I don't understand how any of you missed this in 2004. Where were you?

Canada was part of a group of countries that were involved in this, though Canada seemed to take point.

While I would LOVE to give you a good reason....I can't. Most of the reasons why our military was involved in this were murky at best. And I was paying attention.

Haiti has got to be one of the worst locations for instability there could possibly be. Geologically, Politically, Racially, Religiously, Culturally. I wonder at how bad someone's corruption - problem making would have to be for anyone to step into the spot.

The whole affair was quite short. Aristide yelled about it from afar....and that was it.

Most of the theories so far on this thread aren't the best. But I'll keep looking. Maybe somebody can actually put their finger on what exactly was the point of the exercise.

Originally posted by Aeons
I don't understand how any of you missed this in 2004. Where were you?

Canada was part of a group of countries that were involved in this, though Canada seemed to take point.

While I would LOVE to give you a good reason....I can't. Most of the reasons why our military was involved in this were murky at best. And I was paying attention.

Haiti has got to be one of the worst locations for instability there could possibly be. Geologically, Politically, Racially, Religiously, Culturally. I wonder at how bad someone's corruption - problem making would have to be for anyone to step into the spot.

Good points.

Personally, I have some Haitian, ex-pat acquaintances (friends of friends) who I get to discuss with once a year... coming up soon actually. All are of the very upper class in Haiti (which becomes pretty middle class here) and one was a highly placed politician which makes for very interesting and enlightening discussion.

I was very interested in the 2004 "coup" as well, but was unaware (and will definitely be discussing it with the Haitian ex-pats) of the "Ottawa Initiative" of 2003 (brought up in the OP) which would appear to have planned it.

It is, as you say, a very complex culture... the upper class (and there is a HUGE class distinction) that I talk to can easily justify the quasi-slaves that they have, and get quite upset and flustered when I point out that this is part of the roots of the problem.

That being said, their consensus of the "coup" and the following "occupation" stem from three main points:

1- Socialist reforms had to be stopped... the status quo "elite" (many of whom reside in Canada),and foreign corporations do not like to "share the wealth" as it were. This may seem like a simple answer, but is the root cause of many, if not most "coups" in modern history.

2- National self-interest... we much rather social instability when it is far away from home. Being that Canada, France and the U.S.A. have the largest ex-pat populations, they would be the most affected by a mass exodus.
(To this point I'll add a small note... though ethically questionable, if we consider that governments are supposed to look after their own interests, this is logical reasoning.)

3- Geopolitical interest... this one mostly concerns American interests (unless, of course, official policy is different than "behind closed doors" positions of other nations). Smack dab between Cuba and Venezuela, and a stones through away from the lower 48, it is an ideal location to police the Caribbean.

The actual reasoning for the "coup" can surely not be simplified to one or two talking points... we cannot discount the apparent fossil fuel resources that have been discussed, nor its importance as a drug dealing hub between South and North America. Those who follow politics closely know that illicit drugs are the main funder of covert intelligence operations and are, therefor, of great importance to them.

Let's keep this discussion going... it has great potential!

the Billmeister