Haiti-Deserted Pro-Government Demonstrations
7-15-1994
^With U.S. Troops Near, Haiti's Rulers Try To Whip Up Anti-Invasion Furor With PM-Haiti-Broadcasts, Bjt, PM-US-Haiti AP Photo PAP101
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) _ With U.S. Marines reported practicing an invasion only 80 miles from Haiti's shores, the military-installed government of this impoverished land tried to whip up fervor against an attack.
But only several hundred people showed up for the demonstration Thursday. The absence of the vast majority of Port-au-Prince's 1 million residents spoke volumes.
People walked past, heedless of the clamor, as backers of Haiti's military rulers sang and performed frenzied dances in front of army headquarters.
"This demonstration doesn't interest me," said Dominique Lima, a 53-year- old unemployed carpenter.
Lima, a tape measure clipped to his belt, was walking through this garbage- strewn city under a scorching sun, searching for work.
He fears indiscriminate slaughter if U.S. troops attack, but said he supports an invasion to reinstate elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in a 1991 coup.
"When the Marines arrive, they won't know who's for or against them," Lima fretted. "They'll kill everyone."
"Panama is an example," he said, referring to the 1989 invasion of that Central American country to unseat military dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega.
"But even if my family and I perish, I want to see Aristide returned."
There is little evidence that Haiti is prepared for an American invasion, despite warnings from Washington that it is considering military action to restore democratic rule and prevent a flood of refugees from swamping the United States.
Soldiers placed sandbags across roads near army headquarters and the National Palace, but stacked them only three-high, lower than knee-level. No heightened security was evident at the capital's airport, although U.S. troops are reportedly practicing for an assault there.
The airport is largely deserted, since international flights are banned under a trade embargo. Air France, the only carrier still serving Haiti, said Wednesday it would stop flights after July 31 to protest the expulsion of human rights monitors this week.
The international news media, meanwhile, have flooded into Port-Au-Prince, grabbing most available hotel rooms and rental cars.
Officials in Washington say an attack would not come in the next few hours or days, but they have not ruled out the option.
U.S. Marines practiced an invasion and rescue operation Wednesday in the Bahamas, 80 miles northwest of Haiti, Pentagon sources said.
The soldiers are part of an expeditionary force of more than 2,000 Marines aboard helicopter-carrying ships who were dispatched to waters off Haiti in case a rescue of the 3,500 U.S. citizens in this country becomes necessary.
The Clinton administration said Thursday that 12 Latin American countries have agreed to contribute troops to a peacekeeping force for Haiti.
U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright, in a speech to the National Press Club, said the nations have agreed to contribute up to 4,000 troops to a force that would move into Haiti after the military regime is ousted.
But she added, "There has been no decision made to invade and no deadline has been set."
On Capitol Hill, members of Congress said an invasion of Haiti appears inevitable unless the military voluntarily relinquishes control.
^With U.S. Troops Near, Haiti's Rulers Try To Whip Up Anti-Invasion Furor With PM-Haiti-Broadcasts, Bjt, PM-US-Haiti AP Photo PAP101
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) _ With U.S. Marines reported practicing an invasion only 80 miles from Haiti's shores, the military-installed government of this impoverished land tried to whip up fervor against an attack.
But only several hundred people showed up for the demonstration Thursday. The absence of the vast majority of Port-au-Prince's 1 million residents spoke volumes.
People walked past, heedless of the clamor, as backers of Haiti's military rulers sang and performed frenzied dances in front of army headquarters.
"This demonstration doesn't interest me," said Dominique Lima, a 53-year- old unemployed carpenter.
Lima, a tape measure clipped to his belt, was walking through this garbage- strewn city under a scorching sun, searching for work.
He fears indiscriminate slaughter if U.S. troops attack, but said he supports an invasion to reinstate elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in a 1991 coup.
"When the Marines arrive, they won't know who's for or against them," Lima fretted. "They'll kill everyone."
"Panama is an example," he said, referring to the 1989 invasion of that Central American country to unseat military dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega.
"But even if my family and I perish, I want to see Aristide returned."
There is little evidence that Haiti is prepared for an American invasion, despite warnings from Washington that it is considering military action to restore democratic rule and prevent a flood of refugees from swamping the United States.
Soldiers placed sandbags across roads near army headquarters and the National Palace, but stacked them only three-high, lower than knee-level. No heightened security was evident at the capital's airport, although U.S. troops are reportedly practicing for an assault there.
The airport is largely deserted, since international flights are banned under a trade embargo. Air France, the only carrier still serving Haiti, said Wednesday it would stop flights after July 31 to protest the expulsion of human rights monitors this week.
The international news media, meanwhile, have flooded into Port-Au-Prince, grabbing most available hotel rooms and rental cars.
Officials in Washington say an attack would not come in the next few hours or days, but they have not ruled out the option.
U.S. Marines practiced an invasion and rescue operation Wednesday in the Bahamas, 80 miles northwest of Haiti, Pentagon sources said.
The soldiers are part of an expeditionary force of more than 2,000 Marines aboard helicopter-carrying ships who were dispatched to waters off Haiti in case a rescue of the 3,500 U.S. citizens in this country becomes necessary.
The Clinton administration said Thursday that 12 Latin American countries have agreed to contribute troops to a peacekeeping force for Haiti.
U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright, in a speech to the National Press Club, said the nations have agreed to contribute up to 4,000 troops to a force that would move into Haiti after the military regime is ousted.
But she added, "There has been no decision made to invade and no deadline has been set."
On Capitol Hill, members of Congress said an invasion of Haiti appears inevitable unless the military voluntarily relinquishes control.
Comments
Post a Comment