Group Calls for Investigation of Congressional Black Caucus
By Jeff Gannon
Talon News
April 8, 2004

An African-American group is calling for an investigation into the relationship between the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and deposed Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The Brotherhood Organization for a New Destiny (BOND), a family-focused, community-based organization in Los Angeles founded by Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, issued a letter to Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO), Chairman of the U.S. House of Representative's Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, asking for a formal investigation of the legislative caucus.

BOND's request is in response to actions and comments by members of the CBC regarding American policy toward Haiti, particularly accusations that White House and State Department officials orchestrated the "forced" resignation of Aristide. These lawmakers are demanding conclusive evidence that Aristide was not forced out of office.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Charles Rangel (D-NY) have taken the lead in calling for a congressional investigation into the circumstances of Aristide's departure.

Waters also accused Undersecretary of State for Latin America Roger Noriega -- whom she called "a Haiti-hater" -- of being behind the troubles there.

"The way I see it is they came to his house, uninvited," Waters said. "They had not only the force of the embassy but the Marines with them. They made it clear that he had to go now or he would be killed."

Other CBC members have also stated that they believe Mr. Aristide was kidnapped. Rep. Major Owens (D-NY) said that Aristide's departure was a "terrorist takeover."

White House officials called the allegations that the former Haitian leader was kidnapped "absurd" and "nonsense." Secretary of State Colin Powell stated that Aristide was not kidnapped and that the claims were "baseless" and "unfounded."

Following Aristide's departure, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told Talon News, "The crisis in Haiti was largely the making of Mr. Aristide. ... It was a failed government that condoned official corruption -- including drug trafficking."

BOND'S letter says, "We are seriously concerned about the inflammatory language and tone of these accusations. By misinterpreting the truth about what happened in the last hours before Aristide left office these lawmakers are inciting hatred, suspicion, and possibly violence towards the White House, State Department officials, and the new administration in Haiti."

The group finds it is especially troubling that Waters is actively lobbying for Aristide. It believes she is knowingly fomenting hostility towards U.S. and Haitian officials and calls her conduct "irresponsible behavior -- especially post 9-11."

BOND says, "We find it disturbing that the Congressional Black Caucus is backing a corrupt and brutal dictator like Aristide. Over the past decade the U.S. has sent nearly $1 Billion in aid to Haiti. Yet, Haiti is still the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. About 65% of Haitians cannot read. Up until his last days in office, allegations of corruption and drug smuggling were swirling around Aristide."

The group also says, "We believe it is irresponsible and offensive that CBC members, under the guise of representing the American public's interest, are doing the bidding for a man whom most Haitians despise; a man with a documented history of violence."

BOND's letter points out that within the past seven weeks Waters made several trips to Haiti and accompanied Aristide to Jamaica against the advice of the White House.

The group is questioning the nature of the relationship between CBC members and Aristide. It also asks whether CBC members, their families, or friends have business interest in Haiti.