Answer Lies in Political Solution : Waves of boat people won’t subside without settlement in Haiti

Haiti, the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation, has one hope for political stability and economic survival--ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. A hero to Haiti’s poor, Aristide has not been allowed back into his country since a military coup last month. But he will meet in Colombia today with his political opponents, and those talks, brokered by the Organization of American States, could eventually lead to his return. They must succeed, or an already destitute people will suffer even more.

A stalemate in the talks will mean that Haiti’s impoverished majority must live even longer with the effects of an economic boycott imposed by the OAS after the coup. That trade embargo has caused serious fuel and food shortages in Haiti. Additional sanctions, scheduled to take full effect in two weeks, could compound the pain.

More deprivation in Haiti will force more desperately poor people to attempt a dangerous mass exodus to the United States in rickety, overcrowded boats. Already Coast Guard cutters have intercepted more than 1,500 Haitians at sea, returning some to Haiti until a U.S. judge’s order halted that unfortunate practice. Thursday a boat carrying 200 Haitian men, women and children sank off the coast of Cuba and many aboard died.

It is noteworthy that illegal immigration to the U.S. from Haiti dropped off after Aristide was elected, surging anew only after the coup. The fiery young Haitian president is that much of a symbol to his supporters. Despite poverty, they will stay in their homeland with him in office.

That’s why a political compromise that allows Aristide to return is absolutely necessary. He is his nation’s first democratically elected leader. During his short rule, Aristide was accused of condoning mob violence against his opponents. The exiled leader is now willing to compromise with his upper-class critics and their powerful allies in Haiti’s army. A political solution, negotiated by the OAS, should result in a more inclusive government and the lifting of punishing international trade sanctions.

Until those sanctions are lifted, and Aristide is back in power, the number of Haitian boat people will only rise.