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