Military Demands Reportedly Snag Haiti Talks

Talks on restoring democracy to Haiti appeared in trouble on their second day Monday, and sources close to the talks said military leaders appeared intransigent and determined to retain some power.

Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras was pressing to retain control of the security forces when civilian rule is restored, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Cedras insisted on retaining his status as army commander when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide returns to the country, sources said. Cedras reportedly envisioned a system of “cohabitation” with himself as military ruler and Aristide as a kind of prime minister.

These demands, detailed by Cedras during talks that lasted until midnight Monday, almost persuaded U.N. special representative Dante Caputo to end the negotiations. But he decided to continue after Lawrence Pezzullo, the special State Department envoy to Haiti, talked with Cedras.

Cedras ousted Aristide, Haiti’s first democratically elected leader, in a 1991 coup.

Caputo refused to answer questions about alleged problems in the talks but said he had received “indications that allow me to say that the negotiations are still going on.”

Cedras and Aristide are attending the talks, but they have not met face to face and do not plan to do so until there is broad agreement on restoring Aristide, restructuring the government and guaranteeing a transition to democracy.

Caputo briefed Aristide on Monday about his seven hours of talks with Cedras on Sunday. Caputo said he discussed all major issues with Cedras, but he said they had not reached any agreement.

Haiti has been reeling under hemispheric trade sanctions. Last week, the U.N. Security Council imposed oil and arms embargoes and froze assets of the Haitian government worldwide until the country makes progress toward restoring Aristide.