Comments made by Senator John Kerry more than seven months ago may have helped trigger the recent wave of violence afflicting Haiti, according to the Brazilian commander for the UN peacekeeping troops in that Caribbean nation.
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“Statements made by a candidate to the presidency of the United States created false hopes among pro-Aristide supporters,” [Lieutenant-General Augusto Heleno] Ribeiro told the agency. “His (the candidate’s) statements created the expectation that instability and a change in American policy would contribute to Aristide’s return.”
Ribeiro was referring to statements made by Kerry to the New York Times on March 7.
The Democratic presidential candidate told the Times US President George W Bush’s position on Haiti was “shortsighted” and sent “a terrible message” to the region and democracies.
Kerry said he would have sent an international force to protect Aristide as rebel forces were threatening to enter the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.
So Senator Kerry has at least one characteristic of President Clinton - a blithe disregard of the price others may pay for his off-hand political pandering.