Some of Roger Noreiga's testimony was on the radio today, and pairing it with Aristide's own declarations on the subject, it seems clear now that the US gave him an ultimatum. I don't believe, as some do, that the US was behind the rebellion to begin with, or that this was some nefarious plan to achieve regime change. But it made sense for the Bush administration to find a quick end to this situation — one that wouldn't lead to a refugee crisis in an election year. Aristide stood in the way of that, so he was strongarmed: now the marines are running the country.
It's obvious that Aristide wasn't a strong or particularly legitimate leader. Should the US be acting to hasten the demise of weak, corrupt, gangland regimes? Perhaps. But taking such action in the absence of any coherent policy, without planning or consideration, and in response primarily to political considerations in the United States seems like a pretty damn bad idea.
MORE: Randy Paul is concerned too, specifically with the way Aristide left and how it will be viewed internationally.
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