US Administration Seeks to Tighten Economic Sanctions on Haiti Amid Human-Rights Concerns

Strategic Insights -

The US administration has used Haiti's expulsion of human-rights monitors as a reason to pressure other nations into increasing economic sanctions. This move comes as the US hopes to enlist other countries in a peacekeeping force that would enter Haiti once democracy is restored. The Clinton administration is exploring options to bring an end to the "repressive regime" in Haiti, with President Bill Clinton stating that the country's action "certainly validates the position we've taken so far that that's an option we shouldn't rule out."

Key Takeaways:

  • The US administration is using Haiti's ouster of human-rights monitors as a reason to pressure other nations into increasing economic sanctions.
  • The Clinton administration hopes to enlist other countries in a peacekeeping force that would enter Haiti once democracy is restored.
  • About a dozen countries, including Canada, have agreed to supply 2,000 to 3,000 troops for a potential force that the US hopes will number about 9,000.
  • The UN Security Council condemned the expulsion of the human-rights monitors as "provocative," calling it a "serious escalation" in the Haitian government's defiance.
  • President Clinton stated that Haiti's action validates the US position that military intervention is an option.
  • The US will make a renewed push for other countries to join the US in freezing Haitians' assets and banning financial transactions with Haiti.
  • France is being pressed to discontinue flights to Haiti by Air France, the only foreign carrier still operating there.

Statistics:

  • About 104 human-rights monitors were ordered to leave Haiti.
  • The Haitian government's armed forces have a population of 7,400 members.
  • The population of Haiti is approximately 6.4 million.
  • 14 US warships are currently in waters near Haiti, including eight directly involved in enforcing a UN trade embargo.
  • The US Coast Guard has 15 cutters involved in the operation.
  • The US hopes to enlist a peacekeeping force of approximately 9,000 troops.
  • Canada has agreed to supply 2,000 to 3,000 troops for the peacekeeping force.

Sources:

  • Associated Press - "US administration uses Haiti's ouster of human-rights monitors as reason to pressure other nations into increasing economic sanctions"
  • Hearst - "US uses Haiti's expulsion of human-rights monitors as excuse for sanctions"
  • State Department official, The New York Times - "US administration considering increased economic sanctions on Haiti"
  • UN Security Council, The New York Times - "UN Security Council condemns expulsion of human-rights monitors"
  • President Bill Clinton, The New York Times - "Haiti's action validates US position on military intervention"
  • US Pentagon, The New York Times - "US warships in waters near Haiti, enforcing UN trade embargo"
  • Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet, The New York Times - "Canada believes sanctions will be enough to overthrow the government in Haiti"