Gya: Kissing French booty

The following is an excerpt from a lengthy article which addresses the various alternatives to dealing with the Haiti crisis. Read the rest for yourself.

What stands out is the sheer arrogance of the French who would venture into the Caribbean and act as though the region's countries and their treaties were or no moment. Troubling is the writer uncritical acceptance of French disdain for Caribbean countries, French unilateralism and disdain for the UN, and French interventionism. Even though Aristide has requested aid via the OAS and Caricom, France, which belongs to neither organizations, would venture into Haiti without regard for either. Even more troubling is that the writer is advocating the possible implementation of a French plan that is designed to protect French interests in the region.

The article is almost, but not quite, hagiographic with regard to the French, and it is impossible to imagine that similar US proposals would generate the puzzled reverence that permeates the author's words. One could only wish that the US would get a mere modicum of such uncritical press in the Caribbean. The writer professes that he's disturbed by the circumscribed nature of French derring-do; no, France does not propose sending soldiers in to save Haitian lives while the fighting rages. Instead, France would only send in soldiers after the fighting is done. The brave and courageous French. I guess they do not want to have to surrender to the Haitians once again.

Haiti, admitted to Caricom membership after protracted consideration and many misgivings is now a major headache with which Caricom leaders must live, now and into the long future.
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Two foreign ministers, Dominique de Villepin of France and Colin Powell, US Secretary of State, have undertaken consultations and made weighty pronouncements. De Villepin ... was quick off the mark indicating his government's willingness to send some kind of force into Haiti to maintain the peace. De Villepin stated that he had been consulting with colleagues and that they were of similar mind. The French have demonstrated in Africa a willingness to send troops alone or as part of UN missionsto maintain peace in their former colonies. But Haiti is hardly a former colony having wrested its independence almost exactly two centuries ago. However there is the cultural linkage of language, to which the French have always attached the highest importance. But of still greater significance in terms of French vital interests is the perception that if the rebellion in Haiti is allowed to succeed it could encourage insurgencies in their possessions of Martinique and Guadeloupe and perhaps Cayenne. However the French initiative appears at this stage to be predicated on the end of hostilities in Haiti - a situation unlikely to be achieved given the intransigence of the opposition now supported by para-military from the disbanded army and criminal elements, a point to which one will return.

Equally disturbing is that de Villepin makes no mention of whether an intervention would include the OAS and Caricom or for that matter the UN. President Aristide and his Prime Minister in asking for assistance have specifically indicated that it should come through the OAS and Caricom.
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Caricom must maintain its leadership role. It must act urgently with the new group to find a formula to send in an intervention force including Caricom personnel. At this stage nothing else will avail. The French initiative which it is reported has the support of Canada and Brazil could provide a basis....

Caricom has already played an important role. It is now imperative to ensure that the outcomes in Haiti, a Caricom member state, will reflect not only the interests of the great powers involved but should be in keeping with Caricom's constitutional values and practice. Caricom leaders should be aware that what happens in one member state may instigate similar action in another.