Haiti manifestly has no leadership now. President René Préval disappeared for the first two days after the earthquake and seems to be doing little if anything other than talking to Americans now. Perhaps it is time to bring back Jean-Bertrand Aristide from South Africa where he was shipped in 2004 after a questionable removal from the Haitian presidency? Reports on him range from viewing him as an effective reformer to a human rights violator:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Bertrand_Aristide
It is virtually impossible to get at truth in Haiti. But I would hate to see us once again becoming the occupying power there. We have an horrendous history of abuses of Haiti ranging back to its revolution against slavery and declaration of independence in 1804 (We were still a slave owning nation and threatened by this rebellion against slavery):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Haiti
I admit that I am speculating here, as it is so difficult to get at the truths about Haiti.
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“A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope.” (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
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Ed Kent [blind copies]
9 users commented in " Bring Back Aristide to Lead Haiti? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackAristide has a long list of human rights abuses along with strong ties to corruption and drug trafficking. While doing very little if anything, his presidencies have seen Haiti become poorer while playing the blame game especially on the US and France.
His movement (Preval included) has been the only one to rule Haiti for the past 20 years. Haiti more than ever needs a new class of progressive leaders who can take on the challenge to rebuild Haiti.
Returning him to Haiti would be a big, big mistake!
Aristide was not a human rights violator. His government was destabilized, the bush regime cut off all aid to the haitian government creating a nightmare in the country. This is because Aristide refused to privatize and wanted reparations from France. Ten thousand people died under the Latortue dictatorship that was installed after the coup against aristide in 2004. Aristide is popular with the poor because he is the only president to speak to them, build schools, and soup kitchens in the slums. Every other president of Haiti has done with the rich haitians the us embassy wants of him. Preval is a traitor, he has done massive privatization and does not speak to the poor. He has also stopped democracy by not allowing lavalas into the election.
The Haitians should let Aristide return and run for President in an election, but he shouldn’t be “installed” into the office by anyone. If a majority of the people of Haiti want him in office, then they should have the final word, regardless of what he has done.
The return of Aristide would probably do far more harm than good.The problems in Haiti are immense. The fastest/best solution is to install Marshall Law, with the Command being bestowed on the United States( or another legitimate Military) for provisional leadership until qualified and reputable individuals run for election, and an honest election installs a new “leader”. There is the obvious need for substantial International financial support, but the “use of proceeds ” and transparency must be managed by the USA, Germany, France, or another legitimate and accountable “custodial entity”.
Otherwise this will be just another wonderful opportunity for various “do gooders” to pirate the funds, and the best interest of the Haitian people will NOT be served. While their is the immediate humanitarian need, the overall “need” is a long term process.
Correction, last sentence…. “While there is the immediate humanitarian….
One fiat: Aristide is bipolar. That makes him erratic.
If you get a nanny to make sure he takes his medicine, he could be a great leader. Alas, one of the problems with bipolars is that when Manic they don’t think they need the medicine, and when depressed they don’t believe medicine will help.
It was his erratic behavior that led to his removal.
Aristide was not corrupt, nor did he commit crimes. He was one of the people (a priest) who managed to unite the poor to ouster the violent cadre running Haiti. He was elected president and then spirited away by the U.S.-and ended up in South Africa. He is loved by the people who need a leader of their own (not some foreigner, be he named Clinton or Bush). He could unite the people and bring them hope and unity that no outsider could. Let him go home!
What a confusing situation !
I have read as many “stories” regarding Aristide as I can manage. Clearly there is a huge difference in opinion, even among Haitians, middle class or poor.
Did he renege on his promises to privatize ?
Did he , as many vehemently assert, steal untold millions of dollars ? Is he, as some also believe, an extraordinary individual who has worked so diligently to end poverty in his native land? There are so many conflicting “truths” and opinions. In the meantime, the poor continue to suffer, and the Country continues to be a political and social and economic shame.
Haiti is only so poor because of the US!
Aristide was willing to stand up to the US and the Bush administration, that’s why he got taken out. The country was about to turn the corner and become a prosperous country closer to the average income of their neighbor Dominican Republic, which has become wealthy thanks to their history of socialism and great leaders exactly like Aristide.
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