Senior army man: We’re ready for Haiti

WHILE the TT Government is contemplating its plans as part of the peacekeeping force in Haiti, the TT Defence Force is quite ready. However, head of operations Major George Michael Clarke, while explaining the Defence Force is always ready, further  explained that going to Haiti is not simply picking up ourselves and going. “When the situation started, it was rather fluid so we began looking at our options both in relation to TT and the region, at one time there was mass protest and killings, that has changed this week,” he said.

Following weeks of mayhem, protest and killings the whole situation has stopped, following the sudden departure on Sunday of embattled president Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Central Afica via a jet, the president fled the country and immediately all the fighting stopped. “If and when we decided to go, we will have to put a ‘mission’ in place and then we will have to do `staff checks’ to see what resources we will need to deploy,” continued Clarke. “Based on the options and mission, we will select how many persons we want and  whatever specialised training is nessecary. We would then be able to work out the problems of last time.” “As an army however we are always in training and always ready”. In 1994, following a coup on the island the deposed Aristide was returned to power as president with the assistance of the United States of America. Several Caribbean and other peacekeeping missions were also sent to Haiti. On their return many of our soldiers complained about bad treatment by their Haitian and foreign counterparts.

Public Relations Officer of the regiment Capt Al Alexander shares similar views of Major Clarke. “We have been in operational mode since October because of pre-Christmas activities on the island, so we are ready if called to go to Haiti. One thing is for sure and that is we cannot go there just so, it is only if we are asked for assistance through CARICOM by France, USA, Germany or the United Nations. But as an army, rest assured we are ready and we will make sure this time our soldiers are well treated”. Aristide is due to take up political asylum in South Africa.