ARISTIDE RELINQUISHES POWER
29 February 2004

Haiti's first and only elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide has relinquished power in the midst of a violent uprising which has become the country's 33rd coup. He reportedly left the capital for the Dominican Republic, to fly on to another country. Observers now fear chaos and a brutal power struggle, as the forces arrayed against Aristide had included both political factions formerly loyal to Aristide, as well as paramilitary bands linked to the 1991 military coup and the notorious death squads of the early 90s.

The White House had applied intense pressure during the last days, urging that Aristide step down. France, which once ruled Haiti as a colony, had already declared its cessation of support for Aristide. A number of sources report that the US and French governments worked closely to decide upon a preferred course of action for removing Aristide.

According to various reports, violence spilled into the streets of Port-au-Prince in the wake of Aristide's announcement, but the White House, said Aristide had "done the right thing" for his people. Haiti's constitution would confer power on the Chief Justice of its Supreme Court, but there is no guarantee from any side that such a transition would be accepted. [For more: Le Monde]

As word spread that Aristide had resigned and fled the country, his supporters took to the streets, protesting his ouster, alleging that he had been kidnapped. The United Nations agreed to send stabilization troops, beginning with 500 US Marines.

Though many have suggested this coup was the result of a broad popular uprising, some expert observers have noted the virulence of the rebel leaders who seized the country by military means, and the possibility that their only goal is to establish their own regime. France and the US are now negotiating with the international community to send a peacekeeping and stabilization force to Haiti which would work primarily to restore order and end the violence, looting and chaos which has gripped the country. [For more: NYT]