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Prime ministers

Clinton Administration Plans to Fly Haitian Lawmakers Back to Parliament

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Clinton administration is making arrangements to fly a group of legitimate Haitian legislators back to Port-au-Prince to debate amnesty for de-facto leaders who forced them to flee. The move comes at the order of exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who signed a decree calling for a special session of the Haitian Parliament on September 28. The lawmakers will debate granting amnesty to top military officials, accused of human rights abuses, and consider creating a civilian police force, abolishing paramilitary forces, and forming a panel to oversee national reconciliation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton administration is planning to fly six Haitian lawmakers, residing in the United States, back to Haiti in time for a special session of the Haitian Parliament on September 28.
  • The lawmakers will debate granting amnesty to Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras, military chief of staff Brig. Gen. Phillipe Biamby, security chief Lt. Col. Michel Francois, and their forces, who have been accused of killing 3,000 Aristide supporters and other human rights abuses.
  • The Haitian Parliament will also consider creating a civilian police force, abolishing paramilitary forces, and forming a panel to oversee national reconciliation.
  • There are problems with the planned debate, as 10 lawmakers fled Haiti after the coup in 1991 and the military dictators appointed supporters to take their seats in parliament.
  • Six Haitian lawmakers are residing in the United States, while four others are residing in Canada, Switzerland, and the Dominican Republic.
  • U.S. troops will provide security for the lawmakers during their return to Haiti and ensure a secure environment for the Parliament to meet.

Statistics:

  • 3,000: The number of Aristide supporters allegedly killed by the Haitian military.
  • 10: The number of lawmakers who fled Haiti after the coup in 1991.
  • 6: The number of Haitian lawmakers residing in the United States.
  • 4: The number of Haitian lawmakers residing in Canada, Switzerland, and the Dominican Republic.
  • September 28: The date set for a special session of the Haitian Parliament to debate amnesty and other reconciliation issues.

Sources:

  • SID BALMAN Jr., UPI Diplomatic Writer (September 26)
  • State Department spokeswoman Christine Shelly, quoted in the article.

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