President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the slum priest, resigned today under intense pressure from the United States and the threat of an invasion of the capital by armed insurgents, fleeing by jet at dawn under heavy American guard.
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President Bush ordered the deployment of the Marines to Haiti as part of an “interim international force” to restore order. Both France and Canada have agreed to send troops, too. The United Nations Security Council met in emergency session to consider a resolution for a multinational force.
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Mr. Aristide was once hailed as the man who could deliver peace and freedom to his nation, a slave nation that liberated itself 200 years ago from its imperial oppressor only to stifle under a blanket of strife and poverty. But his presidency crumbled as he violently cracked down on political dissent and armed rebels seized Haiti’s north this month. The Bush administration, which had earlier been reluctant to suggest that an elected president step down, has shifted its stance over the past several days, increasing the pressure and finally strongly urging him to step down.
Source: NY Times
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Here’s an interview made on February 18th 2004, Aristide’s last Interview, at the Palais National, before being ousted, he talks about the situation before the “military coup” and the situation of the country with hints on political interference. Notice how aware he was of what was happening and what was coming to him.
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Source: Claude Adams (freelancer for CBC)
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#haiti #ayiti #jeanbertrandaristide #aristide #2004 #coupdetat #militarycoup #rebels #february29 #february #bushadministration #bush #political #president #marines #usmarines #france #canada #un #unitednations #istwa1804 #istwa #1804 #democracy #occupation #interim #international #onu #coup #lavalas