22905: LScottPht: Re: 22903: Justin: Leslie, Cassey, etc. (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LScottPht@aol.com

The gunshots we heard were coming from the area behind the storefronts. At
which point, the rebels all got out of their cars and started firing back. There
was gunfire coming from all directions and then these guys were shot. Again,
do you really think they would have murdered them in front of me? They knew I
was out of the car watching.

Also, I don't side with all the rebels. I don't presume to know what motives
all of the rebels have. I don't doubt that Chamblain did some horrible things.
I know Chamblain, but I am not friends with him. I was with them when they
toasted champagne, yes, because it was a good photographic moment. Believe me,
the other photographers that were outside wanted to be inside photographing it.
They just weren't allowed in. I was allowed in because I was following around
T-Wil. He and his men are really the only ones that I am actually "friends"
with and I do think I know him and his motives. I should not have generalized
either. When I speak about the rebels, I speak primarily of T-Wil and his men.
I have spent awhile talking with Guy Philippe, and it is hard not to be drawn
in to his charisma. He is highly intelligent and from what he was saying to
me, does seem like he wants to truly help the country. Yes, this could be a
front. Believe me, I don't trust anyone 100% when it comes to Haiti. I will say
that I was witness to crowds and crowds of people that just wanted to touch
T-Wil and tell him thank you for what he had done. These people were almost in
tears they were so thankful. And yes, I actually witnessed that. I do apologize
for generalizing about the rebels as you have also done. When I speak, I speak
about the group that I was with and one of them is considered to be the true
hero of the country to many people.
As far as the people I spoke to, I spoke to Haitian people, as well. I had a
translator from Port-au-Prince (not associated with the rebels). I spoke to
people in PAP in October (Haitian people) who refused to talk politics and then
spoke to those same people, some in Mar and some in May and they were so happy
they could actually voice their opinions. I spoke to people who lived in
Hinche and saw a drug plane land and then the drugs were taken off and away and
the plane was quickly destroyed by the police. I know that T-Wil's cousin was an
Aristide informant and was to inform Aristide of where T-Wil was so he could
have him killed. They actually had to fight against each other during the
uprising. I spoke to a young kid that was thrown in jail for no reason one day
after coming home from school. His parents had to pay a large sum of money to get
him out, but they kept his bicycle. His parents had to, again, pay a large
sum of money to get the bicycle out. He told me of some of his friends that had
been beaten up by the police. T-Wil's car and house were burned by the police
and yes, his baby girl was in hiding in the countryside because Aristide
wanted her dead. I was also there when 17 men came in to assassinate us. What do
you think happened to Amiot Metarey? Of course, I got the story from his brother
and his wife, but I am sure the people you talk to know better.
As far as the Cassey Auguste incident, if this rebel guy did what you said,
then I obviously wasn't there at this incident and his family should have
justice. I don't think that all rebels should escape prison sentences if the
"murdered" innocent people. I think anyone that "murders" someone should be put in
jail.
Oh, and by the way, most of the people I spoke to about Aristide did say that
he started off as a good man, but things changed. Find out about the US
contractors that were willing to come in for free and take care of things like the
roads, telephones and electrical problem. Companies like GE. Find out why
Aristide told them no. Find out whose name the Haitian companies that stood not to
profit were in? Hmm, Aristide's wife, perhaps?
And, believe me, I know that just because someone is nice to me doesn't mean
I can trust them. I mean, you are a prime example!