Haitian Premier Opposes U.S. Invasion : Caribbean: Robert Malval rejects any military action, which many believe is the only solution to the crisis.

Robert Malval, the acting prime minister and a major supporter of U.S. policy in this Caribbean nation, said Tuesday that he opposes “as a matter of principle” any U.S. military intervention here.

In an interview with three reporters, Malval became the second leading Haitian figure in the past week to publicly reject U.S. military action, a step that many involved in Haitian affairs think is the only realistic solution to the country’s ongoing crisis.

Exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in an interview with National Public Radio on Saturday, said the Haitian constitution prohibits him from supporting direct, outside interference--such as U.S. military action--even if it meant his return to power. He said that he could be impeached if he accepted such a policy.

But asked the question again Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington, Aristide--who has made conflicting statements on the issue in recent weeks--refused to give a clear answer.

Malval said that Aristide, who appointed him prime minister in September, was using an “opportunistic” legalism in Saturday comments to avoid taking a controversial position. “Aristide should stop this talk of impeachment,” Malval said. “The fear of impeachment is silly. . . . You are either opposed on principle, and I am opposed on principle . . . or go with” the intervention.

Although he spoke of his principled opposition, Malval said there were practical reasons to doubt the wisdom of a military invasion, noting, “It might solve things in the short run, but in the mid- and long terms, it would only create more problems.”

He also said he feared that U.S. military involvement would be so costly to the United States that it would endanger the billions of dollars in U.S. financial aid necessary to restore Haiti’s economy.

Aristide was driven into exile by a bloody military revolt Sept. 30, 1991. Malval, who was one of the few members of the Haitian elite to back Aristide, was named prime minister as part of negotiations with the army to restore democracy. But the two men had a falling-out in December after an agreement with the army was negated by the armed forces and Aristide rejected Malval’s effort to renegotiate a settlement.

Malval, at the strong urging of the United States, has agreed to stay on indefinitely as acting prime minister to preserve at least the appearance that Haiti has a legitimate government; its presence denies the military and its civilian puppet regime grounds for seeking recognition.

But Malval said Tuesday that if the crisis is not resolved by September, “I will walk out on this.”

He showed clearly during the interview that he was bitter and frustrated by his largely symbolic role, which has led the military to brand him a virtual traitor and has essentially made him a prisoner in his own home.

Malval said that if the crisis is not resolved by September, the nation will not be able to survive economically no matter who is in power.

While saying the United States “has done more than was expected” to resolve the crisis and that the stringent sanctions have finally shown the military that the Americans are serious, Malval expressed doubts that the army will give in.