BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Torn over Haiti, a summit of Caribbean Community leaders Friday was considering simply doing nothing to either recognize or reject the government that replaced its democratically elected president.
The decision to do nothing, which is contrary to the United States’ push for diplomatic recognition of Haiti, is in step with the policy of The Bahamas. Less than 100 miles from Haiti, The Bahamas has maintained steady relations with Port-au-Prince throughout its long history of coups and rebellions without showing approval or disapproval.
“Our diplomats have remained there and the question of announcing recognition didnt even arise, said Bahamanian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell. “We just worked with who was in effective control . . . That is just the way it has been.” Leaders of the 15-member CARICOM regional bloc resumed closed-door talks Friday morning on whether to recognize the new government of Haiti, a member state that saw President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resign Feb. 29 amid a bloody revolt.
A former legal advisor to Aristide urged the CARICOM leaders Friday to deny diplomatic recognition to new Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, calling it a “puppet” government placed in power by the United States and France.
“I am here to ask that CARICOM not only not support and recognize the illegitimate government but support the reinstatement and reinstallation of President Aristide, the only elected and legitimate government of the Haitian people,” Marguerite Laurent said during a news conference here.
But several Caribbean leaders said the consensus at the summit was leaning toward avoiding the entire issue of recognition, which could be either a huge victory or an embarrassing defeat for the Latortue cabinet.
CARICOM simply can remain mum on the issue while continuing with previously announced plans to assist the Haitian people by sending in humanitarian aid and contributing troops to a U.N. peacekeeping force that would replace the current U.S.-led multilateral military force within two months.
Before last week, CARICOM leaders seemed poised to put aside their concerns over Aristide’s allegations that U.S. officials had forced him to resign on Feb. 29 and “kidnapped” him to exile in Africa.
But they grew angry after his statements threatening to suspend relations with CARICOM — in retaliation for Jamaica’s agreement to host Aristide for a visit — and defending some of the notoriously brutal rebel leaders who helped drive him out as “freedom fighters.”
“You cant embrace an administration that says it embraces people that wish to overthrow an administration by violence,” Mitchell said. “That is a problem.”
“It is difficult to engage with someone who doesnt want to engage with you,” Mitchell added. “The interim prime minister of Haiti made the position quite clear.”
Asked about media reports about U.S. threats of reprisals against Jamaica for hosting Aristide, Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said, “I hope it doesnt come to that.”
By Jacqueline Charles, The Miami Herald
