Bill Clinton on Aristide/Haiti

[BayCityProgressive]

I am trying to figure out what really happened with Bill Clinton concerning Haiti. I know that the first Bush overthrew Aristide and tried placing a brutal dictator in his place. The people revolted and Clinton put Aristide back. Did Clinton do this because he supported Aristide or did he just want to quell rioting and possibly an even more left wing movement in Haiti? I am trying to find out if Clinton truly supported Aristide or if he was following the formula that sadly most of our presidents do...

[ogsball]

1. Aristide was freely elected by

. . . the Haitian people. My understanding was that he was somewhat 'pie in the sky' in his initial attitude and opened everything up to the ordinary people. There were orphans swimming in the White House (Haitian one) pool! After the election he nationalized what little industry there was -- pissing off the Americans. Bush I, supported insurgents (this was secret so no there is no proof) who then over threw Aristide. The place what in Chaos by the time Clinton came into office, the place was a mess. There was a failed Marine landing with lots of civilians protesting, that was an embarrassment to some old timers. Then a second landing when Aristide was put back in power. This time Aristide was more pro-active enlisting through bribes gangs in the poorer parts of the country and still being somewhat hostile to the US. The US, has blocked all aid to the country until new elections could be held they were Aristide was once again elected -- did I mention the poor people really like him. People said the election was rigged, chaos continued, Bush II comes in sends arms to more insurgents then sweeps Aristide away in a plane under the guise of saving him. Now the place is in chaos again.

My opinion: Aristide was at first an ok guy but not a leader. Haiti is a place in bad shape because of long term oppression and absolutely no educational systems. The weather there is great though, you should visit sometime.