NEWS: Caribbean Community wants Probe into Aristide's Departure

Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Chairman of CARICOM spoke on behalf of the Caribbean Community stating, they would not join the peacekeeping forces in Haiti and called for a probe into ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's charge that the United States forced him from office.

CARICOM is made up of Antigua, Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Vincent/Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. CARICOM was actively involved in talks with Aristide and had hoped to come to a solution in which Aristide would be able to remain in office.

Patterson said that "The removal of President Aristide in these circumstances sets a dangerous precedent for democratically elected Governments anywhere and everywhere, as it promotes the removal of duly elected persons from office by the power of rebel forces."

Caribbean Nations to Refuse to Join Haiti Peacekeeping Force
But CARICOM said the circumstances were suspicious and called for an independent international inquiry into allegations that U.S. troops forced Aristide from office.

"The situation calls for an investigation of what transpired and we believe that it should be done under the auspices of some independent body such as the United Nations," Patterson said at the end of the 24-hour emergency session.

Related ATSNN Articles:
NEWS: Aristide Claims Abducted By U.S.


[Edited on 3-3-2004 by worldwatcher]