With Somalia on Everyone’s Mind : From the start, do it right in Haiti

Even as President Clinton set a deadline for getting U.S. troops out of Somalia, American soldiers were about to enter a dicey new situation: Haiti. As in Somalia, the U.S. forces are part of a U.N. force. But while there are similarities, key differences make it even more vital that U.S. troops in Haiti have a clearly defined mission and absolutely everything they need to defend themselves.

Like Somalia, Haiti is a poor nation of no huge strategic significance for the United States, but the difference is that it is much, much closer to home. And that’s all the difference in the world.

Haiti’s current crisis began in 1991, when the military overthrew democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. As with virtually every Haitian crisis since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Aristide’s ouster sent a surge of Haitian refugees to the United States. Tellingly, the only time the exodus had ebbed was during Aristide’s nine-month tenure.

After the 1991 coup, Washington called for Aristide’s return to power. The Haitian elite held firm until earlier this year, when U.N. economic sanctions began to take a toll on the island. Only then did the military grudgingly agree to step down and allow Aristide’s return.

Just how grudging is becoming clear as the Oct. 30 date set for Aristide’s return nears. Political violence is on the rise: Aristide supporters are being murdered. Some military leaders say they won’t step aside.

Into this ominous atmosphere Thursday stepped the first contingent of U.N. troops in Haiti. Among them were 26 Americans, an advance team there to prepare for the eventual deployment of 600 U.S. military engineers and trainers. They carry only side arms and are under orders not to use them except in self-defense.

With Somalia very much in mind, some Pentagon officials are now balking at sending in any more U.S. troops until the rules of engagement they will use in Haiti are changed, and until adequate preparations are made to send in more troops if necessary. We agree with that. It is only prudent.

Haiti’s military thugs are not much different from the warlords who have caused so much grief for U.S. forces in Somalia. They undoubtedly noted the recent events in Somalia and reckon that all it will take to weaken U.S. resolve are a few casualties or hostages. The Clinton Administration must make it absolutely clear that won’t happen in Haiti, and make equally clear that it intends to use military force, if need be, to return Haiti to stability and legitimacy. For better or worse, Haiti is in our sphere of influence. What happens there affects this country. Washington must work for a stable Haiti that is not destroying itself at home and exporting refugees to the United States.