U.S. Exploring Corruption Case for Aristide, Powell Says

www.nytimes.com

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said today that American judicial authorities are looking into prosecuting the former Haitian president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, on corruption charges.

"There are inquiries being made by our judicial authorities in the U.S. to see if there is any evidence of wrongdoing on his part," Mr. Powell said in a joint news conference with the new interim Prime Minister, Gerard Latortue.

Mr. Powell, who came for a one-day visit to show the administration's continuing commitment to Haiti's recovery, rejected a request by the Caribbean Community for the United Nations to investigate the terms of Mr. Aristide's departure from Haiti.

"I don't think any purpose would be served by such an inquiry," he said. "We were on the verge of a bloodbath and President Aristide found himself in great danger."

The Caribbean Community nations have refused to recognize the Latortue government, causing considerable embarrassment to the Bush administration, which had counted on their cooperation for police training and security. Full Article

Is this how the U.S. expects to force Aristide and us who know that they masterminded the coup, to accept their appointees in Haiti instead of the democratically elected president? Look, the U.S. has always acted this way with lies and deception, and there is no reason to believe they will change. Enough Said. --Ayinde