Haiti Leader Vows to Seek ‘Durable’ Democracy

Lt. Gen. Prosper Avril, Haiti’s provisional president, pledged Thursday to establish a “durable” and “irreversible” democracy and asked for U.S. aid to help achieve that goal.

Avril also promised an all-out fight against narcotics trafficking and the prompt disarming of the much-feared Tontons Macoutes, civilian thugs who have terrorized the population.

In the first broad explanation of his military government’s goals since the “sergeants’ revolt” of Sept. 17 put him in power, Avril called four American journalists to his hilltop mansion overlooking Port-au-Prince and talked about his hopes for Haiti.

“My vision,” he said, “is to enter history as one who has saved the country from anarchy and dictatorship and who has asked for the establishment of an irreversible democracy.”

He said he is committed to the free election of a constitutional government and that the timing of elections will depend on how soon stability can be restored. He also said he will seek consensus among civilian political leaders before drawing up an election timetable.

Avril met earlier this week with Haiti’s major political figures, including the leader of the small Communist Party.

“Some believe six months would be ideal, others nine months and others 2 1/2 years,” he said. “In any case, the timing will be decided by consensus. The date depends on the return to stability.

“I don’t see how we can achieve that stability without American aid. It is an urgent matter. The longer it takes to come, the longer it will take to achieve stability.”

Asked if he was totally committed to elections, Avril replied: “Oh, yes. There is no question of that. I consider myself the accidental and provisional leader of the Haitian people.”

He noted that he had named a temporary armed forces chief and was reserving the post for himself when a civilian government takes over.

Also present at the interview were Avril’s constant companion, Sgt. Joseph Hebreux, representing the noncommissioned officers who carried out the coup; Maj. Gen. Herard Abraham, acting commander in chief of the armed forces; Foreign Minister Serge Elie Charles, and Information Minister Anthony St. Pierre.

Sgt. Hebreux, whom Avril described as “moderate and very intelligent,” represents a committee of 30 young officers and noncoms. He said the opinions expressed by Avril “are also my opinions.”

Avril called for economic help not only from the United States but also from other countries in the region. U.S. aid was suspended Nov. 29 after an eruption of violence prevented elections, and Washington has been reluctant to resume the program because of drugs moving through Haiti into the United States.

“As far as narcotics trafficking is concerned,” Avril said, “we have already begun taking steps to control, if not eliminate, this traffic, which can only do harm to the country.”

He said military men who were associated with drugs have been discharged, and he added that “we are searching for some foreigners who we know are here and who are instrumental in this drug traffic.”

Asked about the status of Col. Jean-Claude Paul, commander of the army’s Dessalines Barracks who is under federal indictment in Florida on drug charges, Avril said, “I cannot discuss openly and publicly a military matter.”

Avril, who has received training at the U.S. Marine Corps base at Quantico, Va., and at the U.S. Naval Intelligence School in Washington, said he has four children and that “my dream is that (they) will never have to blush for the bad acts of their father.”

He dismissed suggestions that he has been tainted by having served under dictator Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier; under the latter’s son and successor, Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier, and under deposed Gen. Henri Namphy. He said that his selection by the noncoms to take charge after their revolt “constitutes an answer to all that could be said about my career of the last 30 years.”

For most of his career Avril served in the Presidential Guard, working behind the scenes. He was never publicly associated with the Duvaliers’ acts of cruelty.

“I was the good genie in the system,” he said, adding that it was his years of assistance to the enlisted men that led them to name him president.

He outlined what he thinks will be the electoral process once a consensus with the political leaders is reached. He said there will be provincial and municipal elections, “to allow the people some training in voting and democratic practices.” Next will come elections to the national legislature, which will adapt the constitution to future needs.

“After the adoption of the constitution, then will come the presidential election,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said, the constitution of 1987, which was discarded by the Namphy regime, will be the government’s guide. He said he thinks it “contains some very good clauses, but it was drafted at a time when passions were running high. This is why I believe it can be used, but amended.”

Avril said he is confident that there will be no further revolt by the troops. He said the soldiers who carried out the coup have returned to normal discipline after getting rid of about 120 of their officers.

But he acknowledged that there is fear of a possible leftist infiltration of the soldiers’ ranks.

“What we fear most, and what justifies our immediate request for assistance,” he said, “is the deadly infiltration of extremist elements who would like to appropriate the legitimate demands of the people to create more anarchy.”

Avril said he will outline his goals more fully next week in an address to the people.