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CNN Live At Daybreak
U.N. to Hold Emergency Session Today on Haiti Crisis
Aired February 26, 2004 - 06:00 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: It is getting worse in Haiti. The U.N. Security Council meets in emergency session today on the crisis there. The meeting comes amidst fears the violence in northern Haiti could spread across the nation.
In Washington, a senior State Department official says President Jean-Bertrand Aristide may have to step down now.
But there is concern help from the United Nations will come too late. Rebels are on their way to try to topple Aristide, and Haitians are fleeing by ship, trying to make it to U.S. shores.
We'll take you to Miami in just a minute, but first to St. Marc, Haiti, and Lucia, Newman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Having faced almost no resistance in northern Haiti, heavily-armed insurgents vow to take the capital within days; this, as the peaceful opposition says the only way to prevent a bloodbath now is for the world to convince President Aristide to go.
CHARLES BAKER, OPPOSITION LEADER: We believe that it is absolutely necessary for the international community to accompany the country in its quest for a mechanism that will allow for a timely and orderly departure of Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
NEWMAN: Along the road to St. Marc, this boat maker is working at a fast pace.
(on camera): These are the boats Haitians use to leave this country -- the same ones that President Aristide is warning will be used to transport a mass exodus of Haitians to the United States, unless the international community sends in help to stop the rebellion.
(voice-over): The boat maker says if the violence worsens, he'll start building bigger boats for people to go to Florida.
"People say they'd rather take their chances at sea," he says.
As tension escalates, opposition leaders say Aristide thugs have attacked their property, including this car dealership.
An attempt to evacuate all non-essential U.N. personnel and their families was thwarted by aggressive government supporters. NICHOLAS MARIN, U.N. SECURITY CHIEF: There are several roadblocks in town, which makes access to the airport extremely dangerous.
NEWMAN: The opposition is betting armed supporters and opponents of the president will put down their weapons and embrace democracy, if and when Aristide goes. But Haiti has a long history of plans for democracy going wrong.
Lucia Newman, CNN, St. Marc, Haiti.
(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.
Aired February 26, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is getting worse in Haiti. The U.N. Security Council meets in emergency session today on the crisis there. The meeting comes amidst fears the violence in northern Haiti could spread across the nation.
In Washington, a senior State Department official says President Jean-Bertrand Aristide may have to step down now.
But there is concern help from the United Nations will come too late. Rebels are on their way to try to topple Aristide, and Haitians are fleeing by ship, trying to make it to U.S. shores.
We'll take you to Miami in just a minute, but first to St. Marc, Haiti, and Lucia, Newman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Having faced almost no resistance in northern Haiti, heavily-armed insurgents vow to take the capital within days; this, as the peaceful opposition says the only way to prevent a bloodbath now is for the world to convince President Aristide to go.
CHARLES BAKER, OPPOSITION LEADER: We believe that it is absolutely necessary for the international community to accompany the country in its quest for a mechanism that will allow for a timely and orderly departure of Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
NEWMAN: Along the road to St. Marc, this boat maker is working at a fast pace.
(on camera): These are the boats Haitians use to leave this country -- the same ones that President Aristide is warning will be used to transport a mass exodus of Haitians to the United States, unless the international community sends in help to stop the rebellion.
(voice-over): The boat maker says if the violence worsens, he'll start building bigger boats for people to go to Florida.
"People say they'd rather take their chances at sea," he says.
As tension escalates, opposition leaders say Aristide thugs have attacked their property, including this car dealership.
An attempt to evacuate all non-essential U.N. personnel and their families was thwarted by aggressive government supporters. NICHOLAS MARIN, U.N. SECURITY CHIEF: There are several roadblocks in town, which makes access to the airport extremely dangerous.
NEWMAN: The opposition is betting armed supporters and opponents of the president will put down their weapons and embrace democracy, if and when Aristide goes. But Haiti has a long history of plans for democracy going wrong.
Lucia Newman, CNN, St. Marc, Haiti.
(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.
