Caribbean Report 10-02-1992

Abstract

Arthur Helton of the New York based lawyers committee for Human Rights discuss the evidence on the allegations of persecution and brutaility of Haitian refugees, which other U.S. officials deny. The U.S. also defends their criticism of the British for their repatriation of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong, while the U.S. also defends its decision to relax the trade embargo against Haiti's military backed regime. Contrasting U.S. opinions are aired on the Haitian political situation, including disappointment at the silence of CARICOM countries on the treatment of Haitian refugees. There are also reports on the cholera bacteria found in Trinidad and discussions on the possibility of an outbreak within the Caribean and the preparedness of the region for such an outbreak.

Description

Table of Contents

1. Headlines (00:00-00:39)
2. Report on the allegations of persecution of Haitian refugees by the U.S. coast guard and interview about the issue with Arthur Helton of the New York based lawyers committee for Human Rights (00:40- 03:55)
3. Report on the denial by the U.S. that any evidence has turned up to indicate any kind of brutality against returning Haitian refugees, while vice President Dan Quayle defends the U.S. classification of Haitian refugees as economic while speaking at a news conference in Geneva. He also insisted that the Haitian 'boat people' were different to the Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong who were being repatriated by the British government (03:56-04:32)
4. U.S state department defends its decision to ease the trade embargo against Haiti's military backed regime, and interview with Joseph Snyder, state department spokesman, on whether the reason to ease up on the embargo was a show of frustraion with the OAS and its failure to negotiate a solution to Haiti's political crisis (04:33- 07:17)
5. Report on the great sadness expressed by Charles Rangal, US democratic congressman, over the relative silence including that of CARICOM countries on the forced repatriation of Haitian refugees and airing of his views (07:18-10:16)
6. Report on the cholera bacteria found in a stream in West Trinidad and Tony Fraser reports on the infected stream of water which is the only source of water for many. Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Roderick Dookdeen is interviewed on the possibility of risk for the spread of the bacteria (10:17-12:26)
7. Report on the preparedness of the regional office of the Pan-American health organisation (PAHO), on the possibility of any cholera outbreak and interview with PAHO regional director, Dr. Howard Dyer on measures for keeping cholera at bay (12:27-14:58)

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