Bush administration denies forcing Aristide's retreat - activist alleges U.S. kidnapped Aristide

Associated Press ^ | March 1, 2004 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush administration denies forcing Aristide's retreat

01:29 PM CST on Monday, March 1, 2004

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The White House and Pentagon on Monday dismissed allegations that Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was kidnapped by U.S. forces eager for him to resign and flee into exile.

With U.S. military forces already on the ground in the Caribbean nation and more on the way, chief presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said, "It's nonsense, and conspiracy theories do nothing to help the Haitian people move forward to a better more free, more prosperous future."

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld also vehemently denied that Aristide had been forced out by the United States.

McClellan told reporters that Aristide left on his own free will. "We took steps to protect Mr. Aristide and his family so they would not be harmed as they departed Haiti," he said.

Rumsfeld, at a Pentagon news conference, said he was involved in the diplomatic flurry preceding Aristide's departure, and "the idea that someone was abducted is inconsistent with everything I saw."

"I don't believe that's true, that he's claiming that," Rumsfeld said. "I would be absolutely amazed if that were the case."

An African-American activist says Aristide told him on the phone Monday that he was kidnapped at gunpoint by American soldiers and ousted in a U.S. coup d'etat. Aristide said he was being held prisoner at the Renaissance Palace in Bangui, Central African Republic, said the activist, Randall Robinson.

McClellan said Aristide's aides had contacted the U.S. ambassador to Haiti on Saturday and asked if Aristide would be given protection by the United States if he resigned. The ambassador consulted with Washington, then called Aristide's aides and told them that if Aristide decided to resign, the United States "would facilitate his departure," McClellan said. "And we did."

He said the United States arranged for a plane to fly to Haiti to pick up Aristide. The aircraft arrived about 4:30 a.m., McClellan said. Aristide went to the airport in the company of his own personal security guards, the spokesman said.

Asked directly if Aristide left of his own free will, McClellan said, "Yes."

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/newthishour/stories/030104dnnathaiti.976f2.html

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Activist.
Is that a full-time occupation ?

[MeekOneGOP]

ha ! I think it probably is at MoveOn.org Moron.org ! ...

[gaspar]

Randall Robinson is a Marxist who has denigrated every effort the US has made to bring some sanity to Africa and Haiti. Only a few weeks ago claimed he would retire and move to a home in the Caribbean. And here's to you Mr. Robinson. Keep your word, and please don't return.