Democracy Now Interviews Haiti Pres. Aristide

[redqueen]

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00131.htm

EXCLUSIVE: ARISTIDE SPEAKS TO DEMOCRACY NOW! IN MOST EXTENSIVE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE INTERVIEW SINCE HIS REMOVAL FROM HAITI
FROM: http://www.democracynow.org/articles/04/03/08/1529222.shtml
Links to streaming video and audio
Monday, March 8th, 2004

At approximately 7:20 am EST (Monday), Democracy Now! managed to reach exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide by cell phone in the Central African Republic. His comments represent the most extensive English-language interview Aristide has given since he was removed from office and his country.

Moments before the Democracy Now! interview, Aristide appeared publicly for the first time since he was forced out of Haiti in what he has called a US-backed coup. The authorities in the Central African Republic allowed Aristide to hold a news conference after a delegation of visiting US activists charged that the Haitian president was being held under lock and key like a prisoner. The delegation included one of Aristide's lawyers, Brian Concannon, as well as activists from the Haiti Support Network and the International Action Center, representatives of former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark. Shortly after they arrived in Bangui on Sunday, the delegation attempted to meet with Aristide at the palace of the Renaissance. The CAR government rebuked them.

Shortly after, the country's foreign minister held a press conference in Bangui. Armed men threatened journalists in the room, warning them not to record the minister's remarks. Mildred Aristide, the Haitian First lady, was brought into the room, but was not permitted to speak. The CAR foreign minister told the journalists that President Aristide would hold a news conference within 72 hours. Hours later, Aristide was allowed to address journalists.
In his interview on Democracy Now!, Aristide asserted that he is the legitimate president of Haiti and that he wants to return to the country as soon as possible. He details his last moments in Haiti, describing what he called his "kidnapping" and the coup d'etat against him. He responds to Vice President Dick Cheney's comment that Aristide had "worn out his welcome" in Haiti.

RUSH TRANSCRIPT

AMY GOODMAN: I am Amy Goodman from the radio/TV program Democracy Now! around the United States. We would like to know why you left Haiti.

PRESIDENT ARISTIDE: Thank you. First of all, I didn't leave Haiti because I wanted to leave Haiti. They forced me to leave Haiti. It was a kidnapping, which they call coup d'etat or ...forced resignation for me. It wasn't a resignation. It was a kidnapping and under the cover of coup d'etat.
----

Good interview. Glad this was possible (though it sounds like it nearly wasn't).

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. Thanks for posting this. It is worth pointing out that this is essentially

what he said live on CNN. And told to some members of Congress, at least one of whom has since decided that he didn't.

The regime has decreed that any allegations of kidnapping are a conspiracy theory.

[redqueen]

2. Which person said he didn't?

Let them try to label this CT... but I don't think it's going away. At least I hope it's not.

[DuctapeFatwa]

3. Rangel

the term "conspiracy theory" has lost its dictionary meaning.

Technically, a conspiracy involves some level of secrecy.

Imperialism means not having to bother keeping it secret. You can post it on the web, do it on live TV.

[redqueen]

4. Lord, WHY?!

You're so right about secrecy. Now they can do what they please in broad daylight and nobody cares. :grr:

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. I assume he was "talked to"

told to "fall in line"