Biographies
Aristide, Jean-Bertrand
Interview with the Constitutional President of Haiti
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a Year after the Coup d’Étatby
Claude Ribbe

While the rallies crowded the streets of Port-au-Prince to demand his return, elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide granted an exceptional interview to writer Claude Ribbe, which we publish completely. Aristide was kidnapped on February 29, 2004 by American Special Forces after being threatened by French emissaries. First detained in the Central African Republic, he is currently exiled in South Africa. 67 African and Caribbean states recognize him as the only legitimate leader of Haiti and denounce the puppet government of Gerard Latortue.

Washington and Paris reconciled their colonial interests in the Caribbean by going on the attack with a cunning, well organized coup d’Etat in Haïti to overthrow elected president Aristide. After building an opposition that suited US interests, in the shape of former Duvalier regime financial handyman Andre Apaid, Washington then created armed opposition headed by former putschist officer Guy Philippe. Meanwhile, French powerbrokers Regis Debray and Veronique de Villepin-Albanel tried to force Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resign. Eventually, as the street remained loyal to Aristide, the "rebels" did not sweep into Port-au-Prince. It was left to US special forces to kidnap the president, in a dawn raid on the presidential palace.

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Interview with the Constitutional President of Haiti