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US Accused of 'Occupying' Haiti as Troops Flood In
The French minister in charge of humanitarian relief called on the UN to "clarify" the American role amid claims the military build up was hampering aid efforts.
U.S. Air Force troops patrol downtown Port-au-Prince Monday January 18, 2010. Thousands more U.S. troops will keep order on Haiti's increasingly lawless streets as tens of thousands of survivors wait desperately for aid.
REUTERS/Jorge Silva Alain Joyandet admitted he had been involved in a scuffle with a US commander in the airport's control tower over the flight plan for a French evacuation flight.
"This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti," Mr Joyandet said.
Geneva-based charity Medecins Sans Frontieres backed his calls saying hundreds of lives were being put at risk as planes carrying vital medical supplies were being turned away by American air traffic controllers.
But US commanders insisted their forces' focus was on humanitarian work and last night agreed to prioritize aid arrivals to the airport over military flights, after the intervention of the UN.
The diplomatic row came amid heightened frustrations that hundreds of tons of aid was still not getting through. Charities reported violence was also worsening as desperate Haitians took matters into their own hands.
The death toll is now estimated at up to 200,000 lives. Around three million Haitians - a third of the country's population - have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake and two million require food assistance.
While food and water was gradually arriving at the makeshift camps which have sprung up around the city, riots have broken out in other areas where supplies have still not materialized.
Haiti was occupied by the US between 1915 and 1935, and historical sensitivities together with friction with other countries over the relief effort has made the Americans cautious about their role in the operation.
American military commanders have repeatedly stressed that they are not entering the country as an occupying force.
US soldiers in Port-au-Prince said they had been told to be discreet about how they carry their M4 assault rifles.
A paratrooper sergeant said they were authorized to use "deadly force" if they see anyone's life in danger but only as a "last resort".
Capt John Kirby, a spokesman for the joint task force at the airport, said the US recognized it was only one of a number of countries contributing to a UN-led mission.
He also emphasized the US troops, which he said would rise to 10,000 by Wednesday would principally be assisting in humanitarian relief and the evacuation of people needing medical attention.
The main responsibility for security rests with the UN, which is to add a further 3,000 troops to its force of 9,000.
However, it was agreed on Sunday night that the Americans would take over security at the four main food and water distribution points being set up in the city, Capt Kirby said.
"Security here is in a fluid situation," he said. "If the Haitian government asked us to provide security downtown, we would do that." He played down the threat of violence, saying: "What we're seeing is that there are isolated incidents of violence and some pockets where it's been more restive, but overall it's calm."
16 Comments so far
Show AllThis shows the real reason behind the military in Haiti. It ain't to do good. If they wanted to do GOOD they would have left the guns behind and brought in food and water. How the hell can you help when your hands are holding guns and your back is being burdened by ammo. If they are so damn cowardly they should let 1 guy have a gun to protect 100 guys who are helping. This is Capitalism at its finest...Disaster Capitalism...just like Katrina.
I remember the 'humanitarian' aid the US dropped on Afghanistan. Food packs the exact size, shape and color (bright yellow) as unexploded cluster bomblets from 'Daisy Cutter' munitions.
The Haitians should be counting themselves lucky at this point.
But as soon as the first desperate Haitian knocks down a US serviceman, Port Au Prince (and the rest of Haiti) will become a free fire zone.
And I will bet you a C note that before the disaster is over, reports *will* surface of rapes in Haiti at the hands of US servicemen.
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There is still broad based support for Aristide amongst Haiti's poor.
The delivery of water and supplies is being delayed, this leading to the people growing more anxious and desperate.
10,000 HEAVILY armed US troops are present and their arrival was given priority over that of medical and other aid for the people of Haiti.
So there more violence amongst the people. It then becomes "necessary" for US troops to start using deadly force. The press will report the "riots" the work of Cuba, Venezuala and Aristide supporters (There are in fact already making the claims that Chavez is trying to destabilize Haiti)
Aristide supporters are gunned down, the movement cowed. US forces out of desire to "protect the people from Violence" remain on building more Military bases.
All is going according to plan.
Troops Flood In for Triage. Treating those with health insurance and excavating those without.
It's not as though 1915 to 1935 were the last time Haiti had been subjected to foreign military occupation. The United States military was there five short years ago when Aristide was deposed. They were replaced after a few months by MINUSTAH, called a United Nations "peace-keeping force" but in reality an occupying army made up mostly of Brazilians. MINUSTAH is still there and, not surprisingly,is hated by Haitians for what it is. They have caused considerable bloodshed, in supressing demonstrations for Aristide's return, for example, and recently shot to death one of the thousands of mourners at the funeral for the beloved Father Jean Juste, a close friend of Aristide's.
There's nothing at all irrational about Haitians considering US soldiers an army of occupation.
The troops may be needed in order to force the Haitians to accept the hegemony of relief-for-profit entrepreneurs. The money that the IMF is forcing Haiti to borrow must be funneled to the correct corporate cronies.
How does one spell evil?
USA
A previous article on CD said the USA was only allowing military planes to land
foolish me thought it was military with aid
no it is military with only munitions
The USA is attempting to create civil unrest
Evil is spelled "crime" in any just and democratic society.
Evil being a physical acts done by physical people when so motivated by
sin, which is spelled "greed."
My guess is that on this occasion, the US military is there to help. There is no reason for the US to further occupy Haiti. They already own it, without owning any responsibility for the well being of the Haitian population. Aristide has been thrice removed by them. The US already has their puppet government in Haiti.
Taking a back seat and doing the grunt work is not what the US military does best. It is used to being "in charge" and no-one is strong enough to force cooperative behavior on them. Also, there will be a strong desire to be in the limelight here, and being in charge is what will give them the best publicity. So this could explain their belligerent attitude.
They have already taken over. They do have the most manpower and equipment, and therefore the potential to do the most good. If there was a crime then this is not it, but the meddling that came long before the earthquake.
Such a garbage comment, such confusion, such an illusion generated that corruption once set in place needs no deadly force to maintain it.
Sometimes I think that we had a coup by the military, led by Cheney and Rumsfeld, starting with 9/11.
The Pentagon keeps popping up running operations that used to be handled by the State Dept, NGOs and others with maybe low key military transportation - not absolute control!!!
But I could be wrong ! I hope I am, but I'm definitely not holding my breath.
You did have a coup.
It was perpetrated by the Supreme COurt and the Media.
Coronation Day was 9/11/01. It was in all the papers.
PRI News: “Lack of security hampering food distribution.”
This article: “riots have broken out in other areas where supplies have still not materialized.”
And so, western media being all owned or financed by those who own most politicians body and soul, what will their deceitful hearts do to us next?
Well, the voice of god-ruler has spoken, “riots have broken out,” so riots it is. Yes its pure fiction now, yes Haitians are the most smiley and friendly sweatshop slaves you would ever want to starvation labor, but capitalism must have progress and growth.
And as any good capitalist will tell you, reducing land population is the best thing that you can do to increase land ownership, the glory unequalled.
Rather than sending goons with guns our Secretary of War should send Amputees wearing Prosthetics and bringing Hope.
"We will be greeted as Liberators!"
Where have I heard that one before? Ah yes, Iraq.
Well, at the very least, the bushmonkey can skim off a lot of Obomers pledged 100 million "relief" money, after all, who better to shoot people trying to secure water for themselves than GWB? I bet he calls in "Brownie" to do another "Heck of a Job"
Well you know what they say: "Never waste a crisis" [to bilk the taxpayer].
Obama = BlackBush. Pardon me, while I vomit for the first time in 2010.
TJ
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson