Caribbean nations demand Haiti inquiry

At an emergency meeting of the Caribbean Community in Jamaica, the regional bloc, which includes Haiti, also refused to be part of a multi-nation peacekeeping effort in the country.

At least 130 Haitians died as rebels clashed with police in the weeks leading up to the former president's departure on Sunday.

Aristide, who is now in the Central African Republic, has since claimed that American troops took him from the country against his will.

"I was told that to avoid bloodshed I'd better leave," he said on Monday. "No one should force an elected president to move."

Aristide, who had two years left in his mandate as president, called the American manoeuvre "a real coup d'état" and "a modern kidnapping."

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson of Jamaica said if Aristide's claims are true, it sets "a very dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments everywhere."

The Americans insist that Aristide left Haiti voluntarily, accompanied by his personal bodyguards and leaving a letter of resignation.

Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Secretary of State Colin Powell said no pressure was applied to Aristide.

"The suggestion he was kidnapped is wrong, and absurd," Powell said.

Patterson also said the Caribbean countries were disappointed that the United Nations did not act sooner to stop the rebel action against Aristide, as the Caribbean group had requested.

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/03/04/world/haiti_caricom040304

Caricom's statement on Haiti
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040301/lead/lead1.html

Caricom's website
http://www.caricom.org/