to ensure some minimum of
security and economic assistance that is surely insufficient for Haiti's
needs. Today, there are about 3,500 troops in Haiti, more than half from the
United States with the remainder coming from France, Canada and Chile. This
peacekeeping force has largely succeeded in stabilizing the country, but
Haiti will remain volatile and dangerous unless violent elements are
disarmed by foreign troops -- a task that international actors are
studiously avoiding. . . . Ultimately, the legitimacy of the new government
rests on its ability to improve human welfare and organize free and fair
elections -- a prospect that seems increasingly remote without greater U.S.
supervision and support. At present, the prospects for Haitian democracy
remain as fragile as ever.

The Herald publishes portions of the Inter-American Dialogue's Latin America
Advisor each Wednesday and Saturday.


    email this       print this

_________________________________________________________________
Persistent heartburn? Check out Digestive Health & Wellness for information
and advice. http://gerd.msn.com/default.asp