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France Wants Transitional Govât in Haiti
PARIS (AP) - French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin on Wednesday issued a statement calling for an "immediate" establishment of a transitional government in Haiti and an international civilian force to back it up.
Tragedy, meet farce. Farce, this is tragedy.
De Villepin allegedly a man also indicated France no longer supports President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, an elected but highly unpopular president whose government is threatened by a rebellion. "As for President Aristide, he bears heavy responsibility for the current situation," de Villepin said in a statement. "It is up to him to accept the consequences while respecting the rule of law. Everyone sees quite well that a new page must be opened in Haitiâs history." France also supports the urgent establishment of a transitional "government of national unity," headed by a designated prime minister, in accordance with a plan proposed by CARICOM, the 15-nation Caribbean Community, and the Organization of American States. However, de Villepin said the plan should be broadened and the political process speeded up so that elections can be held in the coming months. An international civilian force composed of troops from countries other than France to back the transitional government is one element of Franceâs proposal to broaden the plan. Paris also proposed international assistance to help Haiti organize a presidential election by establishing an election commission, lists of voter, and international observer missions to oversee the ballot.
For as we all know, an election equals democracy even in the worst hellhole of a country.
The foreign minister said he spoke several times Tuesday and Wednesday with a bored Secretary of State Colin Powell, other foreign diplomats and Haitian political officials.
"Mr. Secretary! Mr. De Villepin on line two!"
"Let him wait a while, Marvin."
"Any particular reason, Mr. Secretary?"
"Yes. Principle."
Posted by: Steve White 2004-02-26 |
