23862: Hermantin (Pub) Cubans and Haitians are both refugees (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Sun-Sentinel

Cubans, Haitians are both refugees



Patricia Sagastume
Weston

December 9, 2004

Are Cubans worse off than Haitians? No way. No matter how difficult and
repressive life is in Cuba, Haiti is the poorest, most war-torn and most
hurricane-devastated country in this hemisphere.

In the same week that 10 Cubans landed on the shores of Fort Lauderdale, 24
Haitians were quietly deported back to Haiti, including the youngest and
longest held prisoner, David Joseph.

Why do lawmakers spend so much time denouncing the Cuban situation but are
silent when it comes to recognizing that Haitians escaping their country are
political refugees?

If Haiti is indeed a staging point for terrorism, as Attorney General John
Ashcroft claims, then why not invade that country to restore freedom and
democracy? Why isn't Mr. Ashcroft worried that the chaos could encourage a
terrorist situation like in Iraq? If our attorney general believed what he
said, and David Joseph is such a threat to our national security, why was
this young Haitian held for two years, only to be deported without even an
explanation about what was learned from his captivity?

So far, David's attorney has heard from him only once. He was scared and
alone. During the same week, Secretary of State Colin Powell was in Haiti
calling for democracy, while violence erupted blocks away. Thankfully, Mr.
Powell was safe. Hopefully, David will be so lucky.


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