THE LEDGER-STAR
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 19, 1994 TAG: 9409190208
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ABOARD THE USS MOUNT WHITNEY LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
The first U.S. troops arrived peacefully in Port-au-Prince early today after a last-minute accord with Haiti's military leaders averted a land, sea and air assault by U.S. forces.
Army Lt. Gen. Henry H. Shelton helicoptered ashore from this 2nd Fleet ship, which anchored at 7:15 a.m. within sight of the capital city. Shelton was to set the agenda for additional U.S. forces and multinational units to follow.
The Mount Whitney, a command and control ship, was led into the wide bay before dawn by the Coast Guard cutter Chase and coastal patrol boat Monsoon. The carrier Eisenhower, carrying more than 50 helicopters from the 10th Mountain Division, trailed by 8 miles.
The initial greeting in the harbor appeared friendly, with Haitian fishermen paddling out in canoes or sailing in small boats toward the giant Mount Whitney.
Crew members remained at general quarters, however, manning 50 caliber machine guns and keeping a close watch.
U.S. forces were less than 20 minutes from carrying out their planned invasion of Haiti when, at 7:42 p.m. Sunday, the order was given to ``stand down.''
The troops had to await word on what deal had been struck between Haiti's leaders and former President Jimmy Carter's delegation.
Before Carter, retired Gen. Colin Powell and Sen. Sam Nunn ended their negotiations with Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division were already enroute.
The mission was aborted after Carter's delegation reached an 11th-hour agreement with Cedras to step down by Oct. 15 and allow exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resume power.
The Mount Whitney, carrying more than 1,000 crew members and the brains behind the operation, had been shadowing Haiti's shores all afternoon and was just miles from Port-Au-Prince.
A task force of some 37 ships, including two aircraft carriers and more than 200 aircraft, were preparing to land more than 7,000 troops ashore.
Shelton, commanding general of the 18th Airborne Corps, said he felt relief at not having to make a forced entry into Haiti, but he also said he knows those who worked long and hard on the operation felt some disappointment.
``I feel very good from the standpoint that we may be able to reach an agreement and accomplish our original objective,'' said Shelton, just minutes before President Clinton announced to the nation that the invasion had been called off.
``I feel relief we don't have to put anybody in harm's way.''
After their ``passive landing,'' U.S. and multinational forces were to take temporary control of Haiti's internal affairs while President Jean-Bertrand Arristide returns to power.
Johnson said his first reaction after being told the invasion was off was to make sure the landing forces were repositioned properly.
``You know how hard everybody worked to get to this point and there is a frustration that is natural when the adrenaline is up and you are ready to go.
``But also, when you step back and realize you don't have to put people in danger, it is a relief.''
``There is now tough work ahead,'' Shelton said as he made plans for carrying out the peaceful occupation of Haiti.
Meanwhile, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines begin to wonder how much sooner they will be returning home. For some, that could come in several days. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS
Evelyne Bellefleur, center, and other celebrants at Philadelphia
Church of God in Miami's Little Haiti community hail the decision of
Haiti's military junta to step down and allow the return of
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Gen. Colin Powell, left, Sen. Sam Nunn and ex-President Jimmy Carter
return to Andrews Air Force Base today after negotiating a peaceful
transfer of power in Haiti.
Clinton talks to Carter during the negotiations.
KEYWORDS: HAITI U.S.S. MOUNT WHITNEY by CNB