Letters from the Issue of May 13, 2004

But most painful to me, more painful even than the fear and the poverty, was the fact that much of the suffering we saw was the direct result of the policies and actions of my country, the United States. This became all too evident through our interviews. The U.S. is largely responsible for much of the misery in Haiti today because it undermined the credibility of recent Haitian elections (which, in my mind, were vastly more democratic than our most recent presidential election) and withheld essential financial aid, and because it pressured other funding bodies to withhold financial aid. In addition, the U.S. funneled what little aid it did provide not through the elected government but rather through nongovernmental organizations associated with the opposition. The U.S. also failed to support the arrest of some of Haiti's most notorious killers.

Through those and many other means, culminating in a kidnapping/coup d'état of Haiti's democratically elected president and installing in power men who favor U.S. policies, our government has undermined the well-being and sovereignty of the country. Today Port-au-Prince appears to be an occupied city -- heavily armed military men and equipment are everywhere. And overhead, military helicopters circle round and round, even flying without lights during the night.

Our fact-finding mission was, for me, a most distressing experience. But still I see two very strong reasons for believing that a brighter future is possible for Haiti. First is the wonderful spirit of the Haitian people, and second is that we U.S. citizens can become more informed about the situation in Haiti and about our government's involvement there. Then we can bring pressure to bear on our elected officials and demand they change our policies toward Haiti. Our government should support only those polices that will allow Haiti to gain control of and develop its own future.

Nancy Bennett

Santa Fe, New Mexico