Aristide Tells AP the U.S. Forced Him Out

AP ^ | ELIOTT C. McLAUGHLIN

[Roscoe Karns]

Mar 1, 7:41 PM (ET)

ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) - Jean-Bertrand Aristide said in a telephone interview Monday that he was "forced to leave" Haiti by U.S. military forces who said they would "start shooting and killing" if he refused.

Aristide was put in contact with The Associated Press by the Rev. Jesse Jackson following a news conference, where the civil rights leader called on Congress to investigate Aristide's ouster.

When asked if he left Haiti on his own, Aristide quickly answered: "No. I was forced to leave.

"They were telling me that if I don't leave they would start shooting, and be killing in a matter of time," Aristide said during the brief interview via speaker phone. He spoke with a thick Haitian accent, his voice obscured at times by a bad connection.

When asked who the agents were, he responded: "White American, white military.

"They came at night. ... There were too many. I couldn't count them," he added.

Aristide told reporters that he signed documents relinquishing power out of fear that violence would erupt in Haiti if he didn't comply with the demands of "American security agents."

Aristide said he was in his palace in Port-au-Prince when the military force arrived. He said he thought he was being taken to the Caribbean island of Antigua, but instead he has been exiled to the Central African Republic.

Aristide described the agents as "good, warm, nice," but added that he had no rights during his 20-hour flight to Africa.

Aristide's wife, Mildred, initiated Monday's telephone call, said Shelley Davis, a special assistant to Jackson. She said the reverend and the president's family have been close for about a decade.

Jackson said Congress should investigate whether the United States, specifically the CIA, had a role in the rebellion that led to Aristide's exile.

Jackson encouraged reporters to question where the rebels in Haiti got their guns and uniforms.

"Why would we immediately support an armed overthrow and not support a constitutionally elected government?" Jackson said.

Aristide, who fled Haiti under pressure from the rebels, his political opponents, the United States and France, arrived Monday in the Central African Republic, according to the country's state radio. He has claimed that he was abducted from Haiti by U.S. troops who accompanied him to Africa.

The White House, Pentagon and State Department have denied allegations that Aristide was kidnapped by U.S. forces eager for him to resign.

[Joee]

I want to see some Republican officials call the Democrooks, in NO uncertain terms "LIARS." This mealy mouth crap with word games is just what it is. Proof is abound, it's time to make em own up.

[arjay]

My serious guess as to what really happened is in the middle. My uneducated guess is that US military came to his palace and basically told Aristide that he was screwed. They would not be able to stop a full scale rebel assault, and that there would be a bloody fight even if they could. They told him he had a choice. Either most likely die in the violence, or pack up his crap and come with them. He chose to go with them, and then had buyer's remorse when he got out of dodge. This sounds like a probable scenario to me. I think the dims are pushing Aristide to stir up a stink.

[Rome2000]

The com symps in the Democratic party are trying to pull an Ortega with this pathetic zombie face twerp.

Lets make Haiti a campaign issue, Haitians are dancing in the streets today.

Clinton won by denouncing sister souljah.

Aristede just might find himself in the same boat.

[yooper]

"He has claimed that he was abducted from Haiti by U.S. troops who accompanied him to Africa."

An action which most certainly saved his life. And what thanks does he show? He plays a race card given to him from Jesse Jackson's deck of corruption. And now this dictator complains about not having rights?

Our marines should have handed him over to the rebels.

[noutopia]

I agree with you,he had a choice leave or die.I wish the basturd had stayed myself.

[surely_you_jest]

Aristide, who fled Haiti under pressure from the rebels, his political opponents, the United States and France, arrived Monday in the Central African Republic, according to the country's state radio. He has claimed that he was abducted from Haiti by U.S. troops who accompanied him to Africa.

This is a load of hooey. It would have been far easier to turn him over to the tender mercies of the mob, or cause an unfortunate accident, and blame it on the mob. Why fly him halfway around the world just to get rid of him, if that is what we were actually doing? Doesn't make sense.

[BARLF]

There is a very good article in todays WSJ,"Review & Outlook" Aristede's Finest Hour. Anyone see this article?

[Paradox]

I completely agree with your view of what happened. I was thinking that MAYBE, just maybe, Aristide misunderstood the Americans when they said there would be shooting and killing. Or, most likely, like a girl who cries RAPE after having consensual sex while drunk and doesn't want too look like a wh*re, he has changed his tune. It can't hurt him to do so, and might help his buddies in the US Government (democrats) to unseat the US President he probably hates.

[Dick Vomer]

I'll pay for him to go back to Haiti right now.

what a pantload this clown is. Now that he was slapped like a skinny little BEEEAAAAATCH, he's all tough. Right....., you would have made it if the big bad Americans hadn't forced you out.... right.... ok. ya wanna go back home.... then just go...

[Oztrich Boy]

"I am President of Haiti, and I wish to negotiate."

[lawdude]

"I think the dims are pushing Aristide to stir up a stink."

D'ya spoze?

[river rat]

I really hate to do this....because I hate it when my wife does it.....but.....

I TOLD YOU SO

I pleaded that this communist, murderous black racist lying bastard be KILLED, not rescued....

I told you we would be hearing from him and seeing his champions from Jesse, to Al, to the moronic Congressional Black Caucas --- demanding his restoration to power, and that the white man is totally responsible for the problems in the most backward nation on the planet...

It's still not too late ---- KILL HIM - and all that stand with him..

Semper Fi

[philsoc]

If he is telling the truth, it is a sad day to be an American.

I know I'll probably get flamed, and (having visited Haiti in the recent past) I know that in the long run Haiti will be better off post-Aristide - but I wish it would have been after he completed his term in office.

As many historians have pointed out, over all of his accomplishments, the greatest thing George Washington ever did was to leave office. That set up a peaceful transition of power - something Haiti has never known.

While many might argue heatedly about the last election, at least we didn't see thousands of Gore supporters running rampant with shotguns, and machetes. (Interesting picture - they probably would have formed their firing squads in a circle! ;)

If Aristide did resign, and the transition followed the Haitian Constitution with the Supreme Court Chief Justice taking control that would be one thing. However, if he was escorted out of the palace with an M-16 pointed at his back this is nothing the US should be proud of.

Having only contributed on rare occasions (but a constant lurker) I have to admit that every Freeper posting seems to be taking joy in the apparent un-Constitutional overthrow, even if he was an inept leader.

(Flame suit on and sealed ;)

[Not A Snowbird]

More like we rescued his sorry butt.

[clintonh8r]

The RATs' support for this turd will cost them votes. Their black base is already locked up...I think this little temper tantrum will cost them the votes of white fence-sitters.

[arjay]

I guess I was just stating the obvious.

[Unicorn]

Maxine,Jessie and Charlie with him.Now that a combination I would pay to see!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[William McKinley]

Democracy, to me, is a means not an end. I would much rather that an elected tyrant be strung up by those he oppressed and stole from, than have him stay in office because a majority of people who voted (perhaps due to intimidation or fraud) wanted him there.

As Bush pointed out regarding Iraq, maybe some think Saddam might have lost an election.

[Spruce]

[Iberian]

I was going to reply to this but the girl scout cookies have arrived at the door, so its time for Thin Mints and a beer.
catch you later!!