U.S. "wall" angers many Haitians

[Tinoire]

U.S. "wall" angers many Haitians

05.03.2004 - 23:00
By Patricia Zengerle

MIAMI (Reuters) - A "floating Berlin Wall" of U.S. Coast Guard ships is keeping Haitians from fleeing violence in their country, and infuriating activists who may take legal action against what they say is a discriminatory and illegal blockade. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has set up a special office in Miami to monitor the Haitian situation, said on Friday the U.S. Coast Guard had picked up and repatriated 905 Haitians since February 21, as rebels took control of much of Haiti in a revolt that began
on February 5.

In all of February, the Coast Guard picked up 704 Haitians at sea, compared with 157 in February 2003, although U.S. authorities insist a monthlong rebellion in Haiti has not provoked a mass migration.

<snip>

"What you have is oppression of the people by armed gangs, by armed thugs. Unless the decision is taken to really disarm everyone, then the situation is going to be fragile," Jean-Robert Lafortune, chairman of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition, told Reuters.

DEATH TOLL MAY BE HIGHER

More than 100 people have been reported killed since the revolt erupted. Activists said the toll is higher. "There is fighting, burning and looting, with hundreds dead, by rival gangs, many bent on vengeance and revenge," Cheryl Little, an attorney with the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Centre in Miami, told Reuters.

<snip>
A U.S. government source in Washington familiar with the situation said there were at least nine large Coast Guard cutters and 10 patrol boats deployed to keep Haitians from approaching Florida.

<snip>
http://www.swisspolitics.org/en/news/index.php?section=int&page=news_inhalt&news_id=4767338

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. Well you can't build a concrete enclosure around an island in a week!

Typical surly natives, ungrateful for the opportunity to help US businesses and investors propsper.

[bemildred]

2. I know, the "Peace blockade!" nt

[arcane1]

3. I'm surprised the US doesn't just call it a "fence"

:puke:

:hi:

[Mika]

4. Tinoire, they are getting to Cuba

A report from a friend in Holguin, Cuba,

Cuban Coast Guard vessels are escorting many hundreds of Haitians on dangerously overloaded boats into Holguin harbor right now. Cuba has set up temporary housing for many thousands there right now, and more is being set up. The Cubans are very adept at setting up temporary emergency housing because of their well practiced and used hurricane evacuation plans.

The Cuban government has promised than no one will be denied a legal asylum hearing, and no one will be sent back to Haiti until a stable situation and a CARICOM recognized government is in place in Haiti.

---



Of course, this works out for the Bush admin because those Haitians are not getting to Miami to create an immigration emergency - as well as further exposing the hypocrisy of returning Haitians to an extremely violent situation, while accepting (and giving many immigration perks available to no other immigrant group) any and all Cubans who "flee" from Cuba.

Rather than work the political angle by putting pressure on the Bush bros, Cuba seems to have taken the high road and harbors the evacuating Haitians instead of sending them on their way to Miami or returning them to murderous mayhem as the USA is now doing.

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. Thank Goodness! and Thanks for posting that

For those who pray, please pray for all those little not-exactly-boats-but-sometimes-they-float, that Yemaya, Virgen de Cobre, Erzulie and all other pertinent deities guide them safely to land.

[Mika]

7. Amen

Cuban CG boats are taking action & getting between USCG boats and the Haitians before the USCG can corral them in several instances. Its a full out emergency in Cuba. Its on national TV 24/7. Charity drives are running full tilt. Doctors are lining up for volunteer service in Haiti. Blood drives are on. Jamaica wants to pony up transport for the Cuban med teams and equipment as well as evac of critical cases - the US won't let Cuban planes in or out!


Viva Cuba!

[Tinoire]

6. God Bless Cuba

and they sent doctors & nurses to help too. I just hope those guts all head for Holguin and don't, winds of sea and all, accidentally drift to Guantanamo :scared:

Castro, Chavez & Aristide have been such beacons of hope for the people. Thanks for this great news. I just can't bear the thought of Guantanamo or seeing those poor refugees shipped back to the hands of the FRAPH.