Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410170084
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: COX NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI LENGTH: Medium
``We're not in pain anymore. We're not afraid anymore,'' Aristide cried to a cheering multitude massed in front of the National Palace.
Aristide, shielded by bulletproof glass and surrounded by U.S. soldiers, vowed that ``the sun of democracy rose, and will never go down again. Today, the eyes of justice have opened, never to close again.''
``Today we celebrate a day of freedom without violence,'' he said. ``We have to say: Never will a drop of blood fall in this country again. All guns must be silenced.''
It was the first time Aristide, 41, had set foot on Haitian soil since the army deposed him in a bloody September 1991 coup. Many of the thousands of Haitians who stood for hours in the tropical sun wept joyously as they strained for a glimpse of him.
Marking the day, the U.N. Security Council voted to lift trade sanctions that had been imposed to force out the military government. Even with that action and the help of an estimated $1 billion in international aid, Aristide faces daunting challenges to restore the country's institutions and economy.
For Clinton administration policy-makers, Aristide's restoration was a concrete step toward reconstruction of this shattered nation of 7 million. It was also a step toward ending a dilemma that has plagued two U.S. administrations: accepting thousands of Haitian boat people or sending them back to their oppressors.
A wild cheer rose from the crowd as the U.S. helicopter carrying Aristide touched down. The blast from its propellers shredded a bougainvillea bush and showered the scene with fuchsia blooms.
In his remarks, Aristide extended a ``bouquet'' of thanks to the United Nations and members of the international community who had pressured for an end to military rule in Haiti.
``We are grateful to you, President Clinton,'' he said. ``This has redefined the relationship between Haiti and the United States.''
Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who accompanied Aristide on his flight from the United States, said in a news conference, ``I hope all the coup leaders, all the military men in the hemisphere who have designs on their democratic government, will take a lesson from this.''
Aristide pleaded with Haitians not to avenge the army-sponsored violence.
by CNB