MEDIA REACTION ON HAITI, MARCH 17, 2004

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000653 SIPDIS FOR WHA/PDA, IIP/G/WHA, IIP/T/ES, WHA/CAR, WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO PGOV HO SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON HAITI, MARCH 17, 2004 ¶1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on 3/17 entitled "Maneuvers." "In a similar situation to what has happened in Iraq, where a provisional government backed by Washington tries to handle a transitional period until they come up with a new government to take over after a harsh dictatorship, in Haiti the temporary government of Gerard Latortue, who until a few days ago was a radio announcer in Miami, tries to do whatever he can, with the support of 2,200 American marines, to stabilize Haiti." "Although it is evident that the Americans overthrew the dictatorship in Iraq, there are doubts about how and why former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide left his country. The Americans argue that he resigned and left on his own and that they only provided a safe means of transportation for Aristide to leave." "It's evident that, whoever finally becomes the President of Haiti would have a similar fate to Aristide if he doesn't do something to relieve Haiti from the extreme poverty it's going through. Severe poverty and economic crises are a fertile territory for non-governance. That's what needs to be addressed, to avoid undertaking maneuvers that only delay the inevitable crises." Palmer