Yesterday the New York Times printed a letter from me showing that the Carter Center, which recently attacked the credibility of the Haitian elections, has never been supportive of Aristide. The Times had said they usually support him. The paper got the gist of my letter OK, but they edited and abbreviated what I wrote. Below is the version I sent them:

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July 22, 1995

To the Editor The New York Times 229 W. 43rd St. New York, NY 10036

In reporting the attempt of the Carter Center to discredit the recent elections in Haiti ("Election Monitor Criticizes Haitian Vote for Widespread Fraud," July 21), Steven Greenhouse mistakenly says that the Carter Center is "normally a strong supporter of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide." In fact, President Carter has several times tried to undercut President Aristide, and seems now to be doing so yet again.

One example, as Mr. Greenhouse notes, occurred last February when Mr. Carter went to Haiti to give support to President Aristide's political opponents and (incredibly) urge the Haitian president to remain neutral in the elections.

In December, 1990, when the then Father Aristide was standing for election, Mr. Carter, who was in Haiti as an election observer, tried to persuade the priest to step aside. Mr. Carter sent aides to tell Father Aristide's advisors that their candidate had no chance of winning and should, for the good of the country, concede the election before it began. The Aristide camp, knowing Haiti far better than the Carter people, of course refused. It was clear to them then, as it is today, where the sentiments of the Haitian majority lie. They have no need to concede elections or to stuff ballot boxes.

The Carter mission to Haiti last September on the eve of the U.S. military intervention was a direct affront to President Aristide, for it attempted to lend honor and credibililty to the criminals who had ousted him and terrorized his land. Although that mission has been credited with avoiding bloodshed, it was a diplomatic failure, since General Cedras and other leaders did not agree to surrender power until they learned that an air attack had been launched upon them. Before leaving Haiti that time, President Carter slapped President Aristide in the face by inviting General Cedras to Georgia to teach a Sunday School class!

The last thing the Haitians need is for the Carter Center to tell them they don't know how to vote.

Tom F. Driver Member, Haiti Task Force, Witness for Peace

** End of text from cdp:alt.c-e.haiti **

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Response 1 of 2

** Written 7:47 PM Aug 1, 1995 by poldcnat in cdp:alt.c-e.haiti **

I was in Haiti for the 1990 elections as an observer (official) and heard from two seperate and close sources—perhaps the two closest— about this meeting of members of Carter's 1990 team attempting to convince first an advisor and then Aristide himself of dropping out. According to these sources and to an article hinting at the encounter in a British journal the pressure put on Aristide was of the most vicious kind. Does anybody have the actual names of who was there from Carter's team? I have heard some names, but no exact details.

** End of text from cdp:alt.c-e.haiti **

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Response 2 of 2

** Written 9:01 AM Aug 2, 1995 by worth in cdp:alt.c-e.haiti ** Pastor and Andrew Young were among those visiting Aristide to urge first that he withdraw, then that he concede — the latter on election day itself! ** End of text from cdp:alt.c-e.haiti **