Aristide Seeking Tighter Embargo

In a speech at the Law School yesterday, Jean Bertrand Aristide, the first democratically elected president of Haiti, called on the U.S. to tighten the economic blockade as part of the effort to restore his country to democracy.

He also condemned the actions of the military dictatorship. "Theirs is the strategy of the gun," said Aristide. "They use lies, murder and economic subversion to achieve their goals."

The method of his democracy movement, meanwhile, is a "strategy of the pen," he said. He said he believes truth and non-violent resistance will overcome the repressive regime in Haiti.

He said the military in Haiti has been able to hang on in spite of the economic blockade because "the sanctions are a sham."

"The international political will needed to carry out a full blockade is not there," he said.

Currently, many goods are smuggled into Haiti through the border with the Dominican Republic.

Aristide thanked Harvard for its defense of Haitian refugees. The University has helped confront the Clinton Administration's decision to continue forced repatriation of refugees. The administration justifies its polices by saying that the refugees are escaping economic hardship in Haiti, and not political oppression.

"Many of those who are fleeing are not doing so for economic reasons," hesaid.

"Since the September 1991 coup, there have beenover 5,000 people executed and 300,000 peopleinterned for their political views," saidAristide.

Aristide described the horrible treatment ofthe refugees turned back by the U.S. Coast Guard."They are often arrested and harassed," he said.

Aristide said it was in the interest of theU.S. to help restore democracy in Haiti. Not onlyhas the dictatorship forced thousands to fleeHaiti for the U.S. Haiti has now become a majorbase for illegal drug shipments.

"Since the coup, Haiti has become the secondlargest transshipment point for cocaine," saidAristide. "The military receives $1.2 billion fromthe drug cartels for this privilege."

Aristide outlined eight requirements for therestoration of a democratic government in Haiti.Among them: the resignations of the military'scommanding general and the police chief, electionof a new prime minister and help in rebuilding theeconomy from a U.N. technical aid force.

"In my opinion, we will win," said Aristide."And when democracy is restored, we will reap thebenefits of our solidarity... that we will welcomethe refugees back with ballots, not bullets."

Security for the event was extremely tight.Tickets were required for admission and the secretservice was present to protect President Aristide.

About 300 students and faculty members attendedthe speech, sponsored by the Harvard Law Forum.

"He's a controversial figure, so of course wehave to take appropriate security measures," saidMike Huppe, vice president of promotions for theHarvard Law Forum.

Aristide has written several books and speaksseven languages

"Since the September 1991 coup, there have beenover 5,000 people executed and 300,000 peopleinterned for their political views," saidAristide.

Aristide described the horrible treatment ofthe refugees turned back by the U.S. Coast Guard."They are often arrested and harassed," he said.

Aristide said it was in the interest of theU.S. to help restore democracy in Haiti. Not onlyhas the dictatorship forced thousands to fleeHaiti for the U.S. Haiti has now become a majorbase for illegal drug shipments.

"Since the coup, Haiti has become the secondlargest transshipment point for cocaine," saidAristide. "The military receives $1.2 billion fromthe drug cartels for this privilege."

Aristide outlined eight requirements for therestoration of a democratic government in Haiti.Among them: the resignations of the military'scommanding general and the police chief, electionof a new prime minister and help in rebuilding theeconomy from a U.N. technical aid force.

"In my opinion, we will win," said Aristide."And when democracy is restored, we will reap thebenefits of our solidarity... that we will welcomethe refugees back with ballots, not bullets."

Security for the event was extremely tight.Tickets were required for admission and the secretservice was present to protect President Aristide.

About 300 students and faculty members attendedthe speech, sponsored by the Harvard Law Forum.

"He's a controversial figure, so of course wehave to take appropriate security measures," saidMike Huppe, vice president of promotions for theHarvard Law Forum.

Aristide has written several books and speaksseven languages