The National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) expresses its maximum outrage and disgust with the imperialist, lawless and brutal campaign of terrorism that has been inflicted on the people of Haiti by the Bush Administration. According to reports, the United States has resorted to the methods of petty gangsters by kidnapping Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide at gunpoint, orchestrating a coup and forcing the country's democratically-elected leader into exile. Furthermore, NCBL condemns in the strongest terms the Bush Administration's callous, hypocritical and racist policy on Haitian refugees. NCBL demands immediate answers to questions about U.S. involvement with armed terrorists who have destabilized the island nation, and calls for the formation of a global Pan-African alliance of organizations that will be prepared to counter future imperialist intervention through coordinated economic warfare.

The forced departure of President Aristide from Haiti came amidst an ongoing, full-scale armed attack on the country by bands of thugs who are former members of the disbanded Haitian army and secret police force that operated under the leadership of former dictators Raoul Cedras and Jean-Claude ("Baby Doc") Duvalier. These former military/police goons were noted for their barbarity and tortures inflicted on countless members of the civilian population. They were responsible for a coup in 1991 that forced Aristide from office. Observers like the Haiti Action Committee have reported that, after Aristide's return to power in 1994, many of the thugs fled to the neighboring Dominican Republic, where they commenced training in terrorist tactics that were recently unleashed in a merciless campaign to destabilize the island.



Armed thugs causing chaos in an underdeveloped country for the purpose of setting the stage for a "regime change" is an all-too-familiar scenario that has historically been masterminded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It occurred in 1976 in Jamaica when the CIA provided high-powered weapons to opponents of then-Prime Minister Michael Manley who was regarded by Washington as having too cozy a relationship with Fidel Castro. It occurred in Nicaragua during the 1980s when the CIA organized and financed terrorist opponents of the Sandinista government. It has likewise occurred in various countries in Africa, like Ghana and Congo. It occurred in Grenada in 1983, when the U.S. invaded the tiny island. More recently, we have witnessed a similar failed coup attempt in Venezuela, and threats directed at Zimbabwe because that country dares to return land to its indigenous citizens.

For several reasons, President Aristide is not viewed with favor by the West. After Aristide's re-election in 2000, he refused the U.S. demand to privatize Haitian state monopolies. Washington answered by freezing $600 million in assistance to Haiti. Aristide also led a campaign to have France pay Haiti $22 billion in reparations for blackmailing newly-independent Haiti with a threat of an international embargo in 1804. "Coincidentally," France was first to demand that Aristide step down. Given the fact that, historically, the U.S. government, via the CIA, has repeatedly interfered with Haiti's internal affairs to prop up the dictatorship of the Duvalier family and the Haitian business elite, NCBL is compelled to ask whether yet-again, the U.S. has engaged in illegal covert activities to further the Bush Administration's policy of pre-emptive regime change. Such actions, as well as the kidnapping of a head of state are flagrant violations of domestic criminal law, and basic principles of international law, including various provisions of the United Nations Charter that are intended to protect sovereign countries from both violent and peaceful foreign intervention in matters that are within the country's domestic jurisdiction.



NCBL must note as well that the U.S. has traditionally presented itself as a place of refuge for people from around the world who fear persecution in their respective homelands. However, it is clear that U.S. refugee policy, in practice, is determined by race. In 2002, there were approximately 10.4 million refugees worldwide – the majority of whom were people of color. Nevertheless, the US continues to offer shelter disproportionately to white refugees. This fact is once again made blatantly clear by Bush's recent statement that no Haitian refugees will be allowed to enter the U.S. despite the great civil unrest occurring in their country. Such a statement is in direct conflict with a refugee policy that claims to consider each case individually, and it reeks of racism. NCBL opposes this racist treatment of refugees of African descent.



NCBL stands firmly in support of President Aristide, and we offer our full support to those courageous members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others who have dared to defy the U.S. political establishment and expose the lies of the Bush Administration and its lackeys in the corporate mass media. Finally, NCBL calls upon all organizations of people of African ancestry, and others of goodwill, to establish an Independent Action Alliance for the purpose of preventing future Haiti-like occurrences by coordinating global mass actions to impact the health of selected multi-national corporations, and the economies of western governments that choose to use criminal methods to undermine legitimate, democratically-selected leadership, and to otherwise frustrate efforts at African peoples' self-determination.

Caricom does not accept the removal of Aristide and demands the
immediate return of democratic government in Haiti

The CARICOM prime minister's press conference ended at about 1330 EST after meetings which began yesterday and ended about midday today. I must confess pleasure and some surprise at the strength of the response.
Here are the main points of the
press conference. A communique is being drafted and will be issued later.

Caricom does not accept the removal of Aristide and demands the
immediate return of democratic government in Haiti.

Caricom leaders had been in almost constant contact with Aristide before
his removal and were never given the impression that he wished to resign
or leave Haiti.

Caricom demands an impartial transparent investgation, by the UN, into
the circumsnatces surrounding Aristide's removal

Caricom will have no dealings with the so-called government of Haiti.

Press release 22/2004
(3 March 2004)

STATEMENT ISSUED BY CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AT THE CONCLUSION OF AN EMERGENCY SESSION ON THE SITUATION IN HAITI, 2-3 MARCH 2004, KINGSTON, JAMAICA

CARICOM Heads of Government met on 2 and 3 March 2004 in Kingston, Jamaica, in an emergency session to consider the situation in Haiti.

The Heads of Government expressed dismay and alarm over the events leading to the departure from office by President Aristide and the ongoing political upheaval and violence in Haiti. They called for the immediate return to democratic rule and respect for the Constitution of Haiti.

The Heads of Government recalled that the CARICOM Prior Action Plan had been developed with the full involvement of the United States, Canada, the OAS and the European Union and fully endorsed by the international community. This initiative was guided by the need to preserve the rule of law and predicated on the precepts of shared government, binding both President Aristide and the legitimate opposition to specific commitments, which would lead to a peaceful resolution of the political impasse respectful of the constitution, and promoting the democratic process.

Heads of Government were disappointed by the reluctance of the Security Council to take immediate action in response to appeals for assistance by the Government of Haiti.

On Sunday 29 February 2004, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1529 endorsing the deployment of a Multinational Interim Force to Haiti. This was what CARICOM had sought in the first place, but the decision was taken in circumstances quite different to those conceived in the CARICOM Plan since it followed immediately the departure from office of President Aristide.

They expressed the view that the circumstances under which the President demitted office set a dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments everywhere as it promotes the unconstitutional removal of duly elected persons from office.

Reaffirming the fundamental tenets of governance within the Caribbean Community based on the Charter of Civil Society, as well as the principles enshrined in the Quebec Declaration and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, Heads of Government stressed that these obligations must be used to determine the democratic nature of governance in Haiti. In this regard, no action should be taken to legitimize the rebel forces nor should they be included in any interim government. The Heads of Government also agreed that the issue of relations with the interim administration would be the subject of urgent review at the upcoming Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference.

Heads of Government were deeply perturbed at the contradictory reports surrounding the demission from office of the constitutionally elected President. These concerns were heightened by public assertions made by President Aristide that he had not demitted office voluntarily. Heads of Government called for an investigation under the auspices of the United Nations to clarify the circumstances leading to his relinquishing the Presidency.

When CARICOM agreed to admit Haiti as a member of the Community, it was based on its determination to end years of isolation and bring Haiti into the Caribbean family to which it belongs by geography, history and common ancestry. Heads of Government reiterated their commitment to the people of Haiti and their intention to remain constructively engaged in the efforts to create the conditions considered necessary for their long-term safety, well-being and progress.

That commitment was most recently demonstrated in the initiative the Caribbean Community launched in January this year, with international support, to help resolve the long-standing impasse, which has polarized the country.

In this regard, they stressed that the Community would continue to support the political, economic and social development of its Member State. Accordingly, Heads of Government mandated the CARICOM Secretary-General to establish a Task Force to coordinate CARICOM’s assistance to Haiti in those areas where it has the capacity. In keeping with the UN Resolution 1529, Heads of Government agreed to participate in the follow-on UN stabilisation force, in efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, the rebuilding of the economy and civil society, and the reconstitution of the democratic structures, processes and institutions of the country. In the prevailing circumstances, Heads of Government do not envisage their participation in the Multinational Interim Force authorized by the UN Security Council.

Heads of Government reiterated the importance of a return to constitutional democracy and expressed the wish to see the quick restoration of peace and stability in Haiti and the earliest return to constitutional democracy by working with the people of Haiti in a sustained effort to rebuild democratic institutions. They underlined that any approach to returning Haiti to a state of normalcy must include an economic and social development plan.

Heads of Government welcomed the appointment of a Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General and committed themselves to working closely with him in these efforts. They stressed that creating the conditions for political stability, economic development and the institutional reconstruction of Haiti would require a long-term commitment on the part of the international community, including the International Financial Institutions.

Heads of Government continue to be concerned about the security situation in Haiti. They affirmed that the disarmament of illegally armed groups must be an urgent priority. There are continuing reports that the situation in Port-au-Prince is chaotic and, notwithstanding the presence of international military forces, respect for law and order is not in evidence. They deplored the loss of life, the destruction of private property and politically motivated attacks, including threats against members of the Government. They therefore called on the international forces to bring a stop to the lawlessness and reminded them of their legal obligation to do so.

Heads of Government deplored the present turmoil in Haiti leading to an outflow of Haitians, a situation which is placing strains on the resources of neighbouring states.

Heads of Government agreed to keep the evolving political situation under review with a view to determining further action in the interest of the Haitian people.


Kingston, Jamaica
3 March 2004