Turmoil in Haiti

While working in Haiti as a radio engineer during the past three years, I had the chance to observe the political scene there firsthand. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the ousted president of Haiti, received over 80% of the vote in last December’s United Nations-supervised elections. Many people claim that Aristide is Haiti’s first honestly elected president. His government legitimately derives its power from the 6 million citizens of Haiti.

In contrast, those currently in power in Haiti derive their authority from the guns of the 7,000 members of Haiti’s army. To maintain power, the current leaders have created an atmosphere of fear and have silenced the press.

Tom Bethell’s article (“America Should Leave Haiti Alone,” Column Right, Oct. 6) was misguided. Aristide was freely elected. Bethell compares him to dictators such as Mobutu of Zaire and Marcos of the Philippines. The comparisons are false, and as a result, so are most of the conclusions that Bethell draws regarding U.S. involvement in the situation in Haiti.

If we desire to support democracy, we must back Aristide and press for his return to power. President Bush, Secretary of State James Baker, the U.S. ambassador to Haiti, Alvain Adams, and, most importantly, the Organization of American States should all be commended for their serious efforts toward this end. Aristide’s opponents should strive to obtain their agenda through nonviolent, constitutional channels in accordance with the principles of democracy that we profess to support.

SCOTT ENSERINK, Chandler, Ariz.