Reply #22: Friends of the BFEE: Liars, Thieves, Drug-runners, Murderers... [View All]

...Sounds like home. And, believe me, the BFEE wants to base America on the Haitian business model.

Great post, Tinoire. Thanks for putting some names on the Bush "Friends List."

Here's a bit of background from one who knows why this is worth caring about:


Haiti at brink again - US owes help

By Randall Robinson

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Ten years ago, I risked my life by embarking on a hunger strike. It was a desperate attempt to change America's Haiti policy. In the 28th day of my fast, President Clinton announced that the US would pursue a more just Haiti policy. Shortly thereafter, a US-led multinational force reinstalled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who had been ousted in a military coup. Haiti's first democratically elected president, Mr. Aristide had won in a landslide, and I was proud to stand with the Haitian people - and him.

Today, Aristide - who stepped down at the end of his first term and was reelected to the presidency in 2000 - is under attack again. Political unrest is rocking the poverty-stricken nation - including protests both for and against the president. And a summit of Caribbean Community representatives has begun a series of meetings to resolve the crisis. This week they are meeting with Aristide opponents who accuse him of trampling on civil rights and are demanding he step down.


Again, I stand with this leader and his right to complete his five-year term. And again, I urge the US - the world's most powerful democracy - to resolutely embrace Haiti's democratically elected president.

How has Aristide - who was so loved and revered - ended up the focus of calls for his ouster?

Aristide may have failings in his ability to negotiate the vicious power divide between Haiti's economic elite and its broader masses, but US policy has created an environment in which it is impossible for him to succeed.

CONTINUED...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0123/p11s01-coop.html