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American Morning
Crisis in Haiti Reaching Critical Mass
Aired February 26, 2004 - 08:04 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The crisis in Haiti reaching critical mass, we are told. Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide under pressure to resign soon, before armed rebels storm the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BAKER, DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM HAITI OPPOSITION GROUP: 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.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Forces loyal to President Aristide rampaged through Port-au-Prince yesterday. A government collapse could touch off a refugee crisis and the president weighing in yesterday, warning Haitian refugees heading for the U.S. that they will be turned back, he says. The Coast Guard intercepted two ships yesterday, boarded one of them only 10 miles off the coast of Miami, Florida.
That's where we find John Zarrella this morning, live in Miami for more -- John, good morning, there.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, certainly the 17 Haitians on board the coastal freighter Margot didn't get the message. They had left Haiti apparently on the 22nd. The live pictures this morning out of Miami show the Margot still sitting about five to 10 miles off the Florida coast. All throughout the night, Immigrations and Customs enforcement agents, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, began interviewing these 17 Haitians, who apparently hijacked the Margot somewhere in Haiti and forced the captain to bring the boat, sail his boat to Miami.
It's very unclear exactly what the scenario is, how it went down. But about four o'clock yesterday afternoon, United States Coast Guard officials got word from the captain of the ship that he had armed people and that they wanted to come to Miami. They were ordered to stop off the coast of Miami, which they did. Four weapons that they had, three shotguns and a handgun, were then lowered over the side of the Margot and about 7:00 Eastern time last night, Imaginations in Customs officials boarded the vessel and began to try and determine exactly who these people were and why they are here.
Now, U.S. Customs and Coast Guard officials are telling us that any vessels coming from Haiti to South Florida are going to be boarded now before they are allowed in port.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. TONY RUSSELL, U.S. COAST GUARD: One step that is being taken is all vessels coming from Haiti to the United States are going to be boarded at sea before they enter port. That's consistent, also, with the advanced notice of arrival, the 96 hour advanced notice of arrival. So we'll know they're coming four days in advance and be able to prepare that, to make sure that there aren't any migrants or stowaways or any other homeland security threats on board.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZARRELLA: Coast Guard officials are continuing to tell us this morning that the vessel is staying out at sea. No one has been brought to shore at this point, so still very unclear, Bill, at this hour as to what will ultimately happen to the 17 Haitians who did, apparently, force the captain to come to Miami -- Bill.
HEMMER: John, thanks.
John Zarrella.
We'll watch it along with you there live in Miami.
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 - 08:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The crisis in Haiti reaching critical mass, we are told. Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide under pressure to resign soon, before armed rebels storm the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BAKER, DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM HAITI OPPOSITION GROUP: 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.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Forces loyal to President Aristide rampaged through Port-au-Prince yesterday. A government collapse could touch off a refugee crisis and the president weighing in yesterday, warning Haitian refugees heading for the U.S. that they will be turned back, he says. The Coast Guard intercepted two ships yesterday, boarded one of them only 10 miles off the coast of Miami, Florida.
That's where we find John Zarrella this morning, live in Miami for more -- John, good morning, there.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, certainly the 17 Haitians on board the coastal freighter Margot didn't get the message. They had left Haiti apparently on the 22nd. The live pictures this morning out of Miami show the Margot still sitting about five to 10 miles off the Florida coast. All throughout the night, Immigrations and Customs enforcement agents, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, began interviewing these 17 Haitians, who apparently hijacked the Margot somewhere in Haiti and forced the captain to bring the boat, sail his boat to Miami.
It's very unclear exactly what the scenario is, how it went down. But about four o'clock yesterday afternoon, United States Coast Guard officials got word from the captain of the ship that he had armed people and that they wanted to come to Miami. They were ordered to stop off the coast of Miami, which they did. Four weapons that they had, three shotguns and a handgun, were then lowered over the side of the Margot and about 7:00 Eastern time last night, Imaginations in Customs officials boarded the vessel and began to try and determine exactly who these people were and why they are here.
Now, U.S. Customs and Coast Guard officials are telling us that any vessels coming from Haiti to South Florida are going to be boarded now before they are allowed in port.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. TONY RUSSELL, U.S. COAST GUARD: One step that is being taken is all vessels coming from Haiti to the United States are going to be boarded at sea before they enter port. That's consistent, also, with the advanced notice of arrival, the 96 hour advanced notice of arrival. So we'll know they're coming four days in advance and be able to prepare that, to make sure that there aren't any migrants or stowaways or any other homeland security threats on board.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZARRELLA: Coast Guard officials are continuing to tell us this morning that the vessel is staying out at sea. No one has been brought to shore at this point, so still very unclear, Bill, at this hour as to what will ultimately happen to the 17 Haitians who did, apparently, force the captain to come to Miami -- Bill.
HEMMER: John, thanks.
John Zarrella.
We'll watch it along with you there live in Miami.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
