THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 16, 1994 TAG: 9408160009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
I am delighted and heartened that the U.N. Security Council has given its approval for a United States multilateral invasion of Haiti, if necessary. There is, in my opinion, no justifiable reason why the United States cannot take the lead in ending the present reign of terror in Haiti.
It is abundantly clear that the present tyranny of Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras and the chimerial and illegal presidency of Emile Jonassaint have no standing in terms of legality and logic. The time, I believe, is at hand, if General Cedras and Jonassaint will not stand aside, to end the pain, suffering and debasement of the Haitian people.
Rank tyranny, disrespect for the rule of law and oppression represent colossal affronts to the elemental tenets of democratic principles and the primacy of human life.
The oppression and tyranny now countenanced and enforced by Cedras' military henchmen cannot claim standing in terms of international law.
Neither Cedras nor Jourassaint can claim legitimacy in terms of the cardinal principles of international law: (1) stability of the government; (2) ability to execute international obligations; (3) the general acquiescence of the people.
In reality, the Cedras-dominated, -controlled and -manipulated government of Haiti is a towering fraud and an affront to the Haitian people.
The Haitian people deserve and ought to be able to live in a state of freedom and security. We have a moral, ethical and legal basis to act with dispatch and force, if Cedras does not capitulate forthwith, to restore President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to his legal and rightful office.
Our action, in full cooperation with the United Nations, will provide a demonstrable and powerful assurance that tyranny and bestiality will not be tolerated in the Western Hemisphere or elsewhere.
SAMUEL L. BANKS
Norfolk, Aug. 2, 1994 by CNB