
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 18, 1994                    TAG: 9406170039 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A12    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940618                                 LENGTH:

READER DEBATE

{LEAD} President Clinton last week imposed tighter sanctions on Haiti, banning air travel to and from the island and other measures designed to force the military regime that seized power from Jean Bertrande Aristide in Septmber 1991 to give up control.

Some say the United States has an obligation to stand up in support of democratically elected leaders such as Aristide. They also say that restoring Aristide, perhaps even by invading Haiti, is in our national self-interest. Continuing the current situation, they say, will only spur a flood of Haitian refugees to these shores.

{REST} Opponents say it is none of America's business who governs Haiti and that Aristide had a far from unblemished human-rights record himself during his brief time as president. Invading Haiti, they say, will only make the United States responsible for straightening out Haiti, a mission that failed miserably in Somalia.

What do you think? Mark your envelope ``Reader Debate'' and send it c/o the Editorial Department, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510. (Fax: (804) 446-2051.)

by CNB