Monday, January 18, 2010

Bring Back Aristide to Lead Haiti?

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.
--
"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)
--
Ed Kent [blind copies]

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