Clinton’s Stand on Haiti

Your editorial (Jan. 15) justification of Bill Clinton’s hypocritical reversal of his position on Haitain refugees is lamentable. Along with Clinton you neglect to mention that continuing a policy of intercepting these refugees on the high seas is a violation of international law. Moreover, whatever supposed sympathy is expressed by Clinton and the editorial in the perilous flight by Haitians in unsafe vessels and the ensuing tragedy of capsized boats is outweighed by the racist double standard that welcomes privileged white Cuban refugees with open arms while repelling desperate black Haitian refugees.

As Americas Watch and other human rights agencies have attested to, Haiti under the military junta is a country ruled by terror. Given such dire conditions in Haiti, it is both disingenuous and disturbing to insist, as Clinton recently did, that one must distinguish between economic and political refugees. Those fleeing Haiti must be offered asylum immediately and not be turned back whatever the reason.

Unfortunately, from the perspective of Clinton and your editorial, political expediency is warranted, regardless of international law, human rights or basic human decency. Shame on you and shame on this incoming sham of a reformer.

FRAN SHOR

San Diego