Haiti becoming Canada's Iraq

[HEyHEY]

http://www.thetyee.ca/News/2005/10/25/HaitiCanadaIraq/

By Jared Ferrie
Published: October 25, 2005

TheTyee.ca
The political meltdown around a coming election in Haiti could tarnish Canada's peacekeeping reputation. Canada is taking a lead role in Haiti's reconstruction, but increasing violence and political repression is making free and fair elections impossible, critics warn.

Canada is the third largest donor to Haiti, after the United States and the European Union. Canada has contributed $180 million for Haiti's reconstruction over the next two years, including over $26 million for the upcoming elections.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Not quite. Canada didn't start it. nt

[LynnTheDem]

2. Well gee that's what happens when the US overthrows democratically

elected (and popular) leaders of other people's countries.

[400Years]

3. yep

also, don't forget that overthrow was a joint operation between the U.S. and France. You know, those people we're supposed to hate because they don't "support" us. :eyes:

[NinetySix]

4. Canada should support Aristide's reinstatement as President.

Given Canada's obvious reverence for democracy, I have no idea why they are supporting the current U.S.-installed, illegitimate Haitian regime.

[Spazito]

5. Agree, I don't get it either, Canada should not have supported, in

ANY way, the ousting of Aristide.

[dehaiti]

6. "Ousting of Aristide"

Aristide was no different in the end than Duvalier, both of whom were given safe transport out of the country by the US. Aristide's personal security was paid for by the Haitian people during his presidency and who was his security? The Steele Corporation, he didn't trust Haitians to guard him so he paid for US mercenaries. Aristide left Haiti as a very wealthy man by the way.
Things are never as simple as they seem.

[SeattleRob]

7. Do you have anything to substantiate your claims?

Evidence? Links? etc...

[dehaiti]

9. Corruption-Steele

Steele was the company contracted by the Haitian government to protect Jean-Bertrand Aristide from 1998 to his exodus in the spring of 2004.


http://www.ntsnews.com/bpm/commission_enquete_part_II.htm#_Toc110060564
This link is in French but is a comprehensive study of the corruption under Aristide. Still to be investigated is the fortune he made off Teleco deals with US companies.

It is a common falsehood that he was the first democratically elected leader of Haiti. Duvalier was democratically elected back in the 1950s as a man of the people much like Aristide. My parents voted for him but my relatives soon started disappearing in the 1960s and we had to leave.

I was one of Aristide's biggest supporters in 1988-1990 but I soon saw he was as big a thief as any of our other corrupt leaders. He had more mouths than a hydra. If you understood Kreyol you could see through his BS. I live in Haiti by the way.
Was he kidnapped? I doubt it. Did he have to leave to save his life because the US told the Steele Corporation to back off? Probably.
Canada is actually trying to do some good in Haiti. The US is doing nothing and I don't expect them to do anything unless Haitians start turning up in large numbers on Jebs beaches or oil is discovered.

[quaoar]

11. I, too, had been a longtime supporter of Aristide

But I'm sorry to say that he did become corrupt in later years.

That in no way, however, mitigates the actions of the Bush Administration towards Haiti. Some people seem to think that Aristide must be defended, just as some people still cling to the notion that Robert Mugabe is a heroic freedom fighter standing up to colonial oppression and not the thug that he is.

Welcome to DU BTW. It's good to see someone from Haiti on the board.

[dehaiti]

12. Aristide

I agree the actions of the Bush administration were and remain terrible regarding Haiti and pretty much anything else for that matter. Haiti had a chance until Gingrich and company cut off US funding and placed ridiculous restrictions on aid during the Clinton administration while Aristide's brother in law was filling in as president.
Unfortunately the thirst for power and its corrupting influence is not unique to any political movement.
Thank you for your welcoming remark. I don't get access to a computer very often but when I do I depend on DU to provide a little hope.

[Spazito]

8. I respectfully disagree

The previous US government actually returned Aristide to power after a military coup. Please provide credible links to your serious assertions.

[K-W]

10. I disrespectfully disagree. EOM

[tgnyc]

15. If Aristide were on the ballot in the coming election he would win

in a walk. Could the same have been said about Duvalier?

[jwirr]

13. Canada is there trying to keep peace in another one

of bushies messes. The bushie administration helped to overthrow their democratically elected president and now it is Canada that is trying to deal with the disaster left behind. Typical bushie-ism.

[LeftistGorilla]

14. no...

it isn't...