UN probe of Aristide's ouster delayed

Catholic New Times, May 9, 2004

The United States and France have intimidated Caribbean countries into delaying an official request for a probe into the murky circumstances under which Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted from power in February, according to diplomatic sources here.

The two veto-wielding permanent members of the 15-nation Security Council have signaled to Caribbean nations that they do not want a UN probe of Aristide's ouster.

Any attempts to bring the issue or even introduce a resolution before the Security Council will either be blocked or vetoed by both countries, council sources told IPS.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has been caught in the middle of the dispute, says he is unable to act unless he has a formal request to do so, either by the Security Council or the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Haiti is a member.

"We have read news reports that CARICOM wants a UN investigation. But unless we receive an official request either from CARICOM or from the Security Council, we cannot act on it," UN spokesman Farhan Haq told IPS.