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CNN Live At Daybreak
Looks Back at Tumultuous Times Under Aristide's Leadership
Aired February 16, 2004 - 05:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Haiti today, a humanitarian convoy is set to take food and other emergency supplies to rebel held northern areas. Exiled paramilitary leaders have reportedly joined the revolt there. In the meantime, in the capital, those for and against Jean-Bertrand Aristide have taken to the streets, and that has resulted in violence.
CNN's Carol Lin looks back at the tumultuous times under Aristide's leadership.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL LIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Jean-Bertrand Aristide came to power in 1990 as Haiti's first democratically elected president, he was hailed by many as a savior, the man who would bring stability. But today, the country is again in upheaval. Anti- government forces claim they now control Haiti's fourth largest city and they say they won't stop until Aristide is forced from office.
BUTERR METAYER, GONAIVES RESISTANCE FRONT (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We will continue to resist here. Later, we will march on the central plateau to Cap Hatien, and then on to the capital, Port-au-Prince, until Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigns.
LIN: It is not the first test for Aristide. The embattled leader was ousted by a military coup in 1991. And while 20,000 American troops intervened to restore his presidency in 1994, he was voted out of office just a year later.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Aristide! Aristide! Aristide!
LIN: Aristide did celebrate reelection in 2000, but opponents allege the contest was rigged and the international community withdrew more than $500 million in aid.
Since then, more than 50 Haitians have died in violent protests. Many more are desperately trying to flee the country. American officials say they expect as many as 50,000 Haitians to seek refuge in the U.S. this year. The Bush administration, for now, is refusing to intervene. And Aristide, in an exclusive interview with CNN, says he has no intention of resigning.
PRES. JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE, HAITI: We had 32 coup d'etats in our history, 200 years of independence with 32 coup d'etat. This is too many coup d'etats. Now it's time for us to move from elected president to elected president, not from coup d'etat to coup d'etat. LIN: With Aristide's authority openly questioned and no money for food or basic necessities, Haiti's already fragile democracy is once again vulnerable.
Carol Lin, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Leadership>
Aired February 16, 2004 - 05:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Haiti today, a humanitarian convoy is set to take food and other emergency supplies to rebel held northern areas. Exiled paramilitary leaders have reportedly joined the revolt there. In the meantime, in the capital, those for and against Jean-Bertrand Aristide have taken to the streets, and that has resulted in violence.
CNN's Carol Lin looks back at the tumultuous times under Aristide's leadership.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL LIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Jean-Bertrand Aristide came to power in 1990 as Haiti's first democratically elected president, he was hailed by many as a savior, the man who would bring stability. But today, the country is again in upheaval. Anti- government forces claim they now control Haiti's fourth largest city and they say they won't stop until Aristide is forced from office.
BUTERR METAYER, GONAIVES RESISTANCE FRONT (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We will continue to resist here. Later, we will march on the central plateau to Cap Hatien, and then on to the capital, Port-au-Prince, until Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigns.
LIN: It is not the first test for Aristide. The embattled leader was ousted by a military coup in 1991. And while 20,000 American troops intervened to restore his presidency in 1994, he was voted out of office just a year later.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Aristide! Aristide! Aristide!
LIN: Aristide did celebrate reelection in 2000, but opponents allege the contest was rigged and the international community withdrew more than $500 million in aid.
Since then, more than 50 Haitians have died in violent protests. Many more are desperately trying to flee the country. American officials say they expect as many as 50,000 Haitians to seek refuge in the U.S. this year. The Bush administration, for now, is refusing to intervene. And Aristide, in an exclusive interview with CNN, says he has no intention of resigning.
PRES. JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE, HAITI: We had 32 coup d'etats in our history, 200 years of independence with 32 coup d'etat. This is too many coup d'etats. Now it's time for us to move from elected president to elected president, not from coup d'etat to coup d'etat. LIN: With Aristide's authority openly questioned and no money for food or basic necessities, Haiti's already fragile democracy is once again vulnerable.
Carol Lin, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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