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February 28, 2004
PAX CHRISTI USA STATEMENT ON HAITI

I believe this statement and response is wise.

PAX CHRISTI USA STATEMENT ON HAITI
February 27, 2004

At this moment in the deepening crisis in Haiti, Pax Christi USA states unequivocally that the situation in Haiti should be resolved internally by the Haitian people. We call upon President Bush to publicly promise to make no moves, militarily or otherwise, that would threaten or undermine the sovereignty of Haiti. Rather, we call on the Bush Administration to publicly denounce all armed actors in Haiti and to specifically call upon the armed opposition to immediately halt their activities. It is imperative that the U.S. government make clear that the U.S. will not support any elements of Haitian society that use armed violence to further political ends. During this time of crisis, it is imperative that Haitians resolve their issues and that our government respects the integrity of their country and constitution. We call upon all factions within Haiti to disavow violent solutions and to pursue resolution to this crisis through nonviolent means with respect for the democratic process and the Haitian Constitution...

for the entire statement: PAX CHRISTI USA STATEMENT ON HAITI

JohnEngle.info

Posted by John Engle at February 28, 2004 05:35 PM | TrackBack
Comments

So...

The US should place national sovereignty ahead of human rights? Is that what I read from this, and its link?

Sure, there is fine blather about calling on all parties in Haiti to disavow violence. What if they don't? Does the US still respect Haiti's sovereignty?

What if the government falls, and conflict continues among various factions? Is it okay THEN to intervene?

I reckon everybody dies eventually, so it is no big deal whether they die of old age or because some pro- or anti-Aristide people gun them down. No big deal at all.

Is that the "Peace of Christ" that the organization calls for?

Just wondering.

MG

Posted by: MG at February 28, 2004 10:14 PM

Follow up:

I have no problem with respecting national sovereignty, so long as one explicitly acknowledges then that Human Rights ™ are relatively unimportant. Respecting national sovereignty supports the side of a conflict that wants non-intervention; whether that side be revolutionaries or existing governments.

MG

Posted by: MG at February 28, 2004 10:18 PM

dear MG,

i appreciate your comments very much. my perspective is influenced by Haitian colleagues. I am an American who has lived in Haiti for more than ten years.

two of my Haitian colleagues, both of whom have been beaten and imprisoned for speaking out against previous regimes, are saying publicly right now that there should be no foreign military intervention in Haiti. they are against this and are speaking it publicly. one is a Haitian historian and the other is an economist who previously was Aristide's chief of staff (1993).

these and others see the longterm danger to foreign military intervention. when people like this and who have suffered as they have, hold this opinion, i listen.

again, thank you for sharing your comments.

Posted by: Johnny at February 29, 2004 06:24 PM

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