Haitians Divided Over Aristide
P O R T – A U – P R I N C E, Haiti, Feb. 25 -- In this sprawling, dilapidated capital of broken streets and crumbling slums, one building stands apart.
It is an inexact replica of the White House. Its lawns are a perfect green, not worn and littered like most here. The fresh paint on the exterior is so white it feels luminescent, especially in contrast to all the faded and peeling paint throughout most of this city.
It is Haiti's National Palace, the elegant office of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Some of the most notorious and ruthless dictators of the late 20th century have wandered its halls, including François "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier. Thousands of Haitians died and thousands more fled the country during their brutal regime, which stretched from 1957 to 1986.
Despots and dictators have far-outnumbered democrats in Haiti. It is sobering to discover that with his election victory in 1990, Aristide was the first democratically-elected leader in this country's 200-year history. Which helps explain why some here remain fiercely loyal to him, despite the accusations of corruption, brutal intimidation and the desperate poverty that has only worsened under his leadership.
"We will never betray the blood of Aristide," chants a passionate group of Aristide supporters outside the palace gates. With anti-government rebels threatening take control of the city and oust Aristide, his defenders have become a permanent fixture here.
They are mostly young, mostly men. The sight of a reporter — and especially one with a TV camera crew in tow — gets them easily exercised. Some speak French, but all speak Creole, the Haitian language.
"If the rebels come to Port-au-Prince," says one man, "we will burn it up, we will cut their throats." As he utters the final words he passes his hand across his throat, as if he is slicing it.
"How many of you are prepared to die defending President Aristide?"
All around, hands shoot into the air. Some put both hands up for added emphasis.
"We are all prepared to die," says one.
