Caribbean countries ask for investigation into Aristide resignation and re

[Say_What]

<clips>

The 15-member Caribbean Community Wednesday called for an independent investigation into the resignation of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and said it will not participate in the interim peacekeeping force in Haiti.

The CARICOM decision, prompted by Aristide's allegations that he was kidnapped by U.S. military personnel, appeared to be a blow to international efforts to forge a coalition government in Haiti and return the nation to normalcy.

CARICOM mediated the power-sharing plan that is at the root of current plans for a transitional Haitian government, and its withdrawal is likely to complicate the already tangled efforts to select a new prime minister and cabinet.

Leaders of the regional bloc, which includes Haiti, said they spoke with Aristide via telephone on Tuesday and remain disturbed by the way Aristide was forced to leave office.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/8096902.htm

[southpaw72]

1. couped?

interesting: "remain disturbed by the way Aristide was forced to leave office."

does this mean the mainstream press accepts the story that Aristide was forced out by the BFEE?

[pinto]

3. media slip; argument goes he was forced out by opposition or, (per US)

his own failings. Typical WASP flagellation as diplomacy take.

[eablair3]

2. well, at least some group is at least calling for an investigation

I don't know how much power they have though.

[pinto]

5. this may prove to be a sounding board for CARICOM's role in the area.

[mac2]

4. Great!

[alittlelark]

6. I wonder if the Cayman Islands is a member?

That could be interesting:evilgrin:

[Say_What]

9. CARICOM Member States and Associate Members

CARICOM MEMBER STATES

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. The Bahamas
3. Barbados
4. Belize
5. Dominica
6. Grenada
7. Guyana
8. Haiti
9. Jamaica
10. Montserrat
11. Saint Lucia
12. St. Kitts and Nevis
13. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
14. Suriname
15. Trinidad and Tobago


CARICOM ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

1. Anguilla - 4 July 1999
2. Bermuda - 2 July 2003
3. British Virgin Islands - 2 July 1991
4. Cayman Islands - 15 May 2002
5. Turks and Caicos Islands - 2 July 1991

http://www.caricom.org/members.htm

[Just Me]

7. This is somewhat consistent with the resolution by CARICOM.

That resolution was posted here a couple of days ago.

They will certainly have to unite and demand international support this minute if they are to save the independence and freedom of their various states.

[Say_What]

10. OAS also has a similar article regarding the removal of democratically

elected leaders and I've been waiting for them to make some sort of statement. CARICOM denounced the removal of Aristide and yesterday there was an article saying that South Africa would be drawn into the loop regard Haiti.


Caricom draws South Africa into the loop over Haiti

[tom_paine]

8. Hey maybe Heinrich A$$crust can investigate it!

After all, he did such a great job investigating his political allies such as the Right-Wing Anthrax ASssassin and the Plame Leaker.

He's just the Himmler to do the job and do it right!

[Say_What]

11. Airport officials NOT ALLOWED to enter Aristide's plane in Antigua!!

As usual, the Miami Herald left out the most important, and damaging to the Bushies, news items:

<clips>

...He noted, however, that Mr. Aristide disclosed that he had no knowledge of where he was being taken during his trip into exile. In particular, he said, Mr. Aristide told the CARICOM leaders he was unaware that he was in Antigua during a brief 'technical' stop before continuing on to the Central African Republic.

This account contradicts reports that the Haitian leader had contacted officials while on that island.

"We have been unable to identify any such person to whom he may have spoken," Mr. Patterson said.

He added that the Antiguan Government said that no state or airport officials were allowed to enter the plane, nor did anyone on the plane disembark.

"The declaration which was made by the operators of the plane disclosed that there were no passengers aboard. Whether that indicates that those who were on board were regarded not as passengers, but as cargo, is something which I leave for you to determine," Mr. Patterson said.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040304/lead/lead2.html

[eablair3]

12. who were the operators of the chartered plane??

I don't think they could credibly claim that this information is protected by "national security". Powell and Cheney have already claimed it was not a military plane, but was a chartered plane.

Who was the charter company?

When was the charter company notified to fly to Haiti?

Where did the plane fly from?

Who were the charter pilots?

Who else was on the plane?

So, they made a call in the middle of the night, and some charter company had a 767 jet, painted all white, on standby with the pilots and crew all set and ready to go on a moments notice. What charter company is this?

There had to be all sorts of plans made ahead of time. I'd bet that they had contacted this "charter" company way ahead of time in a pre-planned move. Accoding Noriega yesterday in response to questions from Jan Schakowsky, the supposedly first call came from an "emissary" of Aristide at some time after 9 pm. Schakowsky said she had talked to Mrs. Aritstide at 6:30 pm and there were no indications yesterday whatsoever that the Aristides had any intention but to stay in Haiti. She wanted to know what happened, and who called who. Previously, the reports were that Aristide called the US. Under questioning, Noriega claimed that an "emissary" of Aristide called them. He didn't give the name of the "emissary." Who was the emissary?

[htuttle]

13. During the hearings yesterday

Noreiga mentioned that they called for the plane at 1 am.

You know, I don't think I could charter a plane anywhere in Wisconsin at 1 am -- possibly not anywhere in the Midwest.

Amazing that they could get such service in Haiti...

It was probably from 'Air America' or some other CIA front (I don't think Air America is still around, but I'm sure there's a substitute) . Otherwise, I'd imagine the crew would have obeyed the law in Antigua and listed their passengers on the customs form.

If we could only get the numbers on the plane....(bet it didn't have any, though).

[eablair3]

15. yeah, my bet is CIA or DIA

thanks, i must have missed the part where Noriega said they called for the plane at 1 a.m. -- the plane couldn't have been too far away then? it flew from somewhere to Haiti in only a few hours, picked up Aristide, and then flew him away at the crack of dawn?

they have claimed it was a (private) chartered plane.

so, they can't claim national security.

And, what would it look like if they refused to answer and it turned out to be the CIA or DIA?

The CIA or DIA flying Aristide out of Haiti?

______________

I had heard where the names of some of the individuals that met with Aristide were put out on the airwaves. I didn't see this. Did this happen when Aristide was on the phone? Did it happen when Lou Dobbs on CNN had Aristide on the phone? I tried to watch a rerun of that show but it wasn't on.

[eablair3]

14. CARICOM demanding inquiry into Haiti ouster

the heat looks to be at least going up a little.

CARICOM demanding inquiry into Haiti ouster

published: Thursday | March 4, 2004


THE 15-NATION CARICOM bloc yesterday called for an international inquiry into the ouster of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and is looking to "a body such as the United Nations" to institute the probe.

The call came at the end of a two-day emergency meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Kingston, at which the leaders also agreed to provide humanitarian assistance to the Community's politically unstable member-state.

"Despite what we have heard in public and despite what we have learnt in private we simply say that the situation calls for an investigation of what transpired," Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, CARICOM chairman, told journalists at a Jamaica House press briefing.

At the same time, Mr. Patterson reiterated that the Heads of Government have agreed that they are not prepared to deliberate with "thugs and anarchists" parading as a new Haitian Government.

snip

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040304/lead/lead2.html

[seemslikeadream]

16. Political Crisis in Haiti House Committee Hearing testimony

Starting at
1:39:58 Robert Wexler was really tough

1:52:20 Barbara Lee USAID funding

2:04:35 Charlie Rangle bulldog

2:37:36 Jan Schakosky very important questions about timing

3:13:23 with Robert Maguire from Trinity College Director, Programs in Int'l Affairs, was very informative

3:21:40 Hangel introduces Jeffery Sachs Earth Institute at Columbia Univ. Director, incredible testimony MUST SEE!


www.c-span.org

edit adding more important testimony

[Say_What]

17. Ditto on both these gentlemen especially Jeffrey Sachs!!

Thanks for the link.