ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 4, 1994                   TAG: 9501110004
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: OSCAR ARIAS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HAITI SHOULD FOLLOW PANAMA'S DEMILITARIZING EXAMPLE

HAITI AND Panama are, respectively, the oldest and youngest independent nations in Latin America. The histories of both peoples have been marked by poverty, foreign intervention and dictatorship. The second half of the 20th century has seen Haitian and Panamanian aspirations to liberty and democracy ruthlessly suppressed through the usurpation of political power by national armed forces.

By definition, the army or national guard owes allegiance and obedience to civil authorities. The Haitian and Panamanian armed forces repeatedly violated the national constitution and oppressed the people they were charged to protect. Neither army could act effectively to defend territorial borders. But both armies consumed a huge part of the national budget, diverting resources that could have been dedicated to improving the lives of hungry children and disenfranchised citizens.

In October, two events critical to the future of peace and democracy on our continent took place: the fall of a bloody military dictatorship and the reinstatement of the democratically elected government in Haiti, and the constitutional abolition of the national armed forces in Panama. While the international press has thoroughly covered the return to power of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, it has practically ignored the great achievement of the Panamanian people. Two members of the Organization of American States - Panama and Costa Rica - now have constitutionally abolished their armed forces. In these countries, politics and geography have forged the first demilitarized region in the world.

This unjustified silence deprives the world of good tidings and the Panamanian people of well-deserved congratulations. Silence also mutes the suggestion that the international community's intervention in Haiti could be used to persuade the Haitian people to constitutionally abolish their army.

To ensure the viability of Haitian democracy, the world must unite to give rapid and massive aid toward the reconstruction of the Haitian economy. We must also take advantage of this opportunity to save the Haitian people from future suffering, to help them consolidate their democracy and to offer aid in the determination of the best use of their economic resources. All these goals can be realized through complete and definitive demilitarization.

For the good of the women and men of Haiti, and for the good of Latin America, efforts of good will should now be turned toward urging President Aristide and the members of the parliament in Port-au-Prince to repeat the Panamanian victory in Haiti. The culture of violence must be replaced by a culture of peace and solidarity. The small states of Central America and the Caribbean can take the first step toward achieving demilitarization on a global scale.

The sacrifice of innumerable martyrs to the cause of Haitian peace and democracy must not be in vain. Now is the hour of democracy. Now is the hour of peace. A few years ago, demilitarization was a utopia for Panama. Today it is a fact. Let us invoke the Haitian utopia today, so that it can become a reality in the very near future.

Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica, was the 1987 Nobel Peace Laureate.

- The Washington Post 


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