Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies
attacked Aristide's residence. Although Aristide escaped, on
September 30 he was captured at the palace, delivered to Brigadier
General Cedras, flown to Venezuela, and soon thereafter
was in Washington. Violence and terror spread across the country
as soldiers hunted down Aristide supporters. One victim was
Silvio Claude, the ardent anti-Duvalierist and perennial Protestant
presidential candidate, who was "necklaced." Approximately
1,500 people were killed in the first few days after the
coup.
On October 3, 1991, the military held a news conference.
According to Cedras, head of the junta, the coup was justified
because Aristide had abused power by undermining the constitution,
preaching class warfare, and encouraging violence and
mob rule. Yet, opposition to the coup continued, and the army
responded with more violence. Amnesty International
reported murders, arrests, torture, disappearances, and attacks
against community and church organizations.
The junta reversed Aristide's reforms. It restored the section
chiefs, fired Aristide-appointed prosecutors and judicial officers,
and released prisoners convicted of human rights violations.
It created a civilian government, appointing an eightyyear-old
Supreme Court justice, Joseph Nerette, president and
former Duvalier minister of tourism Jean-Jacques Honorat as
prime minister.
Foreign reaction was swift and negative. United States Secretary
of State James Baker condemned the coup leaders and
informed them that "this coup will not stand." Then the United
States imposed a series of penalties on the regime. The OAS
also condemned the coup. It called for Aristide's reinstatement,
attempted to have a dialogue and hold meetings with the
junta, and imposed hemispheric trade sanctions on Haiti.
Additionally, the UN Security Council condemned the coup,
refused to recognize its leaders, and issued a statement of
moral support for President Aristide's return.
The junta thwarted efforts to negotiate and countered with
an attack on Aristide, quoting statements by him that endorsed
"necklacing." The Haitian bishops then weighed in. They
favored a state of law and a democratic society in Haiti but
denied that restoring Aristide would result in a return to
democracy. This propaganda had an effect. Initial enthusiasm
for returning the president diminished as these critical reports
about him began to circulate.
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