Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 28, 1993 TAG: 9311280050
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI LENGTH: Medium
As far as they're concerned, Aristide is a goner politically. The options they are considering revolve mainly around whether to leave Aristide in office in exile or hold new elections.
The opposition appeared to win one battle Friday when Aristide's powerless but internationally recognized premier, Robert Malval, announced he was quitting Dec. 15 as scheduled.
Most on the far right agree that their plans to consolidate power depend on an international oil embargo being lifted, an unlikely prospect. The military and civilian far right say that if the embargo continues, social chaos will result.
The army ordered gas stations to close today for three days until it works out a plan for safe and controlled distribution.
Malval's announcement came after a week of meetings with political and community leaders failed to boost his prospects for staying in power. His talks included a session with military leaders who overthrew Aristide in 1991, approved the U.N. plan for his Oct. 30 return and then blocked it.
"It is out of the question to bolster an Aristide-designated premier or his government," said Hubert De Ronceray, a three-time presidential candidate for the far right.
Aristide's opponents are airing two options for holding onto power, both of which presuppose backing by Haiti's powerful military:
Under army pressure, the Parliament would declare Aristide incapacitated - unable to serve in office - for a period of time, perhaps to the scheduled end of his term in 1995.
Aristide would remain president in exile but, under international pressure to resolve the crisis, designate an opposition premier to replace Malval and run the country.
As another option, some far rightists advocate overhauling the 1987 constitution under which Aristide was elected, eliminating his legal claim to office, and holding a new presidential vote.
by CNB